Okay, real talk for a second. Can we all just acknowledge that May arrives like that friend who shows up with three suitcases, a full itinerary, and zero concept of personal space? Between end-of-school events, Mother’s Day, teacher appreciation week poster creations, three kids who seem to have grown approximately four inches since January, and OH YEAH the fact that we’re gearing up for our THIRD annual Little Jam Fest… I’m somewhere between completely overwhelmed and absolutely buzzing with excitement. Usually both at the same time.
Here’s what I keep coming back to: this is why I do what I do. May is loud. It’s full. It’s chaotic in the best possible way. And Miami knows exactly how to make the most of it. So let’s talk about what’s coming up this month because if you’re a family in South Florida, May is genuinely one of the BEST!
May event spotlights
Little Jam Fest — 3rd Annual
Saturday, May 16 · University of Miami Shalala Student Center
I might be a little biased on this one. Just a little. But honestly — three years ago I had a dream of a music festival built specifically for little ones and their families, a space where parents weren’t just spectators but actual participants. And here we are: Year Three, and we’re bigger and better than ever at the University of Miami. Think live performances, interactive jam sessions, sensory-friendly play zones, craft stations, food, local and national brand activations — and the kind of collective joy that you genuinely can’t manufacture. This is the event I pour my whole heart into every year, and I cannot wait to see your families there.
All Kids Included (AKI) Family Arts Festival
Saturday, May 4 · The Moss Center
This one holds such a special place in my heart. The AKI festival is specifically designed to be inclusive and welcoming for children of all abilities with live music, theater performances, rock climbing, hands-on art activities, outdoor games, and community resources. It’s free, no tickets required, and it’s one of those events that genuinely makes you feel good about the community we’re raising our kids in. If you have a little one who sometimes needs extra care and consideration at events (or honestly even if you don’t), this is a beautiful morning out!
Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden — Bugging Out
Starting May · Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, Coral Gables
My kids are at that age where bugs are simultaneously the coolest and most disgusting thing on the planet, so Fairchild’s summer exhibit is absolutely on our list. We’re talking towering robotic insects, a walk-through butterfly pavilion, and live insect encounters. It’s educational without feeling educational which as a mom of three, is basically the gold standard. And if you haven’t taken a weekend morning stroll through Fairchild lately, May is honestly the perfect time before the heat really kicks in.
A note from me, mom to mom (or parent to parent – hi, the dads who read this too): May is a lot. The calendar fills up fast, the kids are restless, and everyone is simultaneously ready for summer and completely unprepared for it. Give yourself grace. You don’t have to do every single thing. Pick one or two moments this month that feel like yours. Yours as a family, yours as a grown-up human who deserves joy too. That’s what these events are really about!
Let’s go make some memories, Miami! 🌴
