7 Top Kid-Friendly Florida Beaches
Top 7 Kid Friendly Beaches in Florida
Taking your kids to the beach can be a great way to make memorable family vacations. Young children will have an endless amount of sand to play in, and older kids can enjoy swimming, surfing, and other various activities along the boardwalk. Nothing brings the family together like fun time at the beach, and Florida has two coastlines of wonderful choices for your beach vacation.
Choosing the Best Kid-Friendly Beach in Florida to Visit
There are so many great beaches along the Florida coast that it can be daunting to choose which one to visit. When traveling with kids of varying ages, it is best to find a kid-friendly location with amenities for different ages. Doing so will help to guarantee that everyone in your family has a fun time at the beach. Here are some helpful details to make your decision of which beach to visit a little easier.
Florida’s Top 7 Kid-Friendly Beaches
- Fort Lauderdale Beach, FL
Fort Lauderdale was once known as the original spot for spring breakers. Now however, this tropical getaway has turned into the ideal place for families to visit. The endless beaches in the area are just a small percentage of the kid-friendly opportunities available in the area. Kids, their parents, and grandparents can enjoy a trip to Butterfly World that is located just 15 miles from downtown Fort Lauderdale. This exhibit, which has been open since 1988, is home to thousands of caterpillars and multi-colored butterflies for visitors to admire.
Another must-see location is Everglades Holiday Park located just west of Fort Lauderdale. Take a ride on an airboat and learn about the Everglades ecology as you enjoy the company of other passengers and the educational insights of the tour guide. Visitors even have the chance to take their picture with a young alligator.
- Naples Beach, FL
Naples is a popular Gulf Coast town that offers white sandy beaches and gentle surf. There are several family-friendly activities available such as visiting the Everglades and other exciting activities. The Conservancy of Southwest Florida Nature Center is 21 acres filled with wildlife and many interactive exhibits located inside of Florida’s vast ecosystem. The sea turtle tank is the ideal spot for little ones to meet fascinating creatures.
Naples is also home to Cambier Park, which features family oriented amenities such as a large play area, shuffleboard, and tennis courts, just to name a few. There are free concerts each Sunday afternoon, and on Mondays, visitors enjoy Dixieland, Jazz, and Big Band music.
- Destin Beach, FL
Destin Beach is one of the most breathtaking beaches in all of Florida. It is home to beautiful vacation rentals and enchanting blue-green waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Considered as the Jewel of the Emerald Coast, Destin is the perfect place for families looking for various choices when it comes to fun and entertainment. Visitors can enjoy activities such as parasailing, jet-skiing, and snorkeling. There are also spa treatment packages available for grownups.
Destin Beach in Florida is one of the best places in the world for fishing. The waters in the area have so many fish that the town is known as the World’s Luckiest Fishing Village. The kids will love to visit the Big Kahunas Water and Adventure Park, where they can take part in snorkeling or a dolphin cruise.
- Venice Beach, FL
Venice Beach is just south of the Sarasota. It is well-known as the “Sharks Tooth Capital of the World” for the plentiful prehistoric petrified sharks teeth that wash up on the area beaches. But don’t look for white sharks teeth in the sand. Petrified sharks teeth are actually shiny black and stand out in the white sand once you know what to look for. The quaint historic downtown has many restaurants and unique shops to visit. The town hosts several festivals, art shows, parades (including a kid friendly Christmas parade), and other special events.
Another kid-friendly feature is the Splash Fountain, where kids can run around and cool off. People of all ages enjoy visiting this popular tourist spot and love the diverse activities it has available. The Venice Pier offers great views and good fishing.
Then there’s the Sharky’s on the Pier, a beachfront restaurant where parents can relax, listen to local music while the kids play on the beach or fish off the pier. Another family favorite is Casperson Beach, where visitors flock to spend the day hunting for shark’s teeth along the shore. There’s plenty of parking available at all the Venice area beaches.
- Florida Keys Beach, FL
The beautiful Florida Keys is a breathtaking paradise where you and your family can enjoy a tropical getaway without ever leaving the U.S.A. You have the chance to explore the coral reef off Key Largo, which is the diving capital of the United States. Or take part in the abundance of eco-attractions available, including turtle and dolphin rescue operations. The Florida Keys offers visitors a vast myriad of culture, along with a historical tour of the vast architecture in Key West.
Some of the activities that families enjoy while staying in The Keys include kayaking, windsurfing, boat racing, snorkeling, fishing and parasailing. You may even get the chance to feed a giant silver tarpon.
- Pensacola Beach, FL
Pensacola Beach is gleaming white and typically uncrowded throughout the year, allowing you to enjoy the peace of this tropical atmosphere. The beach is on a barrier island of Santa Rosa that is adjacent to Pensacola on the mainland. You can spend hours basking in the sun while kids splash in the water or explore the beach looking for colorful shells to take home. Sea turtle eggs also hatch along the shore, which is a remarkable sight to see.
Some of the activities that families enjoy while staying at Pensacola beach include paddle boarding, parasailing, surfing, and snorkeling.
- Fort Walton Beach, FL
Fort Walton Beach is located in the same region as Destin Beach and offers fun, educational opportunities for everyone in your family to enjoy. The beach, covered in enchanting sugar-white sand, provides breathtaking views and quiet surroundings. The kids will love visiting the Indian Temple Mound Museum, getting up close to sea life at the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park and fishing off the Okaloosa Island Pier.
Additional Kid-Friendly Places to Visit While Staying in Florida
While the beaches of Florida are beautiful, kids will have the energy to do so much more than building sandcastles or search for shells. Some additional fun activities, aside from famous theme parks, may visit include:
- Biking on the Palm Beach Lake Trail
- Visiting the Green Markets in beach communities
- Visit some of the 164 Florida State Parks
- Enjoy the Gallery Exhibitions at Palm Beach Photographic Centre
- Learn about the Impressive Manatees at Rivera Beach or kayak with them in Ft. Myers
- Experience bird watching and see some of Florida’s native birds at the Wakodahatchee Wetlands
The beaches of Florida are popular vacation spots, especially for families with small children because they have so much to offer. There is also a wide range of activities for visitors to enjoy while staying in the area such as Marineland parks and eco-conservation centers that can be both fun and educational. Plan your next family vacation by including one or more of these amazing locations.
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About The Author: This guest article is a contribution of Henry Williams on behalf of Venice Beach Villas, Florida. If you’re on the lookout for hotels near Venice, FL, make sure you stay at Venice Beach Villas to make your stay a memorable one.
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