First of all, "Spaß machen" and "Spaß haben" are two different expressions, the latter simply (and literally) meaning to have fun, while the former can also mean "to fool around".
I think you can only use it in the passive sense "das macht Spaß, das hat Spaß gemacht" (that is/was fun) or as a general expression "Skifahren macht Spaß" (skiing is fun).
Sich amüsieren is of a higher register (much like "to amuse oneself", I should think) and consequently not commonly used in everyday speech.
"Wir sind an den Strand gefahren und hatten Spaß" würde man im Deutschen nicht sagen.
Robert has a point there. If I may suggest another way of putting it, consider "das war lustig" (that was fun). The following example sounds good to me (dissenting opinions?) :
Wir haben den Tag am Strand verbracht und es war sehr lustig.
Spaß machen
instead ofSpaß haben
? – v2r Apr 26 '14 at 18:32