35 Fun Things to Do in Safety Harbor with Kids (From an Expert) |

There are so many things to do with kids of all ages in Safety Harbor, Florida.

Main Street Safety Harbor gives off small-town vibes, and while Safety Harbor is smaller than some of the other cities in the county, there is still plenty to do in this town by the bay.

I grew up in nearby Clearwater, and for the first few years of my kids’ lives, I spent a lot of time in Safety Harbor. From the library to Folly Farm, the playgrounds to special city events, there are so many fun things to do with kids in Safety Harbor.

We always visit Safety Harbor when we are back in Florida, and not just because it is where my sister lives. Safety Harbor just has so many fun things to do with kids of all ages.

Keep reading to find the best things to do in Safety Harbor with kids.

Free Things to do Outside in Safety Harbor with Kids

Relax in Art Park

Story Walk at Art Park behind Safety Harbor Library

Art Park, located next to the Safety Harbor Library, is a small park with picnic tables, benches, and an “elf” tree perfect for climbing.

Families can head to Story Walk, an exhibit in Art Park that changes monthly, and read a picture book on the signs along the path.

The tables and benches in Art Park are works of art themselves. Plus, the park is shaded by a 200-year-old oak tree.

art park safety harbor — Looking at the bench in Art Park behind the Safety Harbor Library

See a 300-500-Year-Old Tree

baranoff oak safety harbor — Baranoff Oak Tree

baranoff park safety harbor — Baranoff Oak Tree

On the other side of the library is Baranoff Park, which is in front of the Baranoff oak tree, believed to be 300-500 years old.

Baranoff Park is small and partially fenced in. There are picnic tables, seats, and chair swings. Baranoff Park is the perfect spot to bring a book and a picnic.

Play at the Playground

kids playing at rigsby center playground — Playing at Rigsby Center Playground near ShamC in Safety Harbor

Safety Harbor may be a small town, but there are plenty of playgrounds.

City Park
Daisy Douglas Park
Folly Farm
Marshall Street Park
Mullet Creek Park
North City Park
Phillippe Park
Rigsby Center

Skate at the Skate Park

Located at City Park by Boundless Playground is Ian Tillman Skate Park.

The skate park is fenced in, and it lights up at night.

Go for a Hike at Folly Farm Nature Preserve

folly farm hike — A holiday hike at Folly Farm

Folly Farm has a playground, a community garden, a butterfly garden, and a hiking trail loop.

The hiking loop is about 3/4 of a mile, shaded, and generally flat. It is a perfect walk with kids.

Fruit trees were planted near the playground, where anyone can pick and enjoy them. The community garden is not meant for public use.

You can now visit the animals at Folly Farms, from Thursday to Sunday, 11 am until 4 pm. The animals include goats, chickens, bunnies, guinea pigs, and a tortoise.

Sometimes the city has special guided night hikes and campfire stories.

Attend Folly Faire at Folly Farm

folly farm explore learn grow — Learning and playing at Folly Farm in Safety Harbor

folly farm safety harbor — Learning and playing at Folly Farm in Safety Harbor

Head to Folly Farm on the 2nd Saturday of the month for a themed event for kids. Folly Faire runs from 9 a.m. to 12 pm and is always free.

Topics vary and usually have to do with nature and holidays. Kids learn, complete art and science projects, and play.

There is also a plant sale held during Folly Faire.

Play and Explore at Philippe Park

philappee park safety harbor — Philippe Park

Located on Old Tampa Bay, Philippe Park has beautiful views and plenty of places to play.

Philippe Park has 2 playgrounds, including a rock climbing playground. Both playgrounds and most of the park are shaded.

Ride Bikes on the Ream Wilson Trail

The Ream Wilson Trail begins in Safety Harbor, where Philippe Parkway turns into Bayshore Blvd. The trail continues down Bayshore Boulevard before exiting Safety Harbor and continuing into Clearwater.

Have a Picnic at the Gazebo

Safety Harbor Gazebo — The Gazebo in John Wilson Park in Safety Harbor

John Wilson Park, in the center of Main Street, is a fun little park where the kids can run around.

There is a Gazebo where events are sometimes held and public bathrooms in the park.

Spot Manatees at the Marina

Walking down the Safety Harbor Pier and looking for manatees

looking for manatees in safety harbor — Walking down the Safety Harbor Pier and looking for manatees

In the cooler months, manatees can be seen in the water near Safety Harbor.

Walking down to the pier on the marina is fun year-round, but especially in the winter.

Unfortunately, the Safety Harbor Pier was destroyed in a hurricane in 2024. While they are working on it, the pier is not yet back up.

Manatees can be seen in nearby Crystal River year-round.  For more info on Crystal River, read our post The Best Day in Crystal River wtih Kids.

Run Around Waterfront Park

Kid running through Waterfront Park in Safety Harbor — Waterfront Park, behind the Safety Harbor Spa

Behind Safety Harbor Spa, next to the marina, is Waterfront Park.

Lots of events take place at Waterfront Park, but when it is not in use, it is a great place to let the kids run around the giant field.

The Safety Harbor Nature Boardwalk leads to Waterfront Park. The boardwalk is less than a mile and is stroller-friendly.

Admire Whimzyland

Safety Harbor is known for its art, and one of the couples that contribute a lot to the art vibe in Safety Harbor owns a house that they call Whimzyland.

Known by locals as the “bowling ball house,” Whimzyland is surrounded by bowling balls in addition to sculptures, paintings, and recycled materials.

There is a book about Whimzyland available to purchase, and a guest house for those who want to experience what it is like to live in a place like Whimzyland.

Swap Your Books at a Free Little Library

Out with the old, in with the new to you. There are currently 14 Free Little Library boxes set up in Safety Harbor.

The library made a list of each location.

We have had the best luck at the Rigsby Center location for children’s books.

Watch a Parade

Find a seat on Main Street and wait for the parade to go by.

Two parades are held each year. One is to celebrate the 4th of July, and the other is the December holiday parade.

Head to the Market

The Market on Main runs on Sundays at John Wilson Park. The market varies from week to week, and sometimes they have free classes, live music, and other activities.

Run in a Race

cookie race Safety Harbor — Thin Mint Sprint in Safety Harbor

There are a few 5k races in Safety Harbor to choose from, and some include a 1-mile fun run, which is perfect for kids.

Check out the Chalk Art

There is one weekend each year when the sidewalks are turned into works of chalk art during the Bloom N Chalk Fest.

Local artists and artists from around the country and even the world create incredible images out of chalk.

My sister participates in Bloom N Chalk Fest each year.

chalkfest safety harbor — Bloom N Chalk Fest in Safety Harbor

Make Your Own Chalk Art

Behind the Safety Harbor Library, in Art Park, there is a box of chalk for kids to borrow so that they can draw their own creations on the sidewalk.

In addition to the box of chalk, there is also a box of sticks for dogs to play with.

More Things to Do Outside in Safety Harbor with Kids

Kayak in the Bay

Rent a kayak by the hour or join a kayaking tour with Tocobaga Tours.

Kayaking camps are offered for kids in the summer through the Safety Harbor Rec Center.

Spend the Day at the Pool

Day passes are available for purchase at Safety Harbor Spa. While kids under 16 aren’t able to use the indoor facilities with the pass, they are welcome to use the outdoor pool.

Those 16+ can relax in the spa, swim in the fitness pools, use the exercise equipment, and take fitness classes.

My kids have enjoyed swimming at the pool at Safety Harbor Spa, and I have spent a few kid-free days there enjoying a day pass.

Ride a Surrey

Take a family bike ride on just one bike with Wheel Fun Rentals.

Single bikes can be rented, along with surreys for 2-4 people or double surreys for 4-6 people. The additional 2 people need to be children small enough to fit in the front basket.

Take a Food Tour

Fun fact: I used to co-own a food tour company in Safety Harbor. While Harbor Food Tours is no longer, Tampa Bay Food Tours now runs a food tour in Safety Harbor on select Saturday afternoons.

Enjoy the Day at a Brewery

a dog outside at crooked thumb brewery in safety harbor — Listening to live music outside at Crooked Thumb Brewery

Obviously, when you think of a brewery, the kids aren’t the first thing that comes to mind. Luckily, you can bring the kids to this brewery, and they can have just as much fun as you do.

Crooked Thumb Brewery has a large outdoor area with plenty of picnic tables and room to play.

There are often live music events and food trucks at Crooked Thumb.

Listen to Music by the Bay

waterfront park safety harbor — Watching concerts at Waterfront Park and the view of Waterfront Park from the pier in Safety Harbor

Safety Harbor hosts lots of events at Waterfront Park, and almost all of the events include concerts.

Some of the events are free, while others charge admission.

Eat a Sweet Treat

There is definitely not a lack of places to find amazing treats in downtown Safety Harbor.

Ice Barr has delicious cold treats that are refreshing on hot days. There are lots of flavors to choose from, including some not-so-traditional options.

Whistle Stop Cafe started as a drive-through called Frostee Harbor, and they still serve delicious ice cream and milkshakes today.

Joey Biscotti has lots more than biscotti. Their bars and brownies are amazing, as are their cakes and cookies.

While Bassano’s Cheesecake has plenty of options for cheesecakes (more than 20, including a Unicorn cheesecake for kids), that is not all they serve. You can even get breakfast at Bassano’s.

Free Things to Do Inside in Safety Harbor with Kids

Read, Learn, and Play at the Library

Playing in the children’s section at Safety Harbor Library

You don’t need to live in Safety Harbor to enjoy the library.

The Children’s section at the Safety Harbor library has lots of books, puzzles, and toys to play with. They have an art corner and plenty of places to sit down and read.

There are weekly storytimes for various ages, concerts for kids, movies, and special events for children at the Safety Harbor Library.

Learn about Florida History

Kids can learn about the history of Florida at the Safety Harbor Museum and Culture Center.

Find out what special exhibits are currently happening and more information on the museum here.

There are free and paid events for children at the Safety Harbor Museum.

More Things to Do Inside with Kids in Safety Harbor

Watch a Movie at Gigglewaters

a family enjoying a meal and a movie at gigglewaters in safety harbor — We all enjoyed the movie and meal at Gigglewaters.

Gigglewaters is a restaurant and bar with a movie theatre in the back. One movie is shown each day, and occasionally kids’ movies are shown, including sing-alongs.

Movie watchers can even order meals to their seats, using the light system, which is always a hit with the kids.

For those who do not want to eat a full meal during the movie, popcorn and other snacks are available. I highly recommend the sweet and salty popcorn with cookie butter and chocolate-covered peanuts.

Purchase a New Book

Portkey Books on Main Street is a small independent bookstore with lots of choices for kids of all ages. Stop in Portkey Books on your walk down Main Street and check out the adorable shop.

If they don’t have what you are looking for, they will order it for you. Free delivery is available in Safety Harbor.

See What is Happening at ShamC

There is usually something fun happening at the Safety Harbor Art and Music Center, which is known as ShamC.

Art, drama, writing, and music classes are offered for kids. There are a lot of concerts held at ShamC.

Even if you walk by, there is a lot of beautiful and unique art to see, including Ellie the Elephant, who lives outside ShamC.

Try Unique Waffles

Christmas tree waffels at Cafe Vino Tinto in Safety Harbor

Cafe Vino Tinto serves incredible coffee, sourced from their own farm in Costa Rica, and they also serve delicious waffles.

Amazing waffle options are available daily, with special choices, especially around holidays.

Cafe Vino Tinto also makes lots of unique drink options, both for kids and adults.

Check out the Schedule at Safety Harbor Rec

Classes, workshops, and camps are offered for all ages with Safety Harbor Recreation, which has locations throughout Safety Harbor.

Art, sports, cooking, science, there is a class for everyone.

Family events, such as a family campout at Folly Farms and a family fort-building contest, occur throughout the year.

Some events are free, while most classes have a small cost.

Take an Art Workshop at Francie’s

Francie at Francie’s Studio 5th Ave offers workshops for all ages.

Francie specializes in jewelry and glass fusing. Teens can participate in the general workshops, and while Francie occasionally holds workshops for kids, they can also be booked privately.

Our kids participated in a mermaids and pirates workshop at Francie’s.

Things to Do at Night with Kids in Safety Harbor

Eat Delicious Pizza

Not only does Nona’s Slice House have amazing pizza, but the kids can be entertained with pizza-throwing while you wait.

The owner of Nona’s is a champion pizza thrower and will usually show off his skills when kids are around or if asked.

Full pizzas are always on the menu, as well as sandwiches and salads. Each day, 2 types of pizzas are sold as slices, and they include a vegetarian option.

Put on your superhero shirt on Sundays for 10% off and enjoy the live music on the patio from 5 PM-8 PM.

Head down Main Street Every 3rd Friday

There is a party on Main Street on the 3rd Friday of each month.

Vendors line the streets, live music is playing in various locations, including at the Gazebo, and shops and restaurants stay open late.

Third Friday runs from 6 PM-10 PM.

Watch a Movie at Waterfront Park

Check the schedule for the 1st Friday of each month to see what movie will be playing at Waterfront Park.

Movies begin at 7 PM or 8 PM, depending on the time of year, and music is played for an hour before the movie starts. Concessions are available for purchase.

Where is Safety Harbor?

Safety Harbor is located in Pinellas County, Florida. The nearest airports are Tampa International (TPA) and Clearwater/St. Pete (PIE), 25 minutes and 15 minutes away, respectively, depending on traffic.

Safety Harbor is 30 minutes from Clearwater Beach, downtown Tampa, and downtown Saint Petersburg.

It is easiest to get to Safety Harbor by car. Free street parking is available around downtown Safety Harbor.

Where to Stay in Safety Harbor

While there are options for holiday houses and bed and breakfasts in Safety Harbor, there is only one hotel downtown.

The Safety Harbor Resort and Spa is located at the end of Main Street, on Tampa Bay. In addition to the spa (for guests 16+), there is an outdoor pool and multiple restaurants at the Safety Harbor Spa.

Located in Safety Harbor, on the border of Clearwater, Candlewood Suites offers extended hotel stays. Each room has a fully equipped kitchen and sitting area, and complimentary laundry facilities.