things to do with toddlers sanibel island

Little makes me happier than roaming the beach, looking for treasures. Kids have their own hands-on learning room, and staff members conduct daily beach walks. That post has already been written by a thousand other bloggers on the internet, so I dont feel the need to duplicate. Kayaking through a mangrove swamp is a must-do activity while visiting this Florida island. Sanibel Island is best experienced by bike. Whether your kids like seafood or more traditional food, there is something on the menu for everyone at these places. I have to include this. Blind Pass Beach 827 Beaches By 994linday 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. But in the spring and summer, the northern beaches are where it's at. 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. Spotting one of these loggerhead turtles is certainly on the Sanibel Island Florida Things To Do list! Your email address will not be published. Photo: Courtesy of The Beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel 1. My boys have spent hours in pools next to our rentals and I'm sure yours will too. Long and narrow in shape, the dreamy Sanibel is one of the larger islands of West Florida and features 15 miles of sun-kissed sandy beaches. Dont forget the camera some of my best shots have come at this time. No matter the time of year, Sanibel sees some brilliant sunsets. Ding Darling is known as one of the best places to visit for birding. Top 10 things to do on Sanibel Island with kids J.N. As I am a big craft beer aficionado, I had to hit up Doc Fords Rum Bar & Grille. Sanibel is the larger and (slightly) more commercial of the two islands, while Captiva is more remote and private. 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. Back in 1996, the City of Sanibel passed an ordinance that prevented big chain businesses from opening up shop on the island. 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. The beaches on this barrier island are covered in beautiful shells of different shapes, sizes and colours, so make sure to set aside a day at the beach where you and the kids can swim in the gulf, lounge in the sun and rifle through all the shells to find the perfect specimen. Less busy. The family-friendly museum is one of the few official "attractions" on the island is a fun way to spend a cooler or rainy day. The french fries are really good. Baby sea turtles hatch late at night when the moon is bright. They make 37 flavors daily from a repertoire of more than 130 flavors in total. Shelling is one of the best things to do on Sanibel Island, so plan to spend lots of time at the beach! Sanibel Island in Florida offers a breathtaking reprieve for families who want to get away from the hustle-bustle of everyday life. If you are staying at a resort and arent planning on straying too far from your quarters, you might be able to get by without a car (especially if your resort has bikes that you can use, which many Sanibel Island family resorts do). 2023 BDG Media, Inc. All rights reserved. He was so enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the reptiles that live in the Everglades, the kids couldnt help but be into it. The beaches are lined with more shells than you could ever collect. We also had dinner there and the kids were super happy with their chicken fingers. If you are staying on the east end of the island, this makes for a lovely bike ride (and you can stop for THE BEST key lime ice cream at Sanibels Best Homemade Ice Cream afterwards!). With themed activities and hands-on experiences, children ages 6 to 13 can foster their love and appreciation for the ocean. It has an authentic, old Florida vibe. Located at 2100 Island Inn Road, I was able to try a couple of beers brewed in the Fort Myers area. 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! We opted to drive ourselves. Kids of all ages love a pool and there are plenty of them in Sanibel! 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. For the 4 nights we were there, we stood on the beach of the hotel and observed and gave thanks that was our view. Yolo Board Adventures Sanibel offers two-hour guided eco-tours for both adults and children 12 and older. 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. We got to one area and a couple said they had heard one there and were waiting. 9. Toddlers, kids, and teens will all want to partake in this activity. Be sure also to visit the family-friendly Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum, the only one in the United States devoted solely to shells and mollusks. You can also watch a live video feed of behind-the-scenes animal rescue and care. Check outShell IdentificationandSeaLife Identificationto see what youve found! Make sure toget there earlyand plan on having dinner. Kids Activities. Your email address will not be published. There are shells all year long. It feels special because it is. That and snowbirds who retire there, my late paternal grandparents being them! Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful. Children's Museum of Manhattan, 212 West 83rd Street, Upper West Side. Plan a stop for dinner or a drink outside at theMucky Duck. Click here for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser. Our room was clean and spacious, and had a little kitchenette (some of the units in this resort have full kitchens, if this is a need for you). 7 Reasons to Visit Harrisonburg Virginia! 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. #1 in Sanibel Island Address: 1700 Bowman's Beach Rd. ): I did not realize until we visited Sanibel and next door Captiva Islands that each of these islands is distinctively different. 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. Bring a bottle of wine and let the kids get their feet wet. As someone who doesnt have kids, I still love all the suggestions. And the "lighthouse" isn't really a house at all but is actually a tower. 5. While it may be difficult to spotloggerhead turtles,you can usually see their tracks, especially in the early morning on the beaches, so keep your eyes open when you are taking that morning walk or out shelling, and youll probably encounter some of the tiny turtle tracks heading back to the Gulf. This Italian restaurant on Sanibel isnt the best thing ever, but after days of burgers, nachos and shellfish, it tastes like it is. Letting the kids just be kids in the sand is one of the best things to do in Sanibel with kids. Dedicated to saving wildlife through state-of-the-art veterinary care, this center offers various educational experiences. I would also be remiss to not mention Red Tide. Home Travel Top Things to Do on Sanibel Island with Kids. It was tempting. Made to order, this is one of thebest restaurants on Sanibel Islandfor kids and adults. A 90-minute excursion on the Lady Chadwick with Captiva Cruises(located on neighboring Captiva Island) will guarantee bottlenose dolphin sightings. Your new neighbors will be just as curious about you as you are about them. This is a prime destination for shelling, surrounded by emerald-green waters on all sides. Don't forget the camera some of my best shots have come at this time. The wildlife refuge is open every day except Fridays. Here you can learn all sorts of stuff about the animals and nature. We love traveling with kids and will incorporate some of the ideas. 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. 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. It turns out, there are plenty of things to do on Sanibel Island with kids. 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. Watch the sunset on the beach. Sanibel Island is approximately 30 minutes from the Fort Myers Airport. 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. Photo: Courtesy of The Beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel. By: Jodi/Updated on: February 15, 2023/3 Comments. I love Sanibel!! Along the way, a naturalist will point out local sights and landmarks while answering questions about wildlife and island history. Celebrate Women's History Month and commemorate pioneering figures in science, technology, arts & design, and mathematics. When travelling with my kids, I have to know where the good ice cream places are! 2. 8 reasons to take the kids to Kissimmee Looking for things to do in Sanibel Island with kids? 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! Road trips to Florida were the best part of my childhood. Hoping to be able to take the kids over the Summer. He had Little Man and Miss M jumping to be first in line the whole time. As I mentioned above, many resorts loan out bikes to their guests. It's a great and inexpensive activity for the family that doesn't involve having everyone sit at a table for an entire meal. The best attractions on Sanibel Island are: CuddlyNestprovides all accommodations to all travelers atthe best price. The Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) is great for learning about Southwest Floridas native and migratory wildlife. Admission is $7 for kids ages 5-11, $9 for ages 12-17, $15 for adults. We only took a handful home with us as I didnt want to break them in our luggage. Kids stop in local businesses on the hunt for prizes. Things to Do in Sanibel Island with Kids Dolphin Tour in Captiva Kids love animals so . Offering free cancellations and no added fees, our {31 fun activities in South Plainfield fun activities in South Plainfield } are also worth a look. Love all the suggestions we visited Sanibel and next door Captiva islands that each of islands! Mention Red Tide be remiss to not mention Red Tide of stuff about the animals and.! Kids dolphin Tour in Captiva kids love animals so into it the summer 1 Sanibel!, 212 West 83rd Street, Upper West Side are lined with more shells than you ever! To our rentals and I 'm sure yours will too many resorts loan out bikes to their guests a. Sanibel passed an ordinance that prevented big chain businesses from opening up shop on Lady. The hunt for prizes they make 37 flavors daily from a repertoire of more than 130 flavors total! Could ever collect way, a naturalist will point out local sights and landmarks while answering questions wildlife. 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Doesnt have kids, and teens will all want to break them in Sanibel day. Who retire there, my late paternal grandparents being them for everyone at places...

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