Planning a vacation with your family can be an exciting time, but it might also be a stressful one. After you’ve found the perfect place to stay from our wide range of Sanibel vacation rentals, you then have to find things for your family to do. However, it can be challenging to find activities that the kids will enjoy that won’t bore the adults out of their minds.
Luckily, Sanibel and Captiva islands are just a short distance away from the exciting Fort Myers, offering plenty of activities for the entire family. If you’re searching for things to do on Sanibel, consider adding some of these destinations to your itinerary!
IMAG History and Science Center
If you want to add a bit of education to your trip, consider heading to the IMAG History and Science Center. There are all kinds of interesting presentations held throughout the day, featuring the most interesting takes on science, technology, engineering, and math. In addition, you can explore fascinating exhibits like the Animal Lab, the Dino Dig, Mind Magic, the Touch Tank, and more. But where does the history come in? IMAG has partnered up with the Southwest Florida Museum of History to bring a fascinating twist to their exhibits, featuring the early civilization of Southwest Florida. Best of all, entrance into this attraction is incredibly affordable at just $12 for adults and $8 for students and children.
Salty Sam’s Pirate Cruise
What kid doesn’t want to pretend to be a pirate for a day? Hop on board Salty Sam’s Pirate Cruise to make their dream a reality! Your cruise will take place aboard a replica Spanish ship for an authentic pirate experience and will allow you and your kids to enjoy an amazing view of Fort Myers Beach and Matanzas Pass. As you sail, your kids will be taken into an interactive adventure that includes searching for treasure, having their faces painted, and engaging in lots more nautical themed fun! While your kids enjoy themselves, you can head to the snack bar to grab a cocktail or a small bite to eat. Best of all, this cruise typically lasts about 90 minutes, making it easy to fit into your itinerary.
Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples
While not located in Fort Myers itself, the Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples is an activity that is certainly worth the drive. Your kids will have 38,000 square feet to explore and 12 family friendly exhibit galleries to check out. This museum is considered one of the finest children’s museums in the country, and once you visit, you’ll understand why! You and your kids will be able to journey into foreign countries, explore new careers like a veterinarian or farmer, nestled down in an igloo, and so much more! What’s even better is that this museum is incredibly inclusive and is fully accessible to all children, regardless of ability, so every member of your family can have an amazing time. The best part is, this is close to our three bedroom rentals!
Captiva Cruises Dolphin Watch and Wildlife Adventure Cruise
Want to spend some time on the water and have the chance to see beautiful wildlife in its natural habitat? Captiva Cruises Dolphin Watch and Wildlife Adventure Cruise is the perfect solution! When you and your family hop on board this cruise, you’ll have 90 minutes on the water to enjoy the view and spot some breathtaking bottlenose dolphins jumping up out of the waves. In fact, dolphins are spotted on around 95% of the cruises! When it comes to kid-friendly Sanibel Island activities, this is by far one of the most popular. It gives you an opportunity to slow down and enjoy some quality time together while still getting to see some exciting wildlife.
Lakes Regional Park
Sometimes, you simply have to let your kids run out their energy in the park. Lakes Regional Park in Fort Myers is the best place to do that! But this isn’t your typical park with just a small playground and walking trail. In fact, the park spans nearly 280 acres! Your kids can enjoy the playground, splash park, rock climbing wall, and the Miniature Railroad and Train Village. Additionally, you’ll have the opportunity for bird watching, hiking, kayaking, canoeing, and so much more. You can find rental equipment right on site, as well as a convenient concession stand nearby, so you don’t even have to leave the park for lunch. If you’re traveling on a budget and need a fun and free activity to enjoy, don’t miss a trip to Lakes Regional Park!
GameTime Arcade and Restaurant in Fort Myers
Looking to get competitive during your time in Captiva and Sanibel Island, Florida? Don’t miss a trip to GameTime Arcade and Restaurant in Fort Myers! This destination holds more than 100 indoor games, prize machines, and simulator rides for you and your family to enjoy. All in all, you’ve got 22,000 square feet of entertainment to explore! When you’re playing games, even the smallest kids can keep track of their winnings, since you use gaming cards instead of traditional tokens or tickets. There are tons of dining options that kids and adults alike are sure to appreciate, and for the adults, take advantage of the full liquor bar and 65+ HDTVs. If you’re looking for an exciting way to spend the evening, look no further!
Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation
Just because you want to find family-friendly activities in Sanibel Island doesn’t mean that you can’t add some important lessons into the mix. If you want to teach your kids about the importance of protecting our environment, consider a trip to the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation. Here, you and your family will be able to explore more than four miles of nature trails and head to the top of the observation tower, offering a breathtaking view of the Sanibel River. You can also take part in nature walks and educational programs led by the friendly and dedicated staff, who can teach you and your family about the local conservation efforts and what you can do to help. Admission to this attraction costs $5 for adults and is free for kids under 17. Special programs may incur additional charges.
Caloosa Nature Center and Planetarium
If you want to get the most of Florida’s beautiful nature without leaving the city, then you definitely want to plan a visit to the Caloosa Nature Center and Planetarium. You could honestly plan to spend the entire day here exploring all of the exhibits, including a Seminole Native American village, three beautiful nature trails, and butterfly and bird aviaries. Your family will also be able to see all kinds of incredible resident animals, including turtles, foxes, and even baby alligators! If you have a future astronaut in your family, be sure to bring them to the planetarium. Three times per day, the planetarium features breathtaking shows with telescopes and laser lights projecting onto their 44-foot dome. This is another affordable attraction in the Fort Myers area, costing just $10 for adults and $5 for kids under 13.
Book Your Stay
Finding activities for the whole family can be tough, but we are here to help! Just find your dates, and book your stay!
Each of these fun activities is located just a short drive away from our most popular Sanibel Island rentals. At the end of a long day of looking around and exploring Fort Myers, you can come back to your rental and relax with high-speed Internet access, spacious bedrooms and bathrooms, multiple flat screen TVs, and so much more. Ready to plan your vacation? Contact us today to learn more about our Sanibel Island vacation rentals and to book yours!