25 Things to Do in Gulf Shores with Kids

Gulf Shores, Alabama is an ideal spot for one of your family’s vacations. This affordable destination has gorgeous white sand beaches, year-round sun, and tons of kid-friendly activities that are sure to make memories that will last a lifetime.

Previously, we have talked about how great Gulf Shores and nearby Fort Morgan, Alabama are for flexcations, extended remote work/family trip destinations. For parents looking to remote work and bring their families for an extended family vacation, it is crucial to be able to spend time with the kids. Alabama Gulf beaches certainly fit the bill. Gulf Shores has so many amazing things to do with kids and it’s a relatively affordable destination, especially if you go during the off-season or shoulder season.

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Things to Do in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach, Alabama

Gulf Shores has plenty of things to do for families, including water parks, amusement parks, and so much more. We have all the information you need about what’s available in the area. We have a great short trip Gulf Shores/Orange Beach itinerary here or you can create your own with the information here. You’ll find kid-friendly attractions to check out, and we’ve also included some family-friendly dining options.

Whether you want to head straight for the beach or spend a few days exploring what Gulf Shores has to offer, there is plenty that you can do when you arrive in this popular coastal Alabama destination. The following are 25 fun things you can do with your children while on an extended family work trip.

Alabama Beaches – Spend your day at one of the area’s beautiful beaches. There are 32 miles of Alabama Gulf Coast beaches just waiting for you. In the off-season, it may not be bathing suit weather, but that’s okay. There are still plenty of things to do on Orange Beach and Gulf Shores’ beaches, such as shelling (learn where to get a shelling bag and brochure to help id what you find). building sandcastles, taking a walk!

Sand Castle University – Speaking of sandcastles, The Sand Castle University in Gulf Shores provides expert level tips and tricks for social media worthy pictures. It’s a great way to enjoy being on the beach together and there are classes available for everyone – from toddlers to adults! Website

Visit the Hangout – Take a trip down the beach to the iconic Hangout, where you can enjoy live music and concerts. You can also grab a bite to eat or have some fun playing free games with your children in the courtyard.

Read next: 8 Orange Beach & Gulf Shores Restaurants You MUST Try

Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo – Visit one of animal habitats at this Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo and see big cats, monkeys, kangaroos, sloths, and more! Over 500 animals representing more than 115 species call this zoo home, including 22 species that are endangered, endangered, vulnerable, or threatened. Also available are zoo-keeper supervised animal encounters where guests can get closer to the animals and learn more about them. Website

Bicycle Around Gulf Shores and Orange Beach – Take a bike ride along the beachfront or through downtown Gulf Shores. If you didn’t bring your own bikes, you can rent bikes from one of the many bike shops in town. One of my favorite areas to cycle is the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail system inside Gulf State Park who offers a ride share program using the Bloom Bike Share App.

Hiking Trails – Above I mentioned Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail for cycling. That trail is also great to ride a Segway as well as hiking and nature walks. It’s Alabama’s longest linear park and spans more than 30 miles. You can hike for 1 mile or all day long. There are also other trails available in the area including; Gulf State Park Trails, Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, and Fort Morgan Trails (including Fort Gaines Historic Site and Fort Gaines Lighthouse).

Take the Kids Fishing – An awesome way to spend some time on the water, and experience what it is like to be a real fisherman at the same time! You can fish from any of the public jetties or docks. A popular location is the Gulf State Park Fishing Pier which offers their popular Angler Academy to teach new saltwater anglers how to fish. Another option is to charter a deep sea fishing boat for offshore fishing. A state fishing license is required for those who are 16 years of age or older.

Read next: A few years back, I went deep sea fishing out of Orange Beach. You can read more about it and the fish we caught on this girl’s only trip.

The Wharf at Orange Beach – The Wharf is the place to go for the beach boardwalk experience. This entertainment complex has unique shops and specialty stores, fantastic local restaurants, attractions, and live entertainment. On a rainy day, the movie theater, escape room, and arcade (games) are popular options. At night you will enjoy the laser light show.

Ride the Ferris Wheel at the Wharf – Hop on and enjoy a relaxing ride as you take in the sights of Orange Beach from above. This Ferris Wheel is one of the largest in the Southeast.

Read next: The Best Coffee Shops in Orange Beach and Gulf Shores where you can get coffee and free wifi if you need to get some work done while the family explores the area.

Stand Up Paddle boarding – SUP is a great activity for all fitness levels and ages, especially among tweens and teens. It’s fun and easy to get started! Beginners find the inland waters easier while the gulf waters are more challenging.

Read next: Tips to Help You Teach Your Kids How to Paddle board

Tour a Boutique Oyster Farm – Take a walking tour of Navy Cove Oysters east of Fort Morgan and learn about this favorite local food, ecology, and geology. It’s really interesting to see how oysters are grown and cultivated. After the tour, you can head across the street to Sassy Bass Amazing Grill & Market for really good food including the farm’s oysters. Website

Have Dinner at Lulu’s – Head over to this family-friendly eatery specializing in coastal cuisine. They have an extensive allergy menu created in a dedicated kitchen. The food is delicious, and you can even see the Gulf while you dine! Lulu’s also has great live entertainment, arcade, and elevated outdoor ropes course. Website

Coastal Arts Center of Orange Beach – Perfect for a rainy day, visit The Coastal Arts Center of Orange Beach to wander thru the art gallery or take an art class. The center also houses a hot shop creating beautiful glass-blown art and a clay studio.

The Track Recreation Center – This massive entertainment center offers one of the biggest arcades on the strand. There’s also mini-golf, go-karts, bumper boats, kiddie rides, and thrill rides like the Skycoaster. Website

Play Miniature Golf – For us a beach vacation isn’t complete without at least one game of mini golf. There are a number of locations to play putt-putt. Some of our favorite spots include The Track and Pirate’s Island Adventure Golf.

Take a Dolphin Cruise – You can catch a glimpse of these beautiful animals on an afternoon cruise. Sunset dolphin cruises are always popular with guests, and you will see lots of wildlife in addition to dolphins.

Visit the Playgrounds – For younger children, you’ll find play areas located throughout each beach location, including Fort Morgan’s public beaches and Gulf Shores’ public beach parks. The Gulf Shores City Park is a great spot to bring your children, enjoy a picnic or spend time at one of the playgrounds! This park is home to several murals depicting local history and life along the Alabama Gulf Coast.

Go to a Festival – There are lots of annual festivals that celebrate Alabama’s gulf coast lifestyle throughout the spring and summer months. Check out some of these festivals for entertainment, fun activities for kids, and great southern fare! One of our favorites is the Annual Seafood Festival held on Labor Day weekend. This annual seafood festival offers delicious food for you to enjoy, along with live music.

Be Thrilled at the Park at OWA – Located in Foley, Alabama along the Foley Expressway, OWA is an amusement park featuring thrill rides, kiddie rides, and midway games. It’s a great place to get out of the heat and spend some time. Website

Fort Morgan State Park & Historic Site – Head out to this historic fort and spend some time walking around the park. You can also take in the views of the Gulf of Mexico while walking along the beach. The Fort is open daily.

Walk Around Fort Morgan Peninsula – A peninsula located on the Alabama Gulf Coast, Fort Morgan peninsula is home to more than 7 miles of nature trails. The trails are one of the best ways to explore this area, which offers gorgeous views of beaches, bays and the Gulf of Mexico!

Read next: Read more about the Things to Do in Fort Morgan – BTW I love this area for an extended family vacation or flexcation. It’s a short drive from Gulf Shores, but it’s quiet with all the benefits of a beach destination.

Rent a Kayak – Whether you’re looking to explore the bays around Orange Beach or spend some time off of the Gulf Beaches, there’s plenty to see in our area when you go kayaking. You can even kayak out to The Gulf State Park Pier!

Tip: Make plans to see the sunrise at least once while here. You won’t regret this view!

Go Parasailing – There is no limit to the variety of water sports you can enjoy in the area. One of the most popular water sports is parasailing! You can take to the skies and enjoy views of the Alabama Gulf Coast. Check out the list of operators in the area.

Watch the Sunset at Gulf State Park – One of the best ways to end your day is watching the sun go down over the water. Head over to Gulf State Park’s eastern beach and find a nice spot on Ft Morgan peninsula, where you can enjoy views of Fort Morgan in the distance. Another option to aboard a sunset catamaran cruise.

The Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center and IMAX Dome Theater – Visit this STEM learning center located a short drive away in downtown Mobile. You’ll find over 150 hands-on exhibits, plus an IMAX theatre! Website

As you can see, there are lots of things to do in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach with kids. Whether you’re looking for a great family vacation or working remote and want to bring the family, these two beach towns offer tons to explore! From parasailing and dolphin cruises to festivals celebrating the Alabama gulf coast lifestyle, we hope this list provided some inspiration. We also included information about where your children will find fun activities at public beaches as well as indoor attractions such as museums and science centers that cater towards their interests. If you have any questions while planning your trip don’t hesitate to reach out by email or on social media!