Things to Do With Kids on the Emerald Coast
Plan a family day from Navarre to Panama City Beach: where lifeguards are on duty, free splash pads and playgrounds, what costs a family of four, and what to do when it rains. Prices, hours and seasons come from each official site.
The Emerald Coast's lifeguarded beaches are on Okaloosa Island (second Saturday of March to Oct. 31), at South Walton's regional beach accesses (March 1 to Oct. 31, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.) and at Russell-Fields Pier in Panama City Beach (April 1 to Sept. 30). Free splash pads in Niceville and Navarre run in the warm months. On a rainy day, the Air Force Armament Museum near Fort Walton Beach is free, and the Gulfarium costs a family of four about $128 before tax.
Where are you staying?
A family day in Destin
- BeachOkaloosa Island lifeguards are a short drive west; Henderson Beach State Park is a calmer, cheaper beach with no lifeguards. Details
- Rainy dayDestin History & Fishing Museum (Tuesday to Saturday) or the Gulfarium in Fort Walton Beach. Details
- FreeLibrary storytime at the Destin branch; the Air Force Armament Museum near Fort Walton Beach is free every day. Details
- Splash padNiceville spray park in season (May to September). Details
A family day in Fort Walton Beach, Okaloosa Island & Niceville
A family day in 30A, Santa Rosa Beach & Miramar Beach
- BeachRegional accesses with towers: Miramar Beach, Dune Allen, Ed Walline, Santa Clara, Inlet Beach (March 1 to Oct. 31). Details
- Rainy dayDestin History & Fishing Museum or WonderWorks in Panama City Beach. Details
- FreeHelen McCall Park playground and library storytime. Details
- State parkGrayton Beach State Park, $5 per car. Details
Beaches with lifeguards: season and hours
Swim only where a lifeguard is on duty, read the flag before your kids go in (double red means the water is closed to the public) and stay out after storms: rip currents are the top danger on this coast.
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Lifeguard season
Okaloosa Island (Fort Walton Beach)
Season: Second Saturday of March to Oct. 31. Hours: March to May 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Memorial Day to Labor Day 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; September and October 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The developed four miles of the island, in four zones; the command tower is on the Okaloosa Island Pier. The undeveloped stretch to the east (Gulf Islands National Seashore) has only limited patrols.
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Lifeguard season
South Walton (30A, Santa Rosa Beach, Miramar Beach)
Season: March 1 to Oct. 31, 2026. Hours: Every day, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., at South Walton Fire District towers.
Regional beach accesses with seasonal lifeguards include Miramar Beach, Fort Panic, Dune Allen, Ed Walline, Santa Clara and Inlet Beach. Free beach wheelchairs at Miramar Beach (Tower 54), Ed Walline (Tower 33), Santa Clara (Tower 21) and Inlet Beach (Tower 11), March 1 to Oct. 31, 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
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Off season today
Russell-Fields Pier (Panama City Beach)
Season: April 1 to Sept. 30. Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
No lifeguards staffed outside the season.
Two to four beach safety responders on the east and west sides of the city pier.
Map: lifeguards, splash pads, attractions and state parks
Splash pads, playgrounds and pools
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Closed for the season Niceville Children's Park & Spray Park
No fee listed. May 1 to Sept. 30. Monday to Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday noon to 6 p.m. Closed until noon on alternating Mondays for maintenance.
Slides, climbing walls, sandboxes, shaded tables and restrooms with changing tables. An adult must stay with children. Staff may close it for heat, cold, rain or lightning.
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Helen McCall Park
No fee listed. Season not posted. Park open dawn to dusk.
Playground and splash pad, with restrooms and sports fields.
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Panama City Beach Aquatic Center
Adults (15 to 64) $9 · children (1 to 14) $5 · under 1 free · seniors and military $6. Recreational swim in summer, or as posted. Check the posted schedule for family and shallow-water rec swim.
Heated and cooled 50-meter pool with family rec swim and toddler time.
Rainy day and attractions: official prices and hours
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Open today Indoor
Air Force Armament Museum
Free for the whole family
Free admission. Donations welcome.
Hours: Every day, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The outdoor airpark is open sunup to sundown. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas.
The museum is outside the base gate and open to everyone.
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Open today Indoor
Heritage Park & Cultural Center
About $16 for a family of four
Adults $5 · seniors and military $4.50 · ages 4 to 17 $3 · 3 and under free (plus tax).
Hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Last ticket 15 minutes before closing. Closed Sundays, Mondays and city holidays.
The Indian Temple Mound Museum will most likely stay closed until January 2027, the city says. The schoolhouse, post office and Civil War exhibit buildings are part of the same ticket.
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Open today Indoor
Emerald Coast Science Center
About $52 for a family of four
$13 per person age 3 and up · 2 and under free · 10% off for military and first responders · $5 per person (up to 4) with a SNAP EBT card.
Hours: Fall (Labor Day to Memorial Day): Wednesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Summer: Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas and New Year's Day. Closes at 2 p.m. on Nov. 14.
Call (850) 664-1261 if you are not sure which season's hours apply.
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Open today Indoor and outdoor
Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park
About $128 for a family of four
Adults (13 to 61) $36.95 · seniors (62+) $35.95 · children (3 to 12) $26.95 · under 3 free. Military discounts available.
Hours: Every day, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Admission closes at 3:30 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Mostly outdoor shows and habitats, with some indoor exhibits: bring rain jackets on a wet day. The site also lists price ranges; check the ticket page before you go.
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Open today Indoor
Destin History & Fishing Museum
About $40 for a family of four
General admission $10 · 2 and under free · 10% off for military and first responders.
Hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed Sundays and Mondays.
Small museum: plan about an hour.
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Open today Indoor
WonderWorks Panama City Beach
See prices on the official page
Ages 4 and under free. Child (5 to 12) and adult (13 and up) prices are on the official ticket page; tax extra.
Hours: Sunday to Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Last tickets one hour before closing.
The official page does not show prices as text, so we do not estimate a family total.
Run a family attraction, play space or kids' class?
State parks: a calmer beach day for one car fee
State park beaches have no lifeguards; they are a calmer, cheaper beach day with restrooms and boardwalks. One vehicle fee covers the whole car.
- Henderson Beach State Park
$6 per vehicle (2 to 8 people), $4 single occupant, $2 walk-in or bike
8 a.m. to sundown, every day
- Grayton Beach State Park
$5 per vehicle, $2 walk-in or bike
8 a.m. to sundown, every day
- St. Andrews State Park
$8 per vehicle, $2 walk-in or bike
8 a.m. to sundown, every day
Ideas by age
- Babies and toddlers
Free library storytimes, the splash pads, and places where little ones get in free: Gulfarium under 3, Science Center 2 and under, WonderWorks 4 and under.
- Ages 3 to 7
Emerald Coast Science Center, Gulfarium shows, Niceville and Navarre splash pads, a lifeguarded beach in the morning.
- Ages 8 to 12
WonderWorks, the Air Force Armament Museum airpark, the Destin History & Fishing Museum and the state park trails.
- Teens
WonderWorks, a state park beach day and the Gulfarium; the lifeguarded beaches for swimming.
Free storytimes at the public library
- Okaloosa County Public Library Cooperative
Branches in Crestview, Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Mary Esther, Niceville and Valparaiso.
See this week's programs - Bay County Public Library (Northwest Regional Library System)
Storytimes by age, such as Bounce & Rhyme for 0 to 36 months and Read & Rhyme for ages 3 to 5. Free.
See this week's programs - Walton County Public Libraries
Storytime and early literacy programs.
See this week's programs
More indoor places in our local guides
Went somewhere great with the kids?
Help other parents. We publish short reader reports after an editor reviews them, shown apart from official information and never with your address.
- Share a tip: how crowded it was, what ages liked it, a price change.
- Add a kids' event: storytimes, camps, classes and festivals. Free listing in our events calendar.
- Know a place we are missing? Tell us and we will check its prices and hours.
Questions about things to do with kids on the Emerald Coast
What can kids do for free on a rainy day on the Emerald Coast?
The Air Force Armament Museum is free: Every day, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The outdoor airpark is open sunup to sundown. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas. Public library storytimes are free too.
How much does the Air Force Armament Museum cost?
Free admission. Donations welcome. Source: Air Force Armament Museum.
What are the hours of the Air Force Armament Museum?
Every day, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The outdoor airpark is open sunup to sundown. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas.
How much does the Heritage Park & Cultural Center cost?
Adults $5 · seniors and military $4.50 · ages 4 to 17 $3 · 3 and under free (plus tax). A family of two adults and two children pays about $16. Source: City of Fort Walton Beach.
What are the hours of the Heritage Park & Cultural Center?
Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Last ticket 15 minutes before closing. Closed Sundays, Mondays and city holidays.
How much does the Emerald Coast Science Center cost?
$13 per person age 3 and up · 2 and under free · 10% off for military and first responders · $5 per person (up to 4) with a SNAP EBT card. A family of two adults and two children pays about $52. Source: Emerald Coast Science Center.
What are the hours of the Emerald Coast Science Center?
Fall (Labor Day to Memorial Day): Wednesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Summer: Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas and New Year's Day. Closes at 2 p.m. on Nov. 14.
How much does the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park cost?
Adults (13 to 61) $36.95 · seniors (62+) $35.95 · children (3 to 12) $26.95 · under 3 free. Military discounts available. A family of two adults and two children pays about $128. Source: Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park.
What are the hours of the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park?
Every day, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Admission closes at 3:30 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas.
How much does the Destin History & Fishing Museum cost?
General admission $10 · 2 and under free · 10% off for military and first responders. A family of two adults and two children pays about $40. Source: Destin History & Fishing Museum.
What are the hours of the Destin History & Fishing Museum?
Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed Sundays and Mondays.
How much does the WonderWorks Panama City Beach cost?
Ages 4 and under free. Child (5 to 12) and adult (13 and up) prices are on the official ticket page; tax extra. Source: WonderWorks Panama City Beach.
What are the hours of the WonderWorks Panama City Beach?
Sunday to Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Last tickets one hour before closing.
When are lifeguards on duty at Okaloosa Island (Fort Walton Beach)?
Second Saturday of March to Oct. 31. March to May 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Memorial Day to Labor Day 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; September and October 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Off season: November to February: limited patrols and response, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Source: Okaloosa County Beach Safety.
When are lifeguards on duty at South Walton (30A, Santa Rosa Beach, Miramar Beach)?
March 1 to Oct. 31, 2026. Every day, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., at South Walton Fire District towers. Off season: No towers staffed outside the season. Source: Visit South Walton; SoWal.
When are lifeguards on duty at Russell-Fields Pier (Panama City Beach)?
April 1 to Sept. 30. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Off season: No lifeguards staffed outside the season. Source: City of Panama City Beach.
Are there free splash pads on the Emerald Coast?
Niceville Children's Park & Spray Park (204-A Partin Dr N, Niceville, FL 32578): May 1 to Sept. 30. Monday to Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday noon to 6 p.m. Closed until noon on alternating Mondays for maintenance. Navarre Park (8513 Navarre Pkwy, Navarre, FL 32566): Warm months; the county opens it when the weather is consistently warm. Splash pad Tuesday to Sunday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; closed Mondays for maintenance. Helen McCall Park (325 Moll Dr, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459): Season not posted. Park open dawn to dusk.
How much does a state park beach day cost?
Henderson Beach State Park: $6 per vehicle (2 to 8 people), $4 single occupant, $2 walk-in or bike. Grayton Beach State Park: $5 per vehicle, $2 walk-in or bike. St. Andrews State Park: $8 per vehicle, $2 walk-in or bike. State park beaches have no lifeguards.
Are there storytimes for toddlers on the Emerald Coast?
Yes. The public libraries in Okaloosa, Walton and Bay counties run free storytimes; check each library calendar for this week.