Top 10 Amazing Things To Do In Panama City With Kids
With 27 miles of sugar-white sand beaches and emerald green water, two state parks, miles of hiking and biking trails, and 100 public beach access points there’s plenty of Panama City Beach kid activities for all ages.
If your family loves water activities, Panama City has everything you’ll want to see and do. Zip across the Gulf on a banana boat or observe dolphins in their natural habitat (Panama City has the highest number of bottlenose dolphins in the world). Experience world-famous fishing, amazing diving, kiteboarding, surfing, and even parasailing, with a bird’s-eye view you’ll never forget.
You’ll find an abundance of Panama City family attractions and fun things to see and do all along the Gulf Coast. From splash-worthy waterparks and interactive edu-tainment upside-down houses, to thrilling amusement parks and exciting pirate cruises, you’ll quickly find an endless option of Panama City Beach kid activities. In fact, with so many choices, it will be hard to choose which one to do first.
Here’s our Top 10 Amazing Things to Do in Panama City with Kids, in no particular order. We’ve included a variety of the best attraction and entertainment options for all ages. Which one will be your favorite?
PANHANDLE HELICOPTER TOURS
15726 Front Beach Rd., Panama City Beach, FL
View the beautiful Panama City Beach coastline from above on a thrilling helicopter tour. This activity is great for a fun family outing, with several exciting tours from which to choose. Make this an adventure to remember and leave with a smile on your face as your kids spot sharks and dolphins from way above the beautiful emerald green Gulf Coast waters! Tip: Be sure and review the limitations regarding weight and number of passengers. And, be sure and bring your camera and/or video equipment!
GULF WORLD MARINE PARK
15412 Front Beach Rd., Panama City Beach, FL
Explore Gulf World Marine Park in Panama City Beach, Florida, and see shows featuring dolphins, tropical birds and reptiles. Meet sea lions and other new friends as you explore fascinating exhibits showcasing penguins, flamingos, sharks, alligators, sea turtles, and an incredible sting ray petting pool. Great for families with young children or infants. Ask about dolphin interaction packages including the Dolphin Encounter, Swim Adventure and the Royal Swim (swim with dolphins is open daily rain or shine). Tip: Children 4 and under are free. Also, book online for extra family savings.
WATER PLANET USA SWIM WITH THE DOLPHINS ON SHELL ISLAND
5709 N Lagoon Dr., Panama City Beach, FL
Water Planet offers a variety of fun and educational swim-with-the-dolphin tours for the entire family. Experience this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to swim with wild dolphins in the Shell Island nature preserve and bird sanctuary, a seven-mile peninsula, which lies between the Gulf of Mexico and St. Andrews Bay. Spend the morning or afternoon with a professional team of instructors who will educate you on the proper way to interact with the dolphins. The tour is capped-off with several live swim-ins at Shell Island for potential encounters. Tip: For dolphin lovers, consider taking the immersive three day Swim with the Dolphins program.
ST. ANDREWS STATE PARK
4607 State Park Ln., Panama City Beach, FL
Pitch your tent for the night, or stake your place on the sand for the day, at this pristine kid-friendly beach park. Boasting 1-1/2 miles of white sandy beach, there are plenty of areas for water activities including swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, and canoeing. Fishing enthusiasts will love the two fishing piers, a jetty, and boat ramp which provide many angler-worthy fishing opportunities. Bring your bikes, beach shoes, and water gear and explore St. Andrews State Park’s amazing nature trails and bike paths where you’ll likely see wildlife in their natural habit. Tip: Check out the Button Bush Marsh Overlook for great bird-watching.
COCONUT CREEK FAMILY FUN PARK MINI-GOLF AND GRAIN MAZE
9807 Front Beach Rd., Panama City Beach, FL
Coconut Creek is your family’s key to adventure and fun! This sprawling family-friendly park features two 18-hole mini-golf courses and a football-field-sized maze. Enjoy this perfect year-round attraction for all ages where you can meander through the gran maze and play mini-golf day or night (your kids will love the palm trees complete with twinkling Christmas lights at night!). Each course is uniquely designed with native plants, flowers, and a tranquil lake booming with fish! Tip: Kids six and under play for free.
SHIPWRECK ISLAND WATERPARK
12201 Hutchison Blvd., Panama City Beach, FL
Make a huge “splash” with a family visit to Shipwreck Island Waterpark. This 20-acre tropical themed waterpark is filled with plenty of water attractions, dining, and a professionally trained aquatics staff. Plunge into three million gallons of splashing waters and meander through slides, rides, and pools that range from exhilarating to blissful to relaxing. You’ll find rides for all ages, including a relaxing lazy river as well as thrill rides like the Tree Top Drop, Skull Island, and the Great Shipwreck. For the young kids, the Tadpole Hole water playground provides plenty of water fun that will keep them laughing and smiling. At the end of your day, you’ll all be exhilarated, exhausted, and soaked. Tip: Children under 35 inches tall are admitted free.
PANAMA CITY BEACH PIRATE CRUISE ABOARD THE SEA DRAGON
5325 N. Lagoon Dr., Panama City Beach, FL
All aboard for a pirate adventure you and you kids will never forget! Be prepared for a thrilling two-hour cruise into the fantasy world of friendly swashbucklers and spirited pirates aboard an 85′ pirate ship. Frequent sightings of the playful dolphins (“there she blows”), seagulls, pelicans, and other incredible marine life just adds to the excitement. There’s plenty of non-stop activities for the kids (and kids-at-heart) including sword fighting, swabbing the deck, firing the kid cannon, having a water gun fight, limbo, a pirate dance party, and so much more. Arrrrrrhhh!!!! Tip: Sunset cruise prices are only $2 more per ticket.
PIER PARK
600 Pier Park Dr., Panama City Beach, FL
Pier Park is recognized as a “must visit” mega outdoor shopping and entertainment complex with over 1.1 million square feet of specialty shops, retailers, and restaurants along with The Grand Theatre – a 16 screen, state of the art movie theatre. With over 80 stores and 25 restaurants it has become a family favorite destination. Enjoy plenty of sweet treats, laser tag, free live music, and Pier Park’s family-friendly amusement park which offers a dozen fun rides, including a favorite of kids, the little red train. Tip: Be sure and have your family ride the carousel together and create some great family memories.
WONDERWORKS PANAMA CITY BEACH
9910 Front Beach Rd., Panama City Beach, FL
Step back and get ready for a “WonderFul” family-friendly experience where science, education, and entertainment meet in this 35,000 square foot “edu-tainment” amusement park. Whether you’re trying to escape the rain or simply want fun and entertainment for the gang, WonderWorks is a fun-filled, interactive attraction with something for all ages. This three-story science museum offers laser-tag in a black-lit maze, Xtreme 360 bikes, indoor ropes course, hurricane simulator, a Bubble Lab with giant-sized wands for creating bubbles as big as a person, and a new Black Hawk virtual Army experience! Tip: Purchase your tickets online for a $2 per person discount.
RACE CITY AMUSEMENT PARK
9523 Front Beach Rd., Panama City Beach, FL
For families seeking plenty of thrills and wanting an adrenaline rush, you’ll find it all at Race City. Take a fast spin on the tallest and steepest go-kart tracks in the area. Then hop on many of the thrill rides including the Spider, the Sea Dragon Pirate Ship, and the SkyCoast (think freefall and fly at 60 mph). You won’t be disappointed! When it’s time to go at a slower pace (or for younger children), there’s plenty of fun for all at the 10,000 foot mega-arcade or enjoy 9 holes of Black Light Mini Golf. Tip: Be sure and check the height requirements for all rides.
When you’re looking for things to do in Panama City with kids and wanting to stay near family-friendly attractions and entertainment, be sure and take a look at the Splash Resort & Water Park and the Calypso Resort & Towers which will provide you with the perfect location, great convenience with nearby dining, shopping, high-end amenities, and so much more.
