Miami Beach has 22 city playgrounds, two splash pads, free library story times at three branches and free outdoor movies. Rainy-day picks included.
Last checked Oct. 9, 2026. Facts come from the City of Miami Beach Parks and Recreation pages for playgrounds, water playgrounds and toddler programs, the Miami-Dade Public Library System branch pages and the city events calendar. Parks and Recreation: 305-673-7730.
Miami Beach’s mayor counts 45 parks and 22 playgrounds in the city. Two parks have splash pads, and three public library branches run free story times and craft hours. Most of what is below is free; where it is not, we say so.
Quick picks
- Splash pads: Flamingo Park and Normandy Isle Park.
- Newest playground: La Gorce, 6421 Alton Road, jungle-themed.
- Free story times: Miami Beach Regional, North Shore and South Shore libraries.
- Free movies: SoundScape Park, Wednesdays at 8 p.m. from October.
Playgrounds
The city’s playgrounds page lists play areas for ages 2 to 5 and 5 to 12 at these parks:
Allison Park, Altos Del Mar, Bayshore Park (2500 Pine Tree Drive), Belle Isle Park, Canopy Park (701 West Ave., enclosed), Crespi Park, Fairway Park, Fisher Park, Flamingo Park, La Gorce Park, Lummus Park, Marjory Stoneman Douglas Park, Maurice Gibb Memorial Park, Mid Beach Park, Muss Park (4300 Chase Ave.), Normandy Isle Park, North Beach Oceanside Park, North Shore Park and Youth Center (501 72 St.), Palm Island Park, Parkview Park, Polo Park, Scott Rakow Youth Center, South Pointe Park (1 Washington Ave.), Stillwater Park (8440 Hawthorne Ave.), Tatum Park and 20 Street Pocket Park. The page sorts them by age group, 2 to 5 and 5 to 12.
New in 2026: the city rebuilt the La Gorce playground at 6421 Alton Road as a jungle-themed play space with a Giant Tree House and a Cobra Slide, extra shade and a poured-in-place safety surface. It opened March 6, 2026, paid for by the 2018 and 2022 general obligation bonds (city announcement). Beach View Park is closed for construction.
Splash pads
The city’s two water playgrounds are for children only, with zero-depth entry and lifeguards on duty.
| Splash pad | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Flamingo Park Water Playground (inside the aquatic center) | 1200 Michigan Ave. | 305-673-7750 |
| Normandy Isle Park Water Playground | 7030 Trouville Esplanade | 305-993-2021 |
Outside summer they open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day. In summer 2026 the hours were 1 to 4:30 p.m. and 5 to 7 p.m. on weekdays and noon to 4:30 p.m. and 5 to 7 p.m. on weekends. See our summer camps and pools guide for pool hours.
Story times at the library
The Miami-Dade Public Library System runs three branches in Miami Beach. Each lists its story times and children’s programs on its branch page; programs are free, and some need registration.
| Branch | Address | Phone | For young children |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami Beach Regional | 227 22nd St. | 305-535-4219 | Baby story time with songs and finger plays (0 to 18 months); kids’ design workshops |
| North Shore | 7501 Collins Ave. | 305-864-5392 | Story times for babies and toddlers, music and movement, a sensory program for ages 0 to 5, story-and-art sessions for ages 3 to 10 |
| South Shore | 131 Alton Road | 305-535-4223 | Toddler story time (18 months to 3, registration required), family story time, arts and crafts for ages 6 to 12 |
Programs and classes
- Toddler Playtime at Muss Park, 4300 Chase Ave., Sept. 8, 2026, to May 21, 2027: dancing, singing, arts and crafts for potty-trained 3- and 4-year-olds. It is a paid yearly program; call 305-673-7767 (details).
- Moonlighter FabLab Maker Club, Mondays and Wednesdays after school for ages 7 to 14: paid design and engineering sessions in which children build and keep their inventions (listing).
- Camps on school holidays and in summer: see our spring break and summer camps pages.
Rainy-day picks
- The Bass, 2100 Collins Ave.: free family day with art activities on the last Sunday of each month, noon to 5 p.m.; Miami Beach and Surfside residents get in free whenever the museum is open (visit page).
- Library programs at the three branches above.
- Ice skating: the Scott Rakow Youth Center’s Barbara Medina Ice Rink, 2700 Sheridan Ave., is closed for several months from October 2026 for upgrades; check the youth center page for its reopening.
Free outdoor movies
The city’s SoundScape Cinema Series shows free family films at 8 p.m. on Wednesdays at SoundScape Park, 400 17th St., on the wall of the New World Center (series page). Coming up: The Goonies on Oct. 14, Casper on Oct. 21 and The Addams Family on Oct. 28, 2026. Bring a blanket.
What this means for you
- Hot afternoon: head for a splash pad; both open until 7 p.m.
- Under 3: the library baby and toddler story times are free; South Shore’s needs registration.
- Residents get free entry to the city pools and The Bass.
Related: Halloween events, parks and trails, free things to do and schools.
Frequently asked questions
Where are the splash pads in Miami Beach?
The city’s two water playgrounds are at the Flamingo Park pool, 1200 Michigan Ave., and Normandy Isle Park, 7030 Trouville Esplanade. Outside summer they open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily; lifeguards supervise them.
What is the newest playground in Miami Beach?
The jungle-themed La Gorce playground at 6421 Alton Road opened March 6, 2026, with a giant tree house, a cobra slide, more shade and a poured rubber surface.
Where is story time in Miami Beach?
Three Miami-Dade library branches in Miami Beach hold free story times: Miami Beach Regional, 227 22nd St.; North Shore, 7501 Collins Ave.; and South Shore, 131 Alton Road. Each posts dates on its branch page.
What can kids do in Miami Beach when it rains?
Try a library story time or craft hour, The Bass museum’s free family day on the last Sunday of each month, or the Moonlighter FabLab’s maker programs.
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