Ah, summer in South Florida. The calendar marks the kids out of school for 10 or 11 weeks. The thermometer reads extreme heat and humidity. And the economic barometers point to little money to spend on camp and out-of-town vacations.

But the water is fine, and cheap or free stuff to do all summer abounds.

So MomsMiami has put together this handy list of boredom busters, newly updated and with links to all your favorite things to do -- in the great outdoors, or inside the even greater air-conditioning. Visit Mother Nature in the early morning and late evening when the heat lets up. For those rainy or sweltering afternoons, there are plenty of places to cool off.

Share your own ideas in our School's Out or Fun in the Sun forums. Share photos of your kids enjoying the summer in our Brag Book.

Have fun!

And save some money, too: As a special bonus to MomsMiami.com readers, click below to print out a coupon for free admission to several South Florida attractions between June 1 and Aug. 31.

---

Outdoor Fun

• Water Parks and Cool Pools
• Beaches
• Nature
• Parks
• Attractions

Indoor Fun

• Children's museums
• Ice rinks
• Roller rinks
• Arcades and entertainment centers
• Events
• Bowling alleys
• Movie Times

---

Water Parks and Cool Pools

Here are some of the South Florida water parks that are open to the public. There are many more run by various cities.
Broward | Miami-Dade

Broward:

Paradise Cove at C.B. Smith Park
900 N. Flamingo Rd. Pembroke Pines, FL 33028 Call 954-437-2650.
Open 9:30 a.m.- 5:20 p.m. Admission is $8.50/person. After 3 p.m. $5.50/person. In addition, there is a gate admission fee of $1.50 a person (children 5 and under free) on weekends and holidays.

Castaway Island at T.Y. Park
3300 N. Park Rd. Hollywood. Call 954-985-1980.
Open 9:30 a.m.- 5:20 p.m. Admission is $6.50 a session, with additional sessions at $4.50 a person. During the summer and at other peak times, Castaway Island schedules daily sessions, each running an hour and 50 minutes. In addition, there is a gate admission fee of $1.50 a person (children 5 and under free) on weekends and holidays.

Safari Isle Pool at Markham Park
16001 W. State Rd. 84, Sunrise. Call 954-389-2000.
Open 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays.
Admission is $3.50 a person.

Splash Adventure at Quiet Waters Park
401 S. Powerline Rd. Deerfield Beach, FL 33442. Call 954-360-1315.
Open 9:30 a.m.- 5:20 p.m.
Admission is $4.50 per person. During the summer and at other peak times, Splash Adventure schedules admission by sessions, each lasting an hour and 50 minutes.

Tropical Splash at Central Broward Regional Park
3700 N.W. 11th Place, Lauderhill, FL 33311. Call 954-321-1170.
Open 9:30 a.m.- 5:20 p.m. Admission is $4.50 a person. In addition, there is a gate admission fee of $1.50 a person (children 5 and under free) on weekends and holidays.

Miami-Dade:

Grapeland Water Park
1550 NW 37th Ave. in Miami.
Open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Admission is free for kids 3 and younger; $5 for kids 4 to 13; $7 for adult Miami-Dade County residents; $10 for non-residents. Call 305-960-2950.

McDonald Aquatic Center
7505 W. 12th Ave., Hialeah. Call 305-818-9164.
Open 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday-Friday; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday; closed Monday.
Admission for Hialeah residents is $4 for adults; $2 for kids 4-17. For non-residents, it's $9 for adults; $6 for kids 4-17. Kids 3 and younger get in free.

Venetian Pool
2701 De Soto Blvd., Coral Gables. Call 305-460-5306.
Open 11 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Monday-Friday; 10 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. Saturday-Sunday.
Admission is $10 for adults, $6.75 for kids 3-12; for Coral Gables residents, it's $4.50 for adults, $3.50 for kids 3-12. Children under 3 not admitted.

back to top

---

Beaches

South Florida's Best Beaches

back to top

---

Nature

Biscayne National Park

South Florida Eco Adventures

Deering Estate at Cutler
16701 SW 72nd Ave., Miami. Call 305-235-1668.
Located along the edge of Biscayne Bay, the 444-acre Deering Estate at Cutler is an environmental, archeological and historical preserve -- and a Miami-Dade County park. Its many activities include canoe rides, butterfly hikes and guided nature tours. Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with last ticket sold at 4 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children 4 to 14 years old.

Broward nature centers

Everglades National Park
Call 305-242-7700.
For a quick trip, head west on U.S. 41 to Shark Valley. It has a 15-mile bike path and a 65-foot observation tower. Or take Florida's Turnpike to Florida City, then follow the signs to the Everglades Royal Palm Visitor Center for ranger-led tours and a look at alligators, birds and reptiles. The Shark Valley entrance is open 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Main park (Florida City) entrance is open 24 hours. Fees vary: $10 car (good for seven consecutive days), $5 pedestrian/bicycle (good for seven consecutive days), $25 annual pass.

Marjory Stoneman Douglas Biscayne Nature Center
Crandon Park, 6767 Crandon Blvd., Key Biscayne. Call 305-361-6767.
The center has nature exhibits, saltwater aquariums and a spot for snorkeling and kayaking.
Open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Guided tours with a naturalist are $10 a person. Call to reserve.

back to top

---

Parks

Visit one you've never been to:

• Miami-Dade parks
• Broward parks
• State parks
  
  

back to top

---

Attractions

Miami-Dade wildlife attractions
(Miami Metrozoo, Seaquarim, Jungle Island, Monkey Jungle, Everglades Alligator Farm)

Lion Country Safari
2003 Lion Country Safari Rd., Loxahatchee. (Southern Boulevard 18 miles west of Interstate 95). Call 561-793-1084.
Open 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (no admissions after 4:30 p.m.) daily.
Admission: $24 (ages 10-64); $22 (seniors 65+); $18 (children 3-9); Free for toddlers (0-2). Parking is $5 per vehicle. Check the website for available coupons.

back to top

---

Children's museums

Young at Art
11584 West State Road 84, Davie. Call 954-424-0085.
Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission $8; $7.50 for
seniors (62+); free for kids under 2. Family membership $65.
Special exhibit: Alice’s Wonderland A Most Curious Adventure from May 30 to Aug. 23.

Museum of Discovery & Science
401 SW Second St., Fort Lauderdale. Call 954-467-6637.
Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday; noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.
Admission (not including IMAX) $10 for adults; $9 for seniors; $8 for kids 2-12; free for kids 1 and younger. Memberships start at $75.
Special exhibits: ROBOTS: The Interactive Exhibition through Sept. 7.

IMAX Theater
Click here for movies and showtimes.
Tickets are $7-$12; or $12-$16 for ticket to both the exhibits and IMAX.

Miami Science Museum and Planetarium
3280 S. Miami Ave., Miami. Call 305-646-4200.
Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. (Box office closes at 5:30 p.m.)
Miami-Dade County residents admission: $15.30 for adults, $13.60 for seniors (62+) and students with ID, $11.05 children (3-12), free for children under 3. Regular admission $18 for adults; $16 for seniors (62+) and students; $13 for kids 3-12; free for kids under 3. Memberships start at $40.

Miami Children's Museum
980 MacArthur Causeway, Miami. Call 305-373-KIDS (5437).
Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
Admission $15; $12 for Florida residents, $6 city of Miami residents, children under 12 months are free. Admission is free 3 to 9 p.m. on the third Friday of the month. Parking is $1 an hour.

Wannado City
Sawgrass Mills Mall, 12801 Sunrise Blvd., Sunrise. Call 1-888-WANNADO (926-6236).
Open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.
Admission $35 children (3-13), $5 (0-2, 14+).

back to top

---

Movie Times

Get schedules and reviews at MiamiHerald.com

back to top

---

Ice rinks

Glacier Ice and Snow Arena
4601 N. Federal Hwy., Lighthouse Point. Call 954-943-1437.
Open for public skating 9:40 to 11:50 a.m. and 1:40 to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday; 7:30-10 p.m. Friday; 1:40 to 3:50 and 8 to 10 p.m. Saturday; 11:15 a.m. to 1 p.m. (age 2 and over; bike helment required) and 1:40 to 3:50 p.m. Sunday.
Admission is $8; $3 skate rental.

Incredible Ice
3299 Sportsplex Dr., Coral Springs. Call 954-341-9956.
Summer public skating schedule starts June 9: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday-Friday; 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday; 8 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 1 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Admission is $6 to $9; skate rental $3.

Pines Ice Arena
12425 Taft St., Pembroke Pines. Call 954-704-8700.
Open for public skating 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. ($9) or 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. ($7) or 12:30 to 3 p.m. ($7) Monday-Friday; 8:30 to 11:30 p.m. Friday ($9); 10 a.m. to noon ($7), 1 to 5 p.m. ($9),or 3 to 5 p.m. ($7) Saturday and Sunday. Skate rental $4, premium skate rental $5.

Kendall Ice Arena
10355 Hammocks Blvd., Miami. Call 305-386-8288.
Open for public skating 10 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Monday-Thursday ($6 admission, $3 skate rental); 4 to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday and 7:30 to 10 p.m. Thursday ($6, free skates); 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday ($6 admission, $3 skate rentals); 10 a.m. to noon Saturday ($6 admission, $3 skate rentals). 6 to 8 p.m. Friday ($6 admission, $3 skates); 8:30 p.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday ($9 admission, $3 skates); 1 to 7 p.m. Saturday ($6 admission, $3 skates); 10 a.m. to noon, 1 to 5 ($6 admission, $3 skates) and 6:30 to 10 p.m. Sunday ($6 admission, $3 skates). Sunday evening is family night.

Scott Rakow Youth Center Ice Skating Rink
2700 Sheridan Ave., Miami Beach. Call 305-604-4823.
Open for public skating 3 to 5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday; 8 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 3 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; 7 to 9 p.m. Sundays. Admission is $6 for kids, $9 for adults; $3 for Miami Beach residents. Skate rental is $3, free for residents. Friday is teen night.

back to top

---

Roller rinks

SuperWheels Skating Center
12265 SW 112th St. Miami. Call 305-270-9386.
Sessions are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. ($9) or 3 to 5 p.m. ($6) Monday-Thursday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., 7 to 9:30 p.m., 10:30 p.m. to midnight ($9), 3 to 6 p.m. ($6) Friday; 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturdays for kids 11 and under ($7), and 1 to 4 p.m., 4:30 to 7 p.m., or 8 to 11 p.m. ($9); 1 to 4 p.m. ($9) and 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday ($8). Sunday is Family Fun Night with $28 package for family of six, including skate rental. Skate rental is extra other times.

Gold Coast Roller Rink
2604 S. Federal Hwy., Fort Lauderdale. Call 954-523-6783.

back to top

---

Arcades and entertainment centers

Cool-de-Sac
Shops at Sunset Place, 5701 Sunset Dr., Miami. Call 305-446-1686.
An entertainment center for parents and kids, with dining, arts, blocks, games and more.
Open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday-Thursday; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Admission is $13.95 for kids 3 to 12; $5.95 for kids under 3; free for parents and teens.

Boomers
1700 NW First St., Dania Beach. Call 954-921-1411.
Attractions include arcade and South Florida's only roller coaster, the Dania Beach Hurricane. Open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday, noon to 11 p.m. Monday – Thursday, noon to 2 a.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday. Price varies according to amusement ride package, from $24 to $40. Website includes $10 off coupons.

Kabooms Amusement and Party Center
9130 State Road 84, Davie. Call 954-452-2800.
Roller rink open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 10 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday.
Attractions also include paint ball, laser tag and an arcade. Price varies according to amusement package, from $3 to $19.

Chuck E. Cheese's
Kiddie pizza parlor and arcade with locations all over South Florida.

Dave & Buster's
3000 Oakwood Blvd., Hollywood. Call 954-923-5505.
11481 NW 12th St., Miami. Call 305-468-1555.
Hollywood location has a parent/child challenge 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. the first Saturday of the month. $30 for one adult and child ($10 additional person). Includes pancake breakfast, face painting by Ooopsy the Clown, scavenger hunt, and a $20 power card.

back to top

---

Bowling alleys

Strike Miami
Dolphin Mall, 11401 NW 12th St. Miami. 305-594-0200.
Open 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. Monday–Thursday; noon to 3 a.m. Friday; 11 a.m. to 3 a.m. Saturday; 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Sunday.

Splitsville Luxury Lanes and Dinner Lounge
Shops at Sunset Place, 5701 Sunset Dr. Suite 202, South Miami. 305-665-LANE (5263).
Open 4 p.m.-2 a.m. Monday–Thursday; 11 a.m. - 5 a.m. Friday & Saturday; 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Sunday.

Bird Bowl
9275 SW 40th St. Miami. 305-221-1221.
Open 8:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. Sunday–Thursday; 8:30 a.m. to 3 a.m. Friday and Saturday.
Prices vary with daily specials for certain hours. Shoe rentals $3.50.

Lucky Strike Lanes
1691 Michigan Ave., Miami Beach. 305-532-0307.
Open 11:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. Monday–Thursday; 11:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday; 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday; 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Sunday. Must be 21 or older after 9 p.m.

Manor Lanes Bowling Center
1517 NE 26th St., Wilton Manors. 954-563-5722.
Prices: Before 3 p.m. Monday-Saturday: $2.75 a game for seniors, $3 a game for juniors, $3.25 a game for adults; Sunday special 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. $2.75 a game for all; after 3 p.m. Monday –Sunday: $4.75 a game for all. Shoe rentals $3.25.

AMF
1940 N. University Dr., Pembroke Pines. 954-432-5500; 8200 W. State Road 84, Davie. 954-473-8822. Offers pass for kids to bowl free all summer.

Sparez
5325 S. University Dr. Davie. 954-434-9663; 8034 W. Sample Road, Margate.
Davie: Family special 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., $49.95 plus tax. Up to six people in a lane for two hours, shoes, popcorn, Pepsi.

back to top

---

Events

Check the listings at MomsMiami, MiamiHerald.com and Miami.com.

Live performances

• Adrienne Arsht Center
• Broward Center for the Performing Arts
• Fort Lauderdale Children's Theatre
• Miniaci Performing Arts Center
• The Playground Theatre
• Actors' Playhouse at the Miracle Theater

back to top