Top 10 Toddler-Friendly Florida Beach Resorts

Located in Port St. Lucie, Florida, The Sandpiper Bay Resort is the only Club Med property in the United States. Pricing is all-inclusive and kids under age 4 stay free. The resort offers supervised children’s programs for all ages starting at four months old. Mealtimes will not be an ordeal at the resort’s child-friendly restaurants, and guests have 24-hour access to a baby care room equipped with bottle warmers, a microwave, fridge, mixer, and sterilizer. The resort also offers strollers on loan. Toddler activities available at the resort include a waterpark, baby gym, art studio, and fun kid-friendly fitness classes. Evening babysitting is also available if parents want to spend a night alone. Club Med Sandpiper Bay is not set on the ocean but rather on the banks of the St. Lucie River, so you can expect calm waters, most of the time. The resort boasts a 400-foot beach with sailing and other water sports, as well as a swimming pool.

Need to be on the ocean? A couple of hours and worlds away from the crowded Orlando theme parks, Disney’s Vero Beach Resort is a very grand and quintessentially Floridian beach property that’s part of the Disney Vacation Club timeshare group. You don’t have to be a member to stay here. The resort offers a ton of free family-fun activities, from campfire sing-alongs and bubble blowing workshops to sandcastle-building and toddler craft sessions. Aside from the twice-weekly character breakfasts with Goofy, the vibe is decidedly light on Disney. Preschoolers get a fun splash area, and life jackets and pool noodles are available for free.

About three hours southwest of Orlando, on dreamy Captiva Island, South Seas Island Resort offers a wide array of accommodation options, including spacious villas with separate living and sleeping areas. There are beaches on both the Gulf of Mexico and Pine Island Sound and nearly two dozen pools, including zero-entry pools perfect for little ones. The resort’s Camp Skullywags is offered in the summer for children ages 3-11 and includes activities like undersea exploration, whacky watersports, and mad science experiments. There is also a Turtle Tot program for toddlers and their parents. The place is large and sprawling, with the feel of an upscale, beautifully landscaped gated community. ​

About 45 minutes north of Jacksonville, lies the beautiful and upscale beaches of Amelia Island. The Island’s Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort is a great family destination for a low-key vacation. While there is no children's program for kids under age 4, this resort is a boon for nature lovers and wonderful to explore on foot or bike (with baby carriers, of course). The beach is lovely, and the pool area has a splash pad for little ones. Accommodation options range from standard hotel rooms to suites to condo-style units. 

Take in the Florida Panhandle at Splash! Resort in Panama City. This place was made for children of all ages and is super baby-friendly. Besides the beachfront location, the resort offers a wide range of fun activities for little ones including a toddler splash pad, lazy river, and covered waterpark area. All of the resort’s units look out onto the gulf and include a full-size kitchen, washer & dryer, and laundry detergent for when accidents happen. The resort’s reasonable room rates and downtown location make it a great all-around family destination.

The Florida Keys are known for their laid-back feel and Island-style living, so if you’re looking for a low-key getaway, this is a great place to visit. The Ocean Key Resort & Spa is located right in the middle of Old Town Key West and sits directly on the water. Poolside cabanas are available for keeping little ones out of the sun, and high chairs and Pack-and-Plays are available upon request. There is no childcare available at the resort, but its proximity to some great toddler attractions like the Key West Aquarium and the Conch Train Tours will keep your child entertained all day long.

Clearwater, Fla., tends to fly under the radar of many, but this peaceful, old-fashioned town shouldn’t be underestimated. Its beautiful and calm beaches and outstanding weather make it a must-visit family destination. Located about 40 minutes west of Tampa, Clearwater defines Florida charm. The Hyatt Regency Resort offers loads of child-friendly perks including a gated kiddie pool and Camp Hyatt for kids ages 3-12. On the weekends, evening babysitting is available as well from 6-10 p.m.

"Loews loves kids," is what the hotel chain promotes and it's true! For the posh and modern parent, this is the place to stay. Situated on the beach, the newly renovated Loews hotel boasts a shaded sandpit, zero-entry pool, and SOBE Kids Club for ages 4-12. Baby-friendly amenities are also available upon request including children’s toys, cribs and Pack-and-Plays, baby bathtubs, foam corner bumpers, and electrical outlet guards, night lights, and Johnson & Johnson Baby kits.

If the idea of Disney World is too overwhelming for your toddler, which is entirely understandable, this Orlando resort is a great option. Formerly the Nickelodeon Hotel, and loaded with lots of excellent on-site activities, the Holiday Inn Resort and Waterpark offers all you need to make your toddler’s dreams come true. The onsite waterpark is great for small children, with lots of little slides and splash zones for them to explore, and during holiday seasons, special activities, like magic shows and water games, are offered. You probably won’t even have to leave the resort with your little one, as plenty is going on here to excite them.

Located in Bonita Springs, about a half hour north of Naples, the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa is a great toddler-friendly location. The resort has an onsite waterpark and lazy river, where little ones will love splashing around all day. For children ages three and up, Camp Hyatt is a great way for them to interact with other kids and enjoy arts and crafts, water play, and fun, age-appropriate games. If your little one is animal-obsessed, Everglade alligator tours and the Naples Zoo are both within driving distance of the resort.