SANIBEL ISLAND FOR KIDS
Sanibel Sea School
Sanibel Sea School offer fun classes, day programs, week-long summer camps and tons of interactive water and other activities for kids and adults alike, including surf camp, coral reef snorkeling, Shark Week, Dolphin Week, shell exploring and countless, creative others. Students receive a hands-on, interactive approach to learning, both in and out of the water and all activities are supervised by an extremely positive and encouraging staff! Perfect daily activity for kids. Website
Skimboarding
Skimboards are affordable and available at all souvenir and grocery stores on the island.
Toys Ahoy Toy Store
With a diversity of toys including collector items, modern toys, stuffed animals, dolls, educational games, beach toys and much more, you're sure to find something for "newborns to adults" at Sanibel Island's toy store, located in Periwinkle Place Shopping Center, 2075 Periwinkle Way.
Sanibel Community Park & Children's Playground
Small park with swings, slides and more! Shaded in many spots. Very close to famous The Island Cow restaurant so you can take a break and go grab something to eat. Shuffleboard for adults. Public restrooms available. 2231 Periwinkle Way
Mini Golf
Fort Myers has several mini-golf courses for kids and families to enjoy:
Castle Golf 7400 Gladiolus Dr. Fort Myers, FL
Smugglers Cove Adventure Golf 17450 San Carlos Blvd. Fort Myers Beach, FL
Jungle Golf 17710 San Carlos Blvd. Fort Myers Beach, FL
Zoomers Amusement Park 17455 Summerlin Rd. Fort Myers, FL
Visit The Talking Birds Outside Of Jerry's Foods
Amongst the lush tropics outside of Jerry’s Foods, there are several talking birds that are bound to delight. Look for their cages within the complex and keep your ears open. Please do not feed the birds. 1700 Periwinkle Way
Professional Sporting Events In The Area
Fort Myers is home to the Boston Red Sox and the Minnesota Twins spring training, as well as the Fort Myers Miracle (minor league baseball team), and, in nearby Estero, the Florida Everblades (minor league hockey team). Games are affordable and make for a fun thing to do with kids. See below for schedule and ticket info.
Boston Red Sox Tickets
Minnesota Twins Tickets
Florida Everblades Tickets
Fort Myers Miracle Tickets
Pinocchio's Ice Cream
Without question, Pinocchio's offers some of the best ice cream in the world. With enormous portions, an outgoing staff, and a plethora of homemade original flavors to choose from (including Pinocchio's World Famous Sanibel Krunch), you’re certain to be delighted with a treat at Pinocchio's, an island staple for over 30 years.
362 Periwinkle Way
25¢ Duck Feeding
At the grounds of the Periwinkle Park & Campground is a small pond engulfed with a variety of ducks and birds, including a black swan, which you can feed for just a quarter. There is a small gumball-style vending machine right next to the pond. Unique off-the-beaten-path thing to do for kids or people of all ages.
1119 Periwinkle Way
Family-Friendly Game Room @ George & Wendy's
Several kids games, Golden Tee, darts, pool tables and more!
2499 Periwinkle Way (239) 395-1263
Family Beach Walks
Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum and J. N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge have teamed up to offer a free monthly program for the whole family, Family Beach Walks. On the last Tuesday of the month, walkers can meet at Gulfside City Park/Algiers Beach at 9 a.m. and take part in the hour-long walk, which includes a short presentation on marine life and shells given by Rangers and local experts. CLICK HERE for more info.
Bicycle Built For 4
Get the whole family together inside one bike. Bike surreys can carry up to 4 people at a time and make for fun family memories.
Billy's Rentals
Finnimore's Cycle Shop
Family Kickball Games
Sanibel Recreation Center presents Family Night kickball games at the Sanibel Fields, where families can relax, have fun and get a little exercise along the way. Free hot dogs will be served, followed by kickball. There are no fees to participate and the activity is weather permitting.
For more info, contact the Sanibel Recreation Center at (239) 472-0345.
Build A Sand Castle
Sanibel Island boasts some of the best beaches in all of SWFL. Spend a few hours with the kids building a treasure for all beachcombers to see.
Bailey Fest
Bailey Fest is a fun family-oriented festival held each October at Bailey’s Center on the corner of Periwinkle Way and Tarpon Bay Rd. The festival offers pony rides, wagon rides, ice cream, food, a bounce house, bean bag toss, dancing and live music and more activities. Many local businesses set up booths at the festival so you can see first-hand what they have to offer. The Island Cinema Movie Theatre is right on the grounds as well so check out a movie afterwards.
SANIBEL ISLAND DAY TRIPS
The Imaginarium
The Imaginarium is a hands-on museum & aquarium in Fort. Myers exploring the subjects of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) as well as physics, and, as a plus, animals. This one-of-a-kind muquarium delivers interactive exhibits and play areas, including Hurricane Experience, “Sea-to See” Touch Tanks, Dino Dig and over 60 others. A popular spot for kids, field trips, birthday parties and outings.
2000 Cranford Ave. Fort Myers, FL (239) 321-7420
Sun Splash Family Waterpark Cape Coral
Sun Splash Family Waterpark in Cape Coral is the largest waterpark in SWFL. It features water slides, a lazy rizer, a speed slide, and plenty of more fun water activities. The park is about 30 minutes north of Sanibel Island and makes for a fantastic fun-filled family trip, especially for younger kids. You can even put your lounge chairs in the pool if you like!
400 Santa Barbara Blvd. Cape Coral, FL Website
Halloween Fall Family Carnival
Gather your little ones and bring them over to the Sanibel Community House for Halloween, Sanibel style! Fall Family Carnival, a family-oriented Halloween event, offers hayrides, carnival-style booths, games, food, crafts, and, of course, trick or treating! Prizes will be awarded for best costumes and admission to the event is one bag of wrapped candy per family. CLICK HERE for more info.
Sea World Orlando
Visit the highly entertaining Sea World Orlando where you’ll find dolphins, whales, polar bears, tricks, entertainment shows and more. Sea World Orlando is approximately 3 ½ hours north of Sanibel Island.
7007 Sea Harbor Dr. Orlando, FL
Visit the highly entertaining Sea World Orlando where you’ll find dolphins, whales, polar bears, tricks, entertainment shows and more. Sea World Orlando is approximately 3 ½ hours north of Sanibel Island.
7007 Sea Harbor Dr. Orlando, FL
Walt Disney World
4600 N. World Dr. Lake Buena Vista, FL
LEGOLAND
LEGOLAND® is a 150-acre interactive Lego-themed family fun park with over 50+ rides, entertainment shows, attractions and more, serving as the world's largest LEGOLAND park! They have super neat rides and exhibits, including MiniLand USA which features detailed replicas of famous cities built entirely out of Lego bricks, Ford Driving School, where kids can drive little LEGO cars, and, of course, the famous Conquer The Dragon roller coaster! The park is geared more for kids between the ages of 2-12 so it makes a nice family day trip for younger families. 1 LEGOLAND Way Winter Haven, FL
