Top Family-Friendly Beaches in Florida

Child plays on Clearwater Beach FL

Updated: February 6, 2023. What are the best places to vacation on the beach in Florida? We've lived on both coasts of Florida and these 3 picks are our favorite beaches for families visiting the Sunshine State. We offer suggestions for tons of family and kid-friendly activities both on and off the beach. Read on to find out places that will delight everyone, with delicious restaurants options.

What beach in Florida is best for family?

Florida is a popular destination for family beach vacations because of its warm weather, miles of sandy beaches, and family-friendly attractions. With over 1,000 miles of coastline along the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, Florida offers a variety of beach options, from secluded coves to bustling boardwalks. In addition to the beach, Florida is home to many family-friendly attractions such as theme parks, water parks, zoos, aquariums, and museums. With so many activities and attractions, there is always something for families to enjoy in Florida. We are here to help you choose!

Florida Travel Tip

Every Florida vacation usually involves some driving. Don't forget to get your Visitor Toll Pass™ so you'll pay the lowest toll rate throughout Florida. Now it's time to explore some  Florida coastal destinations. Kids will love every beach in Florida!

Best Gulf Coast Beach for Kids: Clearwater Beach

Family walks on Clearwater Beach by the pier

Why is ​Clearwater Beach our top choice for kids on Florida's west coast? With many Florida beach resorts near Tampa, it is full of exciting activities for children and they happen right on the beachfront. We recommend you stay at a hotel on the beach or within walking distance. Traffic in Clearwater Beach can be an issue and this will make vacation life with kids easier. Like most beaches, Clearwater has a pier for fishing. However, Clearwater beach Pier 60 has taken it to another level with various artists and entertainers at sunset. It's so popular they call it a "year-round festival". Read on for the ultimate guide to planning the perfect family vacation in Clearwater.

Beach Water Activities

It's so fun being in the Gulf of Mexico and enjoying the white sand beach. But there's so much more to do! This clear, calm water is perfect for a family Banana Boat Ride. It's a safe and thrilling ride for up to 6 passengers. For more energetic kids try the giant, inflatable waterslide and trampoline located on Clearwater Beach. It's a fun and unforgettable part of this Florida beach vacation area. Nearby Sand Key Park offers wavy conditions for surfing or enjoying ice-cream from the food truck.

Bouyah Watersports at Hilton Clearwater

Fun Near the Beach Within Walking Distance:
A dolphin cruise or Pirate Ship excursion is great for all ages. We saw one sail by during our visit to nearby, less crowded Sand Key Park. Try out a family bike (kids ride up front) if it's not too hot. If it is raining you can try out Flowrider Indoor Surfing. It is an artificial wave machine with a soft riding surface located in the Beach Walk at SurfStyle.

Captain Memo's Pirate Cruise Clearwater

Fun Kid Activities Within Driving Distance:
Almost everybody loves an aquarium and the Clearwater Aquarium is perfect for a rainy day or evening. Who can resist Dolphintopia? Not us! You may even be able to go for a free boat tour (subject to availability). Another great idea for rainy days is Go Kart Racing, about 30 minutes from Clearwater Beach. Take advantage of their lunch hour racing special then eat pizza afterward at their cafe.

Map of Things to Do in Clearwater Beach

Here is a map made with the Wanderlog Travel Planner. Wanderlog allows you to create great maps and guides for any vacation! 

This map was created with Wanderlog, the best trip planner app on iOS and Android

Kid-Friendly Places to Eat in Clearwater

Cabanas Grill consistently gets rave reviews. Dine indoors or outside at breakfast, lunch or dinner. Kids will love the fluffy pancakes and cute dolphin decorations. Frenchy's Rockaway Grill has a kids menu, tacos, salads, sandwiches and a beach view. Need a pizza? Try Roundabout Pizza located just where the name says. Throw in a salad and some sweet tea and your day is done. Time for a sunset!

Clearwater Beach sunset

Best East Coast Beach for Kids: Daytona Beach Shores

Beautiful ocean Daytona Beach Shores

Update: Beaches are open after the 2022 hurricanes. There's a couple of reasons why we chose Daytona Beach Shores for families. It is a short drive to Disney World in Orlando, and also an hour's drive to Kennedy Space Center. It's also close to the eclectic shopping of historic New Smyrna Beach. This Florida beach getaway is easy on your budget too. You will be within reach of city and boardwalk activities, but you can choose a hotel on  a more relaxed, quieter area of the beach. Just the recipe for family fun! Please contact your hotel directly before booking. Crabby Joe's Pier is closed for rebuilding but the main pier Crabby's Oceanside is open.

Beach Water Activities

Daytona Beach Shores is an excellent option for swimming. During low tide, the landscape unveils inviting tide pools, which are perfect for small children and toddlers. The water in these lagoons is warm, clear, and offers endless fun for the whole family. Teenagers can even enjoy skimboarding here. These "lagoons" have an emerald color that shimmers in the sun and attracts adults to lounge in them. However, keep in mind that aside from the tide pools, the Atlantic Ocean waves can be rough. It's essential to check the warning flags before entering the beach and swim near a lifeguard.

Tidal pool near Crabby Joe's Pier

Then there's surfing and boogie boards. Although surfing can be enjoyed by people of all ages, kids seem to learn it more easily. As surfing becomes more popular in Florida, more children are catching the surfing bug and learning how to surf at an early age. Kids that are raised in Florida often learn to swim before they can walk.

For example, Twins By The Beach have loved being in the ocean since they were born. They picked up surfing just before the age of 4 and take lessons once a week in New Smyrna Beach (just south of Daytona Beach). Even in ankle deep water, they learn confidence and skills. Check out their Facebook page here.

Twins By The Beach on a surfboard

New Smyrna Beach is one of the most popular surfing destinations in Florida. As a visitor to the Atlantic Ocean, you and your kids can learn to surf too! Check out the Twins By The Beach surf coach: Surfin NSB. You can schedule a lesson and begin to surf on your Florida vacation. The experience will last you and your family lifetime!

Fun Near the Beach Within Walking Distance:
​Mini-golf is one of our favorite recommendations for family-fun. Pirates, volcanos, caves: you name it and you can find it on a mini-golf course in Florida! Pirate's Island Adventure Golf is very close to Crabby Joe's Pier where you can eat delicious food with a view - they even have a kids menu (currently closed for renovations). Just cross the street, walk a little and you're ready to play mini-golf. Waterfalls, streams and bridges give make this a fun challenge for everyone. Your hole-in-one might just win you a free round!

Pirate's Island Adventure Golf

Fun Activities Within Driving Distance:
​Isn't the beach enough water? For kids, the answer is no! Daytona Lagoon, at 601 Earl Street, Daytona Beach, is the Visitors Choice 2022 winner for best family entertainment. Water slides, pools, go-karts, laser tag and a mega arcade are sure to please every person in the family. If you want something a little closer to nature, then drive down to Ponce Inlet and visit the Marine Science Center. Kids can touch marine life and learn about Florida birds. After you finish there, climb the 200 stairs winding up the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse. Ponce Inlet has a beach that you can drive on and enjoy. (The beach jetty is undergoing hurricane repairs).

View from the top of Ponce Inlet Lighthouse

The Daytona Luxury Hotel

Kid-Friendly Places to Eat in Daytona Beach

The Starlite Diner is a landmark in Daytona Beach. The American fare served here is classic and diners say the service is excellent. The prices are family-friendly too. Waffles are a favorite for all ages. It is open from 7am-10pm (11pm on Friday and Saturday). Sloppy Joe's Daytona Beach is also a highly rated option with satisfying kids options and an Atlantic Ocean view. Uncle Chicken's barbeque in New Smyrna Beach gets consistent 5 stars! Finally, families with older children might enjoy Our Deck Down Under. It's a local favorite steps from the Daytona Beach Shores. We can tell you that the Boca Burger with a side of pups is delicious. If you don't know what pups are...go find out!

Our Family at Down Under Restaurant

Best Panhandle Beach For Kids: Panama City Beach

Panama City Beach Photo: Craig Cameron

Panama City Beach has the beautiful white sand and blue water like Destin with the bonus of tons of family fun. There are options for teens and children of all ages. The beaches are rated highly as clean with warm, clear Gulf water, which is why it's called the Emerald Coast. With plenty of restaurants, shopping and amusements, parents will never have to hear, "I'm bored!" from their kids. Like Daytona Beach and Clearwater Beach, it will likely be crowded. As parents, this probably won't bother you because the kids will be having so much fun (and be tired at night!).

Fun Near the Beach Within Walking Distance:
​Pier Park is probably the most well known attraction across from the beach. It is an "outdoor mall" with shopping, dining and an entertainment complex​ with an IMAX theatre. Food options include Back Porch Seafood & Oyster House, Pompano Joe’s, Margaritaville and more. Kids will love Nathan’s Famous, Five Guys Burgers and Fries. Adults will love the Starbucks Coffee!

Ripley's Believe It Or Not

Fun Activities Within Driving Distance:
​Shipwreck Island Water Park is a top rated way to spend the day. Roughly 15 minutes away from the Hampton Inn Panama City Beachfront which we loved, it has lots of slides and a lazy river. There is also plenty of shade on those hot Florida summer days. There is plenty of food for everyone, including cocktails (not sure they mix with a waterpark, but oh well!). The other unusual attraction worth mentioning is Ripley's Believe It Or Not which is great for teens, especially the laser race. Be aware you will have to pay for parking as well as admission. But don't let that stop you because it is big fun!

Kid-Friendly Places to Eat in Panama City Beach

As mentioned above, Pier Park offers kids Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs and Five Guys Burgers and Fries. Paula Deen's Family Kitchen never disappoints in food quality and service. It's right on Pier Park Drive. Hint: try the peach tea! Nick's Slice of Brooklyn Pizzeria and Bar has the best pizza around. When we travel we always have to try the pizza and this was about 15 minutes away from our hotel. It gets busy and the pizza is a bit more pricey than a chain restaurant, but it is worth it. Garlic knots - forget about it!!

Pizza in Panama City Beach

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Disclaimer:
Our blog website is for general information only and not to be used for any official information. Reference official news for your travel making decisions. Full Disclaimer here.