20 Things to Do on Indian Rocks Beach with Kids (From a Local)
Located between Clearwater Beach beaches and the St. Pete beaches, Indian Rocks Beach is a relaxed town with plenty of things to do with kids.
With more holiday houses and condos than hotels, Indian Rocks Beach is not as populated or touristy as its neighboring beaches, but there are still plenty of fun things to do.
Just a few blocks wide, every street is no more than a few blocks to the water. All 3 miles of Indian Rocks Beach are located between the Gulf of Mexico and the Intercoastal Waterway.
Everything on this list of things to do is located within Indian Rocks Beach so visitors can easily walk, bike, or drive to their destination.
I grew up in Clearwater and often choose to visit Indian Rocks Beach for its beautiful sand, calm water, and few crowds. Once having kids, we visited IRB even more and found plenty of fun things to do.
Keep reading to find the best things to do with kids on Indian Rocks Beach.
Free and Cheap Things to Do on Indian Rocks Beach with Kids
Indian Rocks Nature Preserve
Walk along the boardwalk through the mangroves to the ocean at Indian Rocks Beach Nature Preserve.
Open daily, Indian Rocks Nature Preserve is a pretty place to walk around and spot wildlife. The loop is less than a mile and flat, a perfect family-friendly hike.
Dogs are not permitted in Indian Rocks Nature Preserve.
Kolb Park
A beautiful park with a playground, toilets, picnic tables, and more, a few hours at Kolb Park is always a fun thing to do with kids in Indian Rocks Beach.
Kolb Park is dog-friendly and wheelchair accessible.
The playground at Kolb Park is close to the parking lot and shaded by large trees.
Baseball fields, basketball courts, tennis and pickleball courts, and batting cages are located in Kolb Park.
Indian Rocks Beach Skate Park
Located at Kolb Park is the Indian Rocks Beach Skate Park. Meant for skateboarders, in-line skaters, and BMX bikers, the skate park is unsupervised and considered a ride-at-your-own-risk park.
Read the rules of Indian Rocks Beach Skate Park. There is a $5 annual fee meant to be paid in advance when visiting the skate park, though I am not sure if that is checked before entering.
For those who want to take lessons, Go Skate offers skateboarding lessons at Indian Rocks Beach Skate Park.
Play in the Sand and Swim in the Gulf
The best thing to do at Indian Rocks Beach, and most likely the reason you are there, to begin with, is to spend time on the beach!
Kids can dig in the sand, build sand castles, splash in the ocean, swim, hunt for seashells, and do all of the fun things kids like to do at the beach.
If you are searching for beach toys, here are a few of our favorites.
Watch the Sunset
The Florida Gulf Coast beaches are known for their spectacular sunsets, and Indian Rocks Beach is the perfect place to watch the sun go down.
Free Things to Do With Kids When it is Raining in Indian Rocks Beach
Indian Rocks Beach Library
Though you need a library card to borrow books from the Indian Rocks Beach Library, it is a public library where anyone can enter and participate in story hour, workshops, or sit down to read a book.
The children’s area at Indian Rocks Beach Library has games that kids can play on a rainy day, and lots of books to read.
Indian Rocks Historical Museum
A small museum dedicated to local history, the Indian Rocks Historical Museum includes photographs, maps, and artifacts.
When the rain clears up, the Indian Rocks Historical Museum offers an audio tour that takes about 1.5 hours, covers 2 miles, and includes 14 stops.
The museum includes a gift shop with local books and souvenirs.
Find lots of fun things to do with kids when it is raining near Clearwater.
More Things to Do on Indian Rocks Beach with Kids
Splash Harbor Water Park
Indian Rocks Beach has its own water park, complete with water slides, a lazy river, and a pool, making it one of the best things to do on Indian Rocks Beach with kids. There is even a splash zone for the younger kids.
Splash Harbor Water Park sells passes by the day, month, or annually. Lockers and cabanas are available.
Play Inside at Splash Harbor
Whether it is a rainy day on Indian Rocks Beach or you just want a break from the sun, Splash Harbor Water Park offers a few indoor activities for kids.
Kids can mine for gems and seashells at Key West Mining Company, play 18 holes of miniature golf, and play games inside the game room
Beach Art Center
Teens can participate in art classes and workshops at Beach Art Center on Indian Rocks Beach. A wide variety of classes and workshops are available, including painting, mosaic, decoupage, and pottery.
Rent a Boat
You can rent a boat from Island Marine Rentals. All of the boat rentals come with life jackets, coolers, stereos with Bluetooth, and GPS tracking.
Another option for boat rentals is IRB Boat Rentals
Charter a Boat
Would you rather have someone else drive the boat? Charter a boat or a yacht through Gulfside Adventures, charter a private yacht complete with meals through Florida Luxury Cruises, or charter a wide variety of boats, including ones where you can slide into the water with A Boat Day.
Head to the Marina on Clearwater Beach for a lot more options including Captain Memo's Pirate Ship Cruise.
Jet Ski
Rent jet skis through Get Wet, a company that also has boats and stand-up paddleboards available to rent.
Kayak or Stand Up Paddleboard
Kayaks and SUPs are available through Island Marine Rentals on Indian Rocks Beach.
Go Fishing
Take a fishing charter.
You get to keep the fish you catch to either take home or have prepared by a local Indian Rocks Beach restaurant.
Head to nearby Clearwater Beach for more fun things to do on the beach with kids.
Festivals on Indian Rocks Beach
#16 Oktoberfest
A family-friendly Oktoberfest is held each October in Indian Rocks Beach.
Oktoberfest is free to enter and includes live music, arts and crafts vendors, and of course beer.
#17 Indian Rocks Beach Greenfest
Held annually in March, the Indian Rocks Beach Greenfest is taking 2023 off but should return in March 2024.
Greenfest offers eco-friendly ways to enjoy the beach.
#18 Indian Rocks Beach Fest
Listen to live music, play games on the beach, and enjoy local food at Indian Rocks Beach Fest, held in May.
#19 Taste of Indian Rocks Beach
Eat from a variety of local restaurants, listen to live music, and hang out near the beach at the annual Taste of Indian Rocks Beach held each November.
#20 Indian Rocks Beach Holiday Boat Parade
Held each December, Indian Rocks Beach hosts a light-up boat parade.
Local boat owners light up their boats and compete for prizes while everyone is welcome to watch the parade.
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Kid-Friendly Accommodation on Indian Rocks Beach
New Hotel Collection Harborside Resort
⭐ 3.7/5
🗺️ Indian Rocks Beach
✅ Book Now
Located at Splash Harbor Water Park, New Hotel Collection Harborside has access to the water park, family rooms, and Jimmy Guana’s Restaurant on site.
Both studio rooms and apartments are available to rent at New Hotel Collection Harborside.
Indian Rocks Beach is a few minutes walk from the hotel.
Holiday Inn and Suites Clearwater Beach South Harborside
⭐ 4.1/5
🗺️ Clearwater Beach South
✅ Book Now
Also located at Splash Harbor Water Park is the Holiday Inn and Suites Clearwater Beach South Harborside.
Just a few minutes walk to Indian Rocks Beach, Holiday Inn and Suites is located on the marina with direct access to Splash Harbor Water Park, a restaurant, a game room, and shops as well as miniature golf.
Kid-Friendly Restaurants on Indian Rocks Beach
Kooky Coconut
With a few tables outside, Kooky Coconut is a great place to get casual food to go and enjoy it at the tables or on a beach picnic.
Menu items at Kooky Coconut include sandwiches, burgers, tacos, burritos, and quesadillas as well as snacks, drinks, and ice cream.
Stop for ice cream at Kooky Coconut before heading down to the beach to watch the sunset.
Jimmy Guana’s
Located in Holiday Inn Waterside, near Splash Harbor Water Park, Jimmy Guana’s is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Breakfast at Jimmy Guana’s includes eggs, French toast, waffles, pancakes, skillets, and a breakfast burrito.
Lunch and dinner menu items include soup, salad, bowls, burgers, and surf and turf options.
Live music happens in the evenings at Jimmy Guana’s Bar and Restaurant.
Crabby Bill’s
The Original Crabby Bill’s is located on Indian Rocks Beach and I have so many memories of eating crab legs as a kid at Crabby Bills.
The menu at Crabby Bill includes lots of seafood options including alligator, grouper, oysters, mussels, shrimp, and crab. Non-seafood options are also available.
Live music takes place each evening at the Original Crabby Bill’s.
Looking for more kid-friendly restaurants nearby? Here are some options for kid-friendly restaurants in and around Clearwater and restaurants where kids eat free near Clearwater.
Indian Rocks Beach FAQ
Yes, though there are no lifeguards on Indian Rocks Beach, swimming is allowed.
Yes, Indian Rocks Beach is a good beach for families. Less crowded than the beaches to the north and south, Indian Rocks Beach has white sandy beaches, calm water, restaurants, and shops.
Yes, shells can often be found along the shore at Indian Rocks Beach.
Yes, Indian Rocks Beach is walkable. Visitors can walk along the beach or along the road.
No, alcohol is not permitted on Indian Rocks Beach. Plenty of restaurants are located nearby and alcohol is served at the restaurants on Indian Rocks Beach.
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