Magic abounds in Southwest Florida, and through a child’s lens, it’s a cinch to spot. A sand dollar on Siesta Beach, a dive-bombing pelican in the Gulf, even a rain puddle after a tropical storm seems big and bewitching to those who are 4 feet tall. Our region offers a fantastic collection of adventures and attractions that are specially designed for kids—and fun for the parents (and grandparents) who accompany them, too.
From natural wonders and artistic exploration to thrilling day trips, we’ve scouted out the best local ways to keep the kids in your life entertained and engaged. Tack this guide onto the refrigerator next to the glittery finger paintings and get going!
Playgrounds, Parks, and Splashing Fun
Payne Park
Address: 2050 Adams Lane, Sarasota Phone: (941) 861-5000
Payne Park is the ultimate downtown destination for burning off energy. The central playground features a vibrant, circus-themed red, yellow, and blue design, perfect for imaginative play. Push the toddlers on swings, let the preschoolers whiz down slides, and cool off by the misting rings. Meanwhile, teens can hit the skate park‘s rock walls and half-pipes. Tip: Take a family bike ride along the park’s half-mile, tree-lined trail before heading to Main Street for some frozen yogurt.
Bayfront Park & Children’s Fountain
Address: 1 Marina Plaza, Sarasota Phone: (941) 365-5318
From April to October, this park’s Children’s Fountain is an ultra-cool outdoor hotspot. After splashing and romping, youngsters can towel off to climb on the adjacent playground. The location offers stunning views of Sarasota Bay. Tip: After the watery mirth, walk over to O’Leary’s Tiki Bar and Grill for a hot dog from the kids’ menu (and a well-deserved melon colada for the 21-and-older chaperones).
Bradenton Riverwalk
Address: 452 Third Ave. W., Bradenton
Just up the road, the 1.5-mile Bradenton Riverwalk along the Manatee River has it all, from an amphitheater and fishing pier to a skate park and a family fun zone with two playgrounds. Tip: Bring a volleyball, stake out one of the courts, start a game, work up a sweat and end the night with a low-key bag dinner by the water.
Libraries, Museums, and Creative Spaces
Selby Public Library
Address: 1331 First St., Sarasota Phone: (941) 861-1100, selbylibraryfriends.org
A library visit is an adventure in itself! Marvel at the aquarium above the entrance to the children’s book section, and engage in free events like preschool story time and “Partners in Play” (a weekly morning play session for walkers to 5-year-olds, run by Forty Carrots Family Center). Tip: Count how many species are swimming in the aquarium, hunt for a book on ichthyology and match the fish to the photos.
South Florida Museum (Bradenton)
Address: 201 10th St. W., Bradenton Phone: (941) 746-4131, southfloridamuseum.org
Don’t miss stargazing in the Bishop Planetarium, which boasts a new Digistar 5 dual projection system that makes the astronomical shows brighter and crisper. The museum also features historical exhibits and an animal care center. Tip: The first Saturday of most months is family night, when the museum is open until 8 p.m. and admission is half price after 4 p.m.
Kids Comedy Lab at Florida Studio Theatre
Address: 1241 N. Palm Ave., Sarasota Phone: (941) 366-9000, floridastudiotheatre.org
This improv and music extravaganza is completely made up on the spot every week based on audience suggestion and your participation. The cast of FST Improv will perform scenes, make-up songs and tell stories that are appropriate for all ages. Those who want to jump on stage will have the chance to interact!
Nature, Wildlife, and Gardens
Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary
Address: 7101 Palmer Blvd., Sarasota Phone: (941) 371-6377, bigcathabitat.org
Go face-to-face with a rescued lion, tiger, liger, bear, camel, lemur or monkey. These sweet, rescued creatures are part of the “Animals in Action” adventure. The sanctuary also includes a petting zoo for smaller animals.
Sarasota Jungle Gardens
Address: 3701 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota Phone: (941) 355-5305, sarasotajunglegardens.com
Feed the flamingos at this 10-acre wildlife mecca, where the pink Florida birds literally eat out of the palm of your hand! More than 150 animals, including birds of prey, primates, and alligators, also call this lush habitat home.
Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium
Address: 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota Phone: (941) 388-4441, mote.org
Pet a stingray and spy on a jellyfish before sailing off with the Sarasota Bay Explorers, a group that operates guided nautical eco-tours and nature safaris directly from Mote. Next door, Save Our Seabirds is filled with rescued Florida birds. Tip: From February to May, catch a free Sarasota Ski-A-Rees water show on a Sunday afternoon at the adjacent ski stadium.
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
Address: 811 S. Palm Ave., Sarasota Phone: (941) 366-5731, selby.org
Hike up to a banyan tree canopy, be wowed by a waterfall, and explore epiphyte caverns at the Ann Goldstein Children’s Rainforest Garden. Tip: If your child is 5 or younger, join the Little Sprouts’ Club—an educational drop-in program on the first Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday mornings of the month (October through May).
Sarasota Children’s Garden
Address: 1670 10th Way, Sarasota Phone: (941) 330-1711, sarasotachildrensgarden.com
Whimsy is the word at this two-acre garden! Fairy gardens of lore come to life, and a kid-sized Black Pearl ship awaits imaginative pirates. Enroll in an arts and crafts class, have a birthday party at the Caterpillar Cottage, or simply watch the butterflies flutter. Tip: Let the little ones play dress up in their favorite costumes (think sparkly wings and antennae) for a truly imaginative afternoon.
Ted Sperling Park at South Lido Beach
Address: 2201 Ben Franklin Drive and 190 Taft Drive, Lido Key Phone: (941) 861-5000
Embark on a self-guided canoe or kayak tour to get an up-close view of the mangrove tunnels, and then settle in for a sunset picnic at a wooden table while the children hit the playground. Tip: Before venturing to Lido Key’s southern tip, stop by the main pavilion’s Lido Beach Restaurant and snag peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for supper.
Crowley Museum and Nature Center
Address: 16405 Myakka Road, Sarasota Phone: (941) 322-1000, crowleyfl.org
The 3/8-mile Children’s Discovery Path has five interactive stations for kids to stop and learn about indigenous animals, insects, and birds. Test your zoological knowledge of bats, gopher tortoises, Florida panthers, and spiders. Tip: Request an educational tour guide to discuss the native flora and fauna along the path.
Myakka River State Park
Address: 13208 S.R. 72, Sarasota Phone: (941) 361-6511
The Gator Gal and the Myakka Maiden are the go-to guides for exploring the park’s 57 square miles of wetlands, woodlands, and prairies. These air-powered boats get into the grassy, shallow waters that are usually out of human reach. Tip: If your little one is intimidated by the airboat and its proximity to alligators, opt for the Tram Safari instead. Operating mid-December through May, it sticks to marked nature trails.
Mixon Fruit Farms (Bradenton)
Address: 2525 27th St. E., Bradenton Phone: (941) 748-5829, mixon.com
In the wildlife refuge at this Bradenton farm, a plethora of birds, animals, and reptiles are rehabilitated before being released back into nature. Meet the inhabitants, and then feed the koi in the farm’s garden pond, take a tram tour of the orchards, and scoop up an orange-vanilla ice cream cone. Tip: Check out their events calendar online for news about Mixon’s various family-friendly festivals and Concerts in the Grove.
Arts, Horses, and Circus
John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art
Address: 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota Phone: (941) 359-5700, ringling.org
While the art galleries are famous, the David F. Bolger Playspace at the Ringling Museum encourages children to play outdoors on the 66-acre bayfront campus (because let’s face it, energetic kids can only peruse the Peter Paul Rubens paintings for so long!). The Museum also features an incredible Circus Museum. Tip: Visit the museum on “Free Mondays” and pay no admission fee to the Museum of Art and Circus Museum; there’s never a fee to visit the grounds.
Hermann’s Royal Lipizzan Stallions
Address: 32755 Singletary Road, Myakka City Phone: (941) 322-1501, hlipizzans.com
Thrill to the grace and power of the Royal Lipizzan stallions, which spend the winter in Myakka City. Watch their practice sessions, typically Thursday and Friday at 3 p.m. and Saturday at 10 a.m., from December through early May. Tip: Pack a picnic lunch and be sure to tour the stables for an even closer view of the legendary horses.
Sailor Circus
Address: 2075 Bahia Vista St., Sarasota Phone: (941) 355-9805, circussarasota.org
Known as “The Greatest Little Show on Earth,” Sailor Circus hosts yearly youth productions by acrobatic students (ages 8 to 18). These performers have worked with stars like Nik Wallenda to hone their spectacular skills, putting on a breathtaking show. Tip: Look into Big Top Education, an affiliated Circus Arts Conservatory program that gives elementary school students a thrilling scholastic experience with a circus slant.
Beach Time!
Siesta Beach
Address: 948 Beach Road, Sarasota Phone: (941) 861-9930
Siesta Beach is famous for its cool, quartz-crystal sand. A Sunday sunset drum circle is an obvious must, but in the afternoon, consider renting recreational beach gear from a local company like Siesta Sports Rentals. Snorkels, fins, chairs, umbrellas, and boogie boards are among the family-friendly equipment options. Tip: Look for the hair wrap kiosk near the concession stand and get a lasting souvenir for your kiddo’s salty mane.
Take a Little Day Trip (Tampa & Beyond)
For the days you want to venture further afield, the Tampa area offers world-class, large-scale attractions.
Busch Gardens Tampa
Address: 10165 N. Malcolm McKinley Drive, Tampa, (888) 800-5447, buschgardens.com
- Treetop Trails—a three-story play area in Jungala—offers climbing nets, crawl tubes, mazes, and water zones for mini explorers.
- Even smaller adventurers can stroll through the Sesame Street Safari of Fun or board a train at the Serengeti Railway to tour the wildlife habitats.
Glazer Children’s Museum
Address: 110 W. Gasparilla Plaza, Tampa, (813) 443-3861, glazermuseum.org
- More than 170 “interactivities” in multi-themed areas allow children to pilot their own cruise ships, build noodle sculptures, design cities, paint with light, fly airplanes and slide down firefighter poles.
Lowry Park Zoo (ZooTampa)
Address: 1101 W. Sligh Ave., Tampa, (813) 935-8552, lowryparkzoo.com
- Voted No. 1 by Parents magazine, this zoo has popular guided safari tours in open-air trams. Book a 15-minute narrated ride through the 56-acre property’s habitats and watch the 1,500 animals roam.
Museum of Science & Industry (MOSI)
Address: 4801 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa, (813) 987-6000, mosi.org
- Kids In Charge! The Children’s Science Center at MOSI is a 40,000-square-foot creative space for children ages 12 and younger, where space missions are simulated, music making is encouraged, and tiny feet can bounce in a moonwalk.
Manatee Viewing Center
Address: 6990 Dickman Road, Apollo Beach, (813) 228-4289, tampaelectric.com
- Stand watch at the Manatee Viewing Center from November to April as sea cows swim toward the warm waters generated by the Big Bend Power Station. The area also features butterfly gardens, a tidal walk, and a collection of manatee bones in the environmental education center.
