There are bike lanes literally EVERYWHERE. I've heard you can even spot manatees there. Loosen your belt because several stalls sell freshly made dishes you can eat on the go. One person mentioned that it comes from Alabama. Make sure toget there earlyand plan on having dinner. Don't forget the camera some of my best shots have come at this time. Do you want amazing sunsets or sunrises? Your boys are just growing up so fast. I think we stopped here three times during our stay. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. 7 Reasons to Visit Harrisonburg Virginia! One of the most famous is the Wildlife and Education Boardwalk, which provides excellent views of freshwater areas inhabited by alligators and nesting birds. It's a great and inexpensive activity for the family that doesn't involve having everyone sit at a table for an entire meal. Since little ones don't just sit around having a few kites to fly is a great way to pass the day. Celebrate Women's History Month and commemorate pioneering figures in science, technology, arts & design, and mathematics. This year before we left we talked to them about the different types of shells they could find and even got them a shelling Sand Dipper Jr and sea shell collecting bag. Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge! Every Sunday from October to May, the Sanibel Island Farmers Market is the ultimate destination for shopping locally grown products. Tip: Many guides will clean the fish for you so you can enjoy your catch for dinner. Groceries on Sanibel were significantly more expensive than on the main land. 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. Photo: Courtesy of The Beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel. The whole family has endless opportunities for fun. You can also watch a live video feed of behind-the-scenes animal rescue and care. Cayo Costa State Park. Photo: Courtesy of The Beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel 1. Come over and. Cue the tears. We've taken the twins twice and both times they loved running out on the boardwalk and spotting animals. Located near Fort Myers, just offshore Floridas Gulf Coast, this unique island offers visitors the opportunity to bask in many outdoor activities. Plan a stop for dinner or a drink outside at theMucky Duck. Kayaking through a mangrove swamp is a must-do activity while visiting this Florida island. Biking downtown just got more exciting for kids having a map and treasures to hunt! Find a Dunkin Donuts and you will be good. Depending on the time of year, Sanibel's sunset locales vary. 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. Bristol is a stunning five-bedroom, three-and-a-half bath fully furnished home with a private pool. 7. Looking for a fun activity for the kids that's free and not the beach? The island is home to many burrowing gopher turtles and lush plantlife grows wild here giving the island an old Florida feel. Some of my favorite memories as a kid are from Sanibel Island and I think these are all such great activities to do with kids! Ive only been to the western side of Florida once and it was for a baseball game. Tip for Canadians Tim Hortons coffee is served at Joeys Custard! That and snowbirds who retire there, my late paternal grandparents being them! Kids have their own hands-on learning room, and staff members conduct daily beach walks. Paddle throughmangrove swamps and winding waterways, and then keep your kayak for free for the remainder of the day. It is a really cool nature preserve that takes up much of the island. Watching the sun dip into the Gulf of Mexico is magic. Sanibel Island with kids really is a lovely vacation! Less busy. Warm Gulf waters and calm surf make most of the island's beaches great for families withsmall children. And Lord knows youll need an hour of relaxation being away with your family. He was so enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the reptiles that live in the Everglades, the kids couldnt help but be into it. It was my first time, hopefully not the last. 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. This was a close second choice when booking our trip to Sanibel Island with kids. The wildlife refuge is open every day except Fridays. If you're lucky you may even spot a gator! Looking for things to do in Sanibel Island with kids? Eat at RC Otters. Bricks 4 Kidz - Piscataway. Dont miss out on mobile-only deals and one-of-a-kind offers. 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. 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. Currently you have JavaScript disabled. So will you. We got to one area and a couple said they had heard one there and were waiting. 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). Should you ever find yourself on Sanibel or Captiva Islands with kids, here are some things you must do. 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. There is a toll to be paid of $6.00 to gain entry to the island in a regular vehicle. Also, it's closed at this moment, but there is generally a hands-on area for kids at the Visitor and Education Center. . With older kids, you can also bike the entire path, which I think would be a lovely way to see it. The beach was not sandy, it was made of crushed shells. Budding marine biologists will love the acclaimedSanibel Sea School, offering daily and weekly programs that teach kids about marine conservation. Top 10 things to do on Sanibel Island with kids J.N. Notify me via e-mail if anyone answers my comment. 8. The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum. Ha I would not have done it at their age. We are Shanna and Aaron + kiddos. Parking at Blind Pass Beach costs $5 per hour and the beach is free to explore. The balcony was huge and screened in. 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. We ate breakfast in the room. There are no big mega resorts. There are so many options for accommodations on Sanibel Island with kids, at all budget levels. Head to Matzaluna for some variety. While the view is great on any of the two islands' west-facing beaches, watching the sun dip below the horizon while cruising on the water somehow makes the experience even more breathtaking. Red Tide is a name given to an algae that are harmful to fish and humans. I've always wanted to visit Sanibel Island. When travelling with my kids, I have to know where the good ice cream places are! Here's how to make the right first impression. 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 a unique, quirky, and unusual place that is full of old Florida charm. You wont regret taking a drive up to Captiva. Back in 1996, the City of Sanibel passed an ordinance that prevented big chain businesses from opening up shop on the island. Manatee Park. In the winter, catch both sunrise and sunset on the southerly beaches. Throughout the year, the temperatures on Sanibel Island can range anywhere from the mid-50s to the low 90s. From beautiful beaches for shelling to countless water activities for kids, Sanibel Island is a great place to vacation for families. Visiting London with kids is an absolute joy. Best Things To Do on Long Island this Weekend with Kids. Just wondering. That way, you'll have room left over for a slice (or two!) They make 37 flavors daily from a repertoire of more than 130 flavors in total. What a great way to vacation around Sanibel! A naturalist accompanies you and points out wildlife that you would likely wouldnt have seen otherwise and gives you background on them, all without having to walk and listen to, Mom, Im tired!. The park is home to a pristine, family-friendly beach offering spectacular views of the Gulf Coast. Check out the nearby learning centre at the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife(CROW) where kids can watch as animals are nursed back to health at the animal hospital and perform their own pretend rehabilitations on stuffed versions of their favourite critters. 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. Once we left the beach area, we stopped coughing. There arent really any great public transportation on Sanibel Island, so unless you are planning to take an Uber to and from the airport (expensive given the distance) you will need a car to get around. With an early sunset time in winter, we'd take the boys out and walk up the beach toward the sunset. It is located nearby Blind Pass Bridge, which connects the two islands. 2022 5. We love traveling with kids and will incorporate some of the ideas. Have a look! 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. Turner Beach, in particular, is known for itsspectacularsunsets. At the parks northern end, youll find a fishing pier, a prime spot for catching redfish, snook, sheepshead, black drum, snapper, and other species. This should be enough to get you started (and if you have any favorites that you think I should add, please let me know! I tried to find the information on our guide, but I no longer have it. Here, visit the otherworldly Captiva Beach, famous for its snow-white sand and shallow crystal-clear waters. Part of the largest undeveloped mangrove ecosystem in the USA, this staggering park protects an array of threatened species, aside from providing habitat for fascinating migratory birds. Picnic tables are available when you want to enjoy snacks under the canopy of the trees. 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 . Its the only way to get a seat at the race table! Sanibel Island is as much about world-class as it is about beaches. Head to the Crows Nest on Crab Racing Night and see as they say. Your email address will not be published. "It's the stupidest thing you've ever seen!" Visit the Sanibel Chamber of Commerce's . The museum features over 30 permanent exhibits on shells of Sanibel and Captiva Island, as well as those from around the world. Go straight to the beach. Things to Do in Sanibel Island with Kids Dolphin Tour in Captiva Kids love animals so . 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. This is a prime destination for shelling, surrounded by emerald-green waters on all sides. Sign up for Scary Mommy's daily newsletter for more stories from the trenches. The island is approximately a 30-45 minute drive depending on traffic and time of day. March 4-26, Saturdays and Sundays, 10 am - 5 pm. Mound House. By: Jodi/Updated on: February 15, 2023/3 Comments. Kids stop in local businesses on the hunt for prizes. The lighthouse dates back to 1884. Sanibel Island is best experienced by bike. You to get to the beach by boat, and its simply amazing. Make sure to also stop by the idyllic Blind Pass Beach on both Sanibel & Captiva Islands. A great time. 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!). Most nights there is live music along lots of games for the kids to play. J. N. "Ding" Darling NationalWildlife Refuge. Here are a few things to think about when narrowing down the best Sanibel Island family resorts for your vacation. 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. Don't worry too much about the being out in sun while you're riding as most of the trails are shaded by the islands dense plant life (although it's probably still a good idea to put on some SPF and a hat). Why not try a different one each night? Sanibel Island with kids is the perfect place to spend a family vacation! 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. Worth-visiting institutions include the Village Sanibel Historical Museum, which preserves nine historic buildings that tell the islands story. Collect shells along the beach Sanibel is known as the Shelling Capital of the World, and it's not hard to see why. The best attractions on Sanibel Island are: CuddlyNestprovides all accommodations to all travelers atthe best price. 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. 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. 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