Enjoying a Fort Walton Beach family vacation is always something to look forward to when your family loves outdoor fun, hands-on attractions, and time on gentle Gulf waves. You’ll find Fort Walton Beach is home to gorgeous shorelines, a welcoming vibe, and attractions that are beloved by those of all ages. Finding family fun in Fort Walton Beach begins right here, where we’ve put together options you can pick and choose from to match your ideal getaway experience.
Why Fort Walton Beach Is Perfect for Families
There’s no shortage of relaxed coastal charm to go around when Fort Walton Beach is your family vacation destination of choice this year. While kids are sure to love the sandcastle building this area offers, adults will appreciate the calm and shallow waters for the entire family to safely explore together. Families also fall in love with Fort Walton Beach thanks to:
- Clean and spacious beaches
- Kid-friendly local eateries to enjoy
- Laid-back atmosphere
- Attractions that are within easy reach of one another
Whether you’re here for a few days or looking to plan an extended stay, customizing your Fort Walton Beach journey to your family’s needs and travel style is a breeze.
Fun Outdoor Activities
It’s fair to say that outdoor adventure is a big part of any Fort Walton Beach family vacation experience. When you’re excited to maximize your fun under the sun and explore somewhere new, Fort Walton Beach’s options are seemingly endless.
Snorkeling
A great kid-friendly activity to add to your lineup when you’re looking to elevate your Fort Walton Beach activities for the entire family is snorkeling. The calm Gulf waters are wonderful for those who are new to snorkeling and exciting for experienced snorkelers, too. Exploring the best of local underwater life can be enjoyed at:
- Gulf Islands National Seashore
- Okaloosa Island
Gulf Island National Seashore is a good place for extra calm conditions. Okaloosa Island is a must-snorkel destination with the family when you’re looking for clear waters and shallow entry points.
Dolphin Watching Tours
The waters around Fort Walton Beach host a large population of dolphins, making a dolphin watching tour another terrific outdoor activity to enjoy with the kids. These family-friendly excursions can be customized to focus on time touring the Choctawhatchee Bay or the Gulf depending on preferences. It’s not uncommon for dolphins to come swim alongside the boat, making the outing even more memorable for everyone. Here, there are options to book educational tours that have plenty of opportunities to take great family photos along the way.
Wild Willy’s Adventure Zone
If you’re hoping to include high-energy outdoor fun on your itinerary, don’t miss out on quality time at Wild Willy’s Adventure Zone. Some of the fan-favorite outdoor attractions on-site include:
- Ropes courses
- Mini golf
- Go karts
Bumper boats
There are also inside activities to match with your outdoor fun, including laser tag, a 4D movie theater, and arcade games.
- Address: 1306 Miracle Strip Parkway SE, Fort Walton Beach, Florida, 32548
- Hours: 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM Monday through Thursday
- 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM on Fridays
- 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM on Saturdays
- 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM on Sundays
- Phone: 850-400-3300
Emerald Coast Science Center
Engaging fun, and educational learning go hand-in-hand for kids when you set aside time to enjoy the Emerald Coast Science Center during your Fort Walton Beach getaway this year. This interactive center is a great place for kids to immerse themselves in curiosity and creativity. While the science center hosts a regular lineup of great attractions on-site, there are always new exhibits and displays for families to explore with every visit. Some of the most popular exhibits here typically include:
- Animal encounters
- The robotic and engineering stations
- Outdoor science gardens
- Electricity displays that bring physics to life
The balance of indoor and outdoor experiences makes this a wonderful place to explore on a rainy day or when your little ones just need some balance in their schedule.
- Address: 31 Memorial Parkway SW, Fort Walton Beach, Florida, 32548
- Hours: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM Monday through Saturday from Memorial Day through Labor Day
- 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM Wednesday through Saturday from Labor Day through Memorial Day
- Phone: 850-664-1261
Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park
Getting outdoors and connecting with amazing marine life is easy to do for the entire family at the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park. This iconic Fort Walton Beach attraction offers close-up encounters with sea life, and a variety of educational shows hosted throughout the day. There are outdoor presentations and indoor exhibits to enjoy including touch tanks and sea lion meet-and-greets. Whether your kids are fascinated by dolphins, sharks, or stingrays, you’ll find them all on-site.
- Address: 1010 Miracle Strip Parkway SE, Fort Walton Beach, Florida 32548
- Hours: 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM daily, but hours can vary seasonally
- Phone: 850-243-9046
Goofy Golf
Mini golf is always a highlight of a family vacation experience. In Fort Walton Beach, the place for you and the kids to hone your short game together is Goofy Golf. This attraction has been a fan-favorite in the area for decades and continues to be a popular place to land thanks to its quirky statues and fun obstacles to navigate. Visitors here can enjoy kid-friendly challenges across two 18-hole courses and the affordable pricing is the cherry on top.
- Address: 401 Eglin Parkway NE, Fort Walton Beach, Florida, 32547
- Hours: 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM Monday through Sunday
- Phone: 850-862-4922
Relaxed Family Outings
High-energy fun isn’t hard to find across Fort Walton Beach. However, when it’s time to slow things down and unwind for a while, Fort Walton Beach has plenty of low-key outing options as well.
Beach Days
A great way to relax and let everyone feel refreshed on your family vacation is to set aside quality time for beach days during your stay. Fort Walton Beach is known and loved for its soft sands and gentle waves, making it easy to linger on the shorelines for longer than you might have planned. Just make sure to pack:
- Plenty of sunscreen
- A beach umbrella for shade
- Snacks and drinks to enjoy
- Beach toys for the little ones
- Boogie boards for bigger kids in your group
- Picnic
You’ll also want to consider matching flavor and slower-paced fun by planning a picnic for the family during your visit to Fort Walton Beach. Here, there are many beautiful parks and shorelines where you can pack a basket, settle in, and fill up on fantastic fare together while savoring scenic views, too.
John Beasley Park
A particularly appealing place to make the most of a picnic by the sand is John Beasley Park. This family-friendly destination in town hosts covered picnic pavilions and on-site restrooms and showers when you’re looking to pair your picnic with a swim. There are lifeguards on-site during peak season, and the beaches here are wide and often refreshingly uncrowded.
- Address: 1550 Miracle Strip Parkway SE, Fort Walton Beach, Florida, 32548
- Hours: 7:00 AM to sunset daily
- Phone: 850-589-5772
Okaloosa Island Pier
Families who share a love for great views and fishing will want to be sure to check out the Okaloosa Island Pier while they’re in town. It’s a great place to spot dolphins and sea turtles in the surrounding waters or cast a line and see what’s biting below. Stretching out 1,262 feet into the Gulf, the Okaloosa Island Pier is the perfect place for family photos or a sunset stroll.
- Address: 1030 Miracle Strip Parkway SE, Fort Walton Beach, Florida, 32548
- Hours: 5:00 AM to 9:00 Pm daily
- Phone: 850-244-1023
Why Choose Our Condo Rentals Over Hotels
Traveling with kids to Fort Walton Beach requires more space, comfort, and convenience from accommodations than many traditional hotel rooms can provide. At The Breakers of Fort Walton Beach, our condos by the water offer traveling families the privacy and square footage they’re looking for. Families who book their stay through us are often thrilled by the fact that our condos come with:
- Full kitchens for family-style dining
- Separate bedrooms for a good night’s sleep
- Spacious living areas with great views
- In-unit laundry
- Private balconies
- Resort amenities to keep everyone entertained
Our Family-Friendly Rentals in Fort Walton Beach
When you’re ready to turn your Fort Walton Beach travel plans into reality this year, The Breakers of Fort Walton Beach is ready and waiting to help make it happen. Check out our 3-bedroom, 3 bath condos when you’re looking for a wonderfully spacious retreat to enjoy with the kids. Our family-friendly vacation rentals in Fort Walton Beach are set up with the view you crave, plenty of room to move, and the amenities and extras that make all the difference. As an added convenience to our guests, we’ve also put together a family-friendly activities guide to ensure your stay is one-of-a-kind. Reach out today to learn more and to get started.