30 Things to do in Clearwater with Kids

If you’re looking for the best things to do in Clearwater with kids, you’re in the right place! Clearwater Beach is one of our favorite beaches in Florida, and we think you’ll love it too!

The Gulf Coast of Florida offers beautiful beaches, and one of the best places to stay is in Clearwater.

From the beautiful beach to nearby shopping, museums, and attractions, Clearwater is the perfect place for a family vacation.

Of course, there are many other things to do in Clearwater with kids. Here are some kid-friendly things to do in Clearwater to add to your itinerary.

Car Rentals near Tampa Florida

If you are flying into TPA, PIE, or even MCO, you’ll need a rental car! I recommend renting a car from Discount USA Car Rental.

Discount USA Car Rental offers the best rates available with nothing due upfront. Reserve and pay upon picking up the car. Discount USA partners with the major car rental companies (Hertz, Bud,get etc.) but has the lowest rates.

The best places to stay in Clearwater

I have a Hyatt Regency Clearwater review coming soon. In the meantime, I recommend the Hyatt Regency Clearwater or Sheraton Sand Key Resort.

30 Things to Do in Clearwater with Kids

Here are 30 of the best things to do in Clearwater with kids. When you’re done here, you might also want to check out 50 free things to do in Tampa with kids or Seaside Seabird Sanctuary which is also nearby.

Walk Along Pier 60

Pier 60 is a 1,080-foot pier worth adding to the list of things to do in Clearwater with kids.

Little ones will love the playground and sandbox on the pier. Numerous festivals are held near this pier throughout the year.

Spend the Day at Clearwater Beach

You can’t vacation in  Clearwater and not spend at least one day at the beach! This two-and-a-half-mile-long beach is perfect for swimming, building sandcastles, and long walks in the sand.

By the way, do you see that cool, pink building? It’s the Hyatt Regency Clearwater! The perfect family-friendly hotel on Clearwater Beach. It even has full kitchens! A full review is coming soon, but for now, here is a link to my favorite hotel in Clearwater.

We think that Clearwater Beach is #1 on our list of The 20 best beaches in Tampa.

Visit the Dolphins and Other Marine Life at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium

One of the favorite things to do in Clearwater with kids is to visit the dolphins at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. The current resident dolphins include Hope, Nicholas, PJ, Hemingway, Apollo, Rudolph, and Rex.

If your kids were a fan of Winter, you can still visit the Dolphin Tale Set. Just make sure you leave time in your day to see all the other rescued animals. I recommend buying tickets through Project Expedition! Project Expedition is our favorite place to purchase tours for all things to do in Florida with kids.

Take an Encounters with Dolphins Tour

The Encounters with Dolphins tour boat is 40 feet long, so there is plenty of room to enjoy a little time out on the water watching dolphins. Most tours are just over three hours, perfect for spotting numerous dolphins, manatees, and pelicans.

During your tour, you may have the option to stop at Compass Island. You can do some snorkeling or walk along the sand collecting seashells during this stop.

Experience Captain Memo’s Pirate Cruise

What kid doesn’t love acting like a pirate every now and then? This two-hour-long pirate cruise will have your entire family searching for treasure between water gun games. Listening to the stories about legendary pirates will take this cruising adventure to the next level.

Hike Through Moccasin Lake Nature Park

Moccasin Lake Nature Park contains 51 acres of land. It is filled with ponds, creeks, and nature trails. Hiking along those trails is popular because you can see tons of native wildlife.

SimCenter Tampa Bay

Okay, so a visit to SimCenter Tampa Bay will have you making the short drive from Clearwater to Tampa. But if you have older kids, the drive will be worth it! This indoor attraction will have everyone in your family participating in different simulation experiences.

Imagine being in a fighter jet simulator and flying high above the skyscrapers in New York City or above the great depths of the Grand Canyon. The virtual tour of the solar system is also a lot of fun, so try to squeeze that into your day.

Walk Along the Clearwater Beach Walk

This half-mile waterfront promenade offers stunning views of the water.

Catch a Baseball Game at Spectrum Field

Watching a baseball game is one of the most kid-friendly things to do in Clearwater. During the spring, the Philadelphia Phillies train at Spectrum Field. During the summer months you can watch home games from the Clearwater Threshers.

Enjoy a Picnic Lunch at Cliff Stephens Park

The Cliff Stephens Park contains 44 acres, with paved trails for walking, biking, and inline skating.

Relax at Sand Key Park

Sand Key Park is a 95-acre beach, and is one of the best things to do in Clearwater with kids. You never know when you will see a sea turtle laying their eggs. Check out the best places to see sea turtles in Florida for more chances to spot them.

Play Video Games at Laser Ops Arcade

This is one of the best things to do in Clearwater with kids on a raindy day. Laser Ops Arcade has more than 70 video games. Everyone can choose to play classic arcade games or one of the newer virtual reality games.

Play a Round of Mini Golf

Everyone loves playing mini-golf, and Clearwater has a top-rated course for your family to try. Head over to Congo River Golf to see if anyone can get a hole-in-one amongst the waterfalls and mysterious caves.

Get a Few Water Thrills at Adventure Island

A quick car ride will have your family enjoying the fun at the 30-acre Adventure Island. This water park has ten waterslides, a massive wave pool, and thrilling rides.

Visit the Animals at the Tampa Zoo

The Clearwater Marine Aquarium is not the only place to see animals while on a family vacation in Clearwater. More than 1,300 animals live at the Tampa Zoo. You can see them all by walking along the paths. Or you can ride in the open-air safari tram to see them all from a different vantage point.

Go Back in Time and Visit with Dinosaurs

While there are multiple things to do in Clearwater with kids, but there may be an activity or two worth leaving the Tampa area to see. Visiting Dinosaur World is one of those activities.

There are 200 life-sized dinosaurs at this theme playground. When your family is not visiting the dinosaurs, you may find yourself digging for fossils or excavating gems or dinosaur bones.

Plant City is only about a 30-minute drive from Tampa and has been one of my youngest son’s favorite places to visit for years! You can check out our review here: Is Dinosaur World in Lakeland FL worth visiting?

Walk Along the Memorial Causeway Green Trail

Memorial Causeway Green Trail is three and a half miles long. As you walk along this trail, you will find yourself near the water most of the time.

Ride the Clearwater Jolley Trolley

One of the best ways to see part of Clearwater without driving is to take the Jolley Trolley. Climb on board the vintage-style trolley and enjoy the views.

Your family can see Clearwater Beach, Sand Key, Dunedin, Palm Harbor, Tarpon Springs, and Downtown Clearwater from your seats. This trolley runs seven days a week, so you won’t have an excuse to miss one of the most extraordinary, kid-friendly things to do in Clearwater.

Interact with the Exhibits at the Great Explorations Children’s Museum

Another rainy day activity is visiting the Great Explorations Children’s Museum. This is one of the better things to do in Clearwater with kids who are younger.

Escape the Escape Room Clearwater Beach

Escape rooms have become very popular, and this is one of the best things to do in Clearwater with kids who love them! The Escape Room in Clearwater offers a couple of different family-friendly options.

Visit Hogan’s Beach Shop

Do you have anyone in your family who loves wrestling? If you said yes, a visit to Hogan’s Beach Shop is a must while on vacation in Clearwater. This shop carries all types of Clearwater Beach souvenirs.

It also carries a huge line of Hulk Hogan souvenirs and other wrestling memorabilia. One of the best parts of visiting this shop is you never know when Hulk Hogan may be there since he is the owner and lives in Clearwater.

Swim with Manatees

At Crystal River, you will have the chance to swim right next to the manatees in the water. If you don’t want to get wet, or you have kids who aren’t strong swimmers, you can always choose to do a little kayaking or ride in a pontoon boat instead.

During our last visit, we rented both a single kayak and double kayak from Paddles Outdoor Rentals. They were fantastic, and I would highly recommend them! They also have great prices. We saw over 100 manatees during our tour, and it was a fun and fun experience for all of us.

Ride a Jet Ski

Heading onto the water on a jet ski is an excellent way to spend a few hours in Clearwater. You could also book the 60-minute guide jet ski ride with Clearwater Jet Ski Rentals.

During your tour, you will be taken to see some untouched islands near Clearwater. You will also see tons of marine life, including dolphins.

Feel like getting out of the cities? Head north a bit and check out 16 things to do in Crystal River with kids.

Take a Boat Ride Out to Shell Key Preserve

Shell Key Preserve is an area that includes the uninhabited barrier island of the same name. You can rent a boat or you can ride on the Shell Key Shuttle.

This secluded spot is perfect for when you are looking for a little downtime. Shell Key has no facilities, so you will want to keep that in mind when planning this little adventure.

Ride the FlowRider at Surf Style

If your family wants to practice surfing, check out FlowRider at Surf Style. This indoor wave ride will have your family ready to catch the real waves in no time at all.

Go Snorkeling at Indian Rocks Beach

Indian Rocks Beach is a short 8-mile drive to the south of Clearwater Beach. Snorkeling at this beach is one of the best things to do near Clearwater with kids.

You can check out some of my favorites on my Amazon storefront or in the links below.

Attend a Festival

There are so many festivals held in Clearwater, Florida each year. One of the best ways to experience the local life in this area is to attend one of them.

A couple of the most popular festivals in Clearwater include the Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival, Clearwater Beach Chalk Art Festival, and the Safety Harbor Seafood Festival.

Check Out the History of Sponges in Tarpon Springs

Sponges have been harvested from the waters around Tarpon Springs for years now. You can learn all about the history of the harvesting of the sponges, as well as how the sponges are prepared to be sold.

Once you have learned all you want to about the sponges, you can visit the Sponge Exchange and the Anclote Key Lighthouse.

Watch a Hockey Game at the Amalie Arena

Taking a vacation in Clearwater during the winter means the chance to watch a hockey game at the Amalie Arena. The Tampa Bay Lightning call this arena home and watching them play is one of the best things to do in Clearwater with kids.

Things to do in Clearwater with Kids

These are my favorite 30 things to do in Clearwater with kids. Do you have any favorites that we forgot to add? Let us know in the comments!

About Florida Travel With Kids

Florida Travel with Kids was started by a family who loves to travel the state of Florida with kids! This site will help you explore the fun state of Florida and all of the kid-friendly activities you’ll find here.

Don’t forget to check out some of our most popular blog posts:

• The 20 best things to do in Navarre with kids
• Visit the Seaside Seabird Sanctuary
• Star Wars Land vs. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
• 15 Things to do in Siesta Key
• The 12 best places to see manatees in Florida

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