Disclosure: All or part of this trip was provided free or at a reduced cost for review purposes, but the opinions are solely that of the writer. A TravelingMom cannot be bought.
Sometimes it rains on vacation, even in beautiful The Palm Beaches. Along with white sandy beaches, The Palm Beaches offers lots of family friendly indoor options for fun. Special Needs Traveling Mom Kathy and her daughter recently visited the area and on one day of their trip, yes, it rained. Kathy shares their vacation-saving stops for rainy day fun in The Palm Beaches.
A little rain won’t spoil your vacation with so many options for rainy day fun in The Palm Beaches. Photo: Kathy Penney, Special Needs TravelingMom
Rainy Day Fun In The Palm Beaches
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The Palm Beaches is a beautiful collection of cities in South Florida known for beaches, golf courses, and outdoor fun. It is filled with family fun and is a great vacation destination to enjoy the Florida sunshine. But, as my mom would say when I was growing up, “Into each life some rain must fall.” Even in the beautiful Palm Beaches.
While my special needs son rested with Grandma after our Ireland trip, my daughter and I visited The Palm Beaches with other TravelingMom families. On the last day of our trip, rain it did. Thankfully there’s lots of rainy day fun in the Palm Beaches. Here are three of our favorites.
South Florida Science Center & Aquarium
The South Florida Science Center & Aquarium was developed around a simple premise: Science is exciting! The Science Center offers exhibits from the latest technology, to Florida wildlife, to sensory exploration for rainy day fun in The Palm Beaches.
The room for young children at The South Florida Science Center has a fun water table and other hands on activities. Photo: Kathy Penney, Special TravelingMom
The Center’s area for children six years and under includes a giant 16 x 5-foot water table, a wall-sized Lite Brite play area, lounge area for parents , story time area with bookshelves, and a dress-up area with a photo booth. We had a five year old and a four year old with us and this area was their favorite part of the Science Center. Bringing your toddler to The Palm Beaches? Check out these fun things to do.
Discover native South Florida fish and wildlife at the over 10,000 gallons of tanks at the South Florida Science Center. Photo: Kathy Penney, Special Needs TravelingMom
The Science Center’s 10,000 gallon Aquariums of the Atlantic house some of Florida’s most beautiful native fish as well as a few fish that have invaded Florida’s coasts. The different habitats take visitors through the depths of coral reefs and interpret Florida’s diverse ecosystems. My daughter’s favorite was the little alligators.
This fascinating digital globe at the South Florida Science Center shows weather patterns and systems in real time. Photo: Kathy Penney, Special Needs TravelingMom.
Science on a Sphere (SOS) is a room-sized global display analogous to a giant animated globe. Researchers at NOAA developed the SOS as an educational tool to help illustrate Earth System science to people of all ages. The sphere can show animated images of storms, climate change and ocean temperature. We watched as Hurricane Gert formed in real time! The Science Center will soon be launching sensory friendly days.
Boca Raton Children’s Museum
Bring your imagination to the charming Boca Raton Children’s Museum for rainy day fun in The Palm Beaches! Boca Raton Children’s Museum, founded in 1979, was the first children’s museum in the state of Florida. Housed in historic homes from the early 1900’s, this small but charming museum offers lots of indoor options for rainy day fun in The Palm Beaches. It’s a fun affordable option for families in The Palm Beaches.
The Boca Raton Children’s Museum is in this lovely farm house from the 1900’s and maintains much of its historic charm. Photo: Kathy Penney, Special Needs TravelingMom
The museum offers lots of fun spaces like this whimsical big top for daily story time, art classes and movement. If if it’s wet outside there is lots of rainy day fun in The Palm Beaches to be had at Boca Raton Children’s Museum.
So many charming spaces in the Boca Raton Children’s Museum like this story time tent. Photo: Kathy Penney, Special Needs TravelingMom
Kids love playing in the exploration areas that are at the core of the museum’s mission of broadening the children’s awareness of the world around them and teaching them to problem solve through creative and scientific exploration. Children love the health and wellness center and the grocery store to learn through play.
I asked the museum about options for special needs guests and the PR representative said they had applied for a grant for sensory days. The museum is charming with lots of sensory play options, but small, so it might be a good idea to visit in off peak hours.
The doctor’s office is one of the fun imaginative play areas at the Boca Raton Children’s Museum. Photo: Kathy Penney, Special Needs Traveling Mom
Cool Beans Cafe
After working up an appetite at the Science Center and the Children’s Museum, head to Cool Beans Indoor Playground and Cafe for more rainy day fun in The Palm Beaches. Parents and kids alike love Cool Beans. Kids have a blast sliding on the indoor slide, letting their imagination soar in the dress up area, and bouncing on the ground level trampoline.
TravelingMom Tip: To save time when you visit, sign the waiver for the kids to play online before you arrive!
Kids can climb and explore at Cool Beans Cafe and Indoor Playground. Photo: Kathy Penney, Special Needs TravelingMomFor the parents Cool Beans offers wifi, a delicious menu, and a comfortable place to relax while the kids have fun. Photo: Kathy Penney, Special Needs TravelingMom
Parents can relax and sip a cup of quality coffee in the comfy seating area while they watch their kids have fun. Thanks to the free wifi, parents can also catch up on emails while the kids enjoy the playground.
Along with being a fun playground, Cool Beans is a great place to have lunch. There are kid friendly options like mac and cheese or peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Grown ups can enjoy delicious soups, salads, and paninis. I had the turkey and Swiss panini and the broccoli and cheddar soup. The soup featured pieces of real broccoli and was full of flavor without being overly rich.
At Cool Beans, kids can climb, slide, jump, explore and play dress up. Photo: Kathy Penney, SpecialNeeds TravelingMom
Rainy Day Fun In The Palm Beaches
The Palm Beaches is known for well, beaches. The area also features world class resort pools. However, if you need a break from the sun or if rain happens, don’t worry. The Palm Beaches also offers fun and educational indoor museums and centers and family friendly places to dine. Bring the family to one of the many places for rainy day fun in The Palm Beaches.
From museums to kid friendly restaurants there’s so many options for rainy day fun in The Palm Beaches. Photo: Kathy Penney, Special Needs TravelingMom
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