by Tracey Schabel

Created on: March 12, 2009   Last Updated: April 18, 2011

Waves lapping at the shore, warm sand scrunched between your toes, seagulls calling, and the squeals of delight from children- these are the sounds at family friendly beaches! No vacation or day trip is more appealing to the younger generation than a day at the beach. Where else can a child play in sand, run uninhibited through waves, and search for treasures along the shoreline. Not too mention fly a kite and enjoying a fun, sand-filled picnic lunch! Warm, sunny days are on the horizon and here are some great beaches to enjoy them! The beaches along the Gulf of Mexico, stretching from Alabama through Florida, offer that family friendly beach for days and weeks of fun!

Nothing compares to the white sugar sand and aquamarine blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico. The beaches along this coastline are pristine and full of fun activities for the children. The Gulf Shores in Alabama offers miles of sand and surf. This is a wide-open public beach that is accessible by car, or within walking distance of the numerous hotels and condos along the shore. Pack your picnic, towels, and water toys to enjoy the warm water of the Gulf. Fishing on the piers, jet skiing, parasailing, and kite flying are also fun activities on a sunny day. Have you ever used a boogie board? Inexpensive and readily available at all of the surf shops- they are a fun thing to crash around with in the waves.

No skill is required, so even very young children or the young at heart, will enjoy riding the waves on these! Done with the beach for a day? Enjoy WaterWorld, a water park located on the main roadway, try your hand at mini golf, go shopping in the many surf stores, or explore Alligator Alley, a preserve for those cuddly creatures- the alligators! Evenings are mild, and children are welcome in restaurants. Don't forget to try the shrimp, oysters, and fried dill pickles at the numerous beach restaurants! Enjoy the Gulf Shores!

Another beach along the Gulf Shores of Alabama is Fort Morgan. The Fort Morgan beach is filled with great beach houses, stretching for miles like pastel colored ice pops. This stretch of beach is more remote, so you will definitely want to pack a lunch and extra bags for seashell gathering! The seashells along this coast line are fabulous. Let the hunting begin, not only for shells, but also starfish, baby sand crabs, and other flotsam and jetsam that may float in. After the beach, you can tour Fort Morgan, an actual fort that was used in the Civil War and played a huge part

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