The island is relatively compact and very bike friendly and many people get around by bike! 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. Top 10 things to do on Sanibel Island with kids J.N. See Tripadvisor's 128,735 traveller reviews and photos of kid friendly Sanibel Island attractions Little makes me happier than roaming the beach, looking for treasures. In the winter, catch both sunrise and sunset on the southerly beaches. there is a wildlife refuge that you can either take a guided tram or drive yourself through. Sanibel Island (and the neighbouring Captiva Island) is loaded with fun, family-friendly things to do proving it's worth broadening your vacay horizons beyond Orlando. Picnic tables are available when you want to enjoy snacks under the canopy of the trees. By: Jodi/Updated on: February 15, 2023/3 Comments. Join Little Learners for a Seuss-a-Bration at Once Upon a Treetop. 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!) Plan your trip to Captiva before sunset and head to the beach across from the Mucky Duck for the best sunset view available. With over 25 miles of paved, carless trails, Sanibel Island is a wonderful place for families to explore on two wheels. If budget were a consideration, I would happily advocate for cheaper accommodation (even if it was away from the beach) on Sanibel before staying at a moderate resort on the beach in Fort Myers. We visited the museum that belongs to the area first. Almost every restaurant in the area boasts its own version of Key Lime pie, but if you have kidsor a big sweet toothyou HAVE to make a stopfor a slice of cake at the Bubble Roomlocated on Captiva island (which is accessible from Sanibel by car). Here are 12 must-do activities for your Sanibel Island family vacation to make planning your Florida beach vacation a little easier. Your Sanibel Island vacation rental lets you enjoy 15 miles of pristine beaches, 22 miles of bike paths, and zero traffic lights. #1 in Sanibel Island Address: 1700 Bowman's Beach Rd. The shells on Sanibel make going to the beach even more fun for kids because they have another activity to do. It was tempting. Summer Waves Water Park is a thrilling experience with plenty of waterslides the whole family can enjoy. You might want to bring water shoes or sandalsfor walking on the beach. We got to one area and a couple said they had heard one there and were waiting. The kids waited for 5 minutes and wanted to go. 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 . The shells can be sharp, and they hurt my daughters feet at times. Paddle throughmangrove swamps and winding waterways, and then keep your kayak for free for the remainder of the day. Joe is a great teacher, and storyteller. Required fields are marked *. See alligators, raccoons, otters, and hundreds of different kinds ofbirds in this 6,300-acre wilderness. Head to Matzaluna for some variety. 8 reasons to take the kids to Kissimmee Cayo Costa State Park. The Best, Most Unique Places to Stay In Hawaii on a Budget, Universal Studios for Kids What We Learned on our First Visit, Essential Travel Gear 10 Seemingly Random Things that I Wont Travel Without, The Ultimate Guide to Eating Cheaply in Paris, How We Spent 3 Days in Amsterdam with Kids. Afamily vacation to Florida is usually synonymous with Disney, but it doesn't have to be. I will also add that Red Coach buses are a great way to get around with kids. Hotels tended towards being cheaper on Sanibel. Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge! Should you ever find yourself on Sanibel or Captiva Islands with kids, here are some things you must do. I think we stopped here three times during our stay. Because of its distance from the airport, there are no public transportation methods to get here. 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. 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 might spot a dolphin or two from there. Bring a bottle of wine and let the kids get their feet wet. There is also a tram if you are a guided tour person. Several hiking trails allow visitors to explore the wonders of this wildlife refuge. Just make sure not to keep any live ones! The best times for shelling were at low tide and early in the morning (even better if these coincide). It was my first time, hopefully not the last. Sanibel and Captiva Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center 907 Visitor Centers By mrsmarinara great information givien with a really generous spirit 4. They might even meet a new friend or two. All ages. Sanibel is known as the Shelling Capital of the World, and it's not hard to see why. Located at 2100 Island Inn Road, I was able to try a couple of beers brewed in the Fort Myers area. ), and The Best Things to Eat & Drink on Sanibel. of the many flavours of cake, which a Bubble Scout server displays on a silver platter. After your walk, you can enjoy a picnic lunch. 6. With beaches that boast over 60 different kinds ofseashells, Sanibel Island is a shell hunter's dream. 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! Bristol is a stunning five-bedroom, three-and-a-half bath fully furnished home with a private pool. And whether you order a cone or bowl, every servingis topped with an adorable little animal cracker. If your kids are particularly sensitive to teasing, maybe wait until they go to bed and come back for the adults-only late night race, which has even raunchier jokes. Watch the sunset on the beach. It's a cool way for them to understand what's beneath the ocean that they spent the week playing in. Kids of all ages love a pool and there are plenty of them in Sanibel! 3. Kids love being responsible for shutting curtains and blinds to help protect the turtles! We had a fun morning riding out to see the Sanibel lighthouse. Mini Golf. Nope, they were thrilled to do this! Blind Pass Beach 827 Beaches By 994linday We came back with so many amazing shells (a whole suitcase full of them in fact). Some of my favorite memories as a kid are from Sanibel Island and I think these are all such great activities to do with kids! We had just never gone out to a regular ice cream shop with them! There is something for everyone on the menu and the servings are enormous. Learn how your comment data is processed. The island is approximately a 30-45 minute drive depending on traffic and time of day. Watching the sun dip into the Gulf of Mexico is magic. This sounds like a great island to visit. All Rights Reserved. Sprinkled in youll find family travel inspiration. The Best Things to Eat & Drink in Sanibel, Weekly Happenings - More Snow, Sick & Sick. Here is a story about patience. A trip to Sanibel Island with kids is perfect if you are a family who wants to send some quality time together in a laid back, relaxed atmosphere. Make sure to also stop by the idyllic Blind Pass Beach on both Sanibel & Captiva Islands. It's a far cry from Disney, BUT I think this type of vacation can be just as lovely for kids of all ages. Learn all about seashells and the animals that make them. It sets over the ocean where you can watch from a huge stretch of public beach. Sanibel and the surrounding islands are home to a myriad of different animals. If you're lucky, you may see manatees and pods of dolphins in the waters. In order to post comments, please make sure JavaScript and Cookies are enabled, and reload the page. See these marine mammals leaping and frolicking in the waters of Pine Island Sound. One of the most popular things to do on Sanibel Island is to rent a bike. Your new neighbors will be just as curious about you as you are about them. Why not try a different one each night? Sign up for Scary Mommy's daily newsletter for more stories from the trenches. Hoping to be able to take the kids over the Summer. Once I heard of it, I wanted to know what there was to do on Sanibel Island with kids. Sanibel Stars & Stripes 43 Boat Tours By 797brendank Friendly staff, great experience, had multiple dolphins chasing and jumping behind the boat for majority of the the r. 39. Edison & Ford Winter Estates. We are beach people and love to spend lots of time at the beach on our trips! CROWs Visitor Education Center features a collection of interactive exhibits and videos, while the guided Wildlife Walk through the hospital allows you to observe veterinarians treating sick and injured wildlife. I personally would not have felt sage cycling after sunset, so driving was a better evening option for us. Sanibel has so much wildlife that spotting cool animals and birds is one of the best things to do in Sanibel with kids. Lounge on a Fort Myers Beach. Once we left the beach area, we stopped coughing. Visiting this locale is a feel-good endeavor, too, as your admission fee goes towards the care of approximately 3,500 injured and orphaned animals each year. Each day includes surfing, art, group-bonding activities, all while integrating subjects like fiddler crabs, wading birds, and sea turtles. 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. Relax on the beach, enjoy a picnic, go on a bike ride, or take a hike on one of the trails found . We saw these cottages at the far end of Sanibel Island whilst viewing one of the most spectacular sunsets that we have ever seen. Temperatures were still in the 80s. Home Travel Top Things to Do on Sanibel Island with Kids. Island Inn Sanibel Island Review | Kathryn Anywhere, Winter Hiking Tips for Hikers of All Levels, Craigleith Ski Club Snowmaking How The Magic Happens, Quebecs Eastern Townships Plan The Perfect Long Weekend. Looking for a little fun in the sun. If you plan on dining out, get your hands on the. Its a nice place to stay, but the spa is especially wonderful. Definitely worth a half-day trip adventure. Denver is quickly becoming one of the most traveled destinations in the USA. Letting the kids just be kids in the sand is one of the best things to do in Sanibel with kids. Things to Do in Sanibel Island with Kids Dolphin Tour in Captiva Kids love animals so . There arent really any great public transportation on Sanibel Island, so unless you are planning to take an Uber to and from the airport (expensive given the distance) you will need a car to get around. I had the Key Lime Ice Cream and my daughter had something called Unicorn poop. Looking for things to do in Sanibel Island with kids? With themed activities and hands-on experiences, children ages 6 to 13 can foster their love and appreciation for the ocean. There are several places for bike rentals on Sanibel Island, and 25 miles of trails to enjoy. Here are the activities they have for kids! Its located right on the beach in the premier spot for shelling. It's a unique, quirky, and unusual place that is full of old Florida charm. We opted to drive ourselves. For the 4 nights we were there, we stood on the beach of the hotel and observed and gave thanks that was our view. Get there early, as parking spaces fill up. Unique Experiences and Travel Inspiration. Here you can learn all sorts of stuff about the animals and nature. Connecting the Florida mainland to Sanibel Island, this majestic roadway rises 70 feet over beautiful San Carlos Bay and offers show-stopping views over the aquamarine waters. Located near Fort Myers, just offshore Floridas Gulf Coast, this unique island offers visitors the opportunity to bask in many outdoor activities. Having a sub-tropical climate, visitors and residents enjoy the outdoors and sunshine all year long. They dont seem startled one bit! We also had dinner there and the kids were super happy with their chicken fingers. Consider renting a tandem bike for those younger kids who may end up tired from long bike rides. Stop in at theSanibel Chamber Commerceand ask for the treasure hunt map. Throughout the year, the temperatures on Sanibel Island can range anywhere from the mid-50s to the low 90s. 5. They loved running and collecting new shells. It was a day of ribbons and confetti cannons, hugs and back-slapping as two more island business emerged from . The options are endless but here are a few of the activities my kids enjoyed the most on our recent trip. Sanibel Island is as much about world-class as it is about beaches. Best Things To Do on Long Island this Weekend with Kids. I picked it up from the airport in Fort Myers when we landed and there was at least one day where we did not leave the hotel and therefore did not use it. Back in 1996, the City of Sanibel passed an ordinance that prevented big chain businesses from opening up shop on the island. Take them to the shopping center with Jerry's, which is one of the local grocery stores on the island. Its always a good sign when a place is packed on a weekday. This Italian restaurant on Sanibel isnt the best thing ever, but after days of burgers, nachos and shellfish, it tastes like it is. Billys Bike: 1509 Periwinkle Way (239) 472-3620, Finnimores Bike & Beach Shop: 2353 Periwinkle Wa (239) 472-5577. Visit the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum to get a more in depth understanding of the areas shells, and book a guided beach walk where a seasoned naturalist will teach you how to find the best shells. In addition to an amazing pool and poolside bar, our provided kayaks, paddleboards, bikes to borrow and a naturalist led beach walk. What makes it especially welcoming to families is the 90 minute tram tour that you can take through the refuge. That is until I heard of the western side of the panhandle and more specifically Sanibel Island. And the "lighthouse" isn't really a house at all but is actually a tower. I am so glad that I chose to stay on Sanibel proper for our trip to Sanibel Island with kids, because it would have been a whole different trip if we hadnt been right here. Just wondering. I am going to be honest. Fort Myers (RSW) is the closest airport to Sanibel Island Florida. Learn how your comment data is processed. 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