Each day includes surfing, art, group-bonding activities, all while integrating subjects like fiddler crabs, wading birds, and sea turtles. 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. The best times for shelling were at low tide and early in the morning (even better if these coincide). Each day the view was completely different and it made a wonderful activity with the entire family. See Tripadvisor's 128,735 traveller reviews and photos of kid friendly Sanibel Island attractions From national historic sites to beautiful beaches, there are many fun things to do on the Kohala Coast. These months offer the best weather, with comfortable temperatures and less rain, making it a joy to explore the island. Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW). This wildlife refuge is a great place to check out the local flora and fauna. They also offer a kids program (if you feel like a little adult time needs to be a part of your vacation!). You will not find chain restaurants, high rises, or traffic lights here. Too badwill have to make another trip . 2. Groceries on Sanibel were significantly more expensive than on the main land. Fully Equipped with an upgraded kitchen featuring stainless steel, Sunzero Wolf appliances, and quartz countertops. Take them to the shopping center with Jerry's, which is one of the local grocery stores on the island. Here you'll find shell-strewn beaches, a laid-back vibe, terrific restaurants and shops,and an incredibly diverse wildlife sampling. I definitely want to go back and explore and this sounds like an amazing place to do just that. The beaches are lined with more shells than you could ever collect. Where else but the seashell capital of the world would you find the national shell museum? Gloriously nestled in the Sanibel Moorings resort, this lush oasis encompasses 6 acres of tropical trees and plants, including orchids, hibiscus, palm and citrus trees, bamboo, and native Florida plants. It is a pretty photo stop, the beach is (of course) covered with shells and there is a lovely shaded picnic area there. "It's the stupidest thing you've ever seen!" Pick a beach, any beach, and head on over after dinner. There is also a tram if you are a guided tour person. There are many fishing companies in the Sanibel area. 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. Florida sunsets are truly like none other in existence. You can also rent them. Children's Museum of Manhattan, 212 West 83rd Street, Upper West Side. Copyright 2023 St. Joseph Communications. There are bike lanes literally EVERYWHERE. For more shopping fun, check out the shops in Times Square at the nearby Fort Myers Beach Pier. As a visitor, that attitude is somewhat concerning to me and in the future, Id like to see some efforts in place and real discussion about red tide and the time of year when its low and high, and how to prevent it from happening. Your email address will not be published. However, the island is spread out depending on where you stay. 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. Is your travel style mostly spending time at the resort and relaxing, or do you want to get out and see everything? The museum features over 30 permanent exhibits on shells of Sanibel and Captiva Island, as well as those from around the world. 1.Rent A Convertable There's no better way to explore this tropical location with the roof down and the wind in your face. Also, check out the show-stopping Captiva Pass, which is the strait that separates North Captiva Island from La Costa Island. Its located right on the beach in the premier spot for shelling. Not a single person I spoke to in the area seems to be concerned about Red Tide and carried on with business as usual. It's a great activity for kids and families. Long and narrow in shape, the dreamy Sanibel is one of the larger islands of West Florida and features 15 miles of sun-kissed sandy beaches. One of the most popular things to do on Sanibel Island is to rent a bike. This is what I know about the best time to visit Sanibel Island. Head to Matzaluna for some variety. In order to post comments, please make sure JavaScript and Cookies are enabled, and reload the page. Trust me. 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. If you're lucky you may even spot a gator! We didnt eat out that much while we were here. Unique Experiences and Travel Inspiration. Baby sea turtles hatch late at night when the moon is bright. We ate THE best burgers at the poolside bar at the Sanibel Island Inn, and we ate out once or twice for dinner. Pick from one of many competitive games at Battlegroundz in Lincoln including dodgeball, laser tag, paintball, archery tag, airsoft, darts and cornhole. 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! Part of the largest undeveloped mangrove ecosystem in the USA, this staggering park protects an array of threatened species, aside from providing habitat for fascinating migratory birds. Hit the big grocery stores in Fort Myers on your way. It was my first time, hopefully not the last. It takes up some real estate in the car, but the hours of fun you'll get out of it are worth it. Things to Do in Sanibel with Kids Enter dates Filters 1 Attractions Map Traveler favorites All things to do 1 place sorted by traveler favorites Clear all filters 2022 1. Less busy. All Rights Reserved. These eye-popping gardens host wild creatures like butterflies, turtles, rabbits, and birds. Mom and Dad can also pick up a Starbucks Coffee from the grocery store. Sanibel Island is located off the coast of southwest Florida, just west of Fort Myers. There is a toll to be paid of $6.00 to gain entry to the island in a regular vehicle. Get our travel tips Delivered to your inbox. The wildlife refuge is open every day except Fridays. The Best Things to Eat & Drink on Sanibel. The boys learned some of the real names of the shells and also made up some of their own. While there, take a swim, snorkel, or book a ranger-led kayak tour or hike. Located near Fort Myers, just offshore Floridas Gulf Coast, this unique island offers visitors the opportunity to bask in many outdoor activities. Read More: The Best Hawaii Resorts for Families on Oahu, Maui, Kauai and the Big Island. Bristol is a stunning five-bedroom, three-and-a-half bath fully furnished home with a private pool. When they are ready, they follow the moonlight and head back to the Gulf of Mexico. 6. I was blind to what else existed in the State. Manatee Park. The island is home to many burrowing gopher turtles and lush plantlife grows wild here giving the island an old Florida feel. Click here for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser. During the summertime, you'll get those hotter temperatures, as the lows only get down into the 70s during this time of year. 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! 5. The island is approximately a 30-45 minute drive depending on traffic and time of day. 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. Make sure toget there earlyand plan on having dinner. Cue the tears. Currently you have JavaScript disabled. Battlegroundz has a 20,000-square-foot . document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Anyone who has visited Sanibel Island will tell you the JN Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge is tops on a Sanibel Island things-to-do list. The Sanibel Inn provided kayaks and paddle boards for us to use! 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). Address: 3883 Sanibel Captiva Rd, Sanibel. Heres a guide to the top 9 things to do in Sanibel. The island is relatively compact and very bike friendly and many people get around by bike! You'll probably not be surprised to see this list includes enjoying the beaches fully with different beach activities, swimming, and even shelling! There are many things for kids to do on Sanibel & Captiva Island from the beaches, museums, craft stores, wildlife tours and more! 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. The beach was not sandy, it was made of crushed shells. It is true that growing up, a lot of time was spent in these magical and fairytale kingdoms. There are no big mega resorts. It's a pretty spectacular sight. Watching the sun dip into the Gulf of Mexico is magic. 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. Sign up in advance because space is limited to24 students per day. As Sanibel, Captiva reopen, businesses hope visitors get causeway access soon. 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. 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. the stupidest thing you will ever see if youre not up for something stupid, you might be in the wrong place! 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! Sanibel Island is best experienced by bike. 10 things to do with kids in Miami Ha I would not have done it at their age. We've even spotted lots of dolphins just along the coast. Sanibel is a pristine island with beautiful beaches, nature preserves, and tropical lush gardens. Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge! Not so much. Your email address will not be published. We stayed at the Island Inn, the very first hotel on the island. 7. The island is approximately a 30-45 minute drive depending on traffic and time of day. What a great way to vacation around Sanibel! Pick a beach, any beach, and head on over after dinner. Plan your trip to Captiva before sunset and head to the beach across from the Mucky Duck for the best sunset view available. I wasnt sure there was much else to see and do in Florida. Things To Do In Sanibel Island's Lighthouse Beach The Best Gift: Making Memories At South Seas Island Resort Beaches in Guatemala: Dramatic And Beautiful Volcanic Black Sand A Family Weekend In Florida's Space Coast With Holiday Inn The Best Things to do in Fort Myers Beach for Families Things To Do With Kids In The Upper And Middle Florida Keys Consider renting a tandem bike for those younger kids who may end up tired from long bike rides. Learn how your comment data is processed. The fun never stops on Sanibel Island. I had the Key Lime Ice Cream and my daughter had something called Unicorn poop. 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. Here you'll find shell-strewn beaches, a laid-back vibe, terrific restaurants and shops, and an incredibly diverse wildlife sampling. Tarpon Bay Explorersofferscanoe and kayak trips in the J. N. "Ding" Darling NationalWildlife Refuge where naturalist guides give you an up-close experience with this unique ecosystem. Winters the weather can be hit or miss, and the months between December-February are busier with snowbirds escaping winter. These encounters trump a trip to Disneyworld any day. Convinced to travel to Sanibel Island and check out the cool things to do in there? Made to order, this is one of thebest restaurants on Sanibel Islandfor kids and adults. Bikes, kayaks, tennis and paddle boards are all at your disposal. Book a ride with Captiva Cruises, and make a stop at Cabbage Key. We collected shells every day we were there and it never got old for the boys. Lounge on a Fort Myers Beach. I have to include this. Worth-visiting institutions include the Village Sanibel Historical Museum, which preserves nine historic buildings that tell the islands story. It is laid back, friendly and has a lovely old Florida charm. These are excellent suggestions! Less restaurants and shopping. The Best Things to Do on Sanibel Island with Kids, Top Things to Do on Sanibel Island with Kids. Crab racing is fun for both kids and adults. Its nothing more than a six dollar Shirley Temple with a plastic shark stuck in it. He had Little Man and Miss M jumping to be first in line the whole time. I am going to be honest. Afamily vacation to Florida is usually synonymous with Disney, but it doesn't have to be. Stop in at theSanibel Chamber Commerceand ask for the treasure hunt map. Along the way, a naturalist will point out local sights and landmarks while answering questions about wildlife and island history. Best Things To Do on Long Island this Weekend with Kids. Ive only been to the western side of Florida once and it was for a baseball game. Read more: As I mentioned above, many resorts loan out bikes to their guests. I definitely enjoyed having a rental car while we were on Sanibel Island. We saw these cottages at the far end of Sanibel Island whilst viewing one of the most spectacular sunsets that we have ever seen. Grab A Map & Participate In A Treasure Hunt By Bike Stop in at the Sanibel Chamber Commerce and ask for the treasure hunt map. The park is home to a pristine, family-friendly beach offering spectacular views of the Gulf Coast. Letting the kids just be kids in the sand is one of the best things to do in Sanibel with kids. Denver is quickly becoming one of the most traveled destinations in the USA. Head to Matzaluna for some variety. Ever been to Captiva or Sanibel? It is located nearby Blind Pass Bridge, which connects the two islands. Most of the pools in the area are heated, making them great for use even in the winter. The time lost in driving, the tolls and just the increased level of relaxation that staying on the island gave us were completely worth the extra money. 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 why wouldnt they do that? 7 Reasons to Visit Harrisonburg Virginia! You can shell without the extra things, but we thought it was a fun addition to the trip. 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. Bring a bottle of wine and let the kids get their feet wet. Click here for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser. Question, why have they never had real ice cream before? 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. After your walk, you can enjoy a picnic lunch. Recommended Read: The 10 Most Beautiful Islands in Florida. Sanibel Island with kids is lovely! Your little ones are really brave for embracing boas and alligators. 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. Bricks 4 Kidz - Piscataway. Mini Golf. Kids can easily split a kids meal, especially if they fill up on the bottomless muffins that come first. The tour price covers the rental of all gear, including a PDF, leash, tie-downs, and fresh drinking water for each person. 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. I know it sounds strange, but if you ask my daughter, this was one of her favorite places on Sanibel island for kids. Stuff your face at Island Cow. That and snowbirds who retire there, my late paternal grandparents being them! Florida always holds a special place in my heart and the more I explore, the more I love it too. That way, you'll have room left over for a slice (or two!) Dedicated to saving wildlife through state-of-the-art veterinary care, this center offers various educational experiences. Depending on the time of year, Sanibel's sunset locales vary. It's such a great way to spend a bright and sunny afternoon almost any time of year! Our next stop was rumoured to be the place to see the manatee. The balcony was huge and screened in. You can drive through the preserve at your own pace and get out to spot wildlife. That is until I heard of the western side of the panhandle and more specifically Sanibel Island. 6. 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. You can show up in a bathing suit and flip flops and get everything from salad to burgers to fried alligator. Kids can find out more about the shells and mollusks they found on the beach and see a collection of aquariums with over 50 species of marine life. With all we had to do, we had plenty to keep us occupied for our three night visit. 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. 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. Just ask! The must-try local favourite is the Orange Crunch cake, but you'll also want to consider the French Chocolate Torte or Tropical Breeze cake, which are both too tasty to pass up. At this dreamy beach, you can try the famous Sanibel Stoop, bending over to retrieve seashells from the sand. Shelling is one of the best things to do on Sanibel Island, so plan to spend lots of time at the beach! Looking for something fun to do in Sanibel with kids? Resorts felt more high end and had price tags to match. 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. And this is truly the way to see the island, as the trails take you past beautiful mansions, through wooded forests, and to hard-to-reach areas like Sanibels pioneer cemetery and beaches unreachable by car. Registered dietitian & mom behind Create Kids Club an online kitchen where feeding kids is made easier with simple gluten-free recipes & kids cooking ideas. Things to Do in Sanibel Island with Kids Dolphin Tour in Captiva Kids love animals so . While the water is not clear, they will be able to find starfish, conch, and sand dollars. Go straight to the beach. I've always wanted to visit Sanibel Island. 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More specifically Sanibel Island with kids in the car, but we thought it my... Top things to do in Florida was for a baseball game fried alligator, hopefully not last... The Island is relatively compact and very bike friendly and many people get around by bike treasure map. Read: the best Hawaii resorts for families on Oahu, Maui, Kauai and the big Island picnic.. That we have ever seen up on the time of day will point out sights.