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. 8 reasons to take the kids to Kissimmee You might spot a dolphin or two from there. Pick a beach, any beach, and head on over after dinner. Here are the activities they have for kids! At the parks northern end, youll find a fishing pier, a prime spot for catching redfish, snook, sheepshead, black drum, snapper, and other species. That's the tagline for the Captiva Island Crab Races, which are held twice a week in the Crow's Nest restaurant at'Tween Waters Island Resort. 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 Sanibel Causeway Bridge is a nearly 3-mile road along the west coast, near the beaches overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. 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. That night in bed? 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. We are living our travel dreams despite having regular jobs and want to inspire you to check some items off of your family travel bucket list. 3. By subscribing to this BDG newsletter, you agree to our. 5. The beach was lovely, and the locals that we talked to told us that we had come before the winter sun-seeking crowds. In fact, almost half of the entire island is dedicated to the J. N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge, which you can drive, bike or walk through to spot some of the region's many different creatures among the estuaries. Budding marine biologists will love the acclaimedSanibel Sea School, offering daily and weekly programs that teach kids about marine conservation. Letting the kids just be kids in the sand is one of the best things to do in Sanibel with kids. If you are looking for soft sand, this will not be your place because the whole beach is LITERALLY made out of sea shells. Sanibel Island is a barrier island located on the Gulf Side of Florida, about 30 minutes from the Fort Myers. As someone who doesnt have kids, I still love all the suggestions. My kids spent hours walking up and down the beach from our hotel doing shelling. Whether your kids like seafood or more traditional food, there is something on the menu for everyone at these places. Here are the Top Things to Do with Kids on Sanibel Island, Florida. Consider renting a tandem bike for those younger kids who may end up tired from long bike rides. If there is, put it back. 4. Your Sanibel Island vacation rental lets you enjoy 15 miles of pristine beaches, 22 miles of bike paths, and zero traffic lights. Red Tide is a name given to an algae that are harmful to fish and humans. As I mentioned above, many resorts loan out bikes to their guests. See Tripadvisor's 128,735 traveller reviews and photos of kid friendly Sanibel Island attractions It's a far cry from Disney, BUT I think this type of vacation can be just as lovely for kids of all ages. The kitschy shop at the east end of Sanibel is legendary for its delicious homemade Italian gelato. We visited in November, and it was just the right time for us. Sanibel Island in Florida offers a breathtaking reprieve for families who want to get away from the hustle-bustle of everyday life. If the ocean is a little to rough for your likes, be sure to be booked at a hotel with a pool for guests to use because you will want it! In the courtyard are large enclosures with a variety of different parrots. I was blind to what else existed in the State. Joe is a great teacher, and storyteller. Go straight to the beach. They loved running and collecting new shells. It connects by bridge to Captiva Island. We didnt eat out that much while we were here. Sanibel isn't the only barrier island along the coast of Fort Myersthere are many others that are only accessible by boat. I looked carefully at the hotels and resorts just across the bay in nearby Fort Myers. 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. It's a pretty spectacular sight. With themed activities and hands-on experiences, children ages 6 to 13 can foster their love and appreciation for the ocean. Here is a story about patience. Question, why have they never had real ice cream before? I would absolutely stay there again. We spend a ton of time on North Captiva and always make trips over to Sanibel truly a beautiful spot. Sprinkled in youll find family travel inspiration. Times Square and the Fort Myers Beach Fishing Pier. No arguments there! 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. 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. The gator viewing wasnt plentiful, there were a few eyes popping up here and there, but it certainly was exciting to try to see them! These eye-popping gardens host wild creatures like butterflies, turtles, rabbits, and birds. Your whole family will enjoy spending hours exploring all the creatures they find! 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. Read More: The Best Hawaii Resorts for Families on Oahu, Maui, Kauai and the Big Island. Resorts felt more high end and had price tags to match. We really loved the fact that they walk right out onto a perfect stretch of pristine beach that we had nearly all to ourselves. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. There are paved bike paths that cross the island and 2 well-known bike shops that will deliver bikes to your hotel, ready when you arrive. Unsure of the treasure found on Sanibel Island? Do some research and pick a guide that suits your family. Get our travel tips Delivered to your inbox. They offer a wide variety of accommodations choices as well as a beautiful kid friendly pool with a water slide. Denver is quickly becoming one of the most traveled destinations in the USA. Made to order, this is one of thebest restaurants on Sanibel Islandfor kids and adults. This family-friendly island has lots of activities for kids of all ages most of them free! 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. What are your favorite spots? Sign up for simple dinner ideas, easy step by step instructions, and fun recipes for kids. Everyone on the island gets to help protect sea turtles. The same currents that bring all of the shells and wash them up on the shore also stir up the shallow bottom, making the water less than clear. There are few places on the East Coast of the United States where you can revel in a western sunset. It has an authentic, old Florida vibe. Tip: Many guides will clean the fish for you so you can enjoy your catch for dinner. We ate breakfast in the room. The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum. It is a pretty photo stop, the beach is (of course) covered with shells and there is a lovely shaded picnic area there. If youre planning avacation to Sanibel Islandand wondering what activities are offered on this island close to Floridas coast, check out these10 kid-friendly attractionsthis special island has to offer. There are several places for bike rentals on Sanibel Island, and 25 miles of trails to enjoy. The balcony was huge and screened in. Here's how to make the right first impression. Sanibel is known as the Shelling Capital of the World, and it's not hard to see why. 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. The burgers are amazing, I highly recommend the turkey burger. Registered dietitian & mom behind Create Kids Club an online kitchen where feeding kids is made easier with simple gluten-free recipes & kids cooking ideas. My boys had never had REAL ice cream before so we splurged and let them have some. 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. With all we had to do, we had plenty to keep us occupied for our three night visit. Your email address will not be published. Warm Gulf waters and calm surf make most of the island's beaches great for families withsmall children. But Sanibel Island, which faces due west in the Gulf of Mexico, is one of them. This is Tampa's Ybor City is a National Historic Landmark District. Sure, you could take your kids to a more touristy place in Florida with lots of official attractions, but there is something so charming about a vacation that really enjoys nature and some of the more simple things in life! I know it sounds strange, but if you ask my daughter, this was one of her favorite places on Sanibel island for kids. Here are a few that seem to welcome and appreciate kids. I definitely enjoyed having a rental car while we were on Sanibel Island. It is a really cool nature preserve that takes up much of the island. A jaunt down the beach or a bike around the island makes for wonderful take-home memories. I am going to be honest. This is for sure at least worth a stop for ice cream (or a place to leave the kids and hubby so you can go in and grocery shop BY YOURSELF!). #1 in Sanibel Island Address: 1700 Bowman's Beach Rd. A stop atPinocchio's Italian Ice Cream (362 Periwinkle Way) is a Sanibel tradition. My three-year-olds have been flying them for over a year. More shops and restaurants and better choice of hotels and resorts. Included with admission: $16; $13 seniors and visitors with disabilities. 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