Things to Do

Miami Family Fun – Part 2

miami family fun, miamicurated — Family fest at the Arsht

By Jan Engoren and Yours Truly

Miami Family Fun, a guide to things to do in Miami, rain or shine, year round, and for all ages. Good ideas, too, for singles, couples and groups of adult friends. Here in Part 2 of the series, find nature and ecology, farm stands, museums and performing arts with special programming for children and teens, and the tried and true. If you missed part one, click here.

Nature & Ecology

Pelican Harbor

A great evening and educational for adults and kids alike, as you partake of the scenic Miami skyline from the water at night. Pelican Harbor Seabird Station was founded in 1980 for the purpose of caring for injured brown pelicans and now works with all seabird rehabilitation and accepts all native birds, mammals, and reptiles.

The organization hosts monthly “Seabirds on the Bay” two-hour boating cruises of Biscayne Bay, where you can scan the mangrove shorelines for brown pelicans, frigate birds and more than 30 other species of birds. For those over 21, please feel free to BYOB and reserve your tickets early – they always sell out.

Pelican Harbor is located at 1279 NE 79th Street Causeway, Miami, Florida 33138. Tel: 305-751-9840. Visit pelicanharbor.org.

Miami Airboat Everglades Tours

See the wonders of the Everglades on an airboat tour. Glide down the River of Grass and see wildlife and how they interact and behave in their natural habitats. The Florida Everglades is home to some of the most beautiful and endangered species in the world, including alligators, crocodiles Whitetail Deer, Black Bear, Egrets, Great Blue Herons, turtles, and even the Endangered Florida Panther.

Guides will point out some of the native flowers, insects and birds that live there, and explain the history of the Everglades and current efforts that are being made to preserve this delicate ecosystem. Remember to bring a camera, sunglasses and sunscreen (and maybe earplugs!)

41 ValueJet Flight 592 Memorial #30 Miami, Florida 33194. Tel: (305) 224-6602.

Visit miamievergladesairboattours.com.

Marjory Stoneman Douglas Biscayne Nature Center

You may think you know about the Biscayne Nature Center but you’ll be surprised to hear the scope of activities they offer for families and adults. Think seagrass adventure where you walk out into shallow water and do a catch and release with marine life; fossil reef tidal pool exploration; bird watching; art exhibits; and the center itself with its collection of shells from the immediate area, acquariums, and nifty shop. Stay tuned for an upcoming blogpost on the Center.

Biscayne Nature Center, 6767 Crandon Blvd. Key Biscayne, Florida 33149 Tel: 305-361-6767

Farm Stands

Robert is Here Fruit Stand

If you’ve never been – this is a must-do. Sixty years ago, Robert Moehling started a family-owned and operated business that has now become a South Florida landmark.

Specializing in rare and exotic vegetables and fruits such as lychees, persimmon and kumquat, the stand has an animal farm complete with goats, cows, pigs, emus and tropical birds, play area and picnic tables. Known for their milkshakes made with fresh milk and fruit and exotic fruit smoothies blended with tropical fruits such as anistel mango or black sapote banana shake, it’s a great place to spend a lazy day with the kids.

Before you leave, take a selfie by poet Jessy Nite’s, “Stay Gold,” sculpture located in the fields.

Robert is Here is located at 19200 SW 344th Street Homestead, Florida 33034.

Tel: (305) 246-1592. Visit robertishere.com.

Knaus Berry Farm in Homestead

It’s been said that there are only two seasons in South Florida — when the Knaus Berry Farm bakery is open and when it’s closed. (The bakery closes for the season in April.) Offering to-die for cinnamon and pecan rolls, brownies and pecan, guava, key lime and shoo-fly pies, this farmstand is a destination in the South Miami/Homestead area.

In addition to the bakery, the farm, at its current location since 1959, offers U-Pick strawberries and tomatoes, a variety of home-made jams and jellies, fresh produce and of course, kids’ favorite – ice cream.

Knaus Berry Farm is located at 15980 SW 248th Street Homestead, Florida 33031. Tel:

(305) 247-0668. Visit knausberryfarm.com.

Miami Museums and Performing Arts

The Miami Beach Regional Library

What better way to get your kids interested in reading than a visit to the Miami Beach Regional Library? Free homework help and tutoring is available to all students K-12. They offer stories, songs and finger plays for babies and their caregivers and story time for pre-schoolers.

Encourage your child’s innate love of music with songs, rhymes, dances, and games designed to foster fine motor skills development for babies up to 3 years of age.

The Miami Beach Regional Library is located at 227 22nd Street, Miami Beach, Florida 33139. Tel: 305-535-4219. Visit mdpls.org.

The Arsht Performing Arts Center

Many of Miami’s leading museums and performing arts centers have exciting programming for children of all ages, from toddlers to teens. Here’s an idea of what’s in store at each, but check their websites for dates and times.

The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts offers a Family Fest Series with free pop-up performances throughout the city’s diverse neighborhoods. These include everything from ballet classes and dance performances to a sing along with the likes of the Miami Children’s Chorus and its friends, to special concerts by the Greater Miami Youth Symphony.

The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts is located at 1300 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami, Florida 33132. Tel: (305) 949-6722. Visit arshtcenter.org.

Actors’ Playhouse at The Miracle Theatre frequently has family friendly musicals.

It Is located at 280 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables, Florida 33134. Tel: (305) 444-9293. Visit actorsplayhouse.org.

New World Symphony features special concerts for kids with interactive pre-concert activities,

with NWS Fellows and community partners.

New World Center is located at 500 17th Street, Miami Beach, Florida 33139.

Tel: (305) 680-5866. Visit nws.edu.

Bass Museum

Bass Babies is a weekly art program designed for young ones and their caregivers to foster new discoveries in sensory awareness, creativity and pre-literacy skills through hands-on art activities.

Each week, older students will learn about colors, shapes, patterns, numbers and letters while exercising free expression which aides in problem solving, assists in decision-making and provides a creative outlet for early learners.

The Bass Museum is located at 2100 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, Florida 33139. Tel: (305) 673-7530. Please check website to verify dates and times: thebass.org.

Perez Art Museum Miami

Do you have a young, budding artist on hand?

Perez Art Museum Miami (PAMM) offers free second Saturdays with hands-on activities for children and adults as well as guided tours, guest artists, films, performances and more. Every second Saturday program explores artwork on-view in new and engaging ways, aimed at inspiring visitors of all ages. Admission is free all day, with art-making from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. every second Saturday of the month.

Also, on select Saturdays from 11 a.m. -12:30 p.m., 3 – 5 year-olds and their caregivers build on foundations of literacy with a gallery experience followed by story reading and related art activity with PAMM Art Storytime. Space is limited. Pre-registration required.

Perez Art Museum Miami is located at 1103 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, Florida 33132.

Tel: (305) 375-3000. Visit pamm.org.

History Miami Museum

Part of the prestigious Smithsonian Institution Affiliations Program, Downtown Miami’s History Miami entertains and educates with more than 13,000 artifacts. Get immersed in South Florida’s history with the Pioneer House or stop by for Family Fun Day, when the kiddos can celebrate Miami’s diversity with fun, interactive events such as drum circles (see website for current event info).

History Miami Museum is located at 101 West Flagler Street, Miami, Florida 33130.

Tel: (305) 375-1492. Visit historymiami.org.