The summer’s in full swing, and if you’ve got young ones, so is their summer break. Whether you’ve got a trio of toddlers or teens, or maybe just one, now’s a great time to take a break and take advantage of cheap flights and super savings on your stay for the summer.
A fast favorite for spring breakers and nightlife scene lovers, Florida’s beaches have an equal draw to families across the nation for a pseudo tropical take here in the States, without overworking the budget. Although 
times are tight on many people’s pockets, ticket prices are ripe for the picking – planning ahead will get you even deeper discounts, too.
In hopes of helping our friends and families, we’ve drawn together a compact list of Florida’s family friendly beaches. We’ve taken out the footwork and the fuss of sales pitch propaganda – you pick the place and time for your own fun.
Read on for 5 Family Friendly Beaches:
Clearwater
Whether you’re looking for thrill ride screams or peace and quiet in some outdoor fun, Clearwater’s the place for you. Hike or cycle your way through town or dip your toes in this popular (and clean) beach and if you need some time out from under the sun? Check out the Clearwater Aquarium, one of the most popular attractions in the community. If adventure is what you seek after sunbathing, set your sails for the sea on Captain Memo’s Pirate Cruise, a real pirate ship! (Parrot and eye patch not included with pegleg pirates.)
Cocoa Beach
Better known as home to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, this beach is one of the coast’s most scenic stretches of white sand. A visit to the Space Center is a superfun family friendly spot, and after learning about our white-suited, moon-walking friends, you can find your own thrills only a little ways away. The Holiday Inn Cocoa Beach Oceanfront Resort features a number of specials for a superb location with access to all the greatest Cocoa Beach has to offer – find yourself with two tickets to Sea World for heart-stropping thrills and shows, or an extensive beach package to provide all the things you might need to make your day at the beach a blast.
Siesta Key
The proclaimed “whitest and finest sand in the world” isn’t the only thing that invites visitors year round to these shallow waters in Sarasota, Florida. The sand is 99% quartz and keeps cool regardless of the temperature (no worries about any burn besides maybe one from the sun!) One of the safest beaches for small children with shallow waters and constant, year round lifeguard protection, it makes it a quick pick for family’s hunting for someplace somewhat secret and easily worth treasuring. Host to the world famous sand sculpting contest each May, Siesta Key’s got something for everyone – Marina Jacks, a playground complete with splash fountains is nearby, as well as water sport rentals for the age appropriate vacationers.
Daytona
If your little ones aren’t so little anymore, there’s no reason to forgo the quality family time – there’s something for you, too. Daytona’s got some good stuff for “tweenagers” and teenagers, and those parents who’re kids at heart. The boardwalk boasts plenty of shops, amusements and arcade collections that line a pier that reaches out into the ocean for some fun with a fantastic view. For a fee, you can take the family vehicle onto the sand and get your feet wet with some surfing that’s popular with the locals, and you can even enroll in surfing lessons if you’re not already familiar with a board.
Sanibel, Captiva
These two island gems are perfect to combine for a different kind of family fun – they both boast the best array of shell shoppin’ you’ll find in America. The beach is sprawled by shells, the perfect treasure hunt for collectors and visitors to share a common endeavor. Not only do they share the hunt, but also, the WAY they hunt! Known as the “Sanibel Stoop” young and old are more often bent at the middle to stoop ‘n search for shells than they are strolling the beach. As per unspoken islander norms, the atmosphere is a laid-back leisurely one, so settle in and sift the sand for your own find or kick back and relax in the summer sun with your loved ones.
Find your fun with the fam’ and spend some quality time in the sun with your sweeties – don’t forget to fill us in on the adventures you made for the summer!
