If we had to drive over and visit just for the day, it would not have been at all the same experience. Hi, Friends! I've heard you can even spot manatees there. He had Little Man and Miss M jumping to be first in line the whole time. These are excellent suggestions! There are paved bike paths that cross the island and 2 well-known bike shops that will deliver bikes to your hotel, ready when you arrive. Its nothing more than a six dollar Shirley Temple with a plastic shark stuck in it. Your whole family will enjoy spending hours exploring all the creatures they find! Ha I would not have done it at their age. The occurrence of Red Tide is when simple plants that live in the sea and freshwatergrow out of control. Kids Activities. Fully Equipped with an upgraded kitchen featuring stainless steel, Sunzero Wolf appliances, and quartz countertops. Biking downtown just got more exciting for kids having a map and treasures to hunt! We really loved the fact that they walk right out onto a perfect stretch of pristine beach that we had nearly all to ourselves. It's a pretty spectacular sight. A naturalist accompanies you and points out wildlife that you would likely wouldnt have seen otherwise and gives you background on them, all without having to walk and listen to, Mom, Im tired!. Picnic tables are available when you want to enjoy snacks under the canopy of the trees. Toddlers, kids, and teens will all want to partake in this activity. Florida always holds a special place in my heart and the more I explore, the more I love it too. The Visitor and Education Centre offers free admission and is open every day except holidays from 9:00 am-4:00 pm year-round. There's a safe designated bike path to pedal the length and width of the island, and you can even beat the traffic when it slows to a crawl during season. Don't worry too much about the being out in sun while you're riding as most of the trails are shaded by the islands dense plant life (although it's probably still a good idea to put on some SPF and a hat). Nope, they were thrilled to do this! . See these marine mammals leaping and frolicking in the waters of Pine Island Sound. And right along with the ocean side, we spotted starfish, crabs, and lots of critters inside shells. The island is approximately a 30-45 minute drive depending on traffic and time of day. The island is approximately a 30-45 minute drive depending on traffic and time of day. I think their minds were blown! From beautiful beaches for shelling to countless water activities for kids, Sanibel Island is a great place to vacation for families. Celebrate Women's History Month and commemorate pioneering figures in science, technology, arts & design, and mathematics. Groceries on Sanibel were significantly more expensive than on the main land. These cottages are on the western end of the island, so you are guaranteed some beautiful sunsets right from your front porch! One day we went for a later brunch at the Lighthouse Cafe, which was very busy! They might even meet a new friend or two. Read more: Spotting one of these loggerhead turtles is certainly on the Sanibel Island Florida Things To Do list! #1 in Sanibel Island Address: 1700 Bowman's Beach Rd. Stop by Flan World Corp for a life-changing coconut flan, Aux Dlices Bakery for authentic French pastries, and the Doughnut Station for the fluffiest doughnuts. My three-year-olds have been flying them for over a year. This is what I know about the best time to visit Sanibel Island. The 9 Best Things to do on Sanibel Island, FL Lighthouse Beach Park Located at Point Ybel, at the eastern tip of Sanibel Island, Lighthouse Park Beach & Fishing Pier is a stunning 45-acre park where visitors can experience nature at its finest. But in the spring and summer, the northern beaches are where it's at. Whether you choose to be boating, kayaking, canoeing, water-skiing or fishing from one of the favorite spots, play a round of golf on the challenging scenic courses, there are over 70 of them, the perfect place to tee off and test your mettle on the green . Kayaking through a mangrove swamp is a must-do activity while visiting this Florida island. Sanibel Island is as much about world-class as it is about beaches. This is Tampa's Ybor City is a National Historic Landmark District. You might spot a dolphin or two from there. There are activities that appeal to all age groups and makes for a really nice family vacation. It was my first time, hopefully not the last. My family loves Sanibel and I'm sure yours will too. This is one of the best things to do on Sanibel with kids. Fun Things to Do in Sanibel Island with Kids: Family-friendly activities and fun things to do. The beach was not sandy, it was made of crushed shells. Convinced to travel to Sanibel Island and check out the cool things to do in there? Budding marine biologists will love the acclaimedSanibel Sea School, offering daily and weekly programs that teach kids about marine conservation. I would absolutely stay there again. The Best Things to Eat & Drink on Sanibel. From national historic sites to beautiful beaches, there are many fun things to do on the Kohala Coast. The park is home to a pristine, family-friendly beach offering spectacular views of the Gulf Coast. Shelling is one of the best things to do on Sanibel Island, so plan to spend lots of time at the beach! If there is, put it back. In addition to an amazing pool and poolside bar, our provided kayaks, paddleboards, bikes to borrow and a naturalist led beach walk. "It's the stupidest thing you've ever seen!" Head to the Crows Nest on Crab Racing Night and see as they say. The kids waited for 5 minutes and wanted to go. A great place to explore on a rainy day in Sanibel Island. Cue the tears. 9. This is a prime destination for shelling, surrounded by emerald-green waters on all sides. Bricks 4 Kidz - Piscataway. The best attractions on Sanibel Island are: CuddlyNestprovides all accommodations to all travelers atthe best price. 8. Kids can easily split a kids meal, especially if they fill up on the bottomless muffins that come first. During the summertime, you'll get those hotter temperatures, as the lows only get down into the 70s during this time of year. Sunrise AND Sunset walks are some of my favorite things to do in Sanibel with kids. Don't forget the camera some of my best shots have come at this time. This was my daughters favorite part of the trip! Hello, my name is Shanna, and I am a detail obsessed travel addict on a mission to make planning your own family trips fun and easy! Sanibel has so much wildlife that spotting cool animals and birds is one of the best things to do in Sanibel with kids. Copyright 2022 - There and Back Again Travel / Shanna Schultz, Things to Consider When Planning a Trip to Sanibel Island with Kids, saw these cottages at the far end of Sanibel Island. As someone who doesnt have kids, I still love all the suggestions. We only took a handful home with us as I didnt want to break them in our luggage. Take a Walk at Sanibel Lighthouse Beach Park. By foot or bike would be my preference, but you can also drive, or take a 90-minute tram tour with Tarpon Bay Explorers. As the kids are flying down the waterslides enjoy a nice slow ride in the lazy river. A quick drive from Fort Myers, Florida will take you to a tropical island getaway with so much family-friendly fun to explore. Just look at these birds we found. J. N. "Ding" Darling NationalWildlife Refuge. 3. What makes it especially welcoming to families is the 90 minute tram tour that you can take through the refuge. This is a review for things to do near Monticello, NY 12701: "Susan's Pleasant Pheasant Farm is an absolute great place to do fun outdoorsy activities! Party & Event Planning. I offer tools, guides and resources to help you through all of the steps of planning meaningful, memorable family vacations. 2023 BDG Media, Inc. All rights reserved. We had just never gone out to a regular ice cream shop with them! Looks like a really fun place. We love traveling with kids and will incorporate some of the ideas. Note you will have to head back into Fort Myers to get picked up by there van for this excursion. I love Sanibel!! A great time. ): I did not realize until we visited Sanibel and next door Captiva Islands that each of these islands is distinctively different. In my personal experience, most family travel has been to the area where an infamous mouse hangs out. A stop atPinocchio's Italian Ice Cream (362 Periwinkle Way) is a Sanibel tradition. Also, the water tended to be murky on Sanibel. Looking for a fun activity for the kids that's free and not the beach? We stayed at the Island Inn, the very first hotel on the island. But heed the warning signs, as the bridge makes for swift ocean currents and the water around it is not advisable for swimming. Top 10 things to do on Sanibel Island with kids J.N. Find unlimited travel inspiration on ourblogsandour social media channelsFacebook,Instagram,Pinterest, The 10 Best Beaches Near Orlando, Florida15 Unbeatable Florida Family Vacations with KidsThe 4 Best Family-Friendly Vacation Spots in OrlandoThe 15 Best Long Weekend Getaways In The USThe Ultimate North America Travel Guide10 Best Day Trips From Naples, FloridaThe Ultimate Guide For a Pet-Friendly Holiday in FloridaThe Best Time To Visit Orlando, Florida7 Amazing Water Parks In Orlando, Florida8 Best Hotels Near SeaWorld Orlando, Florida9 Best Hotels In Orlando, FloridaThe 5 Best Hotels Near Downtown Orlando, FloridaThe 8 Best Hotels Near Orlando AirportThe 9 Best Pet-Friendly Hotels In Orlando, FloridaThe Best Hotels Near Disney World Orlando. Edison & Ford Winter Estates. You can shell without the extra things, but we thought it was a fun addition to the trip. We also recommended Algiers Beach (aka Gulfside City Park Beach), one of the most popular dog-friendly beaches in Sanibel. It's known for its natural beauty including gorgeous beaches, shelling, and island lifestyle. If you're looking for untouched beaches, hop a ferry to Cayo Costa State Park with its nine miles of pristine sand, pine forests, oak-palmhammocks,and mangrove swamps. It was a day of ribbons and confetti cannons, hugs and back-slapping as two more island business emerged from . On our first trip to Sanibel with took the twins to the Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum. There isfree entryinto the Visitor & Education Center that includes ahands-on area for children. When they are ready, they follow the moonlight and head back to the Gulf of Mexico. KathrynAnywhere is a participant in the Booking.com affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees upon guests booking reservations at the accommodations listed. Find a Dunkin Donuts and you will be good. Kids Activities. There is something for everyone on the menu and the servings are enormous. We are beach people and love to spend lots of time at the beach on our trips! Captiva And Sanibel Islands are just over an hour from Ft. Myers and relatively easy to get to, but feel like a tropical paradise. We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website. The ferry terminal is located on neighboring Captiva Island and accessed via a short drive over the bridge. 9. Hop on a flyboard or ride through the waves on . Here are some of our favorite things to do in Fort Myers & Sanibel Island with kids. Address: 1 Wildlife Dr, Sanibel, FL 33957. Food shopping on the islands is ridiculously expensive and youll kick yourself if you end up having to buy a weeks worth of food there. I'd highly these smaller trucks and this bigger dump truck and excavator. You can show up in a bathing suit and flip flops and get everything from salad to burgers to fried alligator. Is your travel style mostly spending time at the resort and relaxing, or do you want to get out and see everything? I am going to be honest. My point is that if you only have a few days, and have a list of things you want to see on the island, spending the extra money for a resort with all of the bells and whistles might not be worth it for you. Sign up in advance because space is limited to24 students per day. Bring goggles for kids to get a good look at the sandy ocean bottom. Be sure also to visit the family-friendly Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum, the only one in the United States devoted solely to shells and mollusks. They are almost all the way to Captiva, so if you are wanting to visit both islands, this is an ideal place to base yourself. Here are the activities they have for kids! Here is a story about patience. The Sanibel Moorings Botanical Gardens takes visitors on a colorful journey through idyllic tropical gardens. Most of the pools in the area are heated, making them great for use even in the winter. 4. Watching the sun dip into the Gulf of Mexico is magic. Once youre there, walk down the dock and see if the local fisherman are having any luck. The Sanibel Inn provided kayaks and paddle boards for us to use! The island is a special place for any type of trip, but there is a unique charm in taking kids there because it allows them to appreciate nature a bit more than more developed beach cities. And the "lighthouse" isn't really a house at all but is actually a tower. Having a sub-tropical climate, visitors and residents enjoy the outdoors and sunshine all year long. We came back with so many amazing shells (a whole suitcase full of them in fact). The homes are amazing to look at, the water even better. We are Shanna and Aaron + kiddos. 6. I'd venture to say that if you look for it you can find as much adventure on this little island as a lot of other tourist destinations. Too badwill have to make another trip . We visited the museum that belongs to the area first. Time seems to move differently on Sanibel. Look up and see if you can observe some ospreys or pelicans. It was nice to be able to sit out there when the bugs came out later in the evening, and to be able to leave the balcony door open to soak up that lovely sea air. Thats awesome. This was a close second choice when booking our trip to Sanibel Island with kids. Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW). Copyright 2023, Create Kids Club. It is true that growing up, a lot of time was spent in these magical and fairytale kingdoms. If you're ready to explore South Plainfield, sign up for one of the top tours & day trips on offer, and have a friendly guide show you some of the most popular sights. There are activities and family friendly places to visit for families of any size and children of any age. Great for use even in the area where an infamous mouse hangs out ( CROW ) in! 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