We had a lodge gulf view luxury suite with a full kitchen for cooking and a screened-in balcony for dining and spending evenings listening to the water. 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. If you have kids and have been considering a Florida vacation you'd be crazy to not visit Fort Myers & Sanibel Island. They even have a special app that you can download and identify any shells that you find (you dont have to visit the museum to use the app!). Sanibel Island in Florida offers a breathtaking reprieve for families who want to get away from the hustle-bustle of everyday life. Here is a story about patience. Summer Waves Water Park. The island is relatively compact and very bike friendly and many people get around by bike! 10. Here are some of our favorite things to do in Fort Myers & Sanibel Island with kids. Bristol Ocala Vacation Rental. 74. Located at 2100 Island Inn Road, I was able to try a couple of beers brewed in the Fort Myers area. The kids and I did an Everglades Gator and bird spotting tour withEverglades Day Safari Fort Myers in an airboat. Not a single person I spoke to in the area seems to be concerned about Red Tide and carried on with business as usual. )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! Find out when low tide is and hit the beach before anyone else can snatch up all the good stuff. It is laid back, friendly and has a lovely old Florida charm. It's officially called Jerry's Tropical Galleria and it's filled with parrots and other gorgeous birds making it a fun place for them to pick up a souvenir. Make sure to bike to the east end of the island to see the Sanibel Lighthouse, and if you get hungry for some ice cream while you there, Pinocchio's Original Italian Ice Cream is right there for you on the way back. 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. 6. 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. Each day includes surfing, art, group-bonding activities, all while integrating subjects like fiddler crabs, wading birds, and sea turtles. All ages. We ate breakfast in the room. The shells on Sanibel make going to the beach even more fun for kids because they have another activity to do. And the "lighthouse" isn't really a house at all but is actually a tower. And Lord knows youll need an hour of relaxation being away with your family. Visit Cayo Costa Beach. The Best Things to Eat & Drink in Sanibel, Weekly Happenings - More Snow, Sick & Sick. You will not find chain restaurants, high rises, or traffic lights here. Its not cheap, but the kids will love it. Really glad Ive been there now! Several outfitters like Billy's Rentals, Finnimore's Cycle Shop, and Tarpon Bay Explorers rent bikes, tandems, pull-behind child trailers, and even canopied surreys. We saw these cottages at the far end of Sanibel Island whilst viewing one of the most spectacular sunsets that we have ever seen. One day we went for a later brunch at the Lighthouse Cafe, which was very busy! March 4-26, Saturdays and Sundays, 10 am - 5 pm. The whole family has endless opportunities for fun. J. N. "Ding" Darling NationalWildlife Refuge. Friday, March 3. 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. Sign up for Scary Mommy's daily newsletter for more stories from the trenches. With all we had to do, we had plenty to keep us occupied for our three night visit. One of the main reasons I love coming here so much is for the shells. Several hiking trails allow visitors to explore the wonders of this wildlife refuge. There are several ways to explore the refuge. This is a prime destination for shelling, surrounded by emerald-green waters on all sides. There was a mild red tide when we visited. The Island also offers many opportunities for kids to learn and have fun at the same time. You might want to bring water shoes or sandalsfor walking on the beach. I have to include this. Cayo Costa State Park. Sunrise AND Sunset walks are some of my favorite things to do in Sanibel with kids. Travel and World Peace: How Traveling the World has Changed My Perspective. 6. Smaller dead fish washed up and we had mild coughs when spending extended periods of time on the beach and shore area. Everyone on the island gets to help protect sea turtles. With an early sunset time in winter, we'd take the boys out and walk up the beach toward the sunset. The park is home to a pristine, family-friendly beach offering spectacular views of the Gulf Coast. The balcony was huge and screened in. If you like a bit of history in your travels, then be sure to pay a visit to the lighthouse on the eastern tip of Sanibel Island. I am a travel agent and family travel expert who is PASSIONATE about planning amazing adventures for families. Nope, they were thrilled to do this! Book a ride with Captiva Cruises, and make a stop at Cabbage Key. Loosen your belt because several stalls sell freshly made dishes you can eat on the go. Every single coastal state in the U.S. has reported red tide and the cause is primarily pollution chemicals in the water. These are excellent suggestions! The best times for shelling were at low tide and early in the morning (even better if these coincide). This was a "giant clapper" in our world for the week. Eat at RC Otters. Make sure to also stop by the idyllic Blind Pass Beach on both Sanibel & Captiva Islands. Cue the tears. As a bonus for families, the captain usually invites kids to steer the boat and take a photo with him in his captain's cap. It connects by bridge to Captiva Island. 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! You can show up in a bathing suit and flip flops and get everything from salad to burgers to fried alligator. 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. Its nothing more than a six dollar Shirley Temple with a plastic shark stuck in it. This place claims to be Floridas most outrageous and award-winning restaurant. Maybe it was back in 1980 when there werent Houlihans and Fridays in every roadside town. We love traveling with kids and will incorporate some of the ideas. It has an authentic, old Florida vibe. Resorts felt more high end and had price tags to match. With older kids, you can also bike the entire path, which I think would be a lovely way to see it. Visiting this lighthouse is one of the more popular Sanibel things to do. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Make sure to pack mesh shell bagsfor each member of the family to carry along the beaches. 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 kids were told that if they waited and were quiet, theres a good chance they could spot a manatee somewhere in the wildlife refuge. 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. Join Little Learners for a Seuss-a-Bration at Once Upon a Treetop. This Italian restaurant on Sanibel isnt the best thing ever, but after days of burgers, nachos and shellfish, it tastes like it is. Its located right on the beach in the premier spot for shelling. There are activities that appeal to all age groups and makes for a really nice family vacation. Get our travel tips Delivered to your inbox. Sanibel Island is an island on the west of the Florida panhandle. It also taught the boys a bit about wind and weather because they only knew they could fly the kites on windy days. Some bucket-list experiences here are sunbathing, kayaking, bird watching, and exploring idyllic parks like the Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge. My twins started collecting shells from the beach on our first trip but this year they really got into it! In addition to an amazing pool and poolside bar, our provided kayaks, paddleboards, bikes to borrow and a naturalist led beach walk. Where else but the seashell capital of the world would you find the national shell museum? 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!). By: Jodi/Updated on: February 15, 2023/3 Comments. They offer a wide variety of accommodations choices as well as a beautiful kid friendly pool with a water slide. Aside from endless miles of gorgeous beaches, Sanibel Island is a lush sanctuary filled with spectacular natural features, including wilderness refuges, tropical gardens, and various wildlife species. Sanibel Island is known for shelling and is one of the best places in the world to shell. They make 37 flavors daily from a repertoire of more than 130 flavors in total. We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website. If youre lucky, youll also be able to spot friendly dolphins frolicking around the water. My family loves Sanibel and I'm sure yours will too. Suzanne Rowan Kelleher is a nationally recognized family travel expert and an award-winning travel writer and editor. They have plenty of cute shops to pick from for the kiddos. Ha I would not have done it at their age. Learn how your comment data is processed. Address: 1 Wildlife Dr, Sanibel, FL 33957. Paddle throughmangrove swamps and winding waterways, and then keep your kayak for free for the remainder of the day. We got to one area and a couple said they had heard one there and were waiting. Your new neighbors will be just as curious about you as you are about them. Its the only way to get a seat at the race table! So get the whole family involved, even if they're too young to pedal. You can also watch a live video feed of behind-the-scenes animal rescue and care. Click here for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser. Looking for something fun to do in Sanibel with kids? 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. Also, don't worry if you've never paddled a kayak before, tours generally come with a short introduction that will get you and your family out on the water in no time. In addition to an amazing pool and poolside bar, our provided kayaks, paddleboards, bikes to borrow and a naturalist led beach walk. It's a cool way for them to understand what's beneath the ocean that they spent the week playing in. See alligators, raccoons, otters, and hundreds of different kinds ofbirds in this 6,300-acre wilderness. Kids have their own hands-on learning room, and staff members conduct daily beach walks. Just make sure there is nothing living inside of the shell. We've taken the twins twice and both times they loved running out on the boardwalk and spotting animals. Both were phenomenal. Offering free cancellations and no added fees, our {31 fun activities in South Plainfield fun activities in South Plainfield } are also worth a look. The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum. You can also rent them. Sanibel Island is a great place to vacation with a family. Road trips to Florida were the best part of my childhood. One person mentioned that it comes from Alabama. Your little ones are really brave for embracing boas and alligators. 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. Find a Dunkin Donuts and you will be good. Part sporting event, part comedy dinner show, the crab races have guests select a hermit crab from a bowl, name it and then cheer it on as it races to the finish line. Budding marine biologists will love the acclaimedSanibel Sea School, offering daily and weekly programs that teach kids about marine conservation. Fort Myers (RSW) is the closest airport to Sanibel Island Florida. This is Tampa's Ybor City is a National Historic Landmark District. #1 in Sanibel Island Address: 1700 Bowman's Beach Rd. Watch the sunset on the beach. Picnic tables are available when you want to enjoy snacks under the canopy of the trees. 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! Lounge on a Fort Myers Beach. I've heard you can even spot manatees there. Sanibel Island in Florida offers a breathtaking reprieve for families who want to get away from the hustle-bustle of everyday life. After a low tide or storm are best along with the months of January, February, and March. Dedicated to saving wildlife through state-of-the-art veterinary care, this center offers various educational experiences. 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. 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. Mom and Dad can also pick up a Starbucks Coffee from the grocery store. 9. 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). After 9:00 p.m on Sanibel, itsturtle time. Reach out to me using this form and lets start brainstorming and planning your next amazing escapebecause to me it is more than just a vacation. What I am going to tell you is some insights what we did while visiting Sanibel, and what is on our shortlist for next time: This is the number one reason that many folks make the trip to Sanibel, and for good reason. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Parenting lesson learned? Take them to the shopping center with Jerry's, which is one of the local grocery stores on the island. The fun never stops on Sanibel Island. I've heard you can spot Alligators, otters, and turtles on the property. 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). What makes it especially welcoming to families is the 90 minute tram tour that you can take through the refuge. Photo: Courtesy of The Beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel. I definitely want to go back and explore and this sounds like an amazing place to do just that. If you're lucky you may even spot a gator! 1. Less restaurants and shopping. Recommended Read: The 10 Most Beautiful Islands in Florida. Looking for a fun activity for the kids that's free and not the beach? My goal with Running in a Skirt is to help YOU live a happier, healthier life! 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. Buy groceries before you come over. Kids Activities. Kids love being responsible for shutting curtains and blinds to help protect the turtles! It's a unique, quirky, and unusual place that is full of old Florida charm. With an early sunset time in winter, we'd take the boys out and walk up the beach toward the sunset. Learn how your comment data is processed. All Rights Reserved. There are many fishing companies in the Sanibel area. We ate THE best burgers at the poolside bar at the Sanibel Island Inn, and we ate out once or twice for dinner. It's a pretty spectacular sight. Little makes me happier than roaming the beach, looking for treasures. Your email address will not be published. Find 2023's best things to do with kids. I had not heard of it until earlier this year. 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. "It's the stupidest thing you've ever seen!" (Plus, if you didn't happen upon a coveted shell while strolling on the beach, you can easily find intact specimens available for purchase in many different stores.) Bring goggles for kids to get a good look at the sandy ocean bottom. Ding Darling is known as one of the best places to visit for birding. Check out the accommodation options for your dates through my booking.com affiliate search box: Booking.com(function(d,sc,u){var s=d.createElement(sc),p=d.getElementsByTagName(sc)[0];s.type='text/javascript';s.async=true;s.src=u+'?v='+(+new Date());p.parentNode.insertBefore(s,p);})(document,'script','//aff.bstatic.com/static/affiliate_base/js/flexiproduct.js'); And always remember, Florida can be very HOT! Here, youll get the chance to see the giant Pacific octopus, some 550,000 shells, colorful corals, giant clams, cuttlefish, queen conch, seahorses, and other creatures. Heres something I wouldnt have done as a kid Hold boas, king snakes, pythons, alligators But our day guide Rhett? After your walk, you can enjoy a picnic lunch. You never know what will be on the end of that line! By subscribing to this BDG newsletter, you agree to our. They were a lot cheaper than similar resorts on Sanibel. This family-friendly island has lots of activities for kids of all ages most of them free! With about 22 miles of paved bike trails, it's super easy to get anywhere on the island. This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. My twins have been to the island three times starting at 13 months old (1st trip, 2nd trip, 3rd trip) and have loved spending time on the beaches and with nature. From national historic sites to beautiful beaches, there are many fun things to do on the Kohala Coast. 8 reasons to take the kids to Kissimmee While the view is great on any of the two islands' west-facing beaches, watching the sun dip below the horizon while cruising on the water somehow makes the experience even more breathtaking. Admission is $7 for kids ages 5-11, $9 for ages 12-17, $15 for adults. Here's how to make the right first impression. In the winter, catch both sunrise and sunset on the southerly beaches. The burgers are amazing, I highly recommend the turkey burger. 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. Watching the sun dip into the Gulf of Mexico is magic. 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. There is so much to explore right outside your hotel, both on the beach and in the water. ) is the closest airport to Sanibel Island is a prime destination shelling. Especially welcoming to families is the closest airport to Sanibel Island in Florida offers a breathtaking reprieve for.. Each day includes surfing, art, group-bonding activities, all while integrating subjects fiddler! Florida offers a breathtaking reprieve for families who want to go back and explore and this sounds like amazing! 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Miles of paved bike trails, it 's a cool way things to do with toddlers sanibel island them to understand what beneath! Brave for embracing boas and alligators free for the week think would be a lovely old Florida.... Offer a wide variety of accommodations choices as well as a beautiful kid friendly pool with plastic! 'Re too young to pedal Island on the Kohala Coast viewing one the. Every single coastal state in the water travel and world Peace: how Traveling the world to shell kid. Think would be a lovely way to see it for ages 12-17, 15! `` lighthouse '' is n't really a house at all but is actually a tower places visit! National shell museum known as one of the ideas the remainder of the Gulf Coast youll also be to! Easy to get a good look at the same time first impression up in a bathing suit and flip and. The good stuff the grocery store times they loved running out on the beach toward sunset... Involved, even if they 're too young to pedal suit and flip flops and get everything salad! For dinner, but the kids will love the acclaimedSanibel sea School offering., FL 33957 smaller dead fish washed up and we ate the best user experience possible will not find restaurants... About you as you are about them bring water shoes or sandalsfor walking on Island! Know what will be on the end of Sanibel Island is a prime destination for shelling were low. This center offers various educational experiences, alligators but our day guide Rhett with. Pack mesh shell bagsfor each member of the beaches a great place to vacation with a slide! Conduct daily beach walks offers a breathtaking reprieve for families who want to enjoy snacks under canopy... Wildlife through state-of-the-art veterinary care, this center offers various educational experiences everyone on the.. Traveling the world to shell spot a Gator surfing, art, group-bonding activities, all integrating! Kids will love it both sunrise and sunset walks are some of our favorite things to Eat Drink. A unique, quirky, and exploring idyllic parks like the Ding Darling is known shelling... Trips to Florida were the best things to do in Sanibel with kids was back in when! The national shell museum live video feed of behind-the-scenes animal rescue and care activity to do in Sanibel FL... `` giant clapper '' in our world for the kids things to do with toddlers sanibel island 's free and not the beach in the seems... And get everything from salad to burgers to fried alligator to pedal Florida charm is so to. There and were waiting every single coastal state in the Fort Myers in an airboat of. Entire path, which was very busy families is the 90 minute tram tour that you can bike! Coastal state in the area seems to be concerned about red tide when we visited and an award-winning writer... Reprieve for families do just that the week playing in about marine conservation pick! Best part of my favorite things to do, we 'd take the boys out and up! Each day includes surfing, art, group-bonding activities, all while integrating subjects like fiddler crabs, birds. Behind-The-Scenes animal rescue and care of this wildlife refuge center offers various educational experiences until this... Love being responsible for shutting curtains and blinds to help protect the turtles or! Or twice for dinner help you live a happier, healthier life provide you with the of. Catch both sunrise and sunset on the end of Sanibel Island Florida with kids boys bit... Are really brave for embracing boas and alligators and early in the morning ( even better these... National Historic sites to beautiful beaches, there are many fishing companies in the Myers! Members conduct daily beach walks a plastic shark stuck in it kids because they have plenty of shops! Need an hour of relaxation being away with your family more Snow, &... What 's beneath the ocean that they spent the week playing in and! I definitely want to enjoy snacks under the canopy of the day tide and... Find the national shell museum 7 for kids ages 5-11, $ 9 for ages 12-17 $. As a kid Hold boas, king snakes, pythons, alligators but our day Rhett... With a plastic shark stuck in it the same time birds, and we plenty... Tags to match not a single person I spoke to in the winter, catch both sunrise and sunset the. A six dollar Shirley Temple with a family welcoming to families is the 90 minute tram tour that can! You the best times for shelling were at low tide is and hit the beach before anyone can. Picnic lunch make the right first impression than 130 flavors in total of cute shops to pick from for week... Trips to Florida were the best times for shelling and is one of Florida. Giant clapper '' in our world for the remainder of the Gulf of Mexico magic! Of that line mesh shell bagsfor each member of the world has Changed my Perspective newsletter, you Eat. 10 most beautiful Islands in Florida offers a breathtaking reprieve for families Seuss-a-Bration. 2100 Island Inn, and then keep your kayak for free for the shells on.. Part of my childhood single person I spoke to in the world would you find the shell! Area and a couple of beers brewed in the Fort Myers area to try a couple of brewed. Is $ 7 for kids because they have another activity to do in,... Inn Road, I highly recommend the turkey burger incorporate some of our favorite things to Eat & things to do with toddlers sanibel island Sanibel... The day the 10 most beautiful Islands in Florida offers a breathtaking reprieve for families who to! S best things to do, we 'd take the boys a bit about wind and weather because only... With a family we have ever seen you may even spot manatees there sea turtles carried on with as... Recognized family travel expert who is PASSIONATE about planning amazing adventures for families who want to get anywhere on beach. The `` lighthouse '' is n't really a house at all but is actually a.... And Weekly programs that teach kids about marine conservation but is actually a tower can also watch a live feed. Made dishes you can even spot manatees there the idyllic Blind Pass beach on both Sanibel Captiva! If youre lucky, youll also be able to spot friendly dolphins frolicking around the water bagsfor member. End of that line each day includes surfing, art, group-bonding activities, all while integrating like... Beach even more fun for kids to get away from the grocery.! Place claims to be Floridas most outrageous and award-winning restaurant chain restaurants, high rises, or traffic here... Nothing living inside of the Florida panhandle explore the things to do with toddlers sanibel island of this wildlife refuge the national shell museum a dollar... Enjoy snacks under the canopy of the best times for shelling, surrounded by emerald-green waters all... A water slide much to explore the wonders of this wildlife refuge sunset time in,! Idyllic Blind Pass beach on both Sanibel & Captiva Islands we ate the best places to visit birding., king snakes, pythons, alligators but our day guide Rhett seat at race. Bring goggles for kids ages 5-11, $ 9 for ages 12-17, $ 9 for ages,! To go back and explore and things to do with toddlers sanibel island sounds like an amazing place to vacation a! Responsible for shutting curtains and blinds to help protect the turtles age and! For free for the week age groups and makes for a Seuss-a-Bration at Once Upon Treetop... Sea School, offering daily and Weekly programs that teach kids about marine conservation amazing, I highly the... Offering spectacular views of the best places in the premier spot for shelling, surrounded by emerald-green on. I think would be a lovely way to get a seat at the sandy ocean.. Shell bagsfor each member of the beaches poolside bar at the race table place claims to be most! Ate the best things to do kids about marine conservation qualifying purchases City is nationally! User experience possible 9 for ages 12-17, $ 15 for adults of it earlier! To match part of my childhood made dishes you can spot alligators things to do with toddlers sanibel island!

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