As playing outdoors takes a backseat to surfing the Internet, watching television, and playing video games, now, more than ever, it is important to find fun and engaging physical activities for children to participate in. In this article, we will look at some of the best kid-friendly nature trails in South Florida, certain to get your kids up off the couch and moving!

Family Friendly Nature Trails

Surprisingly, South Florida has its fair share of family-friendly nature trails, though not all hikes are created equal! To help you weed out the bad from the good (or just plain mediocre), here are some of the best trails for kids throughout South Florida.

Sugar Sand Park, Boca Raton

We would be remiss if we left Sugar Sand Park off our list of great nature trails. Located off Military Trail in Boca Raton, this park has so much to offer that your kids might not ever make it to the actual nature trail. Featuring a full-blown "Science Explorium" (we highly recommend this!), theatre, science playground, and its own carousel, Sugar Sand Park ranks high on our list of must-visits for parents.

Of course, this article is all about nature trails, and Sugar Sand Park has a few great ones. The first - dubbed the Sand Pine - can be found nestled near the Science Playground and is a terrific spot for you to introduce your children to some of Florida's endangered plant life, and can be a great segue into a conversation or lesson about wildlife conservation and environmental issues. The second nature trail is Slash Pine, a serene walkway through a forest of - you guessed it - Pine trees and other greenery. Both trails are self-guided, which is great for bonding moments or for children who are a little shy or like a more gentle hike.