Best Things to Do in Treasure Island for Families: Beaches, Adventures, and Memories Waiting to Happen

November 16, 2025
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Welcome to Family Friendly Treasure Island

Treasure Island, Florida is one of the best kept secrets on the Gulf Coast for families. It has everything parents want: safe beaches, warm water, walkable restaurants, outdoor adventures, and enough activities to entertain kids of all ages.

Whether you are traveling with toddlers, teens, or a mix of both, Treasure Island is packed with fun ways to spend time together. Here are the best family activities just minutes from The Molloy.

1. Spend the Day on Treasure Island Beach

The main attraction is also the simplest. Treasure Island’s beach is wide, clean, and perfect for families. The sand is soft, the water is calm, and there is plenty of space to set up chairs and enjoy the day.

Kids love:

  • Building sandcastles

  • Hunting for shells

  • Playing in gentle waves

Local tip: Bring a kite. The breezes here are perfect for flying them, especially in the late afternoon.

2. Take a Dolphin Cruise

A dolphin sightseeing tour is a must do experience for kids. Boats leave nearby from Treasure Island and John’s Pass, and almost every trip includes multiple dolphin sightings.

Many cruises also include music, narration, and even pirate themes that keep kids entertained the whole time.

3. Play Mini Golf at Smugglers Cove

This pirate-themed mini golf course is a hit with families. It has caves, waterfalls, bridges, and even live baby alligators. Kids can feed them safely using a long pole before or after they play.

It is fun, memorable, and only about a five minute drive from the beach.

4. Walk, Bike, or Skate the Treasure Island Beach Trail

Running nearly a mile along the beach, the paved Treasure Island Beach Trail is perfect for:

  • Morning stroller walks

  • Family bike rides

  • Smooth scooter time for younger kids

It is scenic, safe, and connects you to restaurants and parks along the way.

5. Visit John’s Pass Village and Boardwalk

Just over the bridge, John’s Pass is a waterfront village with shops, ice cream, boat rentals, and plenty to explore. Kids love the boardwalk for spotting fish, pelicans, and passing boats.

You can:

  • Grab a treat

  • Rent jet skis

  • Stop for lunch

  • Watch boats come in with the day’s catch

6. Try Paddleboarding or Kayaking

Older kids and teens love getting out on the water. Calm Gulf days make Treasure Island ideal for:

  • Stand-up paddleboarding

  • Double kayaks

  • Family paddles along the shoreline

Rental shops can often deliver gear right to The Molloy.

7. Catch a Sunset as a Family Tradition

Treasure Island is famous for its sunsets, and kids remember them long after the trip ends.

Make it a nightly tradition:

  • Walk to the beach

  • Sit together in the sand

  • Watch the sun melt into the water

Bring a phone or camera for family photos. It is always worth it.

8. Explore Local Parks and Playgrounds

A few great family stops nearby:

  • Rosselli Park (tennis courts, grass fields)

  • Treasure Bay Golf & Tennis (even has a 9-hole par 3 course) (Call ahead. This has been closed due to maintenance.)

Perfect for letting kids burn off energy before dinner.

9. Go Fishing on the Shore or a Charter

Whether it is casting from the beach, dropping a line off a pier, or joining a half-day fishing trip, Treasure Island is a great place for families to fish together.

Many local captains are fantastic with kids and first timers.

10. Stay Where It Feels Like Home

A family vacation becomes unforgettable when your stay is easy and comfortable.

At The Molloy, families love:

  • Spacious cottages and suites

  • Full kitchens

  • Private outdoor space

  • Direct beach access

  • Walkability to everything

Kids can go from pajamas to the sand in about 20 steps. Parents can relax knowing they do not need to load the car every time someone wants to see the ocean.

 

Make Treasure Island Your Next Family Tradition

Treasure Island is warm, welcoming, easy to navigate, and full of ways to create lifelong family memories. From simple beach days to dolphin adventures and sunset traditions, it is one of the best places in Florida for families to relax and reconnect.

Ready to plan your stay?

Book your beachfront cottage or suite at The Molloy and give your family the vacation they will talk about for years.

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