Finding family-friendly museums on the Treasure Coast is an exciting adventure for those with little ones who want to have fun and learn something new. The Treasure Coast is an excellent destination for families and has plenty of museums where kids can play, learn, and explore. It’s brimming with culture and fun, engaging, child-oriented activities.
Children’s Museum of the Treasure Coast
The Children’s Museum on the Treasure Coast is a family favorite for locals and perfect for sunny and rainy days. It’s easy to lose track of time at the museum because there’s so much to do and see. The museum has exhibits that kids will feel excited about, and there’s tons of space for kids to run around and be creative.
The Children’s Museum on the Treasure Coast is ideal for kids who like to pretend. Kids can pretend to be veterinarians, mechanics, engineers, race car drivers, firefighters, weather reporters, and more. Many kids gravitate to the fire station with a modern fire truck and second-story ladder.
Parents of babies should take their little ones to the baby beach house, which is perfect for climbing and experiencing tactile learning. Other popular exhibits include the Sensory Room and the Race Car Simulator, which are the same type of simulator used by NASCAR IndyCar and Formula 1. There’s also a massive pirate ship and make-believe fishing boat set up.
Although the museum is suitable for kids of all ages, it’s probably better suited for children 12 and under. Admission is $8.50 for adults and $10 for children ages 1 to 17. Children under the age of one are free. Located in Jensen Beach, Florida, it is one of the most popular family-friendly museums on the Treasure Coast.
The National Navy UDT-Seal Museum
The National Navy UDT-Seal Museum is excellent for exploring military exhibits, including vehicles, boats, helicopters, weapons, and gear. Kids can learn about Navy missions through a collection of artifacts, interactive displays, and exhibits that bring to life the stories of the Navy Seals.
The museum sits on North Hutchinson Island and offers children hands-on experiences, which include the chance to board a real Navy Seal mini-sub. There’s also a seal obstacle course that provides a glimpse of the training and preparation for Navy Seals.
The museum also features a memorial garden that honors the legacy and history of fallen soldiers. The museum is located in Fort Pierce, directly on the beach and next to a playground at Pepper Park Beach, which is great for kids who need to burn off extra energy. The museum is open from Tuesday through Sunday.
The McLarty Treasure Museum
The McLarty Treasure Museum is located on A1A in Vero Beach. It’s a hidden gem and the perfect place to avoid the crowds. It’s also one of the most affordable museums on the Treasure Coast. Admission is only two dollars and free for children under six.
The McLarty Museum tells the story of a 1715 fleet of Spanish ships filled with gold, silver, and other riches. The ships were headed back to Spain when all eleven ships sank in a hurricane. Hundreds of years later, treasure hunters still work to recover the treasures lost during the storm.
Visitors can see exhibits and videos that display the treasure artifacts and replicas. The McLarty Treasure Museum is one of the best treasure museums in the state of Florida with an excellent display of treasures, artifacts, and fascinating stories. It’s also just a quick drive from many state parks and public beaches in Vero Beach if you want to plan a long day trip.
Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center
The Florida Oceanographic Society, established in 1964, is dedicated to promoting environmental stewardship of Florida’s coastal ecosystems. Located on Hutchinson Island, their Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center spans 57 acres between the Indian River and the Atlantic Ocean.
The Florida Oceanographic Society’s Coastal Center in Stuart, FL, is a hub for marine education and conservation. This facility offers a range of hands-on experiences and educational opportunities for visitors of all ages, aimed at promoting the society’s mission of environmental stewardship and awareness.
Guests can explore a Stingray Tank and Invertebrate Touch Tank, as well as nature trails that wind through a mangrove forest. The center also has a 750,000-gallon Gamefish Lagoon, which is home to sea turtles, local species of sharks, and game fish.
There is also the Ocean EcoCenter, a 5,000-square-foot space with 2,000 gallons of aquariums highlighting local fish and invertebrates. The EcoCenter also features educational interactives and games that aim to educate and inspire.
The Coastal Center is open seven days a week from 10 AM to 4 PM, with closures on New Year’s Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Admission prices are $18 for general admission and $9 for ages 3 to 12. Children age 2 and under are free.
The Vero Beach Museum of Art
The Vero Beach Museum of Art is a fantastic museum for all ages. It has a rotating display of interesting exhibits and always has something new to offer locals and visitors alike. The museum is inside a beautiful park in a great location in Vero Beach.
The museum has many interesting activities and programs for children. Every first Tuesday of the month, the Vero Beach Museum of Art hosts an event called Museum Babies and Toddlers. During the event, babies and their caregivers participate in art viewing and sensory experiences.
During the week, the museum hosts programs for kids who want to read books, sing songs, dance, and create art together. The events all take place in a child-friendly area of the museum called the Children’s Art Zone. The art zone is a hands-on interactive area that gives kids the space to be creative and explore. The Vero Beach Museum of Art is a great place to spark curiosity among little ones.
FAU Harbor Branch Ocean Discovery Visitors Center
FAU Harbor Branch Ocean Discovery Visitors Center in Fort Pierce is perfect for families interested in the ocean. The center has research-themed exhibitions that show visitors the technologies marine scientists use to make discoveries worldwide. Children will enjoy the aquariums, which contain more than eighty different species of plants and animals.
Visitors enjoy a range of tours and exhibits, including a marine biomedical and biotechnology exhibit that explains how pharmacies gather medicine from aquatic life. There’s also a marine mammal conservation where visitors can learn about the health and behavior of animals like dolphins and manatees. It’s also fun to see live displays of fascinating marine environments, from coal reefs to seagrass beds.
The center regularly hosts Science Saturdays, a family-friendly day featuring a variety of exciting interactive activities. Kids will also enjoy seeing dolphins and manatees on the boat tours. The center is perfect for all ages and completely free to the public.
St. Lucie County Regional History Center
The St. Lucie County Regional History Center overlooks the Indian River and Museum Point Park. It’s a perfect spot to glimpse how St. Lucie County was created. The area used to be called the Pineapple Capital of the World, and visitors learn how that history came about.
The St. Lucie County Regional History Center is a great place to step back in time and excellent for history buffs and families who want educational experiences. It’s a hidden gem with great information about the Treasure Coast. There’s also an aquarium on site.
The St. Lucie County Regional History Center is located on Seaway Drive in Fort Pierce and open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 AM to 3 PM. Admission to the history center and the aquarium is $7.25 for adults and $4.25 for children ages 4 to 17.
Manatee Observation and Education Center
Families with children will enjoy the Manatee Observation and Education Center. The center has many interesting exhibits dedicated to coastal awareness. It has been operating for nearly thirty years and is one of the most environmentally educational spaces in Fort Pierce, Florida.
The center contains a great mix of special events and interactive living and non-living exhibits. Children will enjoy the fantastic touch tank and many sea creatures and critters. The most popular exhibit room contains an 800-gallon saltwater tank, home to native and non-native species.
There’s also an indoor education room with multiple touch tanks for hands-on learning and fun. Children can touch sea cucumbers, hermit crabs, sea urchins, and other cute creatures. Younger kids can spend time in the Kid Corner, which features a coloring table, puzzles, and games.
One highlight of the Manatee Observation and Education Center is its Observation Walkway and two-story Observation Tower, which are the perfect spaces to look for wild manatees. The best time to see a manatee is between November and March. General admission is only $1.
Mel Fisher’s Treasures
Mel Fisher’s Treasures in Sebastian, Florida, is a museum that displays artifacts from famous shipwrecks, including the Atocha, Santa Margarita, and the 1715 Shipwreck Fleet. The museum’s latest addition is a mural by artist Katherine Larson, showcasing the story of the 1715 Spanish Fleet and the ongoing efforts to recover its treasures.
Visitors can also interact with a conquistador statue and try to unlock a trunk with a vintage key. The museum is open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm, and Sunday from 12pm to 5pm.
Treasure Coast Model Railroad
The Treasure Coast Model Railroad Club, located in Port St. Lucie, Florida, boasts one of the state’s largest model railroads. Open to the public every Saturday from 10:00AM to 12:00PM, the club offers free admission and is ADA accessible, making it suitable for visitors of all ages.
This welcoming environment makes it one of the best things to do with kids in Port St. Lucie and a central spot for enthusiasts and curious visitors alike. For more information, contact the club at (772) 621-9636 or visit their location at 273 SW Becker Road.
Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse and Museum
Jupiter’s landmark 1860 lighthouse is a beautiful historic site and a family-friendly Treasure Coast museum. The lighthouse has saved countless ships from wrecking along the reefs of the Florida coast. Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse is the perfect place for history lovers who want to learn about the area’s diverse history.
The lighthouse hosts hands-on activities and story time for children each second Saturday. The museum is very accommodating to children and even hosts sensory-friendly experiences for children on the autism spectrum. Many interactive exhibits in the museum chronicle the lives of Native Americans and the early pioneers.
Families will also enjoy climbing the lighthouse and seeing beautiful views of the inlet. However, there is a height requirement for the climb; children under 48 inches are not allowed at the top of the Lighthouse. There’s also an area for people who want to explore nature called the Lighthouse Outstanding Natural Area, nestled on 120 acres of Treasure Coast preserved land.
