If you're traveling to the Orlando-area theme parks, your best bets are on the east coast. Skip Daytona and the spring break/biker crowds and head down to Cocoa Beach, which is under an hour (by car) from the Orlando area. Cocoa Beach offers 6 miles of family-friendly beaches, many of which also have playgrounds. The Kennedy Space Center is nearby, making it a convenient side trip if you have any budding astronauts in the family.
In the Tampa Bay area, avoid the crowded beaches of St. Pete and head over to Treasure Island (and not just for the name). It's a beautiful beach for any age, but it also happens to be the "Sand Sculpture Capital of Florida." Your future sculptors can work on their own creations, or walk the beach in search of other castles. Some of them can be quite elaborate.
In the Venice area, boys love Caspersen Beach. It boasts a high concentration of shark's teeth--and kids love hunting for them. Note: There are no lifeguards at this beach, so keep an eye on everyone.
Crandon Park isn't just one of the top beaches in the Miami area, it's consistently rated one of the best beaches in the United States. And what makes it great for kids is the off-shore sandbar, which turns the water at the 2-mile beach into a calm lagoon. The nearby Crandon's Family Amusement Center features a carousel, skating rink and playground.
