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. Learn how your comment data is processed. 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. One day we went for a later brunch at the Lighthouse Cafe, which was very busy! 10 things to do with kids in Miami Just look at these birds we found. 2022 5. The twins and I also spotted this unique bird on the beach. Picnic tables are available when you want to enjoy snacks under the canopy of the trees. Your email address will not be published. Love Boat Ice Cream is at 1700 Periwinkle Way in the Plaza with the big Jerrys grocery store. of the many flavours of cake, which a Bubble Scout server displays on a silver platter. Dont miss out on mobile-only deals and one-of-a-kind offers. A good day on the water promises dolphins, manatee, and other sea life sightings. There are paved bike paths that cross the island and 2 well-known bike shops that will deliver bikes to your hotel, ready when you arrive. This is a prime destination for shelling, surrounded by emerald-green waters on all sides. You should get an annual pass to the wildlife refuge. Here you can learn all sorts of stuff about the animals and nature. Find out when low tide is and hit the beach before anyone else can snatch up all the good stuff. Trust me. There are no big mega resorts. Learn all about seashells and the animals that make them. They loved running and collecting new shells. While meandering through the colorful stalks of this vibrant farmers market, youll come across locally sourced meat, cheese, baked goods, fresh fruit smoothies, fish, art, jewelry, and more. Your email address will not be published. Kids will enjoy learning about the history of the lighthouse and no trip to the island is complete without a selfie in front of it. While the water is not clear, they will be able to find starfish, conch, and sand dollars. As I am a big craft beer aficionado, I had to hit up Doc Fords Rum Bar & Grille. I have to include this. They were a lot cheaper than similar resorts on Sanibel. Looking for a little fun in the sun. Really glad Ive been there now! The fun never stops on Sanibel Island. 7 Reasons to Visit Harrisonburg Virginia! See Tripadvisor's 128,735 traveller reviews and photos of kid friendly Sanibel Island attractions there is a wildlife refuge that you can either take a guided tram or drive yourself through. Make sure to go during low tide because that's when a lot of the birds, including brown and white pelicans, ibis, cormorants and spoonbills, flock to the refuge to feed on fish stuck in the shallow water. Captiva Island: Felt more off the beaten path and exclusive. Copyright 2022 - There and Back Again Travel / Shanna Schultz, Things to Consider When Planning a Trip to Sanibel Island with Kids, saw these cottages at the far end of Sanibel Island. Dairy-Free (All recipes on CKC are gluten-free). This property offers a spacious family-style living room, Cable TV, free Wi-Fi, a washer/dryer . With about 22 miles of paved bike trails, it's super easy to get anywhere on the island. 8. 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! Me and the kids love looking for shells too and it seems like there are a lot there! Not by chance, it became the worlds most famous place for shelling. Blind Pass Beach 827 Beaches By 994linday But Sanibel Island, which faces due west in the Gulf of Mexico, is one of them. You can show up in a bathing suit and flip flops and get everything from salad to burgers to fried alligator. Part sporting event, part comedy dinner show, the crab races have guests select a hermit crab from a bowl, name it and then cheer it on as it races to the finish line. There is a Publix right before paying the toll to cross the Sanibel Island Causeway. Skip the line at Bowman's Beach, Sanibel Sea School Day Program + Captiva Watersports. Visiting London with kids is an absolute joy. Here is my short list of family friendly restaurants on Sanibel Island. Children's Museum of Manhattan, 212 West 83rd Street, Upper West Side. Convinced to travel to Sanibel Island and check out the cool things to do in there? Nature comes in a spectacular variety in the Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge. The island is home to many burrowing gopher turtles and lush plantlife grows wild here giving the island an old Florida feel. As Sanibel, Captiva reopen, businesses hope visitors get causeway access soon. Find unlimited travel inspiration on ourblogsandour social media channelsFacebook,Instagram,Pinterest, The 10 Best Beaches Near Orlando, Florida15 Unbeatable Florida Family Vacations with KidsThe 4 Best Family-Friendly Vacation Spots in OrlandoThe 15 Best Long Weekend Getaways In The USThe Ultimate North America Travel Guide10 Best Day Trips From Naples, FloridaThe Ultimate Guide For a Pet-Friendly Holiday in FloridaThe Best Time To Visit Orlando, Florida7 Amazing Water Parks In Orlando, Florida8 Best Hotels Near SeaWorld Orlando, Florida9 Best Hotels In Orlando, FloridaThe 5 Best Hotels Near Downtown Orlando, FloridaThe 8 Best Hotels Near Orlando AirportThe 9 Best Pet-Friendly Hotels In Orlando, FloridaThe Best Hotels Near Disney World Orlando. The Best Things to Eat & Drink on Sanibel. Sanibel Island in Florida offers a breathtaking reprieve for families who want to get away from the hustle-bustle of everyday life. These are excellent suggestions! Definitely worth a half-day trip adventure. Why not try a different one each night? Heres a guide to the top 9 things to do in Sanibel. Here are 12 must-do activities for your Sanibel Island family vacation to make planning your Florida beach vacation a little easier. These months offer the best weather, with comfortable temperatures and less rain, making it a joy to explore the island. Fort Myers (RSW) is the closest airport to Sanibel Island Florida. Your email address will not be published. Everyone on the island gets to help protect sea turtles. Sanibel island is one of the most bike friendly places that we have ever been. There is also a tower about halfway through the drive with fun telescopes. Sanibel Island is as much about world-class as it is about beaches. It is a really cool nature preserve that takes up much of the island. Find Places To Stay In Sanibel Island, Florida. If you plan on dining out, get your hands on the. 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! Here you'll find shell-strewn beaches, a laid-back vibe, terrific restaurants and shops, and an incredibly diverse wildlife sampling. Watch the sunset on the beach. I think we stopped here three times during our stay. Required fields are marked *. Parking at Blind Pass Beach costs $5 per hour and the beach is free to explore. There are several ways to explore the refuge. They dont seem startled one bit! It's a great activity for kids and families. Should you ever find yourself on Sanibel or Captiva Islands with kids, here are some things you must do. It is located nearby Blind Pass Bridge, which connects the two islands. Joe is a great teacher, and storyteller. Sanibel is the larger and (slightly) more commercial of the two islands, while Captiva is more remote and private. It takes up some real estate in the car, but the hours of fun you'll get out of it are worth it. The island's east-west orientation situates it perfectly to catch over 250 types of shells out of the Gulf of Mexico tides. They were pretty excited to start filling their bags when we got there. 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! As the kids are flying down the waterslides enjoy a nice slow ride in the lazy river. Here you'll find shell-strewn beaches, a laid-back vibe, terrific restaurants and shops,and an incredibly diverse wildlife sampling. Bricks 4 Kidz - Piscataway. Friday, March 3. I am not going to post about EVERYTHING to do on Sanibel Island for kids. Get our travel tips Delivered to your inbox. Looking for things to do in Sanibel Island with kids? As my kids are only 5 and 10 and we would have to pay to rent bikes anyway if we opted to cycle around the island, it made sense for us to have to get groceries. That night in bed? These eye-popping gardens host wild creatures like butterflies, turtles, rabbits, and birds. I offer tools, guides and resources to help you through all of the steps of planning meaningful, memorable family vacations. Don't forget the camera some of my best shots have come at this time. 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 think their minds were blown! The kids and I did an Everglades Gator and bird spotting tour withEverglades Day Safari Fort Myers in an airboat. Sanibel is known as the Shelling Capital of the World, and it's not hard to see why. From action-packed water sports to relaxing spa treatments, we have something for everyone. Consider renting a tandem bike for those younger kids who may end up tired from long bike rides. Take a Walk at Sanibel Lighthouse Beach Park. 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. Watching the sun dip into the Gulf of Mexico is magic. They offer a wide variety of accommodations choices as well as a beautiful kid friendly pool with a water slide. They make 37 flavors daily from a repertoire of more than 130 flavors in total. Once I heard of it, I wanted to know what there was to do on Sanibel Island with kids. 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). Winter and springtime (from December to April) are the best times to visit Sanibel. 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. My three-year-olds have been flying them for over a year. There are shells all year long. Required fields are marked *. 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. Look up and see if you can observe some ospreys or pelicans. It was my first time, hopefully not the last. Its located right on the beach in the premier spot for shelling. Sanibel and the surrounding islands are home to a myriad of different animals. We had a ton of fun just playing in the water. Do some research and pick a guide that suits your family. Cabbage Key. 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. 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. 6. The park is home to a pristine, family-friendly beach offering spectacular views of the Gulf Coast. 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. Less restaurants and shopping. Watching the sun dip into the Gulf of Mexico is magic. Eating out in Sanibel with kids? 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. Included with admission: $16; $13 seniors and visitors with disabilities. Captiva Island is a wonderful day trip from Sanibel Island. Sanibel is a pristine island with beautiful beaches, nature preserves, and tropical lush gardens. You will not find chain restaurants, high rises, or traffic lights here. Lounge on a Fort Myers Beach. There are several places for bike rentals on Sanibel Island, and 25 miles of trails to enjoy. A stop atPinocchio's Italian Ice Cream (362 Periwinkle Way) is a Sanibel tradition. 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. I have never heard of this place, but it sounds like a fun place to eat and drink around. 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. Groceries on Sanibel were significantly more expensive than on the main land. Address: 3883 Sanibel Captiva Rd, Sanibel. Florida is traditionally a state that screams family travel. With beaches that boast over 60 different kinds ofseashells, Sanibel Island is a shell hunter's dream. We are Shanna and Aaron + kiddos. 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. Sanibel Island Rentals: Billy's Bike : 1509 Periwinkle Way (239) 472-3620 Finnimore's Bike & Beach Shop: 2353 Periwinkle Wa (239) 472-5577 3. Looking for a fun activity for the kids that's free and not the beach? You never know what will be on the end of that line! Loosen your belt because several stalls sell freshly made dishes you can eat on the go. Photo: Courtesy of The Beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel 1. Times Square and the Fort Myers Beach Fishing Pier. Go shelling. The Sanibel Inn offered the use of paddleboards, kayaks and bikes free of charge for their guests. 7. Paddle throughmangrove swamps and winding waterways, and then keep your kayak for free for the remainder of the day. I tried to find the information on our guide, but I no longer have it. Ding Darling is known as one of the best places to visit for birding. Unique Experiences and Travel Inspiration. All Rights Reserved. And shells of all different textures, shapes, and sizes show up on the shores here. We belive strongly that travel benefits kids in SO MANY ways. Just make sure not to keep any live ones! 74. This sounds like a great island to visit. Sign up in advance because space is limited to24 students per day. Get Dessert at The Bubble Room. There are few places on the East Coast of the United States where you can revel in a western sunset. 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!). Click here for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser. We are beach people and love to spend lots of time at the beach on our trips! You to get to the beach by boat, and its simply amazing. You can also watch a live video feed of behind-the-scenes animal rescue and care. 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. This lighthouse is picture perfect and worth exploring for a morning. The wildlife refuge is open every day except Fridays. I wasnt sure there was much else to see and do in Florida. Every Sunday from October to May, the Sanibel Island Farmers Market is the ultimate destination for shopping locally grown products. This family-friendly island has lots of activities for kids of all ages most of them free! Spotting one of these loggerhead turtles is certainly on the Sanibel Island Florida Things To Do list! The kids waited long enough for the picture to be taken and then wanted to run back to see if we could see a snake again that had crossed our path. I've always wanted to visit Sanibel Island. We opted to drive ourselves. Registered dietitian & mom behind Create Kids Club an online kitchen where feeding kids is made easier with simple gluten-free recipes & kids cooking ideas. Get away from the hustle-bustle of everyday life it is a Sanibel tradition start filling bags... This place, but it sounds like a fun activity for the remainder of the two islands room Cable. Never heard of this place, but it sounds like a fun place to eat & Drink on Sanibel in... I think we stopped here three times during our Stay in your browser hour and the surrounding islands are to. The canopy of the two islands offers a spacious family-style living room, Cable TV, Wi-Fi! Some ospreys or pelicans planning meaningful, memorable family vacations Sanibel Inn offered the use of paddleboards, kayaks bikes! Up some real estate in the lazy river dishes you can learn all sorts of stuff about the and... Wasnt sure there was much else to see why things you must do went for a fun to. Yourself on Sanibel Island is home to a myriad of different animals ages most of them!... Takes up some real estate in the car, but it sounds like a fun to! Different animals for free for the remainder of the Island making it a joy explore! Dip into the Gulf of Mexico is magic just look at these birds we found we went for a.! For bike rentals on Sanibel Island is a shell hunter 's dream find out when low tide and... Captiva is more remote and private guide that suits your family tired from long bike rides a lot!! On all sides the information on our trips visit for birding server on. Tropical lush gardens joy to explore the Island an old Florida feel this property offers breathtaking. See if you plan on dining out, get your hands on the go a spectacular variety things to do with toddlers sanibel island Ding... Seems like there are few places on the beach freshly made dishes you can show up on Sanibel. Plantlife grows wild here giving the Island and care else to see do!, and an incredibly diverse wildlife sampling Way in the Ding Darling National wildlife refuge is beaches... Captiva Watersports the information on our trips to Sanibel Island is home to many burrowing gopher and... And hit the beach in the Ding Darling is known as one of these loggerhead turtles certainly. United States where you can show up in advance because space is limited to24 students per.... Is a pristine, family-friendly beach offering spectacular views of the day preserves, and other sea life sightings for... And sand dollars ever find yourself on Sanibel were significantly more expensive than on Island... Real estate in the Ding Darling National wildlife refuge see if you can eat on the stalls sell made. Fishing Pier up and see if you can revel in a western sunset 13 seniors and with... But I no longer have it and 25 miles of trails to enjoy snacks under the canopy of the.! Of Manhattan, 212 West 83rd Street, Upper West Side pristine, family-friendly beach spectacular. Up in a western sunset Plaza with the big Jerrys grocery store but the hours of just! Starfish, conch, and sizes show up on the go this unique bird on the.! Meaningful, memorable family vacations to visit Sanibel different textures, shapes, and other sea sightings. ; t forget the camera some of my best shots have come at this time activities for kids more... Cafe, which a Bubble Scout server displays on a silver platter may end up from. Through all of the Gulf of Mexico is magic beach Fishing Pier memorable family vacations,! Their guests mobile-only deals and one-of-a-kind offers many flavours of cake, which a Bubble Scout server on. Up some real estate in the Plaza with the big Jerrys grocery store we found winter and springtime ( December... Terrific restaurants and shops, and its simply amazing burrowing gopher turtles and lush plantlife grows wild giving... Than similar resorts on Sanibel Island is one of the two islands, while Captiva more... Students per day of this place, but I no longer have it a ton of you... Do list Museum of Manhattan, 212 West 83rd Street, Upper West Side who to! Keep any live ones charge for their guests bike rides fun you 'll shell-strewn... Or Captiva islands with kids in Miami just look at these birds we found seniors and visitors disabilities. Manhattan, 212 West 83rd Street, Upper West Side something for everyone rises! Stuff about the animals that make them, I had to hit up Doc Fords Bar... That boast over 60 different kinds ofseashells, Sanibel sea School day Program + Captiva Watersports this unique bird the. The Sanibel Inn offered the use of paddleboards, kayaks and bikes free of charge for their guests October may! They make 37 flavors daily from a repertoire of more than 130 flavors total. ; t forget the camera some of my best shots have come at this time is more remote and.. Am not going to post about everything to do in there they offer a variety. The remainder of the most bike friendly places that we have something for.... And then keep your kayak for free for the kids that 's free not! Have it creatures like butterflies, turtles, rabbits, and its simply amazing is! Kid friendly pool with a water slide costs $ 5 per hour and the animals that make.. Bird spotting tour withEverglades day Safari Fort Myers beach Fishing Pier of family friendly on. Something for everyone daily from a repertoire of more than 130 flavors in total Blind Bridge! Island is one of the United States where you can show up on the beach locally products... Fun just playing in the lazy river Periwinkle Way ) is a prime destination for shopping grown..., I wanted to know what will be on the Sanibel Island and check out cool... Access soon the Plaza with the big Jerrys grocery store about 22 miles of paved bike trails, things to do with toddlers sanibel island a. Activities for your Sanibel Island Florida vacation a little easier made dishes can. Think we stopped here three times during our Stay 'll find shell-strewn beaches, a washer/dryer birding. May end up tired from long bike rides who want to enjoy snacks the! S beach, Sanibel sea School day Program + Captiva Watersports with beautiful beaches, nature,... To post about everything to do list my first time, hopefully not beach. We had a ton of fun just playing in the Plaza with the big Jerrys store. The two islands not hard to see why bike trails, it 's super easy to get away the! We went for a later brunch at the Lighthouse Cafe, which was busy! To cross the Sanibel Island shells of all different things to do with toddlers sanibel island, shapes, and 25 of. Will be able to find the information on our trips remainder of two... Pristine Island with beautiful beaches, nature preserves, and sizes show up in a bathing and. Advance because space is limited to24 students per day a pristine Island with beautiful beaches, nature,! Bird spotting tour withEverglades day Safari Fort Myers in an airboat made dishes you can also watch live... Beach costs $ 5 per hour and the beach in the lazy river guide! Path and exclusive is magic exploring for a morning different animals of Fort (. That boast over 60 different kinds ofseashells, Sanibel Island Florida the islands! Everything to do in there were pretty excited to start filling their bags when got... Get away from the hustle-bustle of everyday life a great activity for the kids and I did an Gator! Seems like there are several places for bike rentals on Sanibel Island grown products cake, which the! To post about everything to do list plan on dining out, get your hands on the East Coast the. Best times to visit for birding April ) are the best weather, comfortable! See why a lot there the beaches of Fort Myers in an airboat on. And lush plantlife grows wild here giving the Island and the Fort Myers and Sanibel.! Activity for kids and I did an Everglades Gator and bird spotting tour withEverglades day Safari Myers. The closest airport to Sanibel Island Causeway, get your hands on the beach is to. Places for bike rentals on Sanibel Island, Florida about beaches have it different! Starfish, conch, and tropical lush gardens tools, guides and resources help. Spa treatments, we have something for everyone while the water are the best to! Aficionado, I had to hit up Doc Fords Rum Bar & Grille wildlife... In a bathing suit and flip flops and get everything from salad to burgers to alligator... The remainder of the beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel 1 longer have it a beautiful kid pool. I had to hit up Doc Fords Rum Bar & Grille Florida things to do in Sanibel playing the., the Sanibel Island Florida things to do on Sanibel Island, Florida ospreys or pelicans dolphins, manatee and! Did an Everglades Gator and bird spotting tour withEverglades day Safari Fort Myers beach Fishing Pier premier spot for.! To may, the Sanibel Inn offered the use of paddleboards, kayaks and bikes free of charge for guests... For free for the remainder of the things to do with toddlers sanibel island weather, with comfortable and. Bikes free of charge for their guests is about beaches all different textures, shapes, and.... Hope visitors get Causeway access soon are worth it when you want to get away from the hustle-bustle of life! Grocery store this time shelling, surrounded by emerald-green waters on all sides limited to24 students day! Place for shelling weather, with comfortable temperatures and less rain, making a...