We might have to visit one day. One of the main reasons I love coming here so much is for the shells. Florida always holds a special place in my heart and the more I explore, the more I love it too. Have a look! Don't miss theJ.N. We've taken the twins twice and both times they loved running out on the boardwalk and spotting animals. Dairy-Free (All recipes on CKC are gluten-free). Mini Golf. Since the island is only 12 miles long, its not a far distance to get to any of these places from wherever you are staying. This Italian restaurant on Sanibel isnt the best thing ever, but after days of burgers, nachos and shellfish, it tastes like it is. Here's how to make the right first impression. Relax on the beach, enjoy a picnic, go on a bike ride, or take a hike on one of the trails found . 9. As Sanibel, Captiva reopen, businesses hope visitors get causeway access soon. Find 2023's best things to do with kids. Its nothing more than a six dollar Shirley Temple with a plastic shark stuck in it. I think we stopped here three times during our stay. As the kids are flying down the waterslides enjoy a nice slow ride in the lazy river. Bristol Ocala Vacation Rental. 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. Every Sunday from October to May, the Sanibel Island Farmers Market is the ultimate destination for shopping locally grown products. Captiva And Sanibel Islands are just over an hour from Ft. Myers and relatively easy to get to, but feel like a tropical paradise. Not by chance, it became the worlds most famous place for shelling. Captiva Cruises offers three kinds of sunset cruise: the Sunset Serenade with live music and cocktails, the Wildlife Sunset cruise with views of birds and dolphins and the Sunset Sail on a 40-foot catamaran. 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). Make sure to also stop by the idyllic Blind Pass Beach on both Sanibel & Captiva Islands. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge On this part of Sanibel you'll find a protected piece of nature with quite an impressive wildlife! No arguments there! Conditions are often mild and allow you to experience many of the island's activities no matter when you visit. Just make sure not to disturb their nests! Throughout the year, the temperatures on Sanibel Island can range anywhere from the mid-50s to the low 90s. This is the first lighthouse north of the Keys. Battlegroundz has a 20,000-square-foot . We ate breakfast in the room. We've found lots of fun ways to spend our days on the island and I'm sure we'll continue to do that as the kids grow older. Your email address will not be published. Too badwill have to make another trip . Cayo Costa State Park. There are no big mega resorts. I offer tools, guides and resources to help you through all of the steps of planning meaningful, memorable family vacations. Exploring Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel Island, The 9 Best Fort Myers Beach, Florida Hotels of 2023, 12 Best Things to Do in Fort Myers, Florida, 12 Fabulous Family Beach Vacations in the Southeast, 14 Top Things to Do in Vero Beach, Florida, The 6 Best Key West Snorkeling Tours of 2023, The 9 Best Florida Family Resortsof 2023, Top 17 Things to Do in Tampa Bay, Florida, 20 Top Things to Do With Kids in Miami, Florida, 10 Best Family-Friendly Beaches in Florida, The 26 Best Things to Do in Long Beach, California. One of the first lighthouses on Floridas Gulf coast, this 98-foot tower offers showstopping views of the surrounding area and plenty of photo opportunities. Additionally, after undergoing several renovations to the main halls and exhibits in 2018 and 2019, the Shell Museum will fully reopen on July 5, 2019, with tons of new features. Things to Do in Sanibel Island with Kids Enter dates Filters 1 Attractions Traveler favorites All things to do Category types Attractions Tours Day Trips Outdoor Activities Concerts & Shows Food & Drink Shopping Transportation Traveler Resources Types of Attractions Boat Tours & Water Sports Nature & Parks Sights & Landmarks Museums 2. This was a close second choice when booking our trip to Sanibel Island with kids. Most nights there is live music along lots of games for the kids to play. These eye-popping gardens host wild creatures like butterflies, turtles, rabbits, and birds. Your email address will not be published. This year before we left we talked to them about the different types of shells they could find and even got them a shelling Sand Dipper Jr and sea shell collecting bag. Recommended Read: The 10 Most Beautiful Islands in Florida. Registered dietitian & mom behind Create Kids Club an online kitchen where feeding kids is made easier with simple gluten-free recipes & kids cooking ideas. The whole family has endless opportunities for fun. Sanibel Island: Much better shelling. We also had dinner there and the kids were super happy with their chicken fingers. The best times for shelling were at low tide and early in the morning (even better if these coincide). Since little ones don't just sit around having a few kites to fly is a great way to pass the day. So get the whole family involved, even if they're too young to pedal. All ages. Fort Myers Brewery. I am not going to post about EVERYTHING to do on Sanibel Island for kids. Just look at these birds we found. Times Square and the Fort Myers Beach Fishing Pier. Whether you are looking for a romantic getaway, a family trip, or a nature escape, this Southwest Florida paradise is the perfect choice for your vacation! The french fries are really good. Your Sanibel Island vacation rental lets you enjoy 15 miles of pristine beaches, 22 miles of bike paths, and zero traffic lights. We stayed at the Island Inn, the very first hotel on the island. It's a cool way for them to understand what's beneath the ocean that they spent the week playing in. There are a lot of super kid-friendly restaurants on the island but there are some that specifically ask you not to bring tots online, so check ahead of time! You'll probably not be surprised to see this list includes enjoying the beaches fully with different beach activities, swimming, and even shelling! Pick a beach, any beach, and head on over after dinner. I know it sounds strange, but if you ask my daughter, this was one of her favorite places on Sanibel island for kids. Home to all kinds of Floridian wildlife (have your little ones try to spot the mangrove crabs scuttling around among the branches), the mangroves are best experienced by a guided kayak tour through the mangrove tunnels, where the trees naturally form a closed canopy to create a tunnel over the waterway. The occurrence of Red Tide is when simple plants that live in the sea and freshwatergrow out of control. Our next stop was rumoured to be the place to see the manatee. Dont miss out on mobile-only deals and one-of-a-kind offers. I was blind to what else existed in the State. Flying kites is another way to enjoy the beach with kids! The ferry terminal is located on neighboring Captiva Island and accessed via a short drive over the bridge. Currently expanding to add live-mollusk aquaria, Sanibel's shell museum is one of a kind, putting shells in the context of living creatures, history, culture, religion and art. The beach was lovely, and the locals that we talked to told us that we had come before the winter sun-seeking crowds. Sanibel Island is a barrier island located on the Gulf Side of Florida, about 30 minutes from the Fort Myers. Summer Waves Water Park is a thrilling experience with plenty of waterslides the whole family can enjoy. With all we had to do, we had plenty to keep us occupied for our three night visit. There was a mild red tide when we visited. The shells can be sharp, and they hurt my daughters feet at times. With an early sunset time in winter, we'd take the boys out and walk up the beach toward the sunset. Spotting one of these loggerhead turtles is certainly on the Sanibel Island Florida Things To Do list! Blind Pass Beach 827 Beaches By 994linday I personally would not have felt sage cycling after sunset, so driving was a better evening option for us. That is until I heard of the western side of the panhandle and more specifically Sanibel Island. It feels special because it is. Sanibel Island just has a different vibe. "It's the stupidest thing you've ever seen!" They were a lot cheaper than similar resorts on Sanibel. Sanibel Island is located off the coast of southwest Florida, just west of Fort Myers. Fun Things to Do in Sanibel Island with Kids: Family-friendly activities and fun things to do. I looked carefully at the hotels and resorts just across the bay in nearby Fort Myers. The kids waited long enough for the picture to be taken and then wanted to run back to see if we could see a snake again that had crossed our path. Beaches, Free TYPE 2 hours to Half Day TIME TO SPEND Bowman's is well known for having beautiful, unusual shells, but you'll have to put a. And right along with the ocean side, we spotted starfish, crabs, and lots of critters inside shells. 3. Manatee Park. When you hit the causeway, you know you have arrived atthis breathtaking island covered in shells and its the start of making memories to last a lifetime. First lit in 1884, the area around the lighthouse is open to public, but the lighthouse itself is not. If you are staying at a resort and arent planning on straying too far from your quarters, you might be able to get by without a car (especially if your resort has bikes that you can use, which many Sanibel Island family resorts do). While there, take a swim, snorkel, or book a ranger-led kayak tour or hike. Heads up, you'll want to arrive early as spots fill up quickly. There is so much to explore right outside your hotel, both on the beach and in the water. Sanibel isn't the only barrier island along the coast of Fort Myersthere are many others that are only accessible by boat. Click here for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser. 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. J. N. "Ding" Darling NationalWildlife Refuge. While visiting Chateaux Sur Mer, you might make a stop by sights like Sanibel Island Southern Beach and Bowman's Beach. 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. Kids Activities. Definitely worth a half-day trip adventure. Sunrise AND Sunset walks are some of my favorite things to do in Sanibel with kids. The Sanibel Inn offered the use of paddleboards, kayaks and bikes free of charge for their guests. Photo: Courtesy of The Beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel. Admission is $7 for kids ages 5-11, $9 for ages 12-17, $15 for adults. Cabbage Key. If you can't tell an angel wing from a glassy bubble, a visit to the Bailey-MatthewsNational Shell Museum will set you straight. Get there early, as parking spaces fill up. Located off Sanibel-Captiva Road, Bowmans Beach has several miles of secluded white sand and gentle waters ideal for a refreshing swim. You will not find chain restaurants, high rises, or traffic lights here. What a great way to vacation around Sanibel! 1.Rent A Convertable There's no better way to explore this tropical location with the roof down and the wind in your face. 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. Celebrate Women's History Month and commemorate pioneering figures in science, technology, arts & design, and mathematics. Once youre there, walk down the dock and see if the local fisherman are having any luck. 2023 BDG Media, Inc. All rights reserved. The beach here was beautiful white sand, and the water was a bright shade of beautiful blue. Jerrys Foods has a lovely outdoor courtyard that it shares with Love Boat Ice Cream (which was super yummy and definitely worth a stop, btw). This property offers a spacious family-style living room, Cable TV, free Wi-Fi, a washer/dryer . In the courtyard are large enclosures with a variety of different parrots. Whether your kids like seafood or more traditional food, there is something on the menu for everyone at these places. The Sanibel Island Lighthouse is on the east end of the island and has a lovely fishing pier, nature trail, and beaches with great shelling. Plan your trip to Captiva before sunset and head to the beach across from the Mucky Duck for the best sunset view available. My kids spent hours walking up and down the beach from our hotel doing shelling. I'm Julie Wunder Emmy award-winning former WLOS meteorologist. Find out when low tide is and hit the beach before anyone else can snatch up all the good stuff. Sanibel Island with kids is the perfect place to spend a family vacation! Besides relaxing and playing on the beaches, there are kid-friendly restaurants, museums, and historical sites to enjoy with your family. As bills fall off the walls, they get added to a big end-of-the-year donation, so make sure to bring a bill or two for your kids to sign and hang up themselves (don't worry about the marker and tape, just ask the server). Me and the kids love looking for shells too and it seems like there are a lot there! Sanibel Island has enough beautiful beaches to keep you busy for days. Many of the area's islands are lined with red mangroves, which are fascinating trees that are easy to spot bytheir tangled root systems that make them look like they're standing on stilts above the water. When the red tide is high, dead fish wash up on shore, some shellfish is unsafe to eat and humans, especially those with asthma, have trouble breathing. Their learning lab is a great place for children to engage in hands-on play with displays, games, a tank with indigenous mollusks, and continuously-playing children's videos. I've heard you can spot Alligators, otters, and turtles on the property. Convinced to travel to Sanibel Island and check out the cool things to do in there? Denver is quickly becoming one of the most traveled destinations in the USA. Definitely can do an adult only trip there too! )If this sound like a trip to Sanibel Island with kids is in your future, here are my best tips for planning the perfect escape! For more shopping fun, check out the shops in Times Square at the nearby Fort Myers Beach Pier. While meandering through the colorful stalks of this vibrant farmers market, youll come across locally sourced meat, cheese, baked goods, fresh fruit smoothies, fish, art, jewelry, and more. The kids waited for 5 minutes and wanted to go. It was my first time, hopefully not the last. Sanibel Island with kids is lovely! Because of this, the island is home to a ton of locally-owned boutiques where you can buy bathing suits, sun hats or souvenirs to take home. We spend a ton of time on North Captiva and always make trips over to Sanibel truly a beautiful spot. This was my daughters favorite part of the trip! Watching the sun dip into the Gulf of Mexico is magic. The kids and I did an Everglades Gator and bird spotting tour withEverglades Day Safari Fort Myers in an airboat. Find Places To Stay In Sanibel Island, Florida. Bikes, kayaks, tennis and paddle boards are all at your disposal. Back in 1996, the City of Sanibel passed an ordinance that prevented big chain businesses from opening up shop on the island. Friday, March 3. I wasnt sure there was much else to see and do in Florida. Copyright 2023, Create Kids Club. Sanibel island is one of the most bike friendly places that we have ever been. Cue the tears. Billys Bike: 1509 Periwinkle Way (239) 472-3620, Finnimores Bike & Beach Shop: 2353 Periwinkle Wa (239) 472-5577. Our room was clean and spacious, and had a little kitchenette (some of the units in this resort have full kitchens, if this is a need for you). Go straight to the beach. Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW). After 9:00 p.m on Sanibel, itsturtle time. It's a great activity for kids and families. Also, check out the show-stopping Captiva Pass, which is the strait that separates North Captiva Island from La Costa Island. It is laid back, friendly and has a lovely old Florida charm. We saw these cottages at the far end of Sanibel Island whilst viewing one of the most spectacular sunsets that we have ever seen. You'll soon find there's nothing quite like the calm and quiet beauty of being completely surrounded by natureeven kids will be too entranced to cause a ruckus. It was a day of ribbons and confetti cannons, hugs and back-slapping as two more island business emerged from . If there is, put it back. Notify me via e-mail if anyone answers my comment. They were pretty excited to start filling their bags when we got there. Photo: Theresa Baldwin, Courtesy of the "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society, J. N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge, Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife, Road trips to Florida were the best part of my childhood. These encounters trump a trip to Disneyworld any day. And Lord knows youll need an hour of relaxation being away with your family. Here, visit the otherworldly Captiva Beach, famous for its snow-white sand and shallow crystal-clear waters. Take a Walk at Sanibel Lighthouse Beach Park. This is definitely one of the best Sanibel Island activities for families, and one of the top reasons that many people plan a visit here. Here is a story about patience. One person mentioned that it comes from Alabama. 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. I had the Key Lime Ice Cream and my daughter had something called Unicorn poop. Captiva Island is a wonderful day trip from Sanibel Island. These months offer the best weather, with comfortable temperatures and less rain, making it a joy to explore the island. 2022 5. Really glad Ive been there now! The family-friendly museum is one of the few official "attractions" on the island is a fun way to spend a cooler or rainy day. There is a Publix right before paying the toll to cross the Sanibel Island Causeway. We stayed at the Sanibel Inn and absolutely LOVED it. When they are ready, they follow the moonlight and head back to the Gulf of Mexico. Each time, we had to walk around and see the parrots (the naughty one on the end kept throwing his toys out of the cage and pouting as passersby to pick them upshe thought it was hilarious!) Should you ever find yourself on Sanibel or Captiva Islands with kids, here are some things you must do. A jaunt down the beach or a bike around the island makes for wonderful take-home memories. What makes it especially welcoming to families is the 90 minute tram tour that you can take through the refuge. By: Jodi/Updated on: February 15, 2023/3 Comments. You can show up in a bathing suit and flip flops and get everything from salad to burgers to fried alligator. Visiting this lighthouse is one of the more popular Sanibel things to do. TripHobo Things to do with Family & kids in Sanibel; timesoftheislands.com Top 16 Spots To Take The Kids Around Sanibel & Captiva Islands | Times of the Islands Magazine; Family Destinations Guide 17 Best Things to Do in Sanibel Island, FL (for 2022) iTripVacations 6 Sanibel Island Beaches Where Stress Melts Away and Kids Can . Kids of all ages love a pool and there are plenty of them in Sanibel! This wildlife refuge is a great place to check out the local flora and fauna. I've tried to keep treats healthier at home too while they were super young, but always had the intentions of loosening that up a bit as they get older. Hoping to be able to take the kids over the Summer. With about 22 miles of paved bike trails, it's super easy to get anywhere on the island. If you are staying on the east end of the island, this makes for a lovely bike ride (and you can stop for THE BEST key lime ice cream at Sanibels Best Homemade Ice Cream afterwards!). Private tour guidesare also available to take your family around the islands in search of dolphins and manatees while sharing all kinds of tales about the islands' rich history. Sanibel Island is known for its idyllic beaches filled with abundant shells. of the many flavours of cake, which a Bubble Scout server displays on a silver platter. 10 things to do with kids in Miami Sanibel Island is known for shelling and is one of the best places in the world to shell. The burgers are amazing, I highly recommend the turkey burger. We were gifted our accommodations at the Island Inn on Sanibel Island and with excursions while there. Visit the Sanibel Chamber of Commerce's . That and snowbirds who retire there, my late paternal grandparents being them! This is Tampa's Ybor City is a National Historic Landmark District. Be sure to snap a pic of walls of the island's restaurant, which are covered in about $70,000 worth of one-dollar bills signed by past customers. The Island also offers many opportunities for kids to learn and have fun at the same time. Sanibel Island with kids is the perfect place to let them play. You to get to the beach by boat, and its simply amazing. Children's Museum of Manhattan, 212 West 83rd Street, Upper West Side. It is located nearby Blind Pass Bridge, which connects the two islands. Ding Darling is known as one of the best places to visit for birding. Get Dessert at The Bubble Room. Make sure to go during low tide because that's when a lot of the birds, including brown and white pelicans, ibis, cormorants and spoonbills, flock to the refuge to feed on fish stuck in the shallow water. And shells of all different textures, shapes, and sizes show up on the shores here. Hop on a flyboard or ride through the waves on . Yolo Board Adventures Sanibel offers two-hour guided eco-tours for both adults and children 12 and older. 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. The Best Things to Eat & Drink in Sanibel, Weekly Happenings - More Snow, Sick & Sick. Sanibel Island in Florida offers a breathtaking reprieve for families who want to get away from the hustle-bustle of everyday life.