That is until I heard of the western side of the panhandle and more specifically Sanibel Island. When they are ready, they follow the moonlight and head back to the Gulf of Mexico. So will you. Mom and Dad can also pick up a Starbucks Coffee from the grocery store. Most nights there is live music along lots of games for the kids to play. 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. 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. 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). He was so enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the reptiles that live in the Everglades, the kids couldnt help but be into it. 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. The two ice cream places we tried on Sanibel Island are Joeys Custard and Love Boat Ice Cream. The lighthouse dates back to 1884. Compare native and invasive species of reptiles; hang out with a red-tailed hawk; play hide and seek with a bashful opossum. Not so much. There was a mild red tide when we visited. Indulge in the Signature Arabian Rose treatment, an all-over body scrub, or a deep tissue massage at the spa. Book family tours. Is your travel style mostly spending time at the resort and relaxing, or do you want to get out and see everything? With over 25 miles of paved, carless trails, Sanibel Island is a wonderful place for families to explore on two wheels. 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. Baby sea turtles hatch late at night when the moon is bright. 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. 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 Why not try a different one each night? (Plus, if you didn't happen upon a coveted shell while strolling on the beach, you can easily find intact specimens available for purchase in many different stores.) 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). Kayaking through a mangrove swamp is a must-do activity while visiting this Florida island. If your kids are particularly sensitive to teasing, maybe wait until they go to bed and come back for the adults-only late night race, which has even raunchier jokes. 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! It's a great activity for kids and families. Join Little Learners for a Seuss-a-Bration at Once Upon a Treetop. There is a Publix right before paying the toll to cross the Sanibel Island Causeway. Most folks rent a car, but there are shuttles available to take you here (depending on where you are staying and what you plan on doing, you may not need a car once you get to the island). There are so many options for accommodations on Sanibel Island with kids, at all budget levels. I've heard you can spot Alligators, otters, and turtles on the property. They loved running and collecting new shells. 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. Sanibel Island is known for shelling and is one of the best places in the world to shell. The whole family has endless opportunities for fun. If budget were a consideration, I would happily advocate for cheaper accommodation (even if it was away from the beach) on Sanibel before staying at a moderate resort on the beach in Fort Myers. Your little ones are really brave for embracing boas and alligators. The island has a curved shape that causes it to as a shovel, scooping up shells from the Gulf of Mexico. Having a sub-tropical climate, visitors and residents enjoy the outdoors and sunshine all year long. Bristol Ocala Vacation Rental. I found in my time there that Sanibel Island is like a magical place with tropical overgrown brush, no street lights and rumours of manatee sighting abound. The bedroom had a king-size bed which was amazingly spacious to sleep in with the kids since we currently share a double bed at home. 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. 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. We were gifted our accommodations at the Island Inn on Sanibel Island and with excursions while there. Sanibel Island is known for its idyllic beaches filled with abundant shells. Watching the sun dip into the Gulf of Mexico is magic. We are beach people and love to spend lots of time at the beach on our trips! If you plan on dining out, get your hands on the. I love seashells so I would love to pick them up too. It turns out, there are plenty of things to do on Sanibel Island with kids. As I mentioned above, many resorts loan out bikes to their guests. 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! 3. He had Little Man and Miss M jumping to be first in line the whole time. Just make sure not to disturb their nests! They were pretty excited to start filling their bags when we got there. And why wouldnt they do that? I love Sanibel!! Our days were spent playing in the water, riding bikes around the island and collecting shells (SO MAY SHELLS! Sanibel Island in Florida offers a breathtaking reprieve for families who want to get away from the hustle-bustle of everyday life. We've even spotted lots of dolphins just along the coast. And right along with the ocean side, we spotted starfish, crabs, and lots of critters inside shells. This should be enough to get you started (and if you have any favorites that you think I should add, please let me know! These cottages are on the western end of the island, so you are guaranteed some beautiful sunsets right from your front porch! We belive strongly that travel benefits kids in SO MANY ways. 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. Check outShell IdentificationandSeaLife Identificationto see what youve found! I didnt realize when we arrived that because of the way that Sanibel Island is situated, the east end of the island has better sun rises, and the west end of the island has better sunsets. Hit the big grocery stores in Fort Myers on your way. This was a "giant clapper" in our world for the week. The Visitor and Education Centre offers free admission and is open every day except holidays from 9:00 am-4:00 pm year-round. Here you'll find healthy vegetarian and pescatarian recipes, health & wellness tips, healthy travel guides, plus behind the scenes fun from my life as a twin Mom. Just wondering. I wasnt sure there was much else to see and do in Florida. 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!). I had the Key Lime Ice Cream and my daughter had something called Unicorn poop. 2022 5. 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. Children's Museum of Manhattan, 212 West 83rd Street, Upper West Side. Dr. Seuss-a-Bration at Once Upon a Treetop Plainview. Sanibel has so much wildlife that spotting cool animals and birds is one of the best things to do in Sanibel with kids. They have a great kids menu, too, and are really patient with annoying children. The park is home to a pristine, family-friendly beach offering spectacular views of the Gulf Coast. Dont miss out on mobile-only deals and one-of-a-kind offers. Most of the pools in the area are heated, making them great for use even in the winter. The twins and I also spotted this unique bird on the beach. Sanibel isn't the only barrier island along the coast of Fort Myersthere are many others that are only accessible by boat. Looks like a really fun place. 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. Barefoot Charters 54 Boat Tours Fishing Charters & Tours By Fearless825280 Wonderful day with Captain Joe. But in the spring and summer, the northern beaches are where it's at. You should get an annual pass to the wildlife refuge. 9. Another note, Sunburned Willie, the host of the crab race, can be a bit crass. Be sure to snap a pic of walls of the island's restaurant, which are covered in about $70,000 worth of one-dollar bills signed by past customers. 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!). See these marine mammals leaping and frolicking in the waters of Pine Island Sound. While there, take a swim, snorkel, or book a ranger-led kayak tour or hike. It is true that growing up, a lot of time was spent in these magical and fairytale kingdoms. Cayo Costa State Park. Unsure of the treasure found on Sanibel Island? ): I did not realize until we visited Sanibel and next door Captiva Islands that each of these islands is distinctively different. Temperatures were still in the 80s. Things to Do in Sanibel Island with Kids Dolphin Tour in Captiva Kids love animals so . We came back with so many amazing shells (a whole suitcase full of them in fact). Whether you choose to be boating, kayaking, canoeing, water-skiing or fishing from one of the favorite spots, play a round of golf on the challenging scenic courses, there are over 70 of them, the perfect place to tee off and test your mettle on the green . One of our favoritethings to do at night in Sanibel islandis to come back for a delicious milkshake. Learn how your comment data is processed. I am going to be honest. Where else but the seashell capital of the world would you find the national shell museum? The boys learned some of the real names of the shells and also made up some of their own. Learn how your comment data is processed. You can shell without the extra things, but we thought it was a fun addition to the trip. If you have kids and have been considering a Florida vacation you'd be crazy to not visit Fort Myers & Sanibel Island. Sunrise AND Sunset walks are some of my favorite things to do in Sanibel with kids. This is one of the best things to do on Sanibel with kids. Not a single person I spoke to in the area seems to be concerned about Red Tide and carried on with business as usual. 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. And Lord knows youll need an hour of relaxation being away with your family. We got to one area and a couple said they had heard one there and were waiting. 2023 BDG Media, Inc. All rights reserved. It's officially called Jerry's Tropical Galleria and it's filled with parrots and other gorgeous birds making it a fun place for them to pick up a souvenir. 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. There is something for everyone on the menu and the servings are enormous. 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. Heres something I wouldnt have done as a kid Hold boas, king snakes, pythons, alligators But our day guide Rhett? 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. Any suggestions on the beat and least expensive fishing guide? It takes justone visittoSanibel Islandbefore youll start planning yournext trip back. I will also add that Red Coach buses are a great way to get around with kids. A quick drive from Fort Myers, Florida will take you to a tropical island getaway with so much family-friendly fun to explore. By subscribing to this BDG newsletter, you agree to our. Throughout the year, the temperatures on Sanibel Island can range anywhere from the mid-50s to the low 90s. Leave the kids with your husband and get a massage at the Tween Waters Inn. We got these super easy-to-use kid-friendly Octopus Kites and they have been great. What a great way to vacation around Sanibel! Really glad Ive been there now! In my personal experience, most family travel has been to the area where an infamous mouse hangs out. 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. The shelling is the best and the kids love climbing all over the driftwood and making their way through the forest. Whether your kids like seafood or more traditional food, there is something on the menu for everyone at these places. Get our travel tips Delivered to your inbox. Edison & Ford Winter Estates. My family loves Sanibel and I'm sure yours will too. Yolo Board Adventures Sanibel offers two-hour guided eco-tours for both adults and children 12 and older. I tried to find the information on our guide, but I no longer have it. The Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) is great for learning about Southwest Floridas native and migratory wildlife. Groceries on Sanibel were significantly more expensive than on the main land. Kids have their own hands-on learning room, and staff members conduct daily beach walks. We stopped a few other places along the way to see birds and a gator. The homes are amazing to look at, the water even better. Relax on the beach, enjoy a picnic, go on a bike ride, or take a hike on one of the trails found . They have plenty of cute shops to pick from for the kiddos. When we return to Sanibel, these will definitely be at the top of our short list! We had a lodge gulf view luxury suite with a full kitchen for cooking and a screened-in balcony for dining and spending evenings listening to the water. We love traveling with kids and will incorporate some of the ideas. A jaunt down the beach or a bike around the island makes for wonderful take-home memories. 5. Florida is traditionally a state that screams family travel. 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