Between the soft white sand, calm waters, and tons of kid-friendly activities, it’s the perfect place to bring the whole crew for some fun in the sun.
Whether you’re building sandcastles, spotting dolphins, or catching one of the incredible sunsets, Clearwater Beach offers a great time for the family.
Let’s jump in with the best things to do in Clearwater with the kids!
Visit Clearwater’s Beautiful Beaches
Of course, the main beach in Clearwater is a must-visit. This stretch of soft, white sand near Pier 60 is the heart of Clearwater Beach and a perfect spot for families.
You’ll find lots of hotels and resorts right near the beach, and we were able to walk a couple of blocks from our hotel to the ocean.
But Clearwater’s beach options don’t stop there. Just south of the main beach is Sand Key Park, which feels a bit more peaceful and laid-back.
It’s a great alternative if you’re looking for a quieter spot with fewer crowds, but you still get that gorgeous white sand and calm water.
The park also has picnic areas, a playground for kids, and plenty of parking, which makes it super convenient for families.
A little further north, you’ll find Honeymoon Island State Park, which offers a more natural beach experience.
The beaches here are beautiful, with lots of space to spread out and enjoy the scenery.
It’s a fantastic place for shelling, walking nature trails, or even spotting wildlife.
Honeymoon Island is also home to a pet-friendly beach area if you’re traveling with dogs.
Grab A Bite By The Beach
One of my favorite things about Clearwater Beach is how many great restaurants are just steps from the sand.
Whether you’re looking for seafood, sunset views, or a casual beach vibe, there are plenty of options.
A great place to start is Crabby’s Dockside, located right near Pier 60. It’s perfect if you want a meal with a view of the marina and beach.
Crabby’s is known for its fresh seafood, tropical drinks, and family-friendly atmosphere.
You can’t go wrong with their famous Grouper sandwich, coconut shrimp, or a frozen cocktail while enjoying the view.
Another classic spot is Palm Pavilion Beachside Grill & Bar, located right on the beach with amazing Gulf views.
This place has a relaxed, old-Florida vibe and is a great spot for casual dining while watching the sunset.
They’ve got everything from burgers and seafood to tropical drinks. Sitting on their outdoor patio with live music playing and the ocean breeze blowing is hard to beat.
No matter which spot you choose, these restaurants give you the full Clearwater Beach experience: great food, great views, and that perfect beach vibe.
Go To Pier 60 At Clearwater Beach
The beaches in Clearwater Beach are known for their beautiful Florida sunsets over the Gulf, and there’s probably not a better place to watch them than right here at Pier 60.
Pier 60 Clearwater is about 3/4 of a mile down the beach from Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill.
It’s a great place to walk around and check out the dolphins and fish in the water.
The pier has vendors selling their arts and crafts, and oftentimes street performers as well. Many people also come here for fishing.
Clearwater’s Pier 60 has fishing year-round and sells everything from daily, weekly, and monthly fishing passes, equipment, and bait.
Popular fish caught here at Pier 60 are Grouper, Whiting, Bluefish, Seatrout, Redfish, Black Drum, Snook, and Spanish Mackerel.
Explore North Clearwater Beach
A trip to Clearwater Beach wouldn’t be complete without checking out the north end and Mandalay Avenue shops!
The northern end of Clearwater Beach along Mandalay Avenue is a beautiful area and is only a block or so from the beach.
There are several restaurants and bars on this main drive.
North Clearwater Beach also has Pelican Walk, which is a plaza with 2 floors of shops including a surf shop, pizza place, ice cream shop, arcade, spa, bars, and more.
They have a DJ or live music here on weekends, too.
I’ve always been a big wrestling fan and I grew up idolizing Hulk Hogan so it was nice seeing that they have a Hogan’s Beach shop here at Pelican Walk.
You can buy memorabilia, clothing, and other merchandise.
Clearwater Marine Aquarium
Often ranked as one of the best things to do in Clearwater Beach, you can see rescued animals such as dolphins, sharks, stingrays, sea turtles, pelicans, and otters at the Clearwater Aquarium.
They have several different exhibits here. A couple of these include Dolphin Terrace where you can watch the dolphins and learn about them, and Otter Oasis, where you can see the otters play.
Florida Botanical Gardens
Tranquility and beauty await at the Florida Botanical Gardens in Largo Florida.
This is only a 20-minute drive from downtown Clearwater, and is completely free!
Enjoy walking through the 150-acre grounds enjoying Florida habitats, formal gardens, demonstration gardens, and picturesque landscapes.
The patio garden features herbs, vegetables, and plants that attract butterflies.
It is meant to inspire visitors to add more touches of creativity and beauty to their own backyards.
Further in, you’ll find tropical fruit gardens and an exotic cactus garden with gravel paths and gorgeous succulents.
There’s also a garden dedicated to bromeliads and another to palm trees.
Near the back of the property is a 60-acre natural area of restored Florida wilderness.
There are trails throughout with interpretive signs.
Events are held throughout the year with the most special and spectacular being Holiday Lights in the Garden.
Over one million LED lights adorn the garden over the winter holidays. Beautiful!
Photo Credit- MILB/Clearwater
Clearwater Threshers
Love baseball? Take yourself out to a ball game while you are in Clearwater!
The Clearwater Threshers are fun to see playing at the BayCare Ballpark.
This Minor League Baseball team dates back to 1985 when they were called the Clearwater Phillies (in honor of their affiliation with the Philadelphia Phillies).
The ballpark features a grass berm, a Kids’ Zone, and a Tiki pavilion for groups.
Does that sound like fun? If so, nab tickets to the next Clearwater Thresher game.
Photo Credit- Escape Room Clearwater Beach
Escape Room Clearwater Beach
Located at Pelican Walk Plaza, Escape Room Clearwater Beach is an interactive live-action game where players are locked in a room and have to use their wit and teamwork to solve puzzles and escape within 60 minutes.
It’s perfect for family fun, date night, corporate team building, or just a group of friends looking for something different to do.
They offer escape room experiences such as Pirate Ship and Zombie Underground.
The escape rooms are set in immersive environments with plenty of clues and puzzles to challenge you.
Can you solve the mysteries and escape before time runs out?
Photo Credit- Surfstyle/Facebook
Flowrider Indoor Surfing
Ride the waves, located at Surfstyle in Clearwater Beach. Flowrider Indoor Surfing is a great place to surf indoors all year round.
Whether you are a beginner or an experienced surfer, Flowrider Indoor Surfing is the perfect place to catch some waves.
Photo Credit- Simcenter Tampa Bay
Simcenter Tampa Bay- Clearwater
Located in Clearwater, enjoy this awesome virtual reality facility with flight, space, and race car simulators.
Simcenter is a popular place for team-building events, birthday parties, and more.
Photo Credit – Celebration Station
Celebration Station- Clearwater
Indoor and outdoor activities in Clearwater, Florida. Arcade, bumper cars, and mini-golf.
Celebration Station is a great place to spend a day with family and friends.
And when you need a break from all the fun, you can enjoy a meal at the on-site restaurant!
Sky Zone Trampoline Park
If you have kids overflowing with energy, taking them to the Sky Zone Trampoline Park could be the best thing ever.
And hey, if you’re a kid at heart, there’s no reason why you can’t join in the leaping climbing fun.
Sky Zone offers fabulous summer deals and places for non-jump-inclined adults to chill.
Glow Night is a huge draw, but their ninja warrior course, foam pits, jousting, dodgeball, and basketball are sure to be a blast as well.
Note that it can get quite busy on the weekend so those hours may not be ideal for young children.
You’ll need to buy socks for jumping.
Tip: Check Groupon for deals before going!
Clearwater Beach Boat Tours & Activities
Many of the best things to do in Clearwater include water activities!
Clearwater Beach is popular for year-round water activities such as parasailing, kayaking, paddle boarding, and jet-skiing.
There are scuba diving and fishing charters in the area, as well as sightseeing boat tours, pirate cruises, and boat rentals.
Here are some recommended activities if you’re looking for things to do on the water while in Clearwater Beach, Florida, and nearby!
Photo Credit- A Boat Day
Private Boat Tour
Clearwater Beach is a top tourist destination for a reason! And one of the best things to do is go on a private boat tour.
You get to cruise the Gulf of Mexico waters on a double-decker boat and see all sorts of wildlife in the water, like manatees, stingrays, and dolphins.
They take you to the best area beaches and also offer shelling, swimming, snorkeling…the list goes on!
These private boat tours are perfect for your friends and family, up to 10 people.
Dolphin Boat Adventure
Dolphin Adventures in Clearwater Beach offers cruises throughout the day so you can see these beautiful creatures up close.
The captain will teach you about the wildlife in the area, and you can purchase drinks (beer, wine, soda, and water) on the boat.
You’ll have a chance to get up close and personal with dolphins on a cruise.
There are several time slots throughout the day to choose from, so book this adventure on your schedule.
Bring your friends and family along for a fun day out on the Gulf of Mexico waters.
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Helicopter Tour
Of all the things to do in Clearwater Beach, if you’re looking for an adventure above the water while in the area, a helicopter tour is a great option!
Fly over some of the most beautiful beaches and see the area from a whole new angle.
Whether it’s a romantic date night or just an activity to do with a small group of friends, a helicopter tour takes you high above Tampa Bay.
You’ll see some of the area’s most famous landmarks including Tropicana Field, The Don Cesar in St. Pete Beach, and of course Clearwater Beach!
Photo Credit- Real Florida Adventures
Captain Memo’s Pirate Cruise
Captain Memo’s Pirate Cruise is a popular and exciting boat tour located in Clearwater Beach, Florida.
As the name suggests, the cruise offers a swashbuckling pirate-themed adventure that appeals to visitors of all ages.
From the moment you step on board, you’ll be immersed in a lively pirate-themed setting.
The crew members are dressed as pirates, and the ship itself resembles a classic pirate galleon, complete with towering masts, billowing sails, and a skull-and-crossbones flag.
Photo Credit- Magic Carpet Glide Segway Tours
Take A Segway Tour
Segway tours are a great way to see all that Clearwater Beach has to offer.
You’ll be able to glide along the Causeway, taking in the sights and sounds of this lively area.
You can head down to Pier 60 by the beach and enjoy the gorgeous views of the water and sand.
Either way, Segway tours are a fun and unique way to explore Clearwater Beach.
Tours typically last around 2 hours, and all participants will receive training on how to use the Segway before setting off.
Tours are led by experienced guides who will share interesting facts and stories about Clearwater Beach as you go.
If you’re looking for a fun and different way to explore Clearwater Beach, be sure to check out Segway Tours!
Clearwater Beach (Public Beach) Parking
Depending on where you try to park, it may be a little difficult to find a parking spot right at the beach.
Here are some options for parking:
There’s a parking lot next to Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill (at the beach) or you can try the parking lot just a short walk from the pier (next to Walgreens).
There’s also a parking ramp just a couple of blocks away (near The Original Frenchy’s Restaurant), and it’s fairly inexpensive to park there.
Clearwater Beach Hotels
If you’re looking to stay in Clearwater Beach or nearby, check out these great hotel accommodations!
Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort
Photo Credit- Expedia
Photo Credit- Expedia
Pier House 60 Clearwater Beach
Photo Credit- Expedia
Final Thoughts
Clearwater Beach is an awesome place for a family trip, with plenty of fun activities that kids will love.
The beaches here are perfect for families, with soft sand, calm waves, and lots of space for kids to play and swim.
One of the best parts about Clearwater Beach is how easy it is to get around.
Many of the family-friendly attractions are within walking distance of the main beach area.
You can stroll down to Pier 60 for the nightly sunset celebration, which often features street performers, music, and vendors that kids really enjoy.
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by Wayne Kask
Wayne is a travel blogger who loves to write about the best attractions, restaurants, and tours in Florida. When he is not writing, he is running outdoors, spending time with family, or planning his next trip.
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