St. Pete-Clearwater for kids

Sun, fun, sea and sand is a hard to beat combination in St. Pete-Clearwater, yet there is still so much to discover for families with kids.

Meet dolphins up close at Clearwater Marine Aquarium, take a pirate cruise, or cheer for the Rays at Tropicana Field.  You’ll soon realize you’re just getting started with all the family fun.

Beach fun for kids

Wide beaches with gentle surf, tot-sized tidepools, and a pirate-themed playground attract families to North Beach in Fort De Soto Park. Or, get active on rented bikes along seven miles of paved pathways, paddle on an easy kayak trail, or catch the ferry to Egmont Key State Park for top snorkeling and to explore the ruins of Fort Dade, built during the Spanish-American War.

Clearwater Beach, about an hour to the north, was named America’s No. 1 beach in 2019. It definitely has something for everyone: Long stretches of soft white sand, parasailing and other watersports, plus plenty of nearby restaurants and shops as well as a large playground and nightly sunset celebrations at Pier 60.

Fun on the water

Young kids (and parents), will love Captain Memo’s Pirate Cruise (sailing from Clearwater) or the Pirate Ship Royal Conquest (sailing from John’s Pass). Enjoy scenic views of the beaches and watch for dolphins swimming near the boat while kids hunt for hidden treasure, have their faces painted, play games, join the dance party and listen to pirate tales.

Nature-loving families will love kayaking through Weedon Island Preserve’s mangrove tunnels (and their dense canopy is a good shelter from the sun, too). Vacation is the perfect time to stay up late during a nighttime kayak adventure. Get Up & Go Clear Kayak Glow in the Dark Tours offers outings with kayaks that are illuminated by underwater LED lights.

The whole family will enjoy offshore island hopping on jet skis or a powerboat rented from Hubbard’s Marina near John’s Pass in Madeira Beach. Water sports rentals are available throughout St. Pete-Clearwater.
Kid-friendly attractions

Head to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium to meet rescued dolphins, manatees and sea turtles, feed stingrays and watch playful otters.

Just north of downtown St. Pete, the Great Explorations Children’s Museum is packed with opportunities for kids to learn while playing. They’ll discover engineering as they build, go green as they learn how to grow vegetables and see themselves on TV on the Live On Air display.

Downtown St. Pete Attractions

The St. Pete Pier has all the ingredients for a fun family outing in one cool place – a beach with gentle surf, playground, splash pad, family-friendly restaurants and plenty of greenspace for activities. Kids can learn about the local marine environment at the new Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center or take a nature cruise in the St. Pete Pier District.

Explore the kid-friendly gallery at the Dalí Museum –, listen to an audio tour geared to kids on the free Dalí app, and try your luck on the self-guided scavenger hunt. Other local art institutions recognize that kids need creative outlets, too – like the Morean Arts Center and the St. Petersburg Museum of Fine Arts for art activities geared to little ones.

More on family vacations in St. Pete-Clearwater

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