No matter the time of year, Sanibel sees some brilliant sunsets. Look up and see if you can observe some ospreys or pelicans. Visit the Sanibel Chamber of Commerce's . You might want to bring water shoes or sandalsfor walking on the beach. We ate THE best burgers at the poolside bar at the Sanibel Island Inn, and we ate out once or twice for dinner. 9. We are beach people and love to spend lots of time at the beach on our trips! The shelling is the best and the kids love climbing all over the driftwood and making their way through the forest. Hi, Friends! Copyright 2023, Create Kids Club. After a low tide or storm are best along with the months of January, February, and March. Hoping to be able to take the kids over the Summer. Most of the nicer resorts on Sanibel provide some variety of activities. 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. You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings. 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. Hit the big grocery stores in Fort Myers on your way. 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. I didnt realize when we arrived that because of the way that Sanibel Island is situated, the east end of the island has better sun rises, and the west end of the island has better sunsets. Billys Bike: 1509 Periwinkle Way (239) 472-3620, Finnimores Bike & Beach Shop: 2353 Periwinkle Wa (239) 472-5577. 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. I've heard you can even spot manatees there. Map of kid-friendly places. First lit in 1884, the area around the lighthouse is open to public, but the lighthouse itself is not. We might have to visit one day. Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings. You can also watch a live video feed of behind-the-scenes animal rescue and care. Book a ride with Captiva Cruises, and make a stop at Cabbage Key. 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. Having a car made getting to Fort Myers quick and easy as well. The island acts like a big scoop and because of the way that the ocean currents flow, the shells just wash up on the beach. If you're lucky, you may see manatees and pods of dolphins in the waters. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge On this part of Sanibel you'll find a protected piece of nature with quite an impressive wildlife! 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. Fort Myers (RSW) is the closest airport to Sanibel Island Florida. Because of its distance from the airport, there are no public transportation methods to get here. 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. Here are some of our favorite things to do in Fort Myers & Sanibel Island with kids. 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. This was a close second choice when booking our trip to Sanibel Island with kids. There is something for everyone on the menu and the servings are enormous. Children's Museum of Manhattan, 212 West 83rd Street, Upper West Side. The Sanibel Moorings Botanical Gardens takes visitors on a colorful journey through idyllic tropical gardens. Hop on a flyboard or ride through the waves on . Tip: Check with your hotel or condo because some units come with bikes. See Tripadvisor's 128,735 traveller reviews and photos of kid friendly Sanibel Island attractions Find 2023's best things to do with kids. Fully Equipped with an upgraded kitchen featuring stainless steel, Sunzero Wolf appliances, and quartz countertops. It is a really cool nature preserve that takes up much of the island. . 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. Unsure of the treasure found on Sanibel Island? Learn how your comment data is processed. In addition to an amazing pool and poolside bar, our provided kayaks, paddleboards, bikes to borrow and a naturalist led beach walk. You never know what will be on the end of that line! 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. Dairy-Free (All recipes on CKC are gluten-free). Crab racing is fun for both kids and adults. It's a great and inexpensive activity for the family that doesn't involve having everyone sit at a table for an entire meal. No arguments there! J. N. "Ding" Darling NationalWildlife Refuge. Fun Things to Do in Sanibel Island with Kids: Family-friendly activities and fun things to do. Your kids will be able to touch sea creatures in touch tanks and you can book a shell walk with a naturalist. Also, the water tended to be murky on Sanibel. Bonus: Shelling is freeas long as you clean and dry the shells before you leave, they make the perfect souvenirs. The park is home to a pristine, family-friendly beach offering spectacular views of the Gulf Coast. As I am a big craft beer aficionado, I had to hit up Doc Fords Rum Bar & Grille. Bikes, kayaks, tennis and paddle boards are all at your disposal. Bring a bottle of wine and let the kids get their feet wet. Heads up, you'll want to arrive early as spots fill up quickly. Once youre there, walk down the dock and see if the local fisherman are having any luck. 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. Baby sea turtles hatch late at night when the moon is bright. This sounds like a great island to visit. Sanibel Island just has a different vibe. 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. 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. Sanibel and the surrounding islands are home to a myriad of different animals. Red Tide is a name given to an algae that are harmful to fish and humans. Its always a good sign when a place is packed on a weekday. There is a Publix right before paying the toll to cross the Sanibel Island Causeway. 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. Toddlers, kids, and teens will all want to partake in this activity. You should get an annual pass to the wildlife refuge. Looking for a little fun in the sun. Make sure to also stop by the idyllic Blind Pass Beach on both Sanibel & Captiva Islands. Here is my short list of family friendly restaurants on Sanibel Island. 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. 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 . We definitely suggest sharing plates, since each dinner portion is huge and comes with a sticky bun, garlic bread and a side salad. Warm Gulf waters and calm surf make most of the island's beaches great for families withsmall children. Required fields are marked *. Ding Darling is known as one of the best places to visit for birding. Head to Matzaluna for some variety. Plan your trip to Captiva before sunset and head to the beach across from the Mucky Duck for the best sunset view available. This family-friendly island has lots of activities for kids of all ages most of them free! 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. Captiva And Sanibel Islands are just over an hour from Ft. Myers and relatively easy to get to, but feel like a tropical paradise. I know it sounds strange, but if you ask my daughter, this was one of her favorite places on Sanibel island for kids. If there is, put it back. We also recommended Algiers Beach (aka Gulfside City Park Beach), one of the most popular dog-friendly beaches in Sanibel. Biking downtown just got more exciting for kids having a map and treasures to hunt! Dedicated to saving wildlife through state-of-the-art veterinary care, this center offers various educational experiences. Your whole family will enjoy spending hours exploring all the creatures they find! Less restaurants and shopping. Its nothing more than a six dollar Shirley Temple with a plastic shark stuck in it. And Lord knows youll need an hour of relaxation being away with your family. So if there aren't traditional kids attractions what ARE the things to do with kids in Sanibel Island? 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!. Currently you have JavaScript disabled. The french fries are really good. My three-year-olds have been flying them for over a year. Head to Matzaluna for some variety. We ate breakfast in the room. We had just never gone out to a regular ice cream shop with them! 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