A Complete Guide to Exploring Panama City Beach with Kids: 16 Must-Try Activities
Panama City Beach has really become the family vacation hot spot of the Florida panhandle over the past few years. PCB is trading its “Spring Break Party” vibe for a family-friendly adventure zone. Even though the beach is what first draws people here, the fun experiences are what bring families back year after year. In this blog post, I will explore the many exciting activities that Panama City Beach, FL has to offer kids of all ages. Check out all the details below on the best things to do in Panama City Beach with kids.
Table of Contents:
- 1. The Beach
- 2. Shipwreck Island Waterpark
- 3. Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show
- 4. ZooWorld
- 5. Royal Escape Rooms
- 6. WonderWorks
- 7. Ripley’s Believe it or not!
- 8. Kartona
- 9. Miniature Golf
- 10. Shell Island
- 11. Sunset/Dolphin Boat Cruise
- 12. Dave & Buster’s
- 13. Pier Park SkyWheel
- 14. Rock’it Lanes
- 15. Mirror Maze & Laser Craze
- 16. Just Jump
1. The Beach
No matter where you stay in Panama City Beach, you will have access to our amazing white sand beaches. You may find the perfect condo directly on the beach or be looking for a house to fit the whole family a few blocks down from the water. There are so many options here that fall under every budget, but there is always a free beach access point available.
All you need to have fun at the beach with kids will be sunscreen, a towel, and some snacks! (What to Pack?) There are plenty of beach shops (and Walmarts) available to pick up some beach toys and boogie boards. If you want to add a little more adventure to your day rent a stand-up paddleboard (SUP) or a jet ski. Don’t forget your sunglasses!
2. Shipwreck Island Waterpark
Shipwreck Island is one of my kids’ favorite attractions (and mine). They are only open for a few months out of the year though. Usually, they open from late April through Labor Day. So, check their calendar before you make plans. Tickets are a bit pricey, but a family can enjoy a full day of water fun at this park.
They have a lazy river, a wave pool, tube rides, and tall slides. The park has a couple of different areas that are great for small children and plenty of attractions for kids of all ages. There are different types of foods, snacks, sweets, and drinks (adult beverages as well) available for purchase.
Shipwreck is a great option if you want to enjoy the water but need a break from the sand. So, while in Panama City Beach with kids definitely check them out!
3. Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show
The newest addition to the attractions list in Panama City Beach is Pirates Voyage. It’s a great spot to bring the family for a filling 4-course meal and an exciting pirate show. This recently opened (May 2025), and I’m hearing great things. Dolly Parton herself even visited on opening night! I’ll be making a proper review after we experience our first Pirates Voyage at the end of this month. Stay tuned…
4. ZooWorld
You guessed it, it’s a Zoo! Like most zoos, there are plenty of animals to see at ZooWorld. They are open daily except on Thanksgiving and Christmas. I feel like the animal encounters are super special here. You can feed giraffes, gators, and birds.
Then, for a bit more money, you can hold a sloth, lemur, or baby kangaroo. If not wanting to spend the extra cash, I recommend hanging out in the bird enclosure. The little birds love checking people out and tend to land right on you!
5. Royal Escape Rooms
Escape Rooms are a great group activity. The rooms can be booked for all different group sizes, usually ranging from 2 to 12 people. Royal Escape Rooms offers 11 themed rooms at different locations around Panama City Beach.
There are a few themes that may be a bit scary for the little ones, so pick a room that suits your group best. Children under 6 are free, and others will cost around $35/person. The game starts when they tell you the rules, give you some clues, and then the clock begins. “May the odds be ever in your favor.”
6. WonderWorks
Locally known as the “Upside-Down Building”, WonderWorks is great for people of all ages. They offer fun educational interactive exhibits that explore weather, space, art, and more.
There is also a laser tag arena and indoor rope course. WonderWorks offers multiple rides that are fun and can be somewhat intense.
Some activities will require closed-toe shoes, so leave the flip-flops at the beach house. Kids 4 and under are free, but everyone else will cost between $28-$42 per person depending on ticket vs combo. This is a great idea for a rainy day or when you need to get away from the scorching sun.
7. Ripley’s Believe it or not!
This is another awesome indoor activity that entertains the whole family. Ripley’s Believe it or not! has 3 main attractions: The Odditorium, Mirror Maze, and 7D Moving Theater. The First Class Pass is definitely the way to go if you would like to experience all 3 activities.
Kids under 4 are free, kids 5-12 are $30, and 13+ are $35. Ripley’s is right across the street from WonderWorks, so look to see which place is less busy and go there. You really can’t lose if you go to either place, both are a great time and are similarly priced.
8. Kartona
If you are looking for the fastest go karts in the panhandle, then look no further than Kartona. They divide up the kids and adults on this track. Junior karts go up to 25mph while adult (13+) karts can reach speeds of 45mph!!
Kids must be 8 years old and up and a minimum of 48 inches tall to ride. This experience is great for tweens and teenagers to let off a little steam built up from too much family vaca time together. If karting isn’t your thing, try your hand at axe throwing while the kids finish their races.
9. Miniature Golf
There are multiple locations to get your fix on miniature golf in Panama City Beach with kids. A few popular places include Pirate’s Island Adventure Golf, Coconut Creek Family Fun Park, and Swampy Jack’s Wongo Adventure. Pirate’s Island is strictly mini golf and will be the cheapest option.
Coconut Creek has mini golf plus a huge maze. Then there’s Swampy Jack’s which has mini golf, carnival rides, go karts, and more. Swampy Jack’s will be the priciest experience, but they have the most to offer for entertainment. Whatever miniature golf adventure you are searching for will be found here in PCB.
10. Shell Island
Shell Island is a 7-mile-long undeveloped island and beach that can only be reached by boat. Most families like to rent a pontoon boat and spend a half day here or book a snorkeling excursion. There are a ton of places to rent a boat in Panama City Beach with kids. You can always use the Shell Island Shuttle to get here and back as well. During the summer the shuttle departs every 30 minutes from 9a-5p.
The island has a gulf-side beach and a bay-side beach to be explored and enjoyed. Snorkeling is usually great here so bring your gear. Just remember that it’s 100% nature on Shell Island. That means no bathrooms, no concession stands, and no trash cans. So go prepared with food, drinks, and a trash bag of your own.
If you bring it to the island, it must leave with you too!
11. Sunset/Dolphin Boat Cruise
I always recommend booking a sunset boat cruise during a trip to Panama City Beach with kids. Children are always welcome, and sometimes the captain even lets them steer the boat! If you are lucky your family will spot some dolphins cruising along with your tour.
The best options in my opinion are the Sea Screamer or the Catamaran Cruise with Island Time. Both tours offer snacks and drinks for purchase. Don’t miss out on this amazing excursion during your time in Panama City Beach.
12. Dave & Buster’s
If you’re looking for dinner and entertainment, Dave & Buster’s has got you covered. They have everything from basic arcade games to Virtual Reality gaming. It’s also a great place to watch a sporting event on all their TVs. They have pretty good food and a lot of specialty drinks to try. If you’re around on Wednesdays, definitely stop by because they have ½ priced games!
And if you plan on visiting Dave & Buster’s multiple times during your trip, look into their seasonal passes. Currently, they have 3 different passes offering unlimited play and food discounts (Summer 2025 prices from $70-150)!
13. Pier Park SkyWheel
The SkyWheel is a large, enclosed observation ferris wheel. Your ride will take about 10-15 minutes for you to go 4 revolutions. The views are great any time of the day, but sunset is probably the most popular time. The SkyWheel also offers mini golf, a ropes course, and a snack shack. This is a great late afternoon or early evening experience.
14. Rock’it Lanes
There is something for the whole family at Rock’it Lanes. They have bowling, roller skating, arcade games, and a sports bar. This place is pretty busy on a rainy day, but you can usually find something fun to do while you wait for a bowling lane to open up.
My kids love the funny videos on the bowling screen that pop up after every bowl. You can personalize them by taking everyone’s picture. Check em out on Tuesdays for half-priced arcade games.
15. Mirror Maze & Laser Craze
Located conveniently in Pier Park. So, if you find yourself wandering around Pier Park, stop by Mirror Maze & Laser Craze with the family. They offer a challenging mirror maze, a laser vault game, Bazooka Ball, rubber axe throwing, and laser tag. Buy either a single attraction ticket or different combos that fit your family’s interests. The Pick 3 Combo is a popular choice for around $30 per person.
16. Just Jump
Have you ever been to a trampoline park? Of course, there is a large open jump area, but there are also 2 soc-air courts, dodgeball, basketball, trapeze, and a ninja course. Soc-air is a mix of jumping and soccer/water polo. Score by throwing the ball in the other team’s goal.
The Kiddie area is made for jumpers 6 and under and has separate trampolines, a foam pit, and a climbing wall. Just Jump sells snacks and drinks, so no outside food is allowed. Kids and adults alike will leave this place exhausted!
Panama City Beach with Kids…
Whatever adventures you take in Panama City Beach with kids will be unforgettable. Panama City Beach is a year-round destination. One final word of advice from a local about the worst time of the year to visit. Our busiest time here in PCB (and 30A) is the week before and the week after Easter.
Other than that, I’d say come when it suits you and your family best. If you need help with what to pack read this Florida Packing List post! And please Contact me if you have any questions about traveling to Panama City Beach with kids. Safe Travels!
