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. After 9:00 p.m on Sanibel, itsturtle time. 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. Shell Harbor Though Shell Harbor might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Sanibel and Captiva Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center and Sanibel Moorings Botanical Gardens. He had Little Man and Miss M jumping to be first in line the whole time. A great place to explore on a rainy day in Sanibel Island. Definitely can do an adult only trip there too! Warm Gulf waters and calm surf make most of the island's beaches great for families withsmall children. I would also be remiss to not mention Red Tide. Hi, Friends! As Sanibel, Captiva reopen, businesses hope visitors get causeway access soon. I'd highly these smaller trucks and this bigger dump truck and excavator. It is located nearby Blind Pass Bridge, which connects the two islands. Convinced to travel to Sanibel Island and check out the cool things to do in there? Question, why have they never had real ice cream before? Eat at RC Otters. 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. Required fields are marked *. Road trips to Florida were the best part of my childhood. Offering free cancellations and no added fees, our {31 fun activities in South Plainfield fun activities in South Plainfield } are also worth a look. Battlegroundz has a 20,000-square-foot . 7. This is a fantastic place for viewing Florida manatees. The beach here was beautiful white sand, and the water was a bright shade of beautiful blue. Watch the sky burn a bright orange fromthe Mucky Duck, where they hold a sunset celebration on the beach just steps away from their patio. I had the Key Lime Ice Cream and my daughter had something called Unicorn poop. There isfree entryinto the Visitor & Education Center that includes ahands-on area for children. I've tried to keep treats healthier at home too while they were super young, but always had the intentions of loosening that up a bit as they get older. Make sure to also stop by the idyllic Blind Pass Beach on both Sanibel & Captiva Islands. The kids and I did an Everglades Gator and bird spotting tour withEverglades Day Safari Fort Myers in an airboat. For the 4 nights we were there, we stood on the beach of the hotel and observed and gave thanks that was our view. Watch the sunset on the beach. Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings. 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. Sanibel Island is a barrier island located on the Gulf Side of Florida, about 30 minutes from the Fort Myers. Head to the Crows Nest on Crab Racing Night and see as they say. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Another note, Sunburned Willie, the host of the crab race, can be a bit crass. With about 22 miles of paved bike trails, it's super easy to get anywhere on the island. Your email address will not be published. Copyright 2023 St. Joseph Communications. Unique Experiences and Travel Inspiration. Don't forget the camera some of my best shots have come at this time. Located at Point Ybel, at the eastern tip of Sanibel Island, Lighthouse Park Beach & Fishing Pier is a stunning 45-acre park where visitors can experience nature at its finest. They have a great kids menu, too, and are really patient with annoying children. If you want to learn more about the island make sure to check out my Sanibel Travel Guide, What to Do on Sanibel Island (not just for kids! Sanibel Island with kids really is a lovely vacation! Relax on the beach, enjoy a picnic, go on a bike ride, or take a hike on one of the trails found . My three-year-olds have been flying them for over a year. Sprinkled in youll find family travel inspiration. But heed the warning signs, as the bridge makes for swift ocean currents and the water around it is not advisable for swimming. Your Sanibel Island vacation rental lets you enjoy 15 miles of pristine beaches, 22 miles of bike paths, and zero traffic lights. It's a far cry from Disney, BUT I think this type of vacation can be just as lovely for kids of all ages. There is so much to explore right outside your hotel, both on the beach and in the water. Visit Cayo Costa Beach. Shelling is one of the best things to do on Sanibel Island, so plan to spend lots of time at the beach! Get Dessert at The Bubble Room. If youre lucky, youll also be able to spot friendly dolphins frolicking around the water. The Best Things to Do on Sanibel Island with Kids, Top Things to Do on Sanibel Island with Kids. Letting the kids just be kids in the sand is one of the best things to do in Sanibel with kids. There are many things for kids to do on Sanibel & Captiva Island from the beaches, museums, craft stores, wildlife tours and more! Fully Equipped with an upgraded kitchen featuring stainless steel, Sunzero Wolf appliances, and quartz countertops. If you can't tell an angel wing from a glassy bubble, a visit to the Bailey-MatthewsNational Shell Museum will set you straight. What's a beach trip without ice cream? Here are a few things to think about when narrowing down the best Sanibel Island family resorts for your vacation. There are several ways to explore the refuge. The kitschy shop at the east end of Sanibel is legendary for its delicious homemade Italian gelato. Heres a guide to the top 9 things to do in Sanibel. Kids stop in local businesses on the hunt for prizes. Sprinkled in youll find family travel inspiration. The Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) is great for learning about Southwest Floridas native and migratory wildlife. Tip: Many guides will clean the fish for you so you can enjoy your catch for dinner. Recommended Read: The 10 Most Beautiful Islands in Florida. You can shell without the extra things, but we thought it was a fun addition to the trip. You might want to bring water shoes or sandalsfor walking on the beach. It is a pretty photo stop, the beach is (of course) covered with shells and there is a lovely shaded picnic area there. It turns out, there are plenty of things to do on Sanibel Island with kids. Hello, my name is Shanna, and I am a detail obsessed travel addict on a mission to make planning your own family trips fun and easy! Learn how your comment data is processed. Find a Dunkin Donuts and you will be good. Florida sunsets are truly like none other in existence. In addition to an amazing pool and poolside bar, our provided kayaks, paddleboards, bikes to borrow and a naturalist led beach walk. Photo: Courtesy of The Beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel. Bonus: Shelling is freeas long as you clean and dry the shells before you leave, they make the perfect souvenirs. Captiva Cruises offers three kinds of sunset cruise: the Sunset Serenade with live music and cocktails, the Wildlife Sunset cruise with views of birds and dolphins and the Sunset Sail on a 40-foot catamaran. It takes justone visittoSanibel Islandbefore youll start planning yournext trip back. "It's the stupidest thing you've ever seen!" One of thebest things to do on Captiva Islandis to watch the sunset. I've heard you can even spot manatees there. Just make sure not to disturb their nests! Things to Do in Sanibel Island with Kids Enter dates Filters 1 Attractions Traveler favorites All things to do Category types Attractions Tours Day Trips Outdoor Activities Concerts & Shows Food & Drink Shopping Transportation Traveler Resources Types of Attractions Boat Tours & Water Sports Nature & Parks Sights & Landmarks Museums Here is my short list of family friendly restaurants on Sanibel Island. So if there aren't traditional kids attractions what ARE the things to do with kids in Sanibel Island? 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!). Places To Stay In Sanibel Island, Florida, The 10 Best Beaches Near Orlando, Florida, 15 Unbeatable Florida Family Vacations with Kids, The 4 Best Family-Friendly Vacation Spots in Orlando, The 15 Best Long Weekend Getaways In The US, The Ultimate Guide For a Pet-Friendly Holiday in Florida, 7 Amazing Water Parks In Orlando, Florida, 8 Best Hotels Near SeaWorld Orlando, Florida, The 5 Best Hotels Near Downtown Orlando, Florida, The 9 Best Pet-Friendly Hotels In Orlando, Florida, The Best Hotels Near Disney World Orlando, The 5 Most Stunning Hotels Near Denver International Airport, 5 Great Things To Do In Ybor City, Tampa, FL, 17 Amazing Things to do in London with 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. They dont seem startled one bit! Sanibel Island is an island on the west of the Florida panhandle. The beach was lovely, and the locals that we talked to told us that we had come before the winter sun-seeking crowds. Watch the sunset on the beach. 9. Our days were spent playing in the water, riding bikes around the island and collecting shells (SO MAY SHELLS! 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. Hit the big grocery stores in Fort Myers on your way. The whole family has endless opportunities for fun. Copyright 2023, Create Kids Club. You to get to the beach by boat, and its simply amazing. We booked the guide out of Fort Meyers. I've always wanted to visit Sanibel Island. 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). Sign up for Scary Mommy's daily newsletter for more stories from the trenches. The tour price covers the rental of all gear, including a PDF, leash, tie-downs, and fresh drinking water for each person. Sanibel Island isworld-renownedfor its abundance of seashells. All ages. Besides relaxing and playing on the beaches, there are kid-friendly restaurants, museums, and historical sites to enjoy with your family. Stop in at theSanibel Chamber Commerceand ask for the treasure hunt map. It's a unique, quirky, and unusual place that is full of old Florida charm. Visit the Sanibel Chamber of Commerce's . Consider renting a tandem bike for those younger kids who may end up tired from long bike rides. Pick a beach, any beach, and head on over after dinner. The wildlife refuge is open every day except Fridays. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Your email address will not be published. Paddle throughmangrove swamps and winding waterways, and then keep your kayak for free for the remainder of the day. But Sanibel Island, which faces due west in the Gulf of Mexico, is one of them. After your walk, you can enjoy a picnic lunch. Bristol Ocala Vacation Rental. Love Boat Ice Cream is at 1700 Periwinkle Way in the Plaza with the big Jerrys grocery store. Once youre there, walk down the dock and see if the local fisherman are having any luck. The Visitor and Education Centre offers free admission and is open every day except holidays from 9:00 am-4:00 pm year-round. Fun Things to Do in Sanibel Island with Kids: Family-friendly activities and fun things to do. Sanibel Island is located off the coast of southwest Florida, just west of Fort Myers. 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! Unfortunately for me, there are no craft breweries on the island. Sunrise AND Sunset walks are some of my favorite things to do in Sanibel with kids. Resorts felt more high end and had price tags to match. One day we went for a later brunch at the Lighthouse Cafe, which was very busy! Trust me. I definitely want to go back and explore and this sounds like an amazing place to do just that. Read more: Thats awesome. 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. In line the whole time riding bikes around the water around it is located off coast... The dock and see as they say able to spot friendly dolphins around. Signs, as the Bridge makes for swift ocean currents and the water around it is located off the of... Throughmangrove swamps and winding waterways, and head on over after dinner Nest Crab. Bike trails, it 's a unique, quirky, and its simply amazing old Florida charm things to on! 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