Clearwater is one of the best day trips from Orlando and certainly a REAL Florida Adventure! We love taking visitors to beautiful Clearwater Beach, where sugar-fine white sands and the calm gulf water attract families from all over the world.
You could spend a full day on this stunning beach, but there are also plenty of fabulous attractions you’ll want to check out, too. There are so many ways for families to have fun in Clearwater, Florida, so check out all the options and plan your perfect trip!
If you’re basing your Florida holiday in Orlando, we’d be delighted to take you to Clearwater Beach. Check out our tours from Orlando for more details and feel free to contact us if you have any questions about our day trips at all.
Visit Family-Friendly Clearwater Beach
If you’re looking for fun things to do for families in Clearwater, you can’t skip the world-famous beach itself! Clearwater Beach is regularly hailed as #1 in the USA, so it’s a can’t-miss on any Florida vacation.
Kids of all ages will love spending the day at Clearwater Beach. From its 3 miles of soft white sand to its calm waters of the Gulf of Mexico along Florida’s west coast, Clearwater Beach is clearly one of the best ways for families to have fun in Florida!
In fact, Clearwater is one of the best vacation destinations in Florida – and for plenty of reasons! Here are some more ideas for ways to have fun at the beach in Clearwater…
Build Sand Castles on Clearwater Beach
There’s no more classic way to enjoy a family day at the beach than to build sand castles together! Clearwater Beach is known for its crystal-fine powder-soft sand, so let your kids dig their hands in and create something unique.
Want to see some extraordinary sand sculptures? Plan your visit for the annual Sugar Sand Festival in April. The whole family will love watching world-class sand artists as they craft remarkable sculptures throughout the festival.
You’ll also enjoy live music, play areas for kids, and fireworks in the evening!
Hunt for Seashells
Clearwater Beach is perfect for hunting for seashells with little ones. The kids will love finding these beautiful treasures! If you want to extend your search, head to Sand Key Beach, just south of Clearwater.
If the kids get tired of hunting for seashells, there is a playground at Sand Key Park, plus picnic benches for a family-friendly lunch space.
Walk Along Pier 60
If the sand gets to be too much, then pack up the kids and take a stroll along the iconic Pier 60. With 1080 feet to walk, the kids can stretch their legs and burn off that remaining energy before you hit the road to head back to your hotel for the night.
There’s a playground available next to the pier, suitable for kids of all ages!
Sunsets at Pier 60 are perfect for family fun in Clearwater; enjoy street performers, live music, and local artists along the pier and plan to stay in this perfect sunset spot for photos.
On weekends in the summer, you can also enjoy Sunset Cinema at Pier 60, with family-friendly films being shown on a jumbo screen outdoors. Make family memories as you all get comfy on a beach blanket together.
Learn at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium
Teach your kids big and small the value of marine life at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. From seeing a variety of animals to learning about their natural habitats and behaviours from the experts, kids of all ages get so much fun and education from this day out!
The Clearwater Marine Aquarium offers plenty of opportunities for education. With a vast rehabilitation centre focused on animals as diverse as dolphins, sea turtles, stingrays and otters, kids can learn from a fascinating working animal hospital.
Be sure to experience the Ruth and J.O. Stone Dolphin Complex, where families can marvel at the series of pools and working areas for the resident Atlantic bottlenose dolphins.
Get your Clearwater Marine Aquarium tickets and enjoy a family-friendly day trip from Orlando with us. We’d love to take you all on a memorable adventure!
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Family-Friendly Boat Trips from Clearwater
While you’re here, be sure to check out some family-friendly boat trips from Clearwater so you can explore beyond the shore.
Most boat trips are just an hour or two, making for the perfect add-on to a day spent playing in the sand and sea.
Spot Dolphins in the Waters Around Clearwater Beach
After seeing the resident animals at the aquarium, there’s nothing better than trying to spot them out in the wild! For the best chance at seeing wild dolphins in Clearwater, Florida, we recommend you take a ride on the Sea Screamer.
The world’s largest speedboat, the Sea Screamer is tons of fun no matter your age! And that fun extends to wild dolphins. These social aminals love to play in the waves and wake of this fast boat.
The 72-foot-long Sea Screamer boasts dual twin-turbocharged engines and a specially-designed deep-V hull, allowing it to scream along the Clearwater coastline at a top speed of 35mph.
The whole family will be comfortable in bucket seats, with amenities on board including two restrooms and refreshments for purchase.
This one-hour adventure is one the whole family will remember for years to come! If you’re based in Orlando for your Florida holiday, we make this an easy family day out with our Sea Screamer & Clearwater Beach Day Trip.
Become Pirates for a Day!
Board Captain Memo’s Pirate Ship as a family and you’ll disembark as real pirates! Let the kids have some fun and let your own inner child loose for a few hours.
Florida was a hub for pirates in the 17th and 18th centuries, so practice your best pirate voice and play pretend with face painting, water gun games, treasure hunts and more!
The ship sets sail from Clearwater Beach, so you might spot frolicking dolphins during your journey, too. Enjoy the coastal scenery and let the kids be entertained by the fantastic crew aboard the Pirates’ Ransom.
This family-friendly adventure includes complimentary drinks (soft drinks for the younger pirates, beer and wine for the more seasoned sea dogs) and snacks are available for purchase. Check out our Pirate Ship Tour from Clearwater Beach for all the details.
Go Deep-Sea Fishing off Clearwater
Charter a boat and head out for a day of deep-sea fishing off the coast of Clearwater Beach. This area is perfect for catching sea bass, red snapper, cobia, and other types of fish.
This is ideal for older kids who can appreciate getting some sun and a new experience trying to catch their own dinner.
Book your big adventure with our Clearwater Beach and Deep-Sea Fishing Tour!
Try Different Water Activities in Clearwater, Florida
Being America’s #1 beach means there is plenty to do beyond sitting in the sand, with lots of water-based fun at Clearwater Beach! Whether you want to speed around or gently paddle, here are some of our favourite recommendations for water-based family fun…
Rent a Jet Ski
Buzz around off the shore of Clearwater Beach on a jet ski! This is obviously for the older kids, but definitely a family fun favourite.
Rentals are available directly from Clearwater Beach; be sure to confirm age restrictions and other safety measures before you head out.
Try Stand-Up Paddleboarding
If you prefer a slower pace, the waters off Clearwater Beach are quite calm, making this a perfect spot to get the whole family to try stand-up paddleboarding (SUP).
This gentle activity gives you great views from the water looking back toward shore while also offering a little bit of a core workout at the same time.
Don’t worry, you can always start off kneeling until you get the hang of it and get your balance!
Plus, falling off the paddleboard just means you’ll be refreshed from the heat of the sun.
Family-Friendly Attractions Around Clearwater, Florida
Beyond the beach, Clearwater offers tons of great attractions and activities for kids of all ages to enjoy. We recommend you check out these options to plan around your time at the beach and on the water…
Play Mini-Golf Together
There’s nothing quite as classic to finish off a family day at the beach than playing mini-golf together in the evening.
Head to Captain Bligh’s Landing for a pirate-themed course with great photo opportunities for you and the kids. Or check out Congo River Golf for a variety of entertaining adventures, including waterfalls and gators! Just try to keep it all friendly competition so the family outing doesn’t cause any fights.
Wander a Natural Park
Tired of all the sand and sun? While we find that hard to believe, you still might want to change things up a bit during your Florida holiday.
Head to Moccasin Lake Nature Park for a change of scenery and to teach your kids about different plant life. With 51 acres to explore, kids can search for a variety of wildlife, plus there are classes and camps available to learn more about the local environment.
Closer to Clearwater is Crest Lake Park, where you’ll find lakeside trails, playgrounds and picnic areas. There’s even a 3-acre dog park!
Edgewater Park is just a few minutes’ drive up the road and offers a playground as well.
There are also a few Florida state parks in the vicinity of Clearwater. Check out Honeymoon Island State Park, known for its wide variety of seashells to hunt down. Nearby, you can head to Caladesi Island State Park, which is a stunning island known for its white-sand beaches and natural beauty.
All of these green spaces make for wonderful family days out in and around Clearwater!
Ride the Jolley Trolley
For families visiting Clearwater, Florida, riding the Jolley Trolley is a rite of passage! There is a Clearwater Beach route and a coastal route, both operating 7 days a week. With kids aged 8 and under going free, this is also one of the best ways for families to have fun in Clearwater without breaking the bank!
It’s easy to take strollers and wheelchairs on board and kids love the old-time feel of these traditionally-styled trolleys. Enjoy the ride and keep them entertained!
Check out the Jolley Trolley maps and fares to plan your family’s day out.
We hope this list of ways for families to have fun in Clearwater has been helpful and enlightening! If you’d like to join us for any of our day trips from Orlando, we love taking guests to Clearwater and helping families enjoy memorable adventures together. Do get in touch if you have any questions about our tours, we’d be happy to help!
