Adventures for All Ages

A pufferfish, baby blue crab, purple sea urchin and one big stingray were among the treasures discovered on a recent Clearwater Marine Aquarium Sea Life Safari nature cruise.

The “safari” takes you aboard a pontoon boat departing from the Clearwater Marina. A marine biologist from the aquarium talks about local marine life, and you get to see it in action: an osprey devouring a fish bigger than itself and a net full of interesting invertebrates like the tunicate, also known as a sea squirt (there’s a reason it has that nickname).

The St. Petersburg/Clearwater area's potential for sea adventure is as limitless as its waterscape. When it's time to make your own escape to one of Florida's best family beach destinations, here are some ideas to gear the fun to your children's ages.

Fun with Preschoolers

With 35 miles of soft, white sands and typically calm surf, you can't go wrong with preschoolers on the beaches of St. Petersburg/Clearwater. From the dunes and sea oats of quiet Pass-A-Grille Beach to the action-packed sands of Clearwater Beach, this is what family vacations are all about. Build a sandcastle, splash in the shallows, watch tiny coquina clams dig their way into the sand at the water's edge and take a mental snapshot of your kids at this wonderful age, when the simplest things bring them joy.

When you want a break from the beach, explore St. Petersburg's downtown waterfront. Here, your little ones can stretch their legs as they watch sea birds soar, sailboats bob at anchor and fish jump. Pack a picnic lunch or order takeout from a nearby restaurant, then people-watch or play catch in the sunshine. After lunch, visit The Pier with its small aquarium (plenty big enough to keep a preschooler's attention), then buy an ice cream cone and head up to the observation deck for a great view of the bay.

Entertaining Elementary-Age Kids

Most children are fascinated by the natural world and John's Pass Village & Boardwalk in Madeira Beach and the Clearwater Municipal Marina on Clearwater Beach are great jumping-off spots for nature exploration. Both offer dolphin-watching, shelling and wildlife cruises that allow kids to see native wildlife, sometimes up close.

Back on land, families can learn more about the sea at the Tarpon Springs Aquarium and Clearwater Marine Aquarium's rescue and research facility, filled with fish, a stingray petting tank and pools where rescued sea turtles, dolphins and river otters cavort. Hourly demonstrations and feedings allow guests to watch trainers interact with the critters.

Curious kids can whirl a whirligig, hear the meow of a catbird, crawl through a gopher tortoise burrow and maneuver a super-sized millipede through leaf litter at the area’s newest eco-attraction, Brooker Creek Preserve Environmental Education Center. Here, kids literally get in touch with nature through the creative use of video and engaging hands-on exhibits. Nature trails let them face off with creatures they've studied inside. (Ask about summer camps for an even wilder experience.)

Boyd Hill Nature Preserve attracts families with cool playgrounds, a butterfly garden, an aviary, shady picnic grounds and trails. The environmental education center introduces them to the local cast of characters, from baby wolf spiders that ride their moms piggyback to barred owls that ask "Who cooks for you?"

Check out St. Petersburg's The Science Center of Pinellas County, where kids can explore a variety of their favorite creatures in pieces – eggs, bones, shells, skins – as well as live fish, snakes, a baby alligator, guinea pigs, lizards and more.

Kids from preschool through elementary age will have a yo-ho-ho time on Captain Memo's Original Pirate Cruise out of Clearwater Beach. Energetic staffers run a tight ship on board, with activities from squirt-gun attacks on parents to an on-deck dance party.

Finish up one of your vacation days at the Pier 60 at Clearwater Beach area, with its giant inflatable slides, bungee-harness rides and huge playground. A sunset celebration with live entertainment takes place here every night that the whole family will enjoy.

Action for ‘Tweens and Teens

Much of the area along the beaches, and particularly Clearwater Beach, is pedestrian-friendly. There are plenty of places to shop, dine out and find activities, all within easy walking distance – or free trolley service – of area hotels. This, along with a very active beach scene, makes St. Petersburg/Clearwater a terrific destination for older kids who enjoy a little bit of freedom.

There's always a volleyball game going on and a parade of people to watch, not to mention parasail rides, Jet Ski and WaveRunner rentals, and high-speed boat rides such as Sea Screamer and Sea Thriller. It's sure to be a hit with your 'tweens and teens. And for great people-watching, don’t miss Beach Walk, a landscaped pedestrian-friendly brick promenade running along S. Gulfview Boulevard, south of Pier 60.

Time for Yourself

If you'd like to have a romantic dinner out with your spouse, or spend some one-on-one time with an older child, consider lodgings that offer a kids' program. Many area resorts offer programs year 'round, including the Loews Don CeSar Hotel, the TradeWinds Island Resorts and the Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort. Other local hotels and resorts offer programs seasonally, particularly in the summer months. Programs are typically geared for preschoolers to elementary-age students.