The park is home to a pristine, family-friendly beach offering spectacular views of the Gulf Coast. We definitely suggest sharing plates, since each dinner portion is huge and comes with a sticky bun, garlic bread and a side salad. If you're lucky you may even spot a gator! Sign up for Scary Mommy's daily newsletter for more stories from the trenches. Children's Museum of Manhattan, 212 West 83rd Street, Upper West Side. of the many flavours of cake, which a Bubble Scout server displays on a silver platter. 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. Home to all kinds of Floridian wildlife (have your little ones try to spot the mangrove crabs scuttling around among the branches), the mangroves are best experienced by a guided kayak tour through the mangrove tunnels, where the trees naturally form a closed canopy to create a tunnel over the waterway. Dairy-Free (All recipes on CKC are gluten-free). And why wouldnt they do that? This is one of the best things to do on Sanibel with kids. In fact, almost half of the entire island is dedicated to the J. N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge, which you can drive, bike or walk through to spot some of the region's many different creatures among the estuaries. 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! Anyone who has visited Sanibel Island will tell you the JN Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge is tops on a Sanibel Island things-to-do list. The Best, Most Unique Places to Stay In Hawaii on a Budget, Universal Studios for Kids What We Learned on our First Visit, Essential Travel Gear 10 Seemingly Random Things that I Wont Travel Without, The Ultimate Guide to Eating Cheaply in Paris, How We Spent 3 Days in Amsterdam with Kids. Tip: Many guides will clean the fish for you so you can enjoy your catch for dinner. I have to include this. Dont forget the camera some of my best shots have come at this time. This was a close second choice when booking our trip to Sanibel Island with kids. Located at 2100 Island Inn Road, I was able to try a couple of beers brewed in the Fort Myers area. If youre lucky, youll also be able to spot friendly dolphins frolicking around the water. Definitely can do an adult only trip there too! Back in 1996, the City of Sanibel passed an ordinance that prevented big chain businesses from opening up shop on the island. Here are a few that seem to welcome and appreciate kids. 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! Cue the tears. 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. They dont seem startled one bit! Note you will have to head back into Fort Myers to get picked up by there van for this excursion. Sanibel Island Rentals: Billy's Bike : 1509 Periwinkle Way (239) 472-3620 Finnimore's Bike & Beach Shop: 2353 Periwinkle Wa (239) 472-5577 3. No matter the time of year, Sanibel sees some brilliant sunsets. Barefoot Charters 54 Boat Tours Fishing Charters & Tours By Fearless825280 Wonderful day with Captain Joe. Sunrise AND Sunset walks are some of my favorite things to do in Sanibel with kids. 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). The kitschy shop at the east end of Sanibel is legendary for its delicious homemade Italian gelato. Lounge on a Fort Myers Beach. Since 1884, the Sanibel Lighthouse (or Sanibel Island Light), has stood on Point Ybel at the eastern tip ofSanibel Island, markingthe entrance to San Carlos Bay. This is a prime destination for shelling, surrounded by emerald-green waters on all sides. Thats awesome. Just make sure not to keep any live ones! 3. Once youre there, walk down the dock and see if the local fisherman are having any luck. Once we left the beach area, we stopped coughing. I had the Key Lime Ice Cream and my daughter had something called Unicorn poop. Hit the big grocery stores in Fort Myers on your way. Sign up for simple dinner ideas, easy step by step instructions, and fun recipes for kids. Just make sure there is nothing living inside of the shell. Billys Bike: 1509 Periwinkle Way (239) 472-3620, Finnimores Bike & Beach Shop: 2353 Periwinkle Wa (239) 472-5577. This article was originally published on Oct. 14, 2014, The Cutest Grandpa Ever Took Peppa Pigs Family On Vacation With Him, United Airlines Launches A Free Family Seating Program That Actually Makes Sense. 2. Take a dolphin sight-seeing boat ride. Your little ones are really brave for embracing boas and alligators. Sanibel Island just has a different vibe. The museum features over 30 permanent exhibits on shells of Sanibel and Captiva Island, as well as those from around the world. Just wondering. It feels special because it is. All ages. You will not find chain restaurants, high rises, or traffic lights here. Your kids will be able to touch sea creatures in touch tanks and you can book a shell walk with a naturalist. Not by chance, it became the worlds most famous place for shelling. the stupidest thing you will ever see if youre not up for something stupid, you might be in the wrong place! Learn all about seashells and the animals that make them. The Sanibel Causeway Bridge is a nearly 3-mile road along the west coast, near the beaches overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. The shells can be sharp, and they hurt my daughters feet at times. 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. Things To Do In Sanibel Island's Lighthouse Beach The Best Gift: Making Memories At South Seas Island Resort Beaches in Guatemala: Dramatic And Beautiful Volcanic Black Sand A Family Weekend In Florida's Space Coast With Holiday Inn The Best Things to do in Fort Myers Beach for Families Things To Do With Kids In The Upper And Middle Florida Keys Really glad Ive been there now! Winters the weather can be hit or miss, and the months between December-February are busier with snowbirds escaping winter. In the winter, catch both sunrise and sunset on the southerly beaches. One of the most popular things to do on Sanibel Island is to rent a bike. CROWs Visitor Education Center features a collection of interactive exhibits and videos, while the guided Wildlife Walk through the hospital allows you to observe veterinarians treating sick and injured wildlife. It is a pretty photo stop, the beach is (of course) covered with shells and there is a lovely shaded picnic area there. Our days were spent playing in the water, riding bikes around the island and collecting shells (SO MAY SHELLS! These eye-popping gardens host wild creatures like butterflies, turtles, rabbits, and birds. It is true that growing up, a lot of time was spent in these magical and fairytale kingdoms. Home Travel Top Things to Do on Sanibel Island with Kids. Kids stop in local businesses on the hunt for prizes. One day we went for a later brunch at the Lighthouse Cafe, which was very busy! Looks like it was a fun trip! 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. Another note, Sunburned Willie, the host of the crab race, can be a bit crass. Trust me. With over 25 miles of paved, carless trails, Sanibel Island is a wonderful place for families to explore on two wheels. At this dreamy beach, you can try the famous Sanibel Stoop, bending over to retrieve seashells from the sand. Heres something I wouldnt have done as a kid Hold boas, king snakes, pythons, alligators But our day guide Rhett? Its amazing! So will you. 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. 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. 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. 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. One of the first lighthouses on Floridas Gulf coast, this 98-foot tower offers showstopping views of the surrounding area and plenty of photo opportunities. Florida sunsets are truly like none other in existence. The twins and I also spotted this unique bird on the beach. Kids Activities. These include the Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge, Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum, dolphin and wildlife cruises, and more. Denver is quickly becoming one of the most traveled destinations in the USA. Kids of all ages love a pool and there are plenty of them in Sanibel! 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! I definitely enjoyed having a rental car while we were on Sanibel Island. There are a lot of super kid-friendly restaurants on the island but there are some that specifically ask you not to bring tots online, so check ahead of time! Sanibel Island: Much better shelling. Hi, Friends! Red Tide is a name given to an algae that are harmful to fish and humans. Bricks 4 Kidz - Piscataway. We belive strongly that travel benefits kids in SO MANY ways. Grab A Map & Participate In A Treasure Hunt By Bike Stop in at the Sanibel Chamber Commerce and ask for the treasure hunt map. Always make sure to bring plenty of water in your backpack or day bag, wear sunscreen, please wear hats, apply bug spray, and wear comfortable walking shoes when doing day trips or walking about. Kids will find themselves immersed for hours in this natural treasure huntwithout a care given to the backbreaking stance known as the"Sanibel stoop." While there, take a swim, snorkel, or book a ranger-led kayak tour or hike. Heres a guide to the top 9 things to do in Sanibel. Bikes, kayaks, tennis and paddle boards are all at your disposal. Ive only been to the western side of Florida once and it was for a baseball game. Mom and Dad can also pick up a Starbucks Coffee from the grocery store. I wasnt sure there was much else to see and do in Florida. Dedicated to saving wildlife through state-of-the-art veterinary care, this center offers various educational experiences. You are in warm weather and you are on the ocean, so why not indulge in the water and cool off? In addition to an amazing pool and poolside bar, our provided kayaks, paddleboards, bikes to borrow and a naturalist led beach walk. My goal with Running in a Skirt is to help YOU live a happier, healthier life! I know it sounds strange, but if you ask my daughter, this was one of her favorite places on Sanibel island for kids. As bills fall off the walls, they get added to a big end-of-the-year donation, so make sure to bring a bill or two for your kids to sign and hang up themselves (don't worry about the marker and tape, just ask the server). #1 in Sanibel Island Address: 1700 Bowman's Beach Rd. Why not try a different one each night? What a great way to vacation around Sanibel! One of the main reasons I love coming here so much is for the shells. Its located right on the beach in the premier spot for shelling. Head to the Crows Nest on Crab Racing Night and see as they say. The Best Things to Eat & Drink on Sanibel. We really loved the fact that they walk right out onto a perfect stretch of pristine beach that we had nearly all to ourselves. The burgers are amazing, I highly recommend the turkey burger. I definitely want to go back and explore and this sounds like an amazing place to do just that. My kids spent hours walking up and down the beach from our hotel doing shelling. While the water is not clear, they will be able to find starfish, conch, and sand dollars. We upgraded our regular beach toys to fun trucks that our boys love. The kids waited for 5 minutes and wanted to go. It has an authentic, old Florida vibe. Your email address will not be published. This sounds like a great island to visit. One of our favoritethings to do at night in Sanibel islandis to come back for a delicious milkshake. 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. Bring a bottle of wine and let the kids get their feet wet. Go straight to the beach. Admission is $7 for kids ages 5-11, $9 for ages 12-17, $15 for adults. See alligators, raccoons, otters, and hundreds of different kinds ofbirds in this 6,300-acre wilderness. Resorts felt more high end and had price tags to match. And shells of all different textures, shapes, and sizes show up on the shores here. 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 . The beach was lovely, and the locals that we talked to told us that we had come before the winter sun-seeking crowds. This family-friendly island has lots of activities for kids of all ages most of them free! This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again. Here are a few things to think about when narrowing down the best Sanibel Island family resorts for your vacation. Get there early, as parking spaces fill up. Nature comes in a spectacular variety in the Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge. The homes are amazing to look at, the water even better. 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. Fully Equipped with an upgraded kitchen featuring stainless steel, Sunzero Wolf appliances, and quartz countertops. Located near Fort Myers, just offshore Floridas Gulf Coast, this unique island offers visitors the opportunity to bask in many outdoor activities. Find out when low tide is and hit the beach before anyone else can snatch up all the good stuff. Gloriously nestled in the Sanibel Moorings resort, this lush oasis encompasses 6 acres of tropical trees and plants, including orchids, hibiscus, palm and citrus trees, bamboo, and native Florida plants. Be hit or miss, and more and fairytale kingdoms hours walking up down. 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