The Gulf Coast has long been a family-favorite vacation destination for the area’s family-friendly beaches and wide variety of activities for all ages.
From beautiful beaches, to amusement parks, to educational adventures in nature, it’s easy to make memories your kids will treasure for a lifetime. The options are endless, so it’ll take more than one visit to the area to fit them all in!
Let’s take a look at some of the hand-picked, fun-filled activities for kids ages two to 12 that your family can enjoy during your next vacation to Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, and surrounding areas.
Hit The Beach
You came here for the beaches, no doubt, and there’s buckets full of fun to be had along our 32 miles of pristine shoreline!
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Whether you’re staying directly on the beach or not, there are plenty of public beach access points that make a beach trip a breeze.
Your young children can build sandcastles while you soak in the sun in a beach chair. (For even more fun, book a sandcastle-building experience with the pros at Sandcastle University!) Go for a dip in the sparkling waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Let your kiddos splash around and look for shells and small fish.
Speaking of fish, fishing is also a great activity for your kids! Cast a line and watch your children's faces light up when you reel one in.
You can fish directly from the shore, or take a trip to the Gulf State Park Pier and fish for a variety of species, including sharks! You can even rent a boat or schedule a charter to fish in the deeper waters of the Gulf.
Play at the Many Parks
Gulf Shores and Orange Beach have several parks and playgrounds for the younger children in your family.
Orange Beach Parks and Recreation Website
Located in Orange Beach, Edward H. Carroll Sr. Kids Park is an extensive playground that’s part of Orange Beach Waterfront Park, featuring paved paths, covered picnic areas, a 400-foot pier, and more. The kids' park features lots of playground equipment like climbing areas, swings, slides, and shade structures.
Gulf Shores Kids Park is another large park perfect for the kiddos in your crew. This playground features wooden equipment that blends in with the beautiful nature surrounding the area. This one-of-a-kind park was designed by children and custom-built by more than 1,500 volunteers.
Johnnie Sims Park is the largest park in Gulf Shores. Your kids will enjoy the many features including a kids' playground, soccer fields, baseball fields, an outdoor pavilion, picnic areas, skate facilities, and more.
Visit Nature’s Classroom
If your kids want to learn while having fun, Alabama’s Gulf Coast has many options, including an educational lab and a zoo.
Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo Facebook Page
Kid Creators Educational Lab in the Gulf Shores Public Library is the perfect destination for your inquisitive little ones. Your children can participate in educational experiments in science, technology, engineering, art, and math.
The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo is another educational yet exciting experience for kids! The new facility is sure to impress your whole family. Participate in up-close animal encounters, watch an interactive animal show, feed a giraffe, and simply enjoy observing exotic animals in their habitats.
Catch a Thrill at Fun Parks
There’s no question that small children need constant entertainment and excitement. And they have a lot of energy to work out! Luckily, the Gulf Coast has multiple amusement and fun parks where they can play for hours.
Visit The Track in Gulf Shores for a day of family fun. Younger kids will love the different go-kart tracks, mini golf course, bumper boats and cars, Kids Country rides, and more, while the older kiddos will enjoy the park’s larger go-kart tracks and thrill rides, like the Skycoaster and Spinning Coaster.
Set them loose at The Factory in Gulf Shores, where they can climb and jump for hours in the foam pits and on the ninja obstacle course, adrenaline tower, dodgeball courts, climbing walls, and rope swings.
Let them make a big splash at Waterville USA, a water and amusement park located in Gulf Shores. The kiddos are sure to love the water slides, the Flowrider, Nascart go-karts, wave pool, mini-golf, and dozens more attractions.
OWA Parks & Resort Facebook Page
OWA Parks & Resort in Foley, just a few miles north of Orange Beach, is another fun-filled park for all ages. Rides range from larger thrill rides to small rides suitable for even the youngest members of your group. When you’re done in the park, venture out to OWA’s downtown area for food and shopping.
Speaking of shopping, The Wharf in Orange Beach is a must-visit attraction while you’re in the area. With dozens of boutiques and unique shops, you’re sure to find the perfect souvenir for everyone in your family. Plus, your children will love the giant Ferris wheel on site, the Wharf Express Train, the SPECTRA Laser Light Show, and the other fun attractions located in this popular entertainment and shopping district.
Take a Dolphin Tour
One of the most popular activities for kids and families visiting the Gulf Coast is going on a dolphin cruise/tour!
The Fun Boats Dolphin Cruises and Sealife Experience Facebook Page
There are a number of tours and outfitters in the area offering boat, kayak, and jet-ski tours in search of bottlenose dolphins. In addition to seeing dolphins, you’ll get to explore the local back bays and waterways and soak up scenery you simply can’t see from a car or by foot.
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