Clearwater Beach is a favorite for families thanks to its soft sand, gentle water and variety of kid friendly attractions. Parents appreciate how easy it is to plan full days without long drives or complicated logistics.
From hands on learning to outdoor play, there are plenty of things to do in Clearwater Beach with kids that balance fun and education. Staying close to the action makes it even easier, and many families choose one of our vacation rentals for the space, a private pool and quick access to the beach.
Below are our favorite family ideas, with the practical details parents want: hours, prices, ages and how far each one is from Pier 60.
On the beach
The beach itself is the main attraction. The city cleans its roughly three miles of sand every day and has two children’s playgrounds, public restrooms and a grassy knoll, so it is easy to set up for the day. Lifeguards are on duty from 10 am to 5 pm, and the safest spot for little swimmers is near a staffed tower.
Shell hunting on morning walks and sandcastle building never get old. Teach kids the stingray shuffle, sliding feet through the sand so stingrays know you are coming, and check the warning flags on the lifeguard towers before anyone goes in. City beach rules.
Good to know: For a quieter beach day, Sand Key Park, about two miles south, has a playground, bathhouses, outdoor showers and a nature boardwalk, and is open 7 am to sunset. Sand Key Park.
Clearwater Marine Aquarium
One of the most meaningful stops for families is the Clearwater Marine Aquarium on Island Estates, about a mile from Pier 60. Known for its rescue and rehabilitation work, it lets kids meet rescued dolphins, sea turtles, otters and more, and learn each animal’s story. Daily talks run from mid morning, there is a Mangrove Key Kids Zone for younger children, and the Tales of Winter the Dolphin exhibit is a favorite with Dolphin Tale fans. Visit info.
It is open 10 am to 5 pm. Tickets are $32.95 for children 3 to 11 and $41.95 for adults, and children 2 and under are free; kids also get in free on their birthday with proof of date. Most of the visit is indoors, so it is a strong rainy day option too. Admissions. Our tips for visiting the aquarium have the full details.
Dolphin cruises
Seeing wild dolphins from a boat is a highlight for most kids. The Tropics Boat Tours runs a Dolphin Exploration Tour from the Clearwater Beach Marina, heading out through Clearwater Pass into the Gulf on a double decker catamaran, and it promotes guaranteed dolphin encounters. The Tropics Boat Tours. StarLite Cruises also runs the Dolphin Racer, a narrated, family friendly dolphin cruise; check which marina it leaves from when you book. For evening trips, see our Clearwater dinner and sunset cruise guide.
Pier 60 and Sunsets at Pier 60
Pier 60 is a hub of evening fun for families. Sunsets at Pier 60 is a nightly festival where street performers entertain the crowds and local artisans sell their crafts, with open space for kids to run around as the sun goes down. Sunsets at Pier 60.
The pier itself is open for fishing as far as the end of the walkway, with the bait house open, although the T shaped end has stayed closed since the 2024 hurricanes. Pier 60 Park is open from 6 am to 9 pm.
Outdoor adventures
Clearwater Beach is made for outdoor exploration. The calm shoreline suits floating and splashing, and older kids can try paddleboarding or kayaking in the gentler back bay waters with a rental outfitter. Bike rides are fun too, though e-bikes and scooters are not allowed on Beach Walk.
Riding the Jolley Trolley is an adventure in itself for young children, and kids 8 and under ride free. If you are visiting from late March to mid April, the Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival fills the beach by the pier with giant sand sculptures; in 2027 it runs March 26 to April 11.
In October? A fall festival with a pumpkin patch, hayride and farm animals runs in nearby Largo. See our fall activities guide.
Rainy day fun
When the weather keeps you indoors, there are still good options. Besides the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, The Florida Aquarium in Tampa is about 45 minutes away, with sharks, stingrays and penguins; see our Florida Aquarium day trip. The Glazer Children’s Museum in downtown Tampa, about 25 miles away, is included as an option on the Tampa Bay CityPASS, as are the Clearwater Marine Aquarium and Busch Gardens.
For a full day of thrills with older kids, see our guide to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.
Family homes with pools
Choosing the right home lets your family spend more time together and less on logistics. Here are three of ours that kids love. Island Time sleeps 16 near the uncrowded North Beach sands, with a resort style pool that can be heated for a fee. Casa Del Mar has six bedrooms, sleeps 12 and has a private screened pool with a waterfall. Coastal Breeze has four bedrooms, sleeps eight and has a private heated pool, about a four minute walk to the beach.
Island Time
Casa Del Mar
Coastal Breeze
Questions we get asked
Is Clearwater Beach good for kids?
Yes. The beach has lifeguards from 10 am to 5 pm, two children’s playgrounds and public restrooms.
How much are kids’ tickets at Clearwater Marine Aquarium?
$32.95 for ages 3 to 11, and children 2 and under are free.
Do kids ride the Jolley Trolley free?
Children 8 and under ride free.
What can we do with kids on a rainy day?
The Clearwater Marine Aquarium is nearby, and The Florida Aquarium and Glazer Children’s Museum are in Tampa.
Let’s plan it
Plan Your Family Getaway
Clearwater Beach makes family travel easy, with animals, beach days and sunset fun all close by. Find a home with room for everyone.
See you on the sand.