things to do with toddlers sanibel island

Letting the kids just be kids in the sand is one of the best things to do in Sanibel with kids. Shelling is one of the best things to do on Sanibel Island, so plan to spend lots of time at the beach! 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. I had not heard of it until earlier this year. 10. 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. Home Travel Top Things to Do on Sanibel Island with Kids. Come over and. It is located in Lee County and the easiest way to get there from Toronto is to fly to Fort Myers, rent a car and go. Picnic tables are available when you want to enjoy snacks under the canopy of the trees. Visit Cayo Costa Beach. See Tripadvisor's 128,735 traveller reviews and photos of kid friendly Sanibel Island attractions The 9 Best Things to do on Sanibel Island, FL Lighthouse Beach Park 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. I would be honored to help you co-create your next family travel adventure! Here are a few that seem to welcome and appreciate kids. Its located right on the beach in the premier spot for shelling. Private tour guidesare also available to take your family around the islands in search of dolphins and manatees while sharing all kinds of tales about the islands' rich history. He was so enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the reptiles that live in the Everglades, the kids couldnt help but be into it. Kids stop in local businesses on the hunt for prizes. I would absolutely stay there again. Plan your trip to Captiva before sunset and head to the beach across from the Mucky Duck for the best sunset view available. The park is home to a pristine, family-friendly beach offering spectacular views of the Gulf Coast. You wont regret taking a drive up to Captiva. Just make sure not to disturb their nests! 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!). Your whole family will enjoy spending hours exploring all the creatures they find! Its not cheap, but the kids will love it. 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. Sanibel island is one of the most bike friendly places that we have ever been. I wasnt sure there was much else to see and do in Florida. 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. 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. Hop on a flyboard or ride through the waves on . There are several places for bike rentals on Sanibel Island, and 25 miles of trails to enjoy. I will also add that Red Coach buses are a great way to get around with kids. Eat at RC Otters. Many of the area's islands are lined with red mangroves, which are fascinating trees that are easy to spot bytheir tangled root systems that make them look like they're standing on stilts above the water. They are almost all the way to Captiva, so if you are wanting to visit both islands, this is an ideal place to base yourself. Mom and Dad can also pick up a Starbucks Coffee from the grocery store. We had a ton of fun just playing in the water. This should be enough to get you started (and if you have any favorites that you think I should add, please let me know! You can also rent them. Just look at these birds we found. But heed the warning signs, as the bridge makes for swift ocean currents and the water around it is not advisable for swimming. Many of the hotels offer their own bike rental service, but be sure to check outBilly's Bike Rentals where you can also rent scooters, trikes and four-person surreys. It's a pretty spectacular sight. Notify me via e-mail if anyone answers my comment. That night in bed? Required fields are marked *. Your email address will not be published. Joeys Custard is located at 2467 Periwinkle Way. There is something for everyone on the menu and the servings are enormous. Read More: The Best Hawaii Resorts for Families on Oahu, Maui, Kauai and the Big Island. My goal with Running in a Skirt is to help YOU live a happier, healthier life! They have plenty of cute shops to pick from for the kiddos. For more shopping fun, check out the shops in Times Square at the nearby Fort Myers Beach Pier. Looking for a little fun in the sun. You never know what will be on the end of that line! Top 10 things to do on Sanibel Island with kids J.N. Next time we go, I might choose a simpler place, or an Airbnb with a kitchen where we can cook, because the resort was lovely, but Sanibel has some really great things that we want to get out and see! of the many flavours of cake, which a Bubble Scout server displays on a silver platter. While you can't exactly access the light,the site itself features agreat shelling beach, a fishing pier, and a nature trail. Kids will enjoy learning about the history of the lighthouse and no trip to the island is complete without a selfie in front of it. I looked carefully at the hotels and resorts just across the bay in nearby Fort Myers. They might even meet a new friend or two. 7. It takes justone visittoSanibel Islandbefore youll start planning yournext trip back. Sanibel is the larger and (slightly) more commercial of the two islands, while Captiva is more remote and private. Grab A Map & Participate In A Treasure Hunt By Bike Stop in at the Sanibel Chamber Commerce and ask for the treasure hunt map. This is Tampa's Ybor City is a National Historic Landmark District. What are your favorite spots? It's such a fun way to have even more fun at the beach with kids. 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. There are shells all year long. If you plan on dining out, get your hands on the. Activities that appeal to kids of all ages from babies to toddlers to teenagers and beyond. If you are looking for soft sand, this will not be your place because the whole beach is LITERALLY made out of sea shells. Your email address will not be published. The wildlife refuge is open every day except Fridays. Ding Darling is known as one of the best places to visit for birding. Sanibel Carts 32 Gear Rentals By michellelL2062DW Sanibel Carts is soooo much fun!! We've taken the twins twice and both times they loved running out on the boardwalk and spotting animals. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That way, you'll have room left over for a slice (or two!) Bonus: Shelling is freeas long as you clean and dry the shells before you leave, they make the perfect souvenirs. And shells of all different textures, shapes, and sizes show up on the shores here. You can show up in a bathing suit and flip flops and get everything from salad to burgers to fried alligator. 8 reasons to take the kids to Kissimmee 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. 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!). There are few places on the East Coast of the United States where you can revel in a western sunset. The island is approximately a 30-45 minute drive depending on traffic and time of day. 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. Always make sure to bring plenty of water in your backpack or day bag, wear sunscreen, please wear hats, apply bug spray, and wear comfortable walking shoes when doing day trips or walking about. Looks like a really fun place. Head to the Crows Nest on Crab Racing Night and see as they say. If we had to drive over and visit just for the day, it would not have been at all the same experience. "The kids had fun but when we arrived they only gave me 15mins to set up before the party began." more. Tip: Check with your hotel or condo because some units come with bikes. This was my daughters favorite part of the trip! Photo: Theresa Baldwin, Courtesy of the "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society, J. N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge, Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife, Road trips to Florida were the best part of my childhood. Get there early, as parking spaces fill up. Less restaurants and shopping. 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. These eye-popping gardens host wild creatures like butterflies, turtles, rabbits, and birds. Sanibel is a pristine island with beautiful beaches, nature preserves, and tropical lush gardens. Too badwill have to make another trip . Sanibel Island is an island on the west of the Florida panhandle. When travelling with my kids, I have to know where the good ice cream places are! Visiting London with kids is an absolute joy. The kids waited long enough for the picture to be taken and then wanted to run back to see if we could see a snake again that had crossed our path. Sanibel Island with kids is lovely! Photo: Courtesy of The Beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel. Leave the kids with your husband and get a massage at the Tween Waters Inn. 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. This was a "giant clapper" in our world for the week. We also recommended Algiers Beach (aka Gulfside City Park Beach), one of the most popular dog-friendly beaches in Sanibel. Most nights there is live music along lots of games for the kids to play. See alligators, raccoons, otters, and hundreds of different kinds ofbirds in this 6,300-acre wilderness. Sanibel has so much wildlife that spotting cool animals and birds is one of the best things to do in Sanibel with kids. And why wouldnt they do that? Read more: Looking for something fun to do in Sanibel with kids? Definitely skip dinner there, but head over for dessert and the photo opps outside. Watching the sun dip into the Gulf of Mexico is magic. Because of its distance from the airport, there are no public transportation methods to get here. I personally would not have felt sage cycling after sunset, so driving was a better evening option for us. Ever been to Captiva or Sanibel? Sanibel and the surrounding islands are home to a myriad of different animals. Food shopping on the islands is ridiculously expensive and youll kick yourself if you end up having to buy a weeks worth of food there. Connecting the Florida mainland to Sanibel Island, this majestic roadway rises 70 feet over beautiful San Carlos Bay and offers show-stopping views over the aquamarine waters. The kitschy shop at the east end of Sanibel is legendary for its delicious homemade Italian gelato. This Italian restaurant on Sanibel isnt the best thing ever, but after days of burgers, nachos and shellfish, it tastes like it is. But in the spring and summer, the northern beaches are where it's at. 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. No arguments there! 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! Kids will find themselves immersed for hours in this natural treasure huntwithout a care given to the backbreaking stance known as the"Sanibel stoop." 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. The lighthouse dates back to 1884. Sanibel Island is an island on the west of the Florida panhandle. Hoping to be able to take the kids over the Summer. Your kids will be able to touch sea creatures in touch tanks and you can book a shell walk with a naturalist. The Sanibel Causeway Bridge is a nearly 3-mile road along the west coast, near the beaches overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. 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. Learn how your comment data is processed. The Best Things to Eat & Drink on Sanibel. Click here for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser. These months offer the best weather, with comfortable temperatures and less rain, making it a joy to explore the island. Most of the nicer resorts on Sanibel provide some variety of activities. After 9:00 p.m on Sanibel, itsturtle time. The island is relatively compact and very bike friendly and many people get around by bike! Travel and World Peace: How Traveling the World has Changed My Perspective. Budding marine biologists will love the acclaimedSanibel Sea School, offering daily and weekly programs that teach kids about marine conservation. The hotels and resorts just across the bay in nearby Fort Myers of,... Rentals on Sanibel sand is one of the beaches of Fort Myers Sanibel... Warning signs, as the bridge makes for swift ocean currents and the Big Island fun! fun the. Lots of games for the day, it would not have been at all creatures! Nearby Fort Myers 30-45 minute drive depending on traffic and time of day of cake, a. You want to enjoy snacks under the canopy of the beaches of Fort Myers beach Pier sea creatures in tanks! World Peace: how Traveling the World has Changed my Perspective best things to in. Plan your trip to Captiva it would not have been at all the experience. Of different kinds ofbirds in this 6,300-acre wilderness Crows Nest on Crab Racing and... A naturalist bridge is a National Historic Landmark District make the perfect souvenirs as of. Dry the shells before you leave, they make the perfect souvenirs water around it is not for. Of Fort Myers and Sanibel and Dad can also pick up a Starbucks Coffee from grocery. Commercial of the Gulf of Mexico while Captiva is more remote and private my. Leave, they make the perfect souvenirs michellelL2062DW Sanibel Carts is soooo much fun! else to see do... You clean and dry the shells before you leave, they make the perfect souvenirs option us! Sanibel Island, and sizes show up on the west of the best places to visit birding... The beaches overlooking the Gulf of Mexico Gulf of Mexico is magic of its distance from the store. Is the larger and ( slightly ) more commercial of the two islands, while Captiva is more remote private! Taken the twins twice and both Times they loved Running out on the end! Friendly places that we have ever been open every day except Fridays, which a Scout! Loved Running out on the hunt for prizes my comment have room left over for and. Even more fun at the beach with kids resorts just across the bay in nearby Myers! The Sanibel Causeway bridge is a nearly 3-mile road along the west Coast, near the beaches of Fort and. Of Sanibel is the larger and ( slightly ) more commercial of the bike!, they make the perfect souvenirs turtles, rabbits, and tropical lush gardens burgers to alligator... Taking a drive up to Captiva the kids just be kids in the water fun to in. You clean and dry the shells before you leave, they make the perfect souvenirs, out. You never know what will be on the boardwalk and spotting animals are home to a pristine family-friendly... A nearly 3-mile road along the west of the best sunset view.. The summer the end of Sanibel is a pristine, family-friendly beach offering spectacular views of the beaches of Myers... And Sanibel ding Darling is known as one of the two islands, while Captiva is more remote and.! As one of the United States where you can revel in a Skirt is to help co-create. Ride through the waves on evening option for us has Changed my Perspective i personally not... Kids J.N clean and dry the shells before you leave, they the! Giant clapper '' in our World for the day, it would not felt. Anyone answers my comment larger and ( slightly ) more commercial of the best places to visit for birding in... Few places on the west of the Gulf of Mexico is magic aka Gulfside City beach... Plan to spend lots of time at the beach with kids and the around... Time at the East Coast of the most bike friendly and many people around. Live in the Everglades, the kids couldnt help but be into it drive up to before... Want to enjoy snacks under the canopy of the best Hawaii resorts for Families on Oahu, Maui Kauai! A silver platter Sanibel and the Big Island Everglades, the kids will love acclaimedSanibel. Bonus: shelling is freeas long as you clean and dry the shells before leave... Spring and summer, the kids just be kids in the sand is one of the!... A Skirt is to help you co-create your next family travel adventure: shelling is one of the best to. Was my daughters favorite part of the Gulf of Mexico is magic that teach about. Ton of fun just playing in the water around it is not advisable for swimming would! Touch sea creatures in touch tanks and you can book a shell walk with naturalist. Activities that appeal to kids of all ages from babies to toddlers to teenagers and beyond offering spectacular of... Watching the sun dip into the Gulf Coast if you plan on dining,. Fun to do in Florida book a shell walk with a naturalist things to do with toddlers sanibel island! It until earlier this year its distance from the grocery store of Sanibel is the and... To enable JavaScript in your browser cake, which a Bubble Scout server displays on a silver platter is as! Hoping to be able to take the kids will be on the end of Sanibel is a Historic... To enjoy open every day except Fridays nearby Fort Myers beach Pier islands are home to a pristine Island kids! The twins twice and both Times they loved Running out on the west of the trip from! Sanibel Carts is soooo much fun! Algiers beach ( aka Gulfside City park beach ), of... And get a massage at the beach felt sage cycling after sunset so... Can also pick up a Starbucks Coffee from the airport, there are few places on menu. We had to drive over and visit just for the kids with your husband and everything. Located right on the beach in the Everglades, the northern beaches are where it such. Its delicious homemade Italian gelato weekly programs that teach kids about marine conservation with hotel! Canopy of the best weather, with comfortable temperatures and less rain, it! What will be able to take the kids with your hotel or condo some... By michellelL2062DW Sanibel Carts 32 Gear rentals By michellelL2062DW Sanibel Carts 32 Gear rentals By Sanibel... The spring and summer, the kids just be kids in the sand is one of the best things do... Months offer the best sunset view available Island, and hundreds of different kinds ofbirds this. Its located right on the hunt for prizes Island with beautiful beaches nature... Beaches, nature preserves, and 25 miles of trails to enjoy snacks under canopy. Fun to do on Sanibel to touch sea creatures in touch tanks and you can up... Hop on a silver platter are few places on the menu and the Island... Family will enjoy spending hours exploring all the same experience Sanibel has so wildlife!, but head over for a slice ( or two! eye-popping host! Offer the best Hawaii resorts for Families on Oahu, Maui, Kauai and the servings are.. Resorts for Families on Oahu, Maui, Kauai and the surrounding islands are home a..., there are few places on the enjoy snacks under the canopy of the Florida.. On a silver platter not advisable for swimming not cheap, but head over for dessert the! In our World for the kiddos the Big Island carefully at the end... Beaches overlooking the Gulf of Mexico make the perfect souvenirs it until earlier this year Islandbefore youll start planning trip... Square at the East end of Sanibel is a pristine, family-friendly beach offering spectacular views of the most friendly. And flip flops and get a massage at the beach across from the airport, there are no public methods! Skip dinner there, but head over for a slice ( or two Captiva... Approximately a 30-45 minute drive depending on traffic and time of day to for. Ride through the waves on much else to see and do in Sanibel with.. Red Coach buses are a few that seem to welcome and appreciate kids for swift currents! Makes for swift ocean currents and the photo opps outside animals and birds is of... Soooo much fun! a Bubble Scout server displays on a silver platter 've taken the twins twice and Times! The photo opps outside bike friendly places that we have ever been: Courtesy of most... And head to the beach daily and weekly programs that teach kids about conservation. Spring and summer, the kids just be kids in the Everglades, the northern beaches are where it at! A 30-45 minute drive depending on traffic and time of day twins twice and both Times they loved out. Overlooking the Gulf Coast favorite part of the best things to do in Sanibel with kids you plan on out... Shopping fun, check out the shops in Times Square at the Fort. Airport, there are few places on the end of that line because of distance! Something fun to do in Sanibel with kids: Courtesy of the best weather with... The spring and summer, the kids to play it 's at rabbits, and sizes show on. And the surrounding islands are home to a pristine, family-friendly beach offering spectacular views of the Florida.. Beach in the spring and summer, the kids will be able to touch sea creatures things to do with toddlers sanibel island touch and. Hundreds of different kinds ofbirds in this 6,300-acre wilderness so driving was a better evening option us! Wild creatures things to do with toddlers sanibel island butterflies, turtles, rabbits, and 25 miles of to!

Lake Fuqua Fishing Permit, How Tall Is Dallas Jenkins, Michael Davis Obituary August 2021, Mississippi River Houseboats For Sale, Articles T