The Best Beaches with Playgrounds for Kids in the Cocoa Beach Area

Florida’s Space Coast is dotted with plenty of public beaches with playgrounds, perfect for an outing with your family. From Cocoa Beach to Melbourne Beach, there are more than 70 miles of shoreline along the Space Coast of Florida. Made up of seven unique coastal communities and just 45 miles from Orlando, the Space Coast is a great spot to spend a day at the beach.

Along those miles and miles of Space Coast seashores are several public beach areas, many of which have playgrounds and picnic areas. Space Coast beaches are the perfect destination for a family day trip, as kids can both splash along the shore and take cover from the sand and sun with some playground time.

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Here are the best beaches with playgrounds for kids in Cocoa Beach, the Space Coast, and Brevard County. And if you find yourself looking for more, then check out beaches with playgrounds near Daytona.

Beaches with Playgrounds Near Cocoa and Melbourne

Lori Wilson Park, Cocoa Beach

Located fairly close to the historic Cocoa Beach Pier and Cocoa Beach’s tourist attractions, this beachfront park is the most northern on our list. Lori Wilson Park offers lots of perks besides beach access, including boardwalk walking and observation areas and a playground.

There’s also an off-leash dog park and some pretty great spots to view the rocket launches Florida’s Space Coast is known for.

Quick look:

• This beach park offers three pavilions, a 1,000-foot boardwalk, six dune crossovers, seasonal lifeguards, and surf fishing
• There are restrooms, outdoor showers and parking lots at the park
• In addition to a playground, the park has an off-leash dog park and a volleyball court
• Lori Wilson Park is free to use and there are no parking fees
• This park is open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Find it: Lori Wilson Park, 1500 North Atlantic Avenue, Cocoa Beach, FL

Pelican Beach Park, Satellite Beach

Between its palm trees and covered structures, a good bit of shade can be found at Pelican Beach Park‘s playground. There are also lots of picnic spots, including shaded pavilions, at this Space Coast beach park. The beach-themed playground is adorable with accents of surfboards and flip-flops.

While there’s no entry fee to use the park or its beach access, there is a parking charge of $2.50 per hour or $10 a day. The park also offers non-residents the option to purchase an annual parking permit, so if your family plans to return several times a year, it’s an option that may be worth looking into.

Quick Look:

• This beach park offers pavilions, volleyball courts, and ADA-accessible showers, restrooms, dune crossings, and parking lots
• There is a playground at Pelican Beach Park
• Pelican Beach Park parking costs $2.50 per hour or $10 per day, but annual parking permits can also be purchased if you plan to visit often
• Daily park hours are 9 a.m. to dusk

Find it: Pelican Beach Park, 1525 Highway A1A, Satellite Beach, FL

Millennium Beach Park, Indian Harbour Beach

Millennium Beach Park is a small beach-access park with no frills, but there are grills and a playground, as well as outdoor showers for getting the sand off little bodies. There’s also no charge to park at this beach park, making it a good in-and-out spot for families with little kids who may not have the stamina for a full beach day.

Quick Look:

• Millennium Beach Park has five pavilions, grills, bathrooms, outdoor showers, a boardwalk, and a playground
• Parking at this beach park is free
• Park hours are 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily

Find it: Millennium Beach Park, 2155 Highway A1A, Indian Harbour Beach, FL

James H. Nance Park, Indialantic

Indialantic’s main beach park, James H. Nance Park has public bathrooms and showers, picnic areas, and sand volleyball courts. It’s playground was recently completely redone, the community’s tribute to Mickey Goodwin, a 19 year old who died of a rare form of brain cancer in 2020. The upgraded playground is one of the nicest beach playgrounds on the Space Coast, with everything from a climbing wall to a zip line.

Quick Look:

• This beach park offers restrooms, outdoor showers, pavilions, sand volleyball courts, and accessible boardwalks
• There is a parking fee, paid by meter or mobile app
• Nance Park’s playground was recently renovated and includes a climbing wall, zip line, swing set, and other equipment
• Park hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily

Find it: James H. Nance Park, 201 North Miramar Avenue, Indialantic, FL

Ocean Park and Ryckman Park, Melbourne Beach

While Melbourne Beach’s beach park, Ocean Park, doesn’t have a playground, it’s worth mentioning due to it’s free parking and it’s easy proximity to Ryckman Park, a gorgeous park on the river that’s about a 10-minute walk from Ocean Park. After a morning at the beach, put the kids into their strollers and take a walk to Ryckman, where you’ll find an impressive playground, splash pad, picnic areas, and the historic Melbourne Beach Pier.

Quick Look:

• Ocean Park offers a gazebo, beach access, sand volleyball courts, and outdoor rinse station
• At Ryckman Park, you’ll find historic buildings and the Melbourne Beach Pier, as well as a bocce ball court, playground, splash area, tennis and basketball courts, picnic areas, and more
• Parking at Ocean Park is free, but metered at Ryckman Park
• Ocean and Ryckman Parks are located on the same street, about a 10-minute walk apart
• Both parks are open 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily

Find it: Ocean Park, Ocean Avenue, Melbourne Beach, FL and Ryckman Park, 509 Ocean Avenue, Melbourne Beach, FL

Bonus Idea – Rockledge Gardens, Little Bugs Play Area

About 30 minutes from Melbourne, and near Cocoa, is a beautiful nursery and garden shop that is truly a destination unto itself. Rockledge Gardens is a massive plant nursery and garden market. Local families love the Little Bugs Club with activities, classes, and more.

There is a small but precious playground for young kids for guests to enjoy while shopping around Rockledge Gardens. With a lovely cafe and food market on site it is easy to make this a fun family outing to or from the local beaches.

Find it: 2153 US-1, Rockledge, FL 32955, open every day: 9a-5p