14 Best Cocoa Beach Family Activities for 2025

Welcome to the ultimate guide for Cocoa Beach family adventures. This pristine coastal destination offers miles of white sandy beaches where unforgettable memories await families seeking the perfect blend of relaxation and excitement.
This family-friendly coastal gem, located just an hour's drive from Orlando, provides easy access to major attractions while maintaining its relaxed beach town vibe. Cocoa Beach is the closest beach to Walt Disney World, allowing you to combine theme park excitement with oceanside fun during your Florida vacation. While nicknamed the "East Coast Surfing Capital" and famously known as the hometown of 11-time surf champion Kelly Slater, the entertainment options extend far beyond the waves. Whether you're planning a dedicated beach getaway or a day trip from Orlando, this comprehensive guide features the 21 best Cocoa Beach family activities that will delight everyone in your group throughout the year.
1. Lori Wilson Park
Situated in the heart of Cocoa Beach, Lori Wilson Park is a top destination for family activities, offering easy access and a full range of attractions for visitors year-round. This expansive oceanfront park spans 32.43 acres of pristine coastal landscape, featuring natural dunes and maritime hammock that showcase Florida's authentic coastline.
Lori Wilson Park offers exceptional facilities that make your beach day hassle-free. Parents particularly value the year-round lifeguards who provide an added layer of safety for swimming children. For optimal Cocoa Beach family activities experiences, consider visiting during weekday mornings when the park feels less crowded.
2. Westgate Cocoa Beach Pier
The iconic Westgate Cocoa Beach Pier stands as a historic landmark on Florida's Space Coast, stretching an impressive 800 feet over the Atlantic Ocean. This popular destination has evolved into one of the top Cocoa Beach family activities spots that offers breathtaking panoramic views of the coastline.
Beyond its stunning ocean vistas, you'll find beach rentals, freshwater showers, and regulation beach volleyball courts. Moreover, this prime location offers access to some of the best surfing on the East Coast, making it ideal for wave enthusiasts. Throughout the year, the pier hosts various annual activities, events, surf competitions, and festivals.
Westgate Cocoa Beach Pier dining options
The culinary scene at Westgate Cocoa Beach Pier is undoubtedly impressive, with five restaurants and four bars. Notable options include:
- Pier 62 Oceanfront Restaurant & Bar - Offers fresh seafood, grilled specialties, and a full sushi bar paired with sake cocktails.
- Rikki Tiki Tavern - Located at the pier's end, perfect for relaxing with cold drinks while enjoying panoramic ocean views.
- The Boardwalk Bar - Known for hosting "the best happy hour on Cocoa Beach."
Additional dining spots include Ocean Freeze Daiquiri Bar, Maui J's Shaved Ice Truck, Ohana Subs, Chip Wrecked, and Sea Dogs, ensuring options for every taste and budget.
Families will appreciate the pier's kid-friendly environment with year-round lifeguards ensuring water safety. Children can take semi-private surf lessons from 9 am to 5 pm at Cocoa Beach Surf School, where instructors provide comprehensive training covering water safety and basic board skills.
3. Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
Just an hour's drive from Cocoa Beach, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex offers an educational counterpoint to your beach adventures. It ranks among the most fascinating things to do near Cocoa Beach. This world-class space museum gives families a glimpse into America's space program through immersive exhibits and authentic artifacts.
Young space enthusiasts will love Planet Play, a multi-story interactive area explicitly designed for children ages 2-12. Here, kids can map constellations, climb a wormhole, walk on Saturn's rings, and slide through an asteroid field. Parents can relax at the coffee and wine bar while supervising their little explorers.
For summer visitors, Camp Kennedy Space Center® offers weeklong day camps filled with STEM activities throughout June and July. The camp includes lunch, a t-shirt, and admission wristbands for family members.
4. Dinosaur Store and Museum
For families seeking indoor Cocoa Beach family activities with an educational twist, The Dinosaur Store and Museum delivers a prehistoric adventure spanning three distinct experiences. This 24,000-square-foot facility houses one of the most elaborate collections of fossils and artifacts available to the public.
The Museum of Dinosaurs and Ancient Cultures occupies the top two floors with 20,000 square feet of fascinating exhibits. The Hall of Dinosaurs showcases authentic fossils alongside impressive skeletons and 80 taxidermy specimens. In addition to these highlights, the museum features 5,000 years of history through authentic artifacts from Egypt, Mesoamerica, China, and Tribal Africa.
The family-friendly Adventure Zone certainly appeals to younger explorers with its interactive elements. Children can observe 26 live reptiles, including American alligators, snakes, frogs, and tortoises. Additionally, the zone features science stations, arcade games, and a movie cave showing "Prehistoric," a documentary about dinosaurs and ancient oceans.
5. Wizard of Oz Museum
Experience the magic of the Wizard of Oz Museum, a captivating indoor Cocoa Beach attraction that welcomes visitors of all ages on a journey to the enchanting Land of Oz. This Cape Canaveral gem houses over 2,000 artifacts and original movie props, including Dorothy's iconic dress, a townsman's jacket, and a Winkie's spear.
Uniquely, the museum features a 20,000 sq. ft. immersive journey with state-of-the-art technology projecting custom-designed content onto all four walls and the floor. Rather than replicating movie scenes, the experience presents original book content. You'll witness the tornado, skip through Munchkin Land, and attend a party in the Emerald City. The museum also includes Van Gogh and Universe immersive experiences with your admission.
6. Golf-N-Gator
Golf-N-Gator combines entertainment and wildlife encounters to create a unique Cocoa Beach family activities experience. This Cape Canaveral attraction offers an exciting alternative to traditional beach outings with its diverse amenities. As you play, you'll cross bridges over ponds where alligators, turtles, and fish live. Beyond golf, the facility boasts an arcade with retro games plus gem mining activities for educational fun.
Golf-N-Gator alligator encounters
What truly sets this venue apart among things to do in Cocoa Beach, Florida, is its outdoor alligator habitat—the only one in Brevard County. Here you can:
- Feed live adult alligators in their pond
- Hold and take photos with baby alligators under staff supervision
- View additional wildlife, including birds, lizards, snakes, and tortoises
7. Lighthouse Cove Adventure Golf
Among Cocoa Beach's miniature golf destinations, Lighthouse Cove Adventure Golf stands out with its tropical fishing village theme and impressive dual-course layout. This popular Cocoa Beach family activities venue creates an immersive coastal experience through carefully designed landscapes.
Beyond golf, families appreciate the on-site 3 Scoops Ice Cream Parlor serving 24 premium flavors and specialty milkshakes. One standout feature is the drink delivery service—staff will bring beverages (including beer and wine) directly to your location on the course. Since adults must supervise all children at all times, parents can relax knowing the environment is family-oriented. Most visitors typically spend between 1 and 2 hours enjoying the attraction, making it an ideal addition to your Cocoa Beach, Florida family activities itinerary.
8. Jetty Park Beach and Campground
Situated at the entrance to Port Canaveral, Jetty Park offers 35 acres of pristine coastal beauty that ranks high among Cocoa Beach family activities throughout the year. This gem combines beach enjoyment with unique viewing opportunities unavailable elsewhere along the Space Coast.
Families appreciate the playground, outdoor showers, and rentable pavilions equipped with tables and grills. Beach vendors provide chair, umbrella, kayak, and paddleboard rentals, eliminating the need to bring bulky equipment. The campground offers diverse accommodation choices, including full hookup RV sites, primitive tent sites, and small cabins sleeping up to four people.
Throughout the year, visitors enjoy spectacular views of cruise ships entering and departing Port Canaveral. Alongside maritime traffic, families can witness rocket launches from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Marine wildlife enthusiasts often spot dolphins and sea turtles from the pier.
9. Cocoa Beach Aerial Adventures
For thrill-seekers of all ages, Cocoa Beach Aerial Adventures delivers an exhilarating outdoor challenge that elevates Cocoa Beach family activities to new heights. This unique aerial park suspends participants on 45-foot poles as they navigate through 49 unique challenges set among beautiful live oak trees.
The park features seven distinct courses organized by three difficulty levels. The three green courses provide appropriate challenges for beginners and all ability levels. As climbers progress, three intermediate yellow courses increase in both height and difficulty. Finally, the pinnacle red course offers the ultimate test of will and stamina, with obstacles suspended 45 feet above ground. Each course contains 7-8 maritime-themed obstacles utilizing ropes, cables, wood, barrels, stirrups, and cargo nets. Visitors typically complete 3-4 courses (21-28 obstacles) during the two-hour climbing session.
10. Sail Cocoa Beach
Experience the coastal beauty from a different perspective with Sail Cocoa Beach, offering nautical Cocoa Beach family activities that blend relaxation and wildlife viewing. Explore the stunning waterways aboard comfortable vessels guided by experienced captains.
Sail Cocoa Beach presents three distinct tour options to match your preferences. The Dolphin Watching Catamaran Sail operates daily at 12 pm and 3 pm, providing two-hour journeys along the intercoastal waterways where you'll spot dolphins, manatees, and native birds. For a more magical experience, the Sunset Catamaran sail (typically at 6 pm) combines wildlife viewing with breathtaking sunset vistas. The newest addition, the Pedal Pub, lets you and up to 11 others actively pedal the boat while socializing around a central cooler. All tours include complimentary soft drinks and onboard photography. The spacious MaineCat 41 catamaran spans 40 feet and accommodates up to 32 passengers. Sail Cocoa Beach prides itself as "the top family-friendly boat tour on the Space Coast." Children aged 17 and under sail for half price on daytime excursions when accompanied by an adult.
11. BK Adventure Bioluminescence Tours
Witness nature's dazzling light show through BK Adventure Bioluminescence Tours, one of the most magical Cocoa Beach family activities available year-round. This phenomenon creates glowing blue waters that illuminate with every movement, offering an otherworldly experience just minutes from popular beaches.
BK Adventure offers diverse tour formats to accommodate all preferences. Traditional kayak tours allow intimate exploration of glowing waters at your own pace. Alternatively, boat tours provide a stable platform ideal for larger groups seeking a more relaxed experience. For adventurous spirits, paddleboard tours present a unique perspective with glowing waters directly beneath your feet. Family-friendly rafting tours—the only non-kayak option in Florida—accommodate groups of 6-8 with a dedicated raft guide.
Although available year-round, peak brightness occurs during the summer months (June-September). New moon phases create darker skies that enhance the bioluminescent effect. Tours typically last approximately 1.5 hours, except for the 3-hour Sunset Kayaking experience. Prices range from $65 for standard kayaking to $85 for clear "see-through" kayaks.
12. Cocoa Beach Dolphin Tours
Discover the natural wonders of the Banana River with Cocoa Beach Dolphin Tours, an exceptional Cocoa Beach family activities option operating from a convenient location within walking distance of Ron Jon Surf Shop.
Cocoa Beach Dolphin Tours experience
Each tour takes you through the 1,000 Islands of Cocoa Beach, a rich mangrove habitat perfect for wildlife observation. The 50-seat pontoon boats offer a stable, relaxing ride through protected waters. Throughout your journey, you'll likely encounter numerous dolphins, manatees, pelicans, and other native wildlife in their natural environment. The vast estuary houses hundreds of dolphins, with many recent visitors reporting multiple dolphin and manatee sightings immediately after departure. Naturalists onboard identify various bird species and share fascinating facts about the area's ecology.
13. Florida Surf Museum
Delve into Florida's rich surfing heritage at the Florida Surf Museum, a cultural gem housed inside the Ron Jon Surf Shop Watersports Rental building. This compact yet fascinating Cocoa Beach attraction preserves the unique surfing legacy that has shaped the area's identity for decades.
Children often enjoy viewing vintage surfboards, historic photographs, and memorabilia from legendary surfers. The museum offers interactive exhibits that introduce youngsters to surfing culture and history. At times, kids can participate in hands-on activities like shaping mini surfboards and trying virtual reality surfing experiences. Sean O'Hare, whose father founded the museum (originally called Cocoa Beach Surf Museum) in 1999, occasionally shares personal stories about local surfing pioneers.
14. Rocket Launch Viewing
Watching a rocket launch is one of the most awe-inspiring family activities possible. As rockets thunder skyward from nearby Cape Canaveral, both children and adults experience the thrill of witnessing space exploration firsthand.
Best rocket launch spots
The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex offers the closest public viewing, providing launch commentary and bleacher seating. For budget-friendly alternatives, Jetty Park offers excellent visibility of southern launch pads. Lori Wilson Park features convenient amenities, including free parking and restrooms. The Cocoa Beach Pier delivers panoramic ocean views 800 feet above the Atlantic.
Conclusion
Cocoa Beach truly stands as Florida's premier family destination, offering an impressive blend of natural beauty, educational experiences, and exciting adventures throughout the year. Whether you seek relaxation on pristine beaches, thrilling outdoor activities, fascinating museums, or delicious local treats, this coastal gem delivers memorable experiences for every family member. Families particularly appreciate the variety of cost-effective options available.
Booking directly with Vacation Central Florida gives you premium access to oceanfront accommodations just minutes from the Cocoa Beach Pier and top attractions. Avoid hidden fees and get more value by reserving directly through our website.