day trip from miami with small kids

Question

We have 4 nights in Miami south beach with our 4 year old and 20 month year old. We'd love to do a day trip to the everglades to see the alligators but would like to know if this is safe to do with small kids, and if so the best way to do it? Realistically will a boat trip for example be enjoyable or is it a long way to go to restrain two energetic kids from trying to get in the water! If we do go, can we simply drive our car hire in or do we need to book stuff in advance?

Another option would be to drive through some of the everglades to try and spot an alligator as part of a day trip to some of the closer Florida keys? Again not sure if this is trying to do too much/realistic/possible!

Thanks in advance

Answer

Visiting the Everglades with small children is possible, but it requires some planning to ensure it’s safe, enjoyable, and realistic for your 4-year-old and 20-month-old. The Everglades offers unique wildlife experiences, especially spotting alligators, but the environment can be challenging with toddlers if not approached thoughtfully.

1. Safety and Suitability for Small Kids

The Everglades is generally safe for families, but you must keep young children away from water edges, marshes, and trails without barriers, as alligators are present.
Wear sun protection, bring plenty of water, and use insect repellent—mosquitoes and no-see-ums can be bothersome.
Life jackets are provided on airboat tours, which is essential for toddler safety. Children must remain seated during boat rides.

2. Airboat Tours

Airboat rides are a popular way to experience the Everglades and spot wildlife quickly. For small children:

Choose a family-friendly operator that offers shorter rides (20–30 minutes) rather than 60+ minutes tours to avoid restlessness.
Seats are typically bench-style; make sure the operator allows secure seating for toddlers.
Expect noise from the airboat; bring ear protection if needed.
Rides can be very enjoyable if you go early in the morning or late afternoon when wildlife is most active.

3. Driving Yourself / Day Trip Options

You can drive into certain areas of Everglades National Park, such as the Shark Valley Visitor Center or the Royal Palm area of the Anhinga Trail. These areas offer:

Easy walking paths and short trails suitable for young children.
Observation towers for viewing alligators from a safe distance.
Short driving loops (Shark Valley has a 15-mile loop accessible by car or tram) where kids can stay safely inside the vehicle.

4. Booking Tips

Airboat tours are best booked in advance, especially in peak tourist months, to ensure availability and family-friendly seating.
Driving into the park does not require advance booking, but plan for parking and limited facilities.
If you want a guided tram or ranger-led tour, reserve in advance to avoid missing family-friendly options.

5. Combining with Florida Keys

Attempting to combine an Everglades excursion with a Florida Keys drive in one day may be ambitious with toddlers. Consider:

Everglades from Miami is roughly 45–60 minutes to Shark Valley or Homestead; adding a Keys trip would be several additional hours of driving, which may be exhausting for children.
Better approach: dedicate one day to Everglades (airboat or drive + short walks) and another day for a Key’s day trip, such as Key Largo or Islamorada, to keep travel manageable.

6. Summary Recommendation

For a day trip with your children, the safest and most enjoyable approach is either:

Short airboat tour with a reputable operator and life jackets for all kids, keeping the ride under 30 minutes.
Driving into Shark Valley or Royal Palm areas, walking short trails to spot wildlife safely.

A combined Everglades + Florida Keys day trip is likely too ambitious with toddlers. Focus on a single, manageable destination to ensure a fun experience without stressing the children.