Things To Do In Gulf Shores With Kids
Published March 7, 2025
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Gulf Shores remains an ideal location for any traveler who loves the beach and it's especially enjoyable for kids.
Bright, white sand merges with the Gulf Coast's rich blues in a beautiful setting and welcoming holiday spot.
From thrilling wildlife adventures and interactions to shark fishing and amusement parks, there is no end to the enjoyment you can experience with your kids inside of Gulf Shores.
You'll discover a variety of choices for unforgettable moments for the entire family, regardless of whether you’ve little ones or teenagers.
Find out the things to do in Gulf Shores with kids.
Visit Gulf Shores Museum
This museum stands as a historic home museum that originates from the Second World War.
Here, you will discover an array of historical artifacts and displays about the area's history.
Highlights of the museum consist of a historical church spire, Hurricane Ivan’s recorded video featured in Hurricane Exhibit, and the boat mast used for flag presentation.
You can additionally explore the inside of this distinctive historic house.
Tour the Nature Center
This center serves as a vibrant museum featuring native flora and fauna from the Gulf Coast area.
During your visit, you will discover the conservation initiatives for the area and engage in beach excursions, pier strolls, nature walks, and moments spent in nature.
Also, the center provides educational programs designed for children as well as ambassador programs featuring alligators, turtles, snakes, owls, and various other wildlife.
Even, numerous events occur during the year, allowing you to engage with various facets of this park and its surroundings.
Fish in the Sea
Fishing in the deep sea is an essential experience to have while visiting Gulf Shores with kids.
You will see deep-sea charters tailored for various ages and skill levels, ensuring you enjoy some fun in the water.
You can choose from half-day and full-day excursions, and there's an option to reserve private tours exclusively for your family, allowing you to enjoy the entire boat with your kids.
Also, for those seeking adventure, numerous charters provide exciting sport fishing and shark fishing for red snapper, amberjack, and various well-liked fish.
Go on Dolphin Cruises
The dolphin cruise offers a fantastic opportunity to enjoy marine life alongside the kids.
Multiple tour operators offer dolphin cruises and tours for families, presenting chances to observe these lively creatures playing inside the water.
You will also enjoy the white sands and turquoise Gulf's breathtaking views in the region of Gulf Shores.
Skilled cruise operators are aware of the locations that dolphins inhabit and provide you with the highest opportunity to spot them.
Discover Battleship Memorial Park
This is an intriguing military history museum and park featuring a selection of aircraft and ships.
Among its prominent displays are USS Alabama battle-ship, a river patrolboat from Vietnam War, and a USS Drum Gatoclass submarine.
Also, the museum features tributes for the Vietnam and Korean wars, along with an extensive array of fighter aircraft and bombers.
Visit Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo
This zoo is a thrilling animal park featuring diverse wildlife from around the world, a reptile exhibit, an aviary, a petting area, and animal shows.
Highlights of the zoo include monkeys, kangaroos, leopards, giraffes, wolves, tigers, and macaws.
Your children will enjoy the opportunity to interact with animals like stroking a sloth or snuggling with kangaroos, and you may participate in zookeeper discussions and scheduled feedings.
Watch Birds at Fort Morgan
This historic site ranks among Gulf Shores's top locations for observing birds.
It features intriguing coastal fortifications from the 1812 War, along with boat launches, picnic spots, and natural areas where one can observe various bird species.
Among its main attractions are pelicans, terns, and hawks, which can all be spotted along Alabama Coast Bird Trail.
Try Out Scuba Diving
This Gulf Coast features part of the USA's biggest artificial reef initiatives, making it a superb choice for diving trips.
You can arrange scuba-diving excursions that lead you to the finest dive locations having exotic aquatic creatures and intriguing shipwrecks.
Even, numerous dive locations are suitable for novices and younger children, including Poseidon’s Playground, a submerged garden of statues featuring figures of Greek deities, and Whiskey Wreck, the submerged rumrunner vessel that lies at a depth of just 25 feet.
You will also discover a diverse range of additional dive sites suitable for various experience levels.
Check Out the Exploreum Science Center
This center is an attraction focused on science with practical learning experiences, interactive exhibits, and amazing IMAX films.
The key attractions here include My Bodyworks and Discovery Zone, each designed to educate children about the marvels of science through engaging and age-suitable exhibits.
You may also participate in live demonstrations right at the iHealthy Lab in the ScienceSquad Headquarters and the Infirmary.
The Science Center even features unique exhibits, including a space display that is NASA-curated with artifacts of space exploration, scavenger hunts, competitions, and an engaging maze.
Try Crabbing at Night
Crabbing at night is an enjoyable activity for both children and adults in Gulf Shores.
In the summer, families gather at the beach with flashlights in order to hunt for delicious blue crabs and discover more about them.
Catching these crabs using a line with bait or baskets is a favored choice particularly if you intend to prepare them, although you may also consider catch-n-release crabbing.
One may crab from the dock, kayak, seawall, or canoe using fish bait.
Visit Pink Pony Pub
In case you're spending time at the beach just off Gulf Shores's main strip, you’ll probably be close to this renowned spot.
They offer food suitable for kids and an amazing beach view from the terrace.
No doubt, following some time at the beach, you and your kids will probably feel thirsty and hungry, making this an ideal stop to include in your day.
You’ll really enjoy its convenient proximity to the beaches and its fresh seafood.
Go on Kayaking Excursions
Kayak excursions offer an excellent opportunity to enjoy the surrounding nature and animals.
Perfect for families, the excursions lead you through the delta and Mobile Bay to observe shorebirds, dolphins, and alligators while safely seated in a kayak.
You'll additionally observe naval ships and historical sites from the water's distinct perspective.
Many tour companies provide various kayaking experiences, whether you’re looking for a sunset adventure, a wildlife journey, or a family sightseeing tour.
Check Out The Hangout
If you want a little extra fun, then go directly into The Hangout.
With live music, delicious food, a courtyard featuring complimentary games, and numerous photo opportunities, The Hangout stands as a top Gulf Shores destination.
Though it may be recognized as a party place, it is also very family-friendly.
I suggest making this stop during midday if you're traveling with children.
Explore the GulfQuest Maritime Museum
This is a fascinating maritime museum featuring hands-on displays that are perfect for children.
At the museum, you will encounter an extensive range of distinctive artifacts and exhibits, including pirate treasures, sailing gear, and maritime collectibles.
The engaging experiences here are its highlights, including mastering the operation of the shipping container, employing a sextant, steering a ship, or commanding the helm.
Also, the museum features videos in its theater to explore maritime heritage and ocean life.
Visit Gulf Shores's Welcome Center
Swing by this welcome center as you enter the town to inquire about anything related to your trip and grab some coupons - they possess a vast amount of knowledge here.
Also, if you need phone filters and flashlights for nighttime beach activities, this welcome center provides them at no cost.
Tour to Blakeley Park
This State Park used to be an important location for Civil War battles and a significant settlement along the river.
It is a segment of the Discovery Trail of the Civil War and marks the location of the Fort Blakeley Battle, the final significant Civil War battle.
Across the park, you will discover historical markers that honor significant locations, including an ancient hanging tree utilized by the local courts, one brick kiln, and a long-ago village of Native America.
Also, the park hosts Gatra Wehle's Nature Center, featuring displays on ecological concerns.
Visit The Track
This recreation center provides exciting rides for families and children for an enjoyable day out.
It is an entertaining place for everyone and there are many riding and driving choices here with several tracks.
This includes youth tracks, boats, and a selection of children's rides suitable for young kids.
Even, there is an arcade here featuring more than 50 classic and interactive games, along with their redemption center offering amazing prizes.
This recreation center's main highlight is the multi-tiered go-kart circuit for racing enjoyment, though you will also discover roller coasters, mini golf, bumper boats, bumper cars, and additional attractions.
Competing with others on their 3-level track is enjoyable and racing down the course at maximum speed is exhilarating.
However, note that this place is somewhat expensive, so try to create a target budget and adhere to it.
Try Stand-Up Paddle-Boarding
Stand-up paddle-boarding offers an enjoyable exercise and an excellent opportunity to appreciate the water.
Numerous tour companies provide stand-up paddle-boarding excursions and lessons for individuals of all ages, allowing you to explore the finest locations.
One of these locations, Dauphin Island remains a favored spot for paddleboarding due to its many tranquil bays.
You might even be fortunate enough to see wild dolphins during your journey.
Try Biking
The Hugh Branyon Trails start and finish throughout the region, and they also traverse Gulf State Park.
Although you can certainly hike these paths, a more enjoyable method to experience them is through biking.
Inside Orange Beach, there exists a family-oriented bike shop known as Beach Bike Rental, where you can rent bikes in order to discover the trails.
Here, there are many choices available, such as tandem bikes suitable for older children, smaller bikes equipped with strong training wheels, and single cruisers that can attach a kids’ pull-behind bike.
Visit Waterville USA
This is an amusement and water park that offers a diverse selection of water attractions and exciting rides for all ages.
The park includes enjoyable summer activities such as its lazy river, wave pool, fast body slides, kids’ splash zones, tube slides, open-air, as well as a surf simulator.
Also, it boasts other exciting attractions and enjoyable activities like go-karts, VR cubes, one mini-golf area, rides for kids, and a large arcade.
Go to the Trampoline Park
It is an ideal activity for a rainy day and an excellent method to remain active while on vacation, even much more enjoyable than playing a video game or watching screens.
While here, spend one hour or two bouncing around.
Bouncing at the park remains ideal for any age and the laughter from everyone will definitely make you happy that you visited.
Pirate’s Island Golf
This place offers a delightful experience for guests of every age.
The miniature golf with a pirate theme features coastal villages, tidal pools, eerie caves, and stunning waterfalls, filled with treasure, skeletons, and nautical artifacts that transport you into a thrilling high-sea adventure.
Regardless of your ability or age, enjoying a few rounds at this place will awaken the child in you.
Enjoy a SPECTRA Laser Show
If you find yourself at the Orange Beach Wharf at night, make sure to experience the SPECTRA light show inside main street.
It’s entertaining for grown-ups and enjoyable for children as well.
Here, the structures and palm trees's lights sway to the rhythm, fog machines amplify the light displays, while the music enthralls everyone nearby to observe.
It is indeed an enjoyable, no-cost activity on my list of Gulf Shores activities to enjoy with kids.
Note that the performance begins every half hour in the night when it's dark and your kids will really enjoy the experience.
Chill Out at OWA Park
This park is an amazing amusement park featuring exciting rides, dining options, and games suitable for everyone.
It also features vertical rides for thrill-seekers, fast roller coasters, a distinctive “Air Racer” attraction that mimics the experience of flying inside air shows, and kids’ coasters.
You can even visit the haunted attraction at Mystic Mansion, enjoy the arcade games, or take your children on the traditional teacup ride.
A great aspect of this park is the fact that it provides non-rider admissions, allowing you to enter without breaking the bank while your kids enjoy themselves.
Take a Spin on a Ferris Wheel
In case you want fun for both your kids and yourself, the Ferris wheel inside The Wharf should definitely be included on your Gulf Shores activity list.
It ranks among the biggest in Southeastern United States.
When going there, verify the hours first since their summer hours have been prolonged into the night.
However, the best sights here can be enjoyed during daylight when you will see plenty from the wheel's top.
In case you visit at night, observe the wheel illuminate and even join the SPECTRA show.
The Wharf Ferris wheel is a famous Gulf Shores landmark and indeed a must-see during your visit.
It reaches a height of more than 112 feet and features 24 gondolas, providing breathtaking views of nearby attractions and the coastline.
As earlier stated, you can turn your wheel ride into a daytime adventure or an evening relaxation to appreciate the city lights.
Note that the gondolas accommodate groups and also are accessible to individuals with disabilities.
Go on a Zipline Adventure
Before departing the Orange Beach Wharf, make sure to try ziplining.
This thrilling activity features eight ziplines and spans over 6000 feet of soaring through the sky, therefore it isn’t for those who are easily frightened.
Nevertheless, it is suitable for any family with children aged 10 and older, and each participant should weigh between 70 and 250 pounds.
Enroll in Sandcastle Building
Constructing a sandcastle stands as a distinctive way to bond and can take place directly on the beaches at Orange Beach or Gulf Shores.
Also, if you are curious about how to construct an impressive sand castle, there's a course for that.
SandCastle University provides an opportunity for families to create incredible sandcastles and discover all the techniques and tips for crafting exceptional sand art.
Perfect for all skill levels and age groups, they provide both advanced and beginner classes, equipping individuals with the tools to construct sand castles and towers.
While here, your family may collaborate to construct a sandcastle, equipped with top techniques and expertise to ensure you consistently create incredible designs.
Once you complete the project here, you'll possess not just a distinctive work of art, but also gain skills applicable to upcoming beach outings with your kids.
Tour on a Duck Boat
You can explore the Golf Shores region and absorb some history through duck boat tours.
The distinctive boat, designed for both sea and land, is a refurbished WWII craft that was initially utilized in Normandy during D-Day.
Currently, it serves as a touring vehicle for open-air excursions, shifting between water and land to explore the stunning Orange Beach coastline.
Just a brief reminder that these tours are available exclusively from the Memorial Day - Labor Day.
So, if you wish to participate, reserve your tour in advance since they often reach full capacity.
Have Fun at the Beaches in Gulf Shores
Since Gulf Shores stands as a coastal vacation spot, it’s expected that a top activity available here is to enjoy the beach.
Gulf Shores is recognized for its stunning turquoise waters bordered by pristine white sand, along with the gentle waves that are perfect for kids to enjoy swimming.
In this region, you'll discover numerous beaches, allowing you to select a well-known beach destination with oceanfront facilities or a remote, untouched beach featuring wildlife observations and tranquility.
