These cottages are on the western end of the island, so you are guaranteed some beautiful sunsets right from your front porch! You will not find chain restaurants, high rises, or traffic lights here. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I definitely enjoyed having a rental car while we were on Sanibel Island. Pick from one of many competitive games at Battlegroundz in Lincoln including dodgeball, laser tag, paintball, archery tag, airsoft, darts and cornhole. Here's how to make the right first impression. You can also rent them. Here, visit the otherworldly Captiva Beach, famous for its snow-white sand and shallow crystal-clear waters. Each day the view was completely different and it made a wonderful activity with the entire family. The island is a special place for any type of trip, but there is a unique charm in taking kids there because it allows them to appreciate nature a bit more than more developed beach cities. Photo: Courtesy of The Beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel 1. 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. 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. 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. I wasnt sure there was much else to see and do in Florida. Address: 845 E Gulf Dr, Sanibel, FL 33957. The island is home to many burrowing gopher turtles and lush plantlife grows wild here giving the island an old Florida feel. We were able to wake up and walk right out onto the beach to go shelling in the morning, without having to get in a car. Back in 1996, the City of Sanibel passed an ordinance that prevented big chain businesses from opening up shop on the island. Stuff your face at Island Cow. 7 Reasons to Visit Harrisonburg Virginia! We were also able to take advantage of a free daily tour of the beach with a naturalist guide during which we learned some really neat tidbits about the beach and its creatures. From action-packed water sports to relaxing spa treatments, we have something for everyone. 2. Best Things To Do on Long Island this Weekend with Kids. Most of the nicer resorts on Sanibel provide some variety of activities. Suzanne Rowan Kelleher is a nationally recognized family travel expert and an award-winning travel writer and editor. They dont seem startled one bit! Whether your kids like seafood or more traditional food, there is something on the menu for everyone at these places. Most of the nicer resorts on Sanibel provide some variety of activities. The burgers are amazing, I highly recommend the turkey burger. My three-year-olds have been flying them for over a year. Manatee Park. My point is that if you only have a few days, and have a list of things you want to see on the island, spending the extra money for a resort with all of the bells and whistles might not be worth it for you. The museum features over 30 permanent exhibits on shells of Sanibel and Captiva Island, as well as those from around the world. Thats awesome. Sanibel Island Rentals: Billy's Bike : 1509 Periwinkle Way (239) 472-3620 Finnimore's Bike & Beach Shop: 2353 Periwinkle Wa (239) 472-5577 3. That and snowbirds who retire there, my late paternal grandparents being them! While meandering through the colorful stalks of this vibrant farmers market, youll come across locally sourced meat, cheese, baked goods, fresh fruit smoothies, fish, art, jewelry, and more. 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 With an early sunset time in winter, we'd take the boys out and walk up the beach toward the sunset. Not a single person I spoke to in the area seems to be concerned about Red Tide and carried on with business as usual. Kids stop in local businesses on the hunt for prizes. Florida sunsets are truly like none other in existence. 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. It's such a great way to spend a bright and sunny afternoon almost any time of year! The shells on Sanibel make going to the beach even more fun for kids because they have another activity to do. Here are 12 must-do activities for your Sanibel Island family vacation to make planning your Florida beach vacation a little easier. My goal with Running in a Skirt is to help YOU live a happier, healthier life! 6. I definitely want to go back and explore and this sounds like an amazing place to do just that. Sanibel has so much wildlife that spotting cool animals and birds is one of the best things to do in Sanibel with kids. It was a day of ribbons and confetti cannons, hugs and back-slapping as two more island business emerged from . One of our favoritethings to do at night in Sanibel islandis to come back for a delicious milkshake. Come at low tide or after a storm to find conch, junonia, lightning whelk, and cockle shells. Sanibel island is one of the most bike friendly places that we have ever been. You are in warm weather and you are on the ocean, so why not indulge in the water and cool off? Bring goggles for kids to get a good look at the sandy ocean bottom. Toddlers, kids, and teens will all want to partake in this activity. Explore the serene canals and lagoons via kayak, and keep an eye out for manatees and shorebirds. Summers in Florida are HOT. Shelling is one of the best things to do on Sanibel Island, so plan to spend lots of time at the beach! 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. The refuge also offers tram rides hosted by a naturalist, so kids can learn more about what they're seeing. Sanibel Island in Florida offers a breathtaking reprieve for families who want to get away from the hustle-bustle of everyday life. 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. Kids can easily split a kids meal, especially if they fill up on the bottomless muffins that come first. It is located nearby Blind Pass Bridge, which connects the two islands. We stayed at the Sanibel Inn and absolutely LOVED it. Its located right on the beach in the premier spot for shelling. Book family tours. 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. This should be enough to get you started (and if you have any favorites that you think I should add, please let me know! 2. As the kids are flying down the waterslides enjoy a nice slow ride in the lazy river. Note you will have to head back into Fort Myers to get picked up by there van for this excursion. These encounters trump a trip to Disneyworld any day. It was nice to be able to sit out there when the bugs came out later in the evening, and to be able to leave the balcony door open to soak up that lovely sea air. Sanibel and Captiva Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center 907 Visitor Centers By mrsmarinara great information givien with a really generous spirit 4. Heres something I wouldnt have done as a kid Hold boas, king snakes, pythons, alligators But our day guide Rhett? Hop on a flyboard or ride through the waves on . 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 kids waited for 5 minutes and wanted to go. Unique Experiences and Travel Inspiration. Corrie P./CROW - Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife, Inc. At the Crow Clinic Animal Rehab, kids can interact with animal ambassadors for a remarkable learning experience. The wildlife refuge is open every day except Fridays. The twins and I also spotted this unique bird on the beach. Children's Museum of Manhattan, 212 West 83rd Street, Upper West Side. There are several places for bike rentals on Sanibel Island, and 25 miles of trails to enjoy. 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. The ferry terminal is located on neighboring Captiva Island and accessed via a short drive over the bridge. But in the spring and summer, the northern beaches are where it's at. Summer Waves Water Park. This is a prime destination for shelling, surrounded by emerald-green waters on all sides. This sounds like a great island to visit. If there is, put it back. Not so much. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge On this part of Sanibel you'll find a protected piece of nature with quite an impressive wildlife! Here are the Top Things to Do with Kids on Sanibel Island, Florida. If you like a bit of history in your travels, then be sure to pay a visit to the lighthouse on the eastern tip of Sanibel Island. Copyright 2023 St. Joseph Communications. It's a great and inexpensive activity for the family that doesn't involve having everyone sit at a table for an entire meal. 4. I am a travel agent and family travel expert who is PASSIONATE about planning amazing adventures for families. 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 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. Your Sanibel Island vacation rental lets you enjoy 15 miles of pristine beaches, 22 miles of bike paths, and zero traffic lights. Biking downtown just got more exciting for kids having a map and treasures to hunt! Yolo Board Adventures Sanibel offers two-hour guided eco-tours for both adults and children 12 and older. 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. A quick drive from Fort Myers, Florida will take you to a tropical island getaway with so much family-friendly fun to explore. In my personal experience, most family travel has been to the area where an infamous mouse hangs out. The two ice cream places we tried on Sanibel Island are Joeys Custard and Love Boat Ice Cream. Registered dietitian & mom behind Create Kids Club an online kitchen where feeding kids gluten-free is made easier with simple recipes & kids cooking ideas. Letting the kids just be kids in the sand is one of the best things to do in Sanibel with kids. With about 22 miles of paved bike trails, it's super easy to get anywhere on the island. Sanibel Island with kids is lovely! Also, the water tended to be murky on Sanibel. 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's the stupidest thing you've ever seen!" The Sanibel Moorings Botanical Gardens takes visitors on a colorful journey through idyllic tropical gardens. There are a great deal of things to do on Sanibel Island when traveling with a family. 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 Sanibel Island Lighthouse is on the east end of the island and has a lovely fishing pier, nature trail, and beaches with great shelling. There are bike lanes literally EVERYWHERE. Fort Myers (RSW) is the closest airport to Sanibel Island Florida. The tour price covers the rental of all gear, including a PDF, leash, tie-downs, and fresh drinking water for each person. It takes up some real estate in the car, but the hours of fun you'll get out of it are worth it. I am not going to post about EVERYTHING to do on Sanibel Island for kids. You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings. Make sure to also stop by the idyllic Blind Pass Beach on both Sanibel & Captiva Islands. Sanibel Island is best experienced by bike. Collect shells along the beach Sanibel is known as the Shelling Capital of the World, and it's not hard to see why. I looked carefully at the hotels and resorts just across the bay in nearby Fort Myers. There are many fishing companies in the Sanibel area. 74. Sanibel Island isworld-renownedfor its abundance of seashells. 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! They were a lot cheaper than similar resorts on Sanibel. Sanibel Island is known for shelling and is one of the best places in the world to shell. Located near Fort Myers, just offshore Floridas Gulf Coast, this unique island offers visitors the opportunity to bask in many outdoor activities. While the water is not clear, they will be able to find starfish, conch, and sand dollars. 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. Watching the sun dip into the Gulf of Mexico is magic. Friday, March 3. Looking for a little fun in the sun. . 5. Located off Sanibel-Captiva Road, Bowmans Beach has several miles of secluded white sand and gentle waters ideal for a refreshing swim. As always, opinions and fun times are always mine and those of my kids. They have plenty of cute shops to pick from for the kiddos. 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. Party & Event Planning. Plan your trip to Captiva before sunset and head to the beach across from the Mucky Duck for the best sunset view available. Dont miss out on mobile-only deals and one-of-a-kind offers. So if there aren't traditional kids attractions what ARE the things to do with kids in Sanibel Island? This is Tampa's Ybor City is a National Historic Landmark District. They were pretty excited to start filling their bags when we got there. One of the most famous is the Wildlife and Education Boardwalk, which provides excellent views of freshwater areas inhabited by alligators and nesting birds. Sanibel and the surrounding islands are home to a myriad of different animals. 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