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25 Unforgettable Things To Do In Panama City Beach With Kids: The Ultimate 2025 Family Fun Guide

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Planning a family vacation to the Emerald Coast? Panama City Beach (PCB) is more than just sugar-white sands and emerald waters; it's a vibrant hub of kid-friendly adventure, especially with exciting new additions opening in 2025.

As of December 24, 2025, the family entertainment landscape in PCB is better than ever, offering a perfect blend of high-energy amusement parks, unique marine life encounters, and relaxing beach days. This guide cuts through the noise to give you the freshest, most up-to-date list of activities that will keep children of all ages entertained, ensuring your family trip is filled with joy, laughter, and memories that will last a lifetime.

The Newest Attractions and Must-See Family Hotspots for 2025

Panama City Beach is constantly evolving, and the year 2025 brings several highly anticipated new venues and attractions that solidify its status as a premier family destination. These new spots, alongside perennial favorites, offer compelling reasons to visit now.

Exciting New Family Venues: Topgolf and Shell Point

The biggest buzz for the 2025 season is the arrival of Topgolf Panama City Beach, set to open in the Pier Park area. This high-tech golf entertainment complex offers a fun, competitive, and air-conditioned environment suitable for all ages and skill levels, making it a perfect rainy-day or evening activity for the whole family.

Another major development is the planned Shell Point surf destination. This complex is designed to be a 10.5-acre surf hub that will include a family-friendly beach, a pool, leisure zones, and a dedicated kids' splash pad, offering a unique water experience beyond the Gulf waves. Additionally, Frank Brown Park is expanding its offerings with a new, state-of-the-art Skate Park, breaking ground in early 2025, providing a safe and exciting venue for older kids and teens.

The Thrills of Pier Park and Amusement Centers

  • SkyWheel Panama City Beach: Towering 200 feet over the city, the massive SkyWheel is a must-visit attraction. It offers stunning, climate-controlled views of the Gulf of Mexico and the entire coastline, providing a breathtaking photo opportunity and a peaceful break from the heat.
  • Pier Park: This outdoor lifestyle center is the heart of family entertainment. Beyond the SkyWheel, it features shopping, dining, a movie theater, and seasonal events. It's the ideal spot for an afternoon stroll, grabbing ice cream, and letting the kids burn off energy.
  • Shipwreck Island Waterpark: Consistently rated as one of the best waterparks in the nation, Shipwreck Island is a classic PCB experience. From the high-speed slides like the Raging Rapids to the lazy river and the dedicated Tadpole Hole for the little ones, it guarantees a full day of aquatic fun.
  • Race City Amusement Park: Home to roller coasters, go-karts, mini-golf, and an arcade, Race City offers classic family carnival fun. The various tracks cater to different ages, ensuring even younger children can get behind the wheel.
  • Coconut Creek Family Fun Park: Challenge the family to a round of mini-golf on one of their three 18-hole courses or navigate the massive Gran Maze, a fun, brain-teasing activity that kids absolutely love.

Ocean Adventures and Wildlife Encounters

No trip to Panama City Beach is complete without dipping your toes into the Gulf and meeting some of the local marine residents. These water-based activities are often the most memorable parts of a PCB family vacation.

Dolphin Cruises and Pirate Ships

  • Sea Dragon Pirate Cruise: A favorite for younger children, this 2-hour cruise is a fully immersive pirate experience. Kids can enjoy water gun battles, face painting, and searching for dolphins while the crew tells tall tales of the sea.
  • Dolphin-Spotting Tours (e.g., Sea Screamer): The waters around PCB are teeming with playful bottlenose dolphins. Tours like the Sea Screamer offer a narrated, high-speed ride that almost guarantees a dolphin sighting, providing an up-close look at marine life.
  • Airboat Tours: For a different kind of wildlife encounter, a wild airboat tour through the local bayou and marsh areas offers a thrilling ride and a chance to spot alligators, various bird species, and other unique Florida wildlife.

Exploring Shell Island and St. Andrews State Park

For a more natural and tranquil experience, head to Shell Island. This undeveloped, 7-mile barrier island is a sanctuary of nature, perfect for a day trip.

  • Catamaran Cruise to Shell Island: The easiest and most fun way to get there is via a catamaran cruise, which often includes snorkeling gear and a chance to see dolphins on the way.
  • Shelling and Snorkeling: The island is famous for its abundance of shells, making it a treasure hunt paradise for kids. The clear, shallow waters are also ideal for snorkeling, allowing children to safely explore the underwater world.
  • St. Andrews State Park: Located on the eastern end of the beach, this park is the gateway to Shell Island via a shuttle boat. Within the park itself, families can enjoy fishing, hiking, picnicking, and swimming in the calmer jetties. It’s an excellent spot for birdwatching and teaching kids about coastal ecosystems.

Family Dining and Seasonal PCB Events

Beyond the major attractions, PCB offers a wealth of family-friendly dining options and seasonal events that provide a break from the beach and waterparks.

Fun Food Spots and Casual Bites

Dining with kids can be a challenge, but Panama City Beach has several casual spots that cater to families. Papa Joe's Bayside is a kid-friendly favorite, offering live music, food trucks, and a relaxed atmosphere near the beach and boats. For a fun, themed dining experience, keep an eye out for the Pirates Voyage and Dinner Show, which promises a unique meal and entertainment combination, adding to the growing list of dinner-and-a-show options in the area.

Annual Family-Friendly Events

If your trip coincides with one of PCB's many festivals, be sure to check it out. These events offer unique local culture and entertainment:

  • New Year's Eve Beach Ball Drop: A massive, iconic event where a giant beach ball is dropped to ring in the new year—a spectacular sight for all ages.
  • Summer Concert Series at Aaron Bessant Park: Held throughout the summer, these free concerts are a great way to enjoy a warm evening with the family.
  • Pirates of the High Seas & Renaissance Fest: Typically held in October, this event features costumed characters, parades, and swashbuckling fun, perfect for imaginative kids.
  • Cops n Kids: An annual event usually held in November at Aaron Bessant Park, offering a community-focused day of fun and interaction.

With major new additions like Topgolf and Shell Point, alongside the enduring popularity of Shipwreck Island Waterpark, Pier Park, and the natural beauty of Shell Island, Panama City Beach is poised to offer one of its best family vacation seasons ever in 2025. Whether your family loves adrenaline-pumping rides, quiet nature walks, or unforgettable dolphin encounters, PCB delivers a complete package of coastal family fun.

25 Unforgettable Things to Do in Panama City Beach With Kids: The Ultimate 2025 Family Fun Guide
things to do in panama city beach with kids
things to do in panama city beach with kids

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