Imagine tens of millions of visitors every year. This is Florida, world renowned for its attractions such as Walt Disney World, and The Kennedy Space Center. And more so with its beach resorts, more amusement parks, warm sunny climate and more nautical recreations.
Florida is also infamous for its, hurricane, although the residents are all well prepared and knows what to do and make the most out of it. Same with the heat and humidity, mosquitoes included (prepare insect repellent) expect also to have a real encounter with alligator, the place has the saying “if there is a body of water, there is an alligator.” The official state reptile of Florida is the American Alligator, maybe because there are over a million alligators in Florida.
People moved to Florida because of its lower taxes and more affordable homes, along with the sunny weather. Some said they chose Tampa Bay because of fond vacation memories.
Tourists gather on Florida beaches, beach towns, theme parks, recreational facilities, and interesting adventures in the sunshine. All of these attractions appeal to many tourists that visit the region for their family vacation especially the beaches.
So, when family travels to Florida they try to find the kid friendly beaches, so both young and the old will enjoy the vacation.
10 Kid Friendly Beaches in Florida
Florida boasts the longest coastline in the United States, approximately 1,350 miles to be exact. More than half of the state’s coastline – 700 out of 1,350 miles – comprises magnificent stretches of sand.
From the Panhandle on the Gulf of Mexico all the way around to Amelia Island on the Atlantic coast, Florida’s beaches provide travelers and day trippers alike the perfect setting for a memorable family vacation.
Here at easylivingmom.com we rounded up the 10 kid friendly beaches in Florida, check if your choice made the list or choose from the list which beach to visit.
New Smyrna Beach
New Smyrna Beach is well worth a visit if you’re traveling with kids. Popular for its very wide, long beach area, it’s a delightful place to pitch a beach umbrella for a while. The views and laid-back ambience won’t disappoint. One of the closest (and nicest) beaches to Orlando home to Disney/Universal attractions. New Smyrna Beach is also an excellent surfing destination—the best in Florida and one of the tops in the country.
Cocoa Beach
Cocoa Beach has much to commend it to families, not least of which is its location. Families can lay down their beach mats, pop up an umbrella, and splash their feet. The top things to do for families with kids on Cocoa Beach include swimming in the shallow waters offshore, surfing and boogie boarding (lessons and rentals are easy to find), as well as Jet Ski rentals. The gateway to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, which has rockets and iconic artifacts. The city is known for its beach and surf breaks. Inside a surf shop, the Florida Surf Museum traces the sport’s local history.
Clear Water Beach
Families will choose the beach because it has the finest, softest sand anywhere in North America, with visitors insisting that it is, at times, a little like walking on talcum powder. The sand actually comes from the Appalachian Mountains and is made of quartz rather than sea shells. The beach is wide and perfect for finding a quiet spot where you won’t get trampled on, or feel crowded, with plenty of space to throw up an umbrella to provide some shade for the kids while they nap and build sandcastles. The water of the beach is generally calm and shallow, perfect for smaller children to play in, while older kids can enjoy activities as diverse as parasailing or fishing off the long Clearwater Beach pier.
Panama City Beach
A waterfront town and vacation destination in northwest Florida. It’s known for miles of white-sand beaches fronting the calm, clear waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Aside from swimming and paddling off-beach adventures are also plentiful in Panama City beach, with enough family-friendly attractions to keep kids busy for days. Highlights include water parks and amusement arcades, music and entertainment venues, St. Andrews State Park, one of 2 protected nature preserves nearby, is bordered by the Gulf and has hiking trails and fishing piers. Pier Park is the main shopping hub and a venue for major events.
Venice Beach
“shark tooth capital of the world,” Known for its bohemian spirit, Venice has an upscale commercial and residential pocket. Nowadays, millions of shark teeth are submerged off the coast, with many being washed ashore almost daily just waiting for kids to find them (the best places to look are said to be around the Venice Jetty). Free-spirited Venice Boardwalk is the site of funky shops, street performers and colorful murals. There’s also a skate park and Muscle Beach outdoor gym. Abbot Kinney Boulevard features foodie hot spots, stylish boutiques and coffee bars. A picturesque enclave of canals is surrounded by modernist homes.
Fort Myers Beach
Fort Myers Beach is a town on Estero Island, off the southwest Florida coast. A long, sandy beach faces the Gulf of Mexico. The Ostego Bay Marine Science Center showcases local marine life. To the east, trails run through Matanzas Pass Preserve nature sanctuary. Built on an ancient Calusa Indian shell mound, the 1900s Mound House has archaeological exhibits. The beach has retained its small-town beach community feel. When in Fort Myers head right to its heart, where you’ll find the Pier and Times Square. Stretching seven miles, the sand in Fort Myers is soft and powdery underfoot, and perfect for playing in and building sandcastles.
Daytona Beach
Daytona Beach is a city on Florida’s Atlantic coast. It’s known for Daytona International Speedway, which hosts races. The beach has hard-packed sand where driving is permitted in designated areas. Near the boardwalk’s rides and arcades. Daytona these days ranks highly as one of the top family-friendly travel destinations in Florida. If traveling with older kids, setting them up as close as to the main beach area around the famous pier as possible; this ensures you’ll not only be able to keep an eye on the kids when they’re in the water, but also when they venture off to explore the endless amusement arcade options close by (including those on the pier itself). Jet Ski and scooter rentals are also popular diversions for older teens.
Amelia Island
the island is part of the Sea Islands chain of barrier islands, on the U.S. state of Florida’s Atlantic coast. It has a history of Spanish, French, British and American rule.
Today it’s a popular holiday destination known for its luxury resorts, golf courses and numerous sandy beaches. Main Beach Park has sand dunes, a boardwalk and public sports and recreation facilities. Its beaches are undoubtedly some of the best beaches in Florida, particularly for those traveling with children. A favorite spot for families is Peter’s Point Beachfront Park, popular for its easy beach access with its shallow waters, lovely sand, and even a safe playground suitable for younger children. Older kids will enjoy activities such as swimming, snorkeling, surfing, and beach volleyball. Horseback riding is also available, as is wildlife spotting and bird-watching.
Siesta Public Beach
This Siesta Key beach is one of the favorites in Florida for peace of mind. Its fine white sand is gentle on little toes, plus the shallow water and year-round lifeguards can help you and your little one’s swim with extra confidence.
The sand itself in Siesta is quite unique, popular for its cooler-than-average feel when walking barefoot (great for toddlers), thanks to its composition of granulated quartz.
Sanibel Island
Sanibel Island has made a name for itself as a family vacation destination. Topping the list of great reasons to visit is its unique reputation as the perfect place to collect seashells, a beach holiday activity that, never grows old.
The beach itself is pristine clean, its soft sand a delight to walk on, sit on, and play on, with plenty of shade offered in its parks from handy shelters and the plentiful palm trees lining the beach, boardwalks, and picnic areas.
In addition to swimming and sunbathing, popular activities geared to families include rentals of bikes on which to explore the many dedicated cycling trails. Boat and Jet Ski rentals, fishing charters, and sunset cruises are also popular.
Kids wanting to know more about the diverse wildlife that calls the island home should be taken to the JN Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge, popular for its great interactive displays and exhibits.