Things to do with kids in West Palm Beach: city playgrounds and five splash pads, free library story times, the science center, the zoo and rainy-day picks.
Last checked Oct. 10, 2026. Facts come from the City of West Palm Beach parks listing, the Mandel Public Library, the Cox Science Center and Aquarium, the Palm Beach Zoo and Manatee Lagoon. Updated when a place changes its hours.
West Palm Beach families have a lot within a few miles: free city playgrounds and five splash pads, free story times at the downtown library, and three big indoor-outdoor attractions: the Cox Science Center and Aquarium, the Palm Beach Zoo and the free Manatee Lagoon.
Good to know
- City parks and camps: Parks and Recreation, 561-804-4900
- Library: Mandel Public Library, 411 Clematis St., 561-868-7700
- Science center: 561-832-1988. Manatee Lagoon: 561-626-2833
Playgrounds and splash pads
From the city’s parks listing:
| Park | Address | For kids |
|---|---|---|
| Bill Moss Hillcrest Paseo | 3401 Parker Ave. | Splash pad, playground, walking and biking trails, restrooms |
| Blum Park | 2301 Spruce Ave. | Splash pad, playground, pavilion, restrooms |
| Coleman Park and Community Center | 1116 21st St. | Splash pad, gym, courts |
| Centennial Fountain, Nancy M. Graham Centennial Square | 150 N. Clematis St. | Splash pad downtown, restrooms |
| Warren Hawkins Aquatic Center, Gaines Park | 1501 N. Australian Ave. | Pool, slides, wading pool, splash pad |
| Dreher Park | 5701 Dreher Trail South | Playground, fishing pier, trails, dog park |
| Brian H. Chappell Park | 5450 N. Flagler Drive | Playground, fishing pier |
| Alice Mickens Park | 701 Third St. | Playground, basketball |
| Chillingworth Park | 412 Erie Place | Playground, tennis and basketball courts |
The city pool’s season, hours and swim lessons are on our summer camps and pools guide.
Story times and the library
The Mandel Public Library, 411 Clematis St., has KidSpace, an area “just for children and their families.” Its calendar for October 2026 lists free programs such as:
- Baby Storytime, 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. (Friday, Oct. 16)
- Toddler and Friends Storytime, 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. (Wednesday, Oct. 14)
- Ages and Stages Playtime, 10:30 a.m. to noon (Tuesday, Oct. 20)
- Family and Friends Storytime, 6 to 7 p.m. (Monday, Oct. 19)
- Palm Beach Opera Story Time, 4:30 to 5 p.m. (Monday, Oct. 26)
- LEGO Build and Code and a Creative Storytime with the Norton Museum in November
Programs change month to month; check the calendar before you go.
At Manatee Lagoon, free “Manatee Tales” story time runs Saturdays from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. for ages 3 and up, with registration, the center says.
The big three
Cox Science Center and Aquarium, 4801 Dreher Trail North. Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekends. Its exhibits include Explorers’ Cove for ages 6 and under, the 10,000-gallon Aquariums of the Atlantic with daily touch tank demonstrations, a quarter-mile outdoor science trail with a splash pad, gem panning and a shark tooth dig, a flight simulator for ages 8 and up, an observatory and an 18-hole mini golf course. Admission is charged.
Palm Beach Zoo, 1301 Summit Blvd., in Dreher Park. Open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., last entry 4:15 p.m.; parking is free. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas. Plan your visit.
Manatee Lagoon, 6000 N. Flagler Drive. Free admission and parking, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; closed Mondays from April 1 to Nov. 14 and open daily in manatee season, Nov. 15 to March 31. Visit.
Rainy-day picks
- Science center: aquariums, the engineering playscape and the flight simulator are indoors.
- Mandel Public Library: KidSpace and free programs.
- Manatee Lagoon: a 16,000-square-foot center of hands-on exhibits.
Outdoors
- Grassy Waters Preserve: the 1-mile Cypress Boardwalk is stroller and wheelchair accessible. No pets. See walking and biking trails.
- Clematis by Night: the city’s free Thursday concerts on the waterfront, 6 to 9 p.m.
- GreenMarket: Saturday mornings in season on the waterfront; see farmers markets.
What this means for you
- Free and close to downtown: the Centennial Fountain splash pad and the library’s KidSpace.
- The science center and the zoo are both by Dreher Park, a short drive apart.
- Manatee Lagoon is free and best from mid-November to March.
Related: summer camps and pools, spring break and free things to do.
Frequently asked questions
Where are the splash pads in West Palm Beach?
The city lists splash pads at Bill Moss Hillcrest Paseo, 3401 Parker Ave.; Blum Park, 2301 Spruce Ave.; Coleman Park, 1116 21st St.; the Centennial Fountain, 150 N. Clematis St.; and the Warren Hawkins Aquatic Center in Gaines Park.
When is story time at the West Palm Beach library?
The Mandel Public Library, 411 Clematis St., runs free story times most weeks, including Toddler and Friends Storytime and Baby Storytime at 10:30 a.m. on weekday mornings and a Family and Friends Storytime at 6 p.m. on some Mondays. Check the library calendar for this week’s dates.
What can kids do in West Palm Beach when it rains?
The Cox Science Center and Aquarium has an aquarium, a toddler area called Explorers’ Cove and a flight simulator; the Mandel Public Library has KidSpace; and Manatee Lagoon is free and indoors.
Is there anything free for kids in West Palm Beach?
City playgrounds and splash pads, library story times, Manatee Lagoon (free admission and parking) and the city’s Thursday Clematis by Night concerts are all free.
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