Family relaxing on the beach at sunset in Gulf Shores

Keeping the Family Entertained

in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach

Taking our kids on vacation at the beach is one of my favorite things to do. But with kids ranging in ages from toddler to teen, we have to get creative and structure our vacations to keep everyone entertained, no matter the age. Here a few tips that you can use to keep kids of all ages happy and having fun on your next Alabama's Beaches vacation!

Family Beach Activities & Dining for All Ages

Girl feeding lemurs during an animal encounter at The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo in Gulf Shores
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Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo

Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo

One of our entire family’s favorite places to visit is the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo. From interactive animal encounters and a Carousel to the fabulous dining, this Gulf Shores attraction has something for kids (and adults) of all ages.

Family playing corn hole at Portside at The Wharf
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The Wharf

The Wharf

And we never miss a visit to The Wharf in Orange Beach. The Wharf is an expansive, family-friendly entertainment district that houses a 15-screen movie theater, The Wharf Express Train, marina, virtual golf, an arcade, and much more. It is also home to more than 30 shops and restaurants and an amphitheater for live concerts. 

My teen loves to shop and take a ride on the Ferris Wheel. My little ones love riding the train and grabbing ice cream from the local shops.  My favorite part? It is that The Wharf truly has something to keep everyone in the family happy and entertained!

Family dining at LuLu's waterfront restaurant in Gulf Shores
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LuLu's

LuLu's

One of our cardinal rules of vacation is that mama does not cook. Since we end up dining out often when we visit the beach, we try to choose kid-friendly restaurants that serve up tasty meals with a side of entertainment!

Lucy Buffett’s LuLu’s is always one of our first stops. There are places all around the restaurant for kids (and adults) to play, and you can’t beat the waterfront views. LuLu’s also boasts a fun beach arcade and a huge allergy-friendly menu that’s sure to please both adventurous and picky eaters.

Waiter holding a platter of seafood at GTs on the Bay Orange Beach restaurant
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GTs on the Bay

GTs on the Bay

And a trip to the beach isn’t complete without a trip to GTs on the Bay.  The back-patio dining area has the cutest pirate ship playground and sandbox for the kids to enjoy while the adults enjoy drinks, apps, and live music. If you are traveling with kids, GTs doubles as both entertainment and restaurant. Because of that, we never miss it on our beach trips!

aerial view of family relaxing by the water on the beach in Orange Beach
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And Don't Forget Naptime

And Don't Forget Naptime

If you have children that still nap at home, I highly recommend breaking for a nap on vacation, whenever possible. Nothing can make a relaxing vacation go left better than an exhaustion-induced toddler tantrum (or teen tantrum)! This is why I suggest building time in your itinerary to head back to your accommodation for a nap.

While one of us stays back with the little ones for naptime, the other adult will often take our teen out for solo time on the beach or shop for souvenirs. Divide and conquer if you must, but never neglect naptime! Well-rested kids are generally happier, and that makes for an enjoyable vacation for all!

Plan Your Family Beach Trip

Kids riding The Ferris Wheel at The Wharf in Orange Beach

Whether you like to spend all day on the beach, explore local attractions, or indulge in amazing dining experiences, Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, and Fort Morgan are the perfect places for your entire family (from toddler to teen to adults) to enjoy a family trip to the beach. With a few adjustments to your schedule, the beach makes it easy to keep kids from toddler to teen entertained on your next vacation!

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