things to do with toddlers sanibel islandthings to do with toddlers sanibel island

): I did not realize until we visited Sanibel and next door Captiva Islands that each of these islands is distinctively different. Sign up for Scary Mommy's daily newsletter for more stories from the trenches. Get Dessert at The Bubble Room. This family-friendly island has lots of activities for kids of all ages most of them free! When the red tide is high, dead fish wash up on shore, some shellfish is unsafe to eat and humans, especially those with asthma, have trouble breathing. Kids can find out more about the shells and mollusks they found on the beach and see a collection of aquariums with over 50 species of marine life. Your email address will not be published. Sanibel Island is a barrier island located on the Gulf Side of Florida, about 30 minutes from the Fort Myers. See these marine mammals leaping and frolicking in the waters of Pine Island Sound. Plan a stop for dinner or a drink outside at theMucky Duck. Here are some of our favorite things to do in Fort Myers & Sanibel Island with kids. We opted to drive ourselves. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again. A trip to Sanibel Island with kids is perfect if you are a family who wants to send some quality time together in a laid back, relaxed atmosphere. Copyright 2023, Create Kids Club. Learn how your comment data is processed. These months offer the best weather, with comfortable temperatures and less rain, making it a joy to explore the island. The shelling is the best and the kids love climbing all over the driftwood and making their way through the forest. Tip: Many guides will clean the fish for you so you can enjoy your catch for dinner. Sanibel island is one of the most bike friendly places that we have ever been. 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. So will you. Most of the pools in the area are heated, making them great for use even in the winter. Your new neighbors will be just as curious about you as you are about them. Watch the sunset on the beach. Sanibel Island is an island on the west of the Florida panhandle. Its amazing! But Sanibel Island, which faces due west in the Gulf of Mexico, is one of them. 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 Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge! We came back with so many amazing shells (a whole suitcase full of them in fact). Address: 1 Wildlife Dr, Sanibel, FL 33957. And while you won't find theme parks or children's museums to keep your kids entertained, instead, give them the opportunity to spot dolphins, hold small sea creatures, and kayak through the mangroves. I've heard you can even spot manatees there. Look up and see if you can observe some ospreys or pelicans. There's a safe designated bike path to pedal the length and width of the island, and you can even beat the traffic when it slows to a crawl during season. Activities that appeal to kids of all ages from babies to toddlers to teenagers and beyond. Just make sure there is nothing living inside of the shell. Fully Equipped with an upgraded kitchen featuring stainless steel, Sunzero Wolf appliances, and quartz countertops. Parking at Blind Pass Beach costs $5 per hour and the beach is free to explore. We definitely suggest sharing plates, since each dinner portion is huge and comes with a sticky bun, garlic bread and a side salad. Visit the Sanibel Chamber of Commerce's . Because of its distance from the airport, there are no public transportation methods to get here. In order to post comments, please make sure JavaScript and Cookies are enabled, and reload the page. I'd venture to say that if you look for it you can find as much adventure on this little island as a lot of other tourist destinations. We got to one area and a couple said they had heard one there and were waiting. You wont regret taking a drive up to Captiva. Definitely worth the drive! 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. As always, opinions and fun times are always mine and those of my kids. Download a tide app to check tide times. Check out the accommodation options for your dates through my booking.com affiliate search box: Booking.com(function(d,sc,u){var s=d.createElement(sc),p=d.getElementsByTagName(sc)[0];s.type='text/javascript';s.async=true;s.src=u+'?v='+(+new Date());p.parentNode.insertBefore(s,p);})(document,'script','//aff.bstatic.com/static/affiliate_base/js/flexiproduct.js'); And always remember, Florida can be very HOT! All ages. Also, the water tended to be murky on Sanibel. You'll probably not be surprised to see this list includes enjoying the beaches fully with different beach activities, swimming, and even shelling! This sounds like a great island to visit. Address: 3883 Sanibel Captiva Rd, Sanibel. Required fields are marked *. It's known for its natural beauty including gorgeous beaches, shelling, and island lifestyle. Each time, we had to walk around and see the parrots (the naughty one on the end kept throwing his toys out of the cage and pouting as passersby to pick them upshe thought it was hilarious!) Sanibel Island is known for its idyllic beaches filled with abundant shells. That is until I heard of the western side of the panhandle and more specifically Sanibel Island. Tarpon Bay Explorersofferscanoe and kayak trips in the J. N. "Ding" Darling NationalWildlife Refuge where naturalist guides give you an up-close experience with this unique ecosystem. Suzanne Rowan Kelleher is a nationally recognized family travel expert and an award-winning travel writer and editor. We upgraded our regular beach toys to fun trucks that our boys love. Recommended Read: The 10 Most Beautiful Islands in Florida. 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. A jaunt down the beach or a bike around the island makes for wonderful take-home memories. Watching the sun dip into the Gulf of Mexico is magic. 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. It was tempting. This was a "giant clapper" in our world for the week. Do you want amazing sunsets or sunrises? 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!). Another note, Sunburned Willie, the host of the crab race, can be a bit crass. Here are a few that seem to welcome and appreciate kids. The island has a curved shape that causes it to as a shovel, scooping up shells from the Gulf of Mexico. Dont leave the park without checking out the Sanibel Island Lighthouse. KathrynAnywhere is a participant in the Booking.com affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees upon guests booking reservations at the accommodations listed. Learn how your comment data is processed. The fun never stops on Sanibel Island. Your email address will not be published. I've always wanted to visit Sanibel Island. It also taught the boys a bit about wind and weather because they only knew they could fly the kites on windy days. As I mentioned above, many resorts loan out bikes to their guests. Nope, they were thrilled to do this! That and snowbirds who retire there, my late paternal grandparents being them! It connects by bridge to Captiva Island. 2. I think we stopped here three times during our stay. The beach was not sandy, it was made of crushed shells. Required fields are marked *. These eye-popping gardens host wild creatures like butterflies, turtles, rabbits, and birds. You are in warm weather and you are on the ocean, so why not indulge in the water and cool off? Here's how to make the right first impression. Although I had never been before, I knew I wanted to take Miss M and Z Man. What's a beach trip without ice cream? Shelling is one of the best things to do on Sanibel Island, so plan to spend lots of time at the beach! Buy groceries before you come over. Here is a story about patience. We only took a handful home with us as I didnt want to break them in our luggage. There are many things for kids to do on Sanibel & Captiva Island from the beaches, museums, craft stores, wildlife tours and more! With over 25 miles of paved, carless trails, Sanibel Island is a wonderful place for families to explore on two wheels. That post has already been written by a thousand other bloggers on the internet, so I dont feel the need to duplicate. Sanibel and the surrounding islands are home to a myriad of different animals. Consider renting a tandem bike for those younger kids who may end up tired from long bike rides. Sanibel and Captiva have some different shells, so be sure to hit beaches on both islands. Battlegroundz has a 20,000-square-foot . . With themed activities and hands-on experiences, children ages 6 to 13 can foster their love and appreciation for the ocean. You should get an annual pass to the wildlife refuge. With about 22 miles of paved bike trails, it's super easy to get anywhere on the island. They have a great kids menu, too, and are really patient with annoying children. What are your favorite spots? On a regular day, the a.m. low tide will be better than the p.m. because if youre the first one out in the morning, youll be able to find the shells that have freshly washed ashore.Tip: My family has always gone to Sanibel Island in June and the beaches have always been filled with shells. A 90-minute excursion on the Lady Chadwick with Captiva Cruises(located on neighboring Captiva Island) will guarantee bottlenose dolphin sightings. Its a nice place to stay, but the spa is especially wonderful. The two ice cream places we tried on Sanibel Island are Joeys Custard and Love Boat Ice Cream. They were a lot cheaper than similar resorts on Sanibel. ), and The Best Things to Eat & Drink on Sanibel. Is your travel style mostly spending time at the resort and relaxing, or do you want to get out and see everything? One of the most famous is the Wildlife and Education Boardwalk, which provides excellent views of freshwater areas inhabited by alligators and nesting birds. Copyright 2023 St. Joseph Communications. There are several ways to explore the refuge. Our days were spent playing in the water, riding bikes around the island and collecting shells (SO MAY SHELLS! Conditions are often mild and allow you to experience many of the island's activities no matter when you visit. We've even spotted lots of dolphins just along the coast. You can shell without the extra things, but we thought it was a fun addition to the trip. The occurrence of Red Tide is when simple plants that live in the sea and freshwatergrow out of control. There was a mild red tide when we visited. 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. the stupidest thing you will ever see if youre not up for something stupid, you might be in the wrong place! Unique Experiences and Travel Inspiration. Sanibel isn't the only barrier island along the coast of Fort Myersthere are many others that are only accessible by boat. Currently you have JavaScript disabled. What a great way to vacation around Sanibel! He had Little Man and Miss M jumping to be first in line the whole time. Billys Bike: 1509 Periwinkle Way (239) 472-3620, Finnimores Bike & Beach Shop: 2353 Periwinkle Wa (239) 472-5577. Just make sure not to keep any live ones! They offer a wide variety of accommodations choices as well as a beautiful kid friendly pool with a water slide. One of thebest things to do on Captiva Islandis to watch the sunset. March 4-26, Saturdays and Sundays, 10 am - 5 pm. When we return to Sanibel, these will definitely be at the top of our short list! You to get to the beach by boat, and its simply amazing. There are shells all year long. Nature comes in a spectacular variety in the Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge. Where else but the seashell capital of the world would you find the national shell museum? There is also a tram if you are a guided tour person. Home Travel Top Things to Do on Sanibel Island with Kids. Here you'll find shell-strewn beaches, a laid-back vibe, terrific restaurants and shops,and an incredibly diverse wildlife sampling. 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. 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. Take them to the shopping center with Jerry's, which is one of the local grocery stores on the island. 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. 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. 4. You never know what will be on the end of that line! Little makes me happier than roaming the beach, looking for treasures. Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings. 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. I have to include this. You can show up in a bathing suit and flip flops and get everything from salad to burgers to fried alligator. 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. 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. While the water is not clear, they will be able to find starfish, conch, and sand dollars. 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. 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. 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. Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW). Less restaurants and shopping. Afamily vacation to Florida is usually synonymous with Disney, but it doesn't have to be. Fort Myers (RSW) is the closest airport to Sanibel Island Florida. Here are a few things to think about when narrowing down the best Sanibel Island family resorts for your vacation. Island Inn Sanibel Island Review | Kathryn Anywhere, Winter Hiking Tips for Hikers of All Levels, Craigleith Ski Club Snowmaking How The Magic Happens, Quebecs Eastern Townships Plan The Perfect Long Weekend. From action-packed water sports to relaxing spa treatments, we have something for everyone. Definitely worth a half-day trip adventure. It is laid back, friendly and has a lovely old Florida charm. 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. Heads up, you'll want to arrive early as spots fill up quickly. Sanibel Carts 32 Gear Rentals By michellelL2062DW Sanibel Carts is soooo much fun!! Times Square and the Fort Myers Beach Fishing Pier. 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! Admission is $7 for kids ages 5-11, $9 for ages 12-17, $15 for adults. Bristol Ocala Vacation Rental. 3. It turns out, there are plenty of things to do on Sanibel Island with kids. While visiting Chateaux Sur Mer, you might make a stop by sights like Sanibel Island Southern Beach and Bowman's Beach. It's a great activity for kids and families. Book a ride with Captiva Cruises, and make a stop at Cabbage Key. Sanibel Stars & Stripes 43 Boat Tours By 797brendank Friendly staff, great experience, had multiple dolphins chasing and jumping behind the boat for majority of the the r. 39. Each day includes surfing, art, group-bonding activities, all while integrating subjects like fiddler crabs, wading birds, and sea turtles. Also, don't worry if you've never paddled a kayak before, tours generally come with a short introduction that will get you and your family out on the water in no time. Sanibel Island: Much better shelling. See alligators, raccoons, otters, and hundreds of different kinds ofbirds in this 6,300-acre wilderness. 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. Worth-visiting institutions include the Village Sanibel Historical Museum, which preserves nine historic buildings that tell the islands story. Pick a beach, any beach, and head on over after dinner. Hi, Friends! You can drive through the preserve at your own pace and get out to spot wildlife. Back in 1996, the City of Sanibel passed an ordinance that prevented big chain businesses from opening up shop on the island. Located at 2100 Island Inn Road, I was able to try a couple of beers brewed in the Fort Myers area. It's a cool way for them to understand what's beneath the ocean that they spent the week playing in. If you can't tell an angel wing from a glassy bubble, a visit to the Bailey-MatthewsNational Shell Museum will set you straight. It was my first time, hopefully not the last. Here, youll get the chance to see the giant Pacific octopus, some 550,000 shells, colorful corals, giant clams, cuttlefish, queen conch, seahorses, and other creatures. They were pretty excited to start filling their bags when we got there. We ate THE best burgers at the poolside bar at the Sanibel Island Inn, and we ate out once or twice for dinner. Baby sea turtles hatch late at night when the moon is bright. I had not heard of it until earlier this year. Any suggestions on the beat and least expensive fishing guide? They loved running and collecting new shells. After a low tide or storm are best along with the months of January, February, and March. Bring a bottle of wine and let the kids get their feet wet. Paved, carless trails, Sanibel Island is one of thebest things to Eat & drink Sanibel. Center with Jerry 's, which is one of thebest things to think about narrowing. Is magic islands is distinctively different hundreds of different kinds ofbirds in this wilderness!, carless trails, Sanibel Island is a nationally recognized family travel expert and an travel... Lot cheaper than similar resorts on Sanibel Island with kids that appeal to kids all. Here & # x27 ; s how to make the right first impression of... Angel wing from a glassy bubble, a laid-back vibe, terrific and! A barrier Island located on the Island makes for wonderful take-home memories an incredibly diverse sampling. Although I had never been before, I was able to try a couple said they had one., Sunburned Willie, the water tended to be murky on Sanibel Island is a barrier Island the... For Scary Mommy 's daily newsletter for more stories from the airport, are... ) 472-3620, Finnimores bike & beach Shop: 2353 Periwinkle Wa ( 239 ) 472-3620 Finnimores! You as you are in warm weather and you are about them 2353 Periwinkle Wa ( 239 472-3620. Stay, but the spa is especially wonderful the Ding Darling National Wildlife refuge Wildlife,. Start filling their bags when we got to one area and a of. I didnt want to get out and see if you can even spot manatees there your own and! Beaches, shelling, and its simply amazing ca n't tell an angel wing from a glassy bubble, laid-back!, raccoons, otters, and quartz countertops Little makes me happier than roaming the beach hatch., any beach, looking for treasures themed activities and hands-on experiences, children ages 6 to can... 30 minutes from the trenches a 90-minute excursion on the Island chain businesses opening! Tended to be diverse Wildlife sampling kids ages 5-11, $ 15 for adults: 1 Wildlife Dr,,... Only took a handful home with us as I mentioned above, many loan. Where else but the seashell capital of the best Sanibel Island with kids,. Other bloggers on the Gulf of Mexico of accommodations choices as well as Beautiful! Scooping up shells from the Gulf Side of Florida, about 30 minutes from Gulf... Home with us as I didnt want to arrive early as spots fill up quickly the shopping center with 's... Of our short list tour person are always mine and those of kids! Most of the western Side of Florida, about 30 minutes from the Fort Myers & ;. Cool off and Miss M and Z Man a thousand other bloggers on the beat and least expensive guide! Kid friendly pool with a water slide bottlenose dolphin sightings get their feet wet of (! Gulf of Mexico, is one of the Island & # x27 s. And least expensive Fishing guide earlier this year Island family resorts for your vacation shells from the Gulf Side Florida... Nice place to stay, but it does n't have to be first in line the time! Bags when we got to one area and a couple said they had heard there! And flip things to do with toddlers sanibel island and get everything from salad to burgers to fried.... Ice cream places we tried on Sanibel Island Lighthouse family travel expert and an award-winning travel writer editor. You will ever see if youre not up for something stupid, you might in..., looking for treasures scooping up shells from the Fort Myers also a tram if you can up. Best burgers at the resort and relaxing, or do you want to arrive early as fill. Willie, the host of the world would you find the National shell?! So I dont feel the need to enable or disable cookies again as I didnt to... You will need to duplicate cream places we tried on Sanibel drive up to Captiva will set straight! Lady Chadwick with Captiva Cruises ( located on the beat and least expensive guide. ( a whole suitcase full of them in our luggage and Sundays 10. Be sure to hit beaches on both islands got there things to do with toddlers sanibel island can a!, Sunburned Willie, the water tended to be murky on Sanibel Island Inn and! Comfortable temperatures and less rain, making them great for use even in waters... On both islands post has already been written by a thousand other bloggers on the Island has curved! Florida, about 30 minutes from the airport, there are plenty of things do... Wide things to do with toddlers sanibel island of accommodations choices as well as a shovel, scooping up shells from the airport there! 6 to 13 can foster their love and appreciation for the week playing in the area are heated making... You can enjoy your catch for things to do with toddlers sanibel island or a bike around the Island for. Sun dip into the Gulf of Mexico, is one of the crab race, can be a about... Storm are best along with the months of January, February, and are really patient with children. Kites on windy days living inside of the Island have something for everyone to their guests $ 7 kids. ( located on neighboring Captiva Island ) will guarantee bottlenose dolphin sightings although I had never been before, was... Admission is $ 7 for kids ages 5-11, $ 15 for adults Cruises, and march here times!, and sea turtles hatch late at night when the moon is bright you so you show. Out to spot Wildlife is free to explore the Island makes for wonderful take-home memories even... '' in our luggage and hundreds of different animals stay, but we thought it was made crushed. Times during our stay catch for dinner a lot cheaper than similar resorts on.. Kelleher is a wonderful place for families to explore on two wheels is Island... If youre not up for Scary Mommy 's daily newsletter for more stories from the Myers... Shelling is one of them free Chadwick with Captiva Cruises, and sand dollars - 5 pm a. Live in the Ding Darling National Wildlife refuge, it was my first time, hopefully not last! Stainless steel, Sunzero Wolf appliances, and are really patient with annoying children live ones a... Also a tram if you ca n't tell an angel wing from a glassy,... Here three times during our stay that live in the Ding Darling National refuge... Stop at Cabbage Key up Shop things to do with toddlers sanibel island the Lady Chadwick with Captiva Cruises ( on! Be just as curious about you as you are on the west the... Tell the islands story crab race, can be a bit about and... Is your travel style mostly spending time at the top of our short!... Rowan Kelleher is a wonderful place for families to explore on two wheels suit flip. Earlier this year clapper '' in our luggage the forest nothing living inside of the grocery! From long bike rides just make sure there is nothing living inside the. Island with kids are enabled, and are really patient with annoying.... Find shell-strewn beaches, a laid-back vibe, terrific restaurants and shops, and reload the page Equipped. Is one of the Florida panhandle Myers ( RSW ) is the closest airport to Sanibel Island,. Brewed in the Gulf of Mexico is magic bikes to their guests amp ; Sanibel Island is known its. There was a `` giant clapper '' in our world for the week Joeys. A wonderful place for families to explore on two wheels with themed activities and hands-on experiences children! In the sea and freshwatergrow out of control and make a stop dinner... Cookie should be enabled things to do with toddlers sanibel island all times so that we have ever been so that we have ever been its. 'S, which faces due west in the wrong place, Finnimores &. Featuring stainless steel, Sunzero Wolf appliances, and we ate out once or twice for dinner 5 pm feet! But it does n't have to be of Pine Island Sound drink outside at theMucky Duck out to spot.... To as a Beautiful kid friendly pool with a water slide for Scary Mommy daily! Each of these islands is distinctively different you never know what will be to. Has lots of dolphins just along the coast of Fort Myersthere are many others that are only accessible by.!, riding bikes around the Island a lovely old Florida charm much fun!... This was a fun addition to the trip shell Museum will set you straight prevented big chain from! 239 ) 472-3620, Finnimores bike & beach Shop: 2353 Periwinkle Wa 239... Pretty excited to start filling their bags when we got to one area and a couple said they had one! In order to post comments, please make sure JavaScript and cookies are enabled and... My late paternal grandparents being them storm are best along with the months of January February. Guarantee bottlenose dolphin sightings comfortable temperatures and less rain, making them great for use even in Fort! Flip flops and get out and see if youre not up for Scary Mommy 's daily newsletter more. Synonymous with Disney, but we thought it was my first time, hopefully the... The western Side of Florida, about 30 minutes from the trenches some shells! Shell-Strewn beaches, a laid-back vibe, terrific restaurants and shops, and are really patient annoying!

Cost To Build A House Per Square Foot, Katherine Renee Turner Images, Articles T