family holding hands on beach in gulf shores at sunset

Top 14 Things to Do with Kids in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach

June 21, 2024

Sun-kissed beaches, crystal-clear waters, and adventures galore—Gulf Shores and Orange Beach offer the perfect recipe for unforgettable family memories. The Alabama Gulf Coast isn’t just about kicking back on the shore (although there’s plenty of that to go around). With a treasure trove of kid-friendly activities and family-friendly experiences, it’s the perfect place to unleash your inner child. Whether you’re a kid or a kid at heart, we have some ideas for making the most of your getaway.

Here are our top things to do with kids in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach!

The Beach

With over a dozen public beach access points in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, finding your way to the water is easy. Once there, the possibilities are endless! Look for colorful seashells that have washed ashore! From angel wings to sand dollars, each is an exciting discovery and a fun way to spend time with the kids. Build a sandcastle or go all in with an entire kingdom, complete with moats, towers, and secret passageways! Fly a kite, play frisbee or volleyball, or invent beach games. Sound too adventurous? Sometimes, the best beach activity is simply relaxing and soaking up the sun, letting the soothing sounds of waves lapping on the shore lull you into complete relaxation.

Gulf State Park

Take a break from the beach and explore the wonders of Gulf State Park, a gorgeous recreation area between Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. With sandy beaches and beautiful landscapes, you can enjoy the scenery on a guided Segway tour or paddle through tranquil waterways on a kayak. Whether exploring the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry trails, fishing for trout and redfish, or embarking on a zipline adventure through the pine flatwoods and oak forests, you’ll no doubt encounter local wildlife and migrating birds throughout the park. Each visit brings something new, making it one of our favorite things to do with kids! 

The Track

Nothing compares to beach days, but The Track delivers if you’re looking for a livelier outing! This family fun center offers something for every family member. Race with your crew on the multi-level go-kart track, challenge yourselves in a round of laser tag or putt your way through a fun mini-golf course. With blaster boats and spinning coasters, you’ll still find many ways to stay cool. The Track even boasts a state-of-the-art arcade and a Skycoaster, propelling visitors through the air at high speeds. No matter your age or interests, visiting here will have the whole family smiling!

Pirate’s Island Adventure Golf

This pirate-themed mini-golf course is ideal for those traveling with family members of different age groups. Grandparents can play alongside grandkids through waterfalls, past caves, and shipwrecks! This 18-hole course offers challenges for all ages and skill levels, so everyone has a chance to shine. Plus, with fun obstacles and a chance to putt for buried treasure, even the youngest in your crew will be thrilled by the imaginative course design. Better yet, kids 12 and under play for free, with other specials available throughout the year!

The Hangout

The Hangout in Gulf Shores is your one-stop shop for family fun in the Alabama sun! This beachfront paradise boasts a sprawling and tempting menu guaranteed to please every palate. Little buccaneers can devour pancakes at the Pirates and Princess Pancake Breakfast, featuring a live show, games, and a treasure hunt, while parents sip on Bloody Marys and Mimosas!

The Hangout’s beachfront location offers easy access for building sandcastles or taking dips in the refreshing Gulf waters. While the kids are busy creating masterpieces in the sand, parents can relax and soak up the sun with a refreshing drink. To elevate the experience, The Hangout often hosts live music, the perfect complement to a menu of fresh seafood, juicy burgers, and other options to satisfy even the pickiest of eaters.

Adventure Island

Adventure Island is the perfect adventure for families seeking an action-packed day in Orange Beach. This amusement park features indoor and outdoor attractions and is a crowd-pleaser for kids and adults alike, with go-karts, adventure golf, bumper boats, and more! Younger children can explore a dedicated kid’s area with rides designed to entertain them for hours. Celebrating a special event? Book a Gamer or Pirate Treasure party for a full day of thrills and unforgettable family memories!

The Wharf

Beyond shops, restaurants, and bars galore, The Wharf in Orange Beach offers a day of discovery. Stroll down Main Street at this wildly popular entertainment center, browse local shops, and then fuel the family with delicious cuisine at casual cafes and upscale eateries. While there, you’ll want to take a twirl on one of the tallest Ferris wheels in the area and check out the SPECTRA Laser Light Show. Whether hitting the arcade, catching the latest release at the theater, or watching a show at the amphitheater, The Wharf delivers an unforgettable blend of shopping, dining, and entertainment!

OWA

Rent a cabana while the kids hit the slides, wave pool, and surf simulator at the water park, or join in the fun! Whether whirling through the air on the Alabama Wham’a or cruising through the Mystic Mansion blasting phantoms, OWA is where some of the best family memories are made! More than just a world-class amusement park, OWA delights visitors each season with Downtown OWA, a pedestrian-friendly district brimming with unique shops, delectable restaurants, and live entertainment. With an event schedule packed throughout the year, OWA promises a day full of kid-friendly activities even the grown-ups will enjoy!

The Factory 

The Factory in Gulf Shores offers hours of entertainment with a climbing gym, batting cages, and more. The kids will go crazy in the expansive trampoline park, jumping and bouncing to their heart’s content. Aspiring climbers can test their skills on the climbing walls while budding baseball and softball stars can perfect their swing in the batting cages. When you’re ready for a break from physical activity, hit the arcade filled with classic and new games. By the end of the day, you’ll be rewarded with a happily exhausted crew and a guaranteed win for the whole family!

Cetacean Dolphin Cruise

A trip to the Alabama Gulf Coast wouldn’t be complete without an unforgettable encounter with the area’s playful resident dolphins, one of our favorite things to do with kids. Cetacean Cruises offers a fun and exciting way to learn about these beautiful creatures in their natural habitat. Knowledgeable guides make the tours fun and interactive, ensuring a peaceful and educational experience for everyone onboard. Nothing can compare to seeing a dolphin pod, but you’ll likely catch glimpses of herons, ospreys, or red-tailed hawks!

The Yard Milkshake Bar

The quickest way to elevate any vacation on the Alabama Gulf Coast is a trip to The Yard Milkshake Bar. With dozens of decadent Ice cream flavors delivered in cones, bowls, shakes, and sundaes, these over-the-top confections will put a smile on everyone’s face. Seasonal specials are always a pleasant surprise, each an overflowing tower of deliciousness! 

Waterville USA

This one might earn you a few bonus points with the kiddos and undoubtedly present some great photo ops! A waterpark extravaganza, complete with a wave pool, a lazy river, and over a dozen slides, Waterville USA spells family fun in the best possible way. Throw in an amusement park, escape rooms, Top Golf, and bowling; you might never want to leave!

Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo

What could be better than an afternoon at the zoo? The kids will enjoy seeing all their favorite animals, like giraffes and monkeys, and some they may have never encountered, including Chinese Muntjacs and New Guinea singing dogs. Animal Adventures offer unique opportunities to meet various animals supervised by staff members. You can even book a private event should you be celebrating a special occasion while on vacation! 

Alligator Alley

From hatchlings to mature adults, you’ll find them all at Alligator Alley! Take a self-guided tour to watch them sunning, nesting, and interacting in their natural habitat. The kids will enjoy being outside with the turtles and ospreys and will be overjoyed when they hold a baby alligator after the tour! 

No matter how you spend your days in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, you’re guaranteed to be close to all the kid-friendly activities when you stay with Kaiser Vacation Rentals. With gorgeous vacation homes near and on the beach and many offering monthly stays, you’ll have plenty of time to explore the Alabama Gulf Coast!

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