The pint-size sandcastle architect, all business in bright blue board shorts,

Siesta Key Beach is a relaxing escape

took his plastic bucket of water and poured it over the sand. More water, he decided, as he ambled off to the shore.

Suzanne and Dante D'Amato of New Hampshire said they chose Manasota Beach "because it's such a great beach…and they have lifeguards" - so Justin, 4, Kira, 8 ½, and Amy, 12, have extra eyes on them as they attempt to ride every wave. The D'Amatos also love the vibrancy of "all the people."

Bill and Anne Zeller, also from New Hampshire, raved about Caspersen Beach: "You can walk and walk and practically have the beach to yourself."

Do you like your beach packed with people having fun in the sun, or do you prefer to while away the hours in solitude on a sandy shore? Sarasota County beaches have something for everyone: kids

Stroll along Lido Beach

can play in the waves or on the swings; families can grab a bite to eat at the snack bar or enjoy a picnic lunch. Even the family pup can romp in the Gulf at designated dog parks. Quiet beaches beckon, too. Read on the see which sands fit your style.

Manasota Key
• Blind Pass Beach has a canoe launching area, restrooms and playground equipment.
• Manasota Beach has lifeguards, restrooms, picnic shelters and a scenic boardwalk.

Venice
• Caspersen Beach - the place to hunt for shark's teeth -has picnic tables and restrooms.
• Brohard Beach has Sharky's Restaurant, a snack bar, the Venice municipal fishing pier, a bait shop, restrooms and the nearby "Paw Park" (a fenced area with access to the "dog" beach).
• Venice Beach has lifeguards, restrooms, a snack bar, dune walkovers and picnic areas.

Casey Key
• North Jetty Park has lifeguards, a snack bar, fishing, a bait shop, horseshoe courts and restrooms.
• Nokomis Beach has lifeguards, boat ramps, dune walkovers, restrooms and a snack bar.

Siesta Key
• Turtle Beach has lagoon-side picnic tables and restrooms.
• Siesta Beach consistently earns kudos from sand experts near and far. It has lifeguards, concession stand, restrooms, volleyball nets, a ball field and beach accesses along Beach Road with limited parking.

Lido Key
• South Lido Beach Park has restrooms and playground equipment.
• Lido Beach has lifeguards, a snack bar, a gift shop, playground equipment, handicapped-accessible observation decks, picnic areas and restrooms.
• North Lido Beach offers the ultimate in seclusion but no amenities.
• An alternative to splashing around in the Gulf is the Lido Pool, a hidden gem on Ben Franklin Drive near Lido Park. The pool has two lap lanes, is open to the general public for a small concessions fee and comes equipped with a state-of-the-art handicap lift.

Longboat Key
• Gorgeous beaches, but you'll find limited parking and no amenities. Look for the blue "beach access" signs as you drive along the key to enjoy this stretch.