Sanibel With Kids

We are renting a few condos (multiple families) at Signal Inn (any feedback would be appreciated) during early April. There will be ten kids ranging in ages from 17 down to 5. Any restaurants you would recommend? Any activities you would recommend with kids? We are just planning on a low key trip...lots of sun and swimming. This will be our first visit to Sanibel. Thanks!

Sanibel With Kids

Just remember that there is a toll to go across to Sanibel from Ft. Myers, so plan your shopping trips carefully.

Sanibel With Kids

My first suggestion would be to look back through previous discussions for an abundance of comments on what is available on Sanibel.

Just a few ideas for restaurants: Cheeburger, Cheeburger and Island Cow, Lighthouse Cafe for a hearty breakfast. Some highly recommend the Bubble Room, but we thought that to be an ';okay'; experience, not a ';must do';.

You will want to rent bicycles because that is how most of us get around the island rather than relying primarily on a car. There are over 20 miles of easy pedaling bike paths on Sanibel. The older kids might enjoy kayaking, canoeing at Tarpon Bay where you can opt for a guided tour with a naturalist. If you encounter a rainy day, take the younger ones to the library for a change of scene and possible scheduled activity (not likely to happen, but you never know!) Visit the fishing pier and watch the pelicans as they wait for an opportunity to snag themselves an easy meal. Since this is your first visit, do factor in a trip to the Ding Darling Refuge and let the youngsters appreciate this bit of ';natural'; florida and the wildlife. Most youngsters will find themselves caught up in beach walks to find that ';special shell';.

For the most part, the kids will keep themselves busy with the beach, sandcastling, pool time, tennis if they play. Seems we always have a game of cards, cribbage, or backgammon going...just relaxing and spending time together. If you have any avid fishermen in the group, they may enjoy a 1/2 day charter trip out of the Marina. Appetites soar and it seems the kids are always popping in for a snack or a quick meal so stock up well.

I wouldn%26#39;t worry too much about what ';to do'; on Sanibel. Part of the appeal is that the island offers a change of pace and unstructured time for families to just rediscover the joys of being together.

Many kids can spend hours happily looking for shells on the beach. The Baily-Matthews Shell Museum is very worth a visit and has a touch tank for the kids. Miss Paradise has a nautralist lead afternoon trip that helps you under the sealife in the bay. Most of the fishing guides can only manage 4 people, but a half day fishing may suit some.

As you enter the island the second building on the right is the Chamber of Commerce Visitors Center. Do stop and get all kinds of info about what%26#39;s happening that week on the islands. Drive up to Captiva and visit some of the restaurants (I happen to agree the Bubble Room has become more hype than good, but it is an experience) there. Also checkout Captiva Cruises for trips to the out islands or a sunset cruise.

Enjoy!!!!

I have visited Sanibel many times with my kids. Finding them things to do will not be a problem. I think you will find that they will be happy to spend lots of time on the beach and at the pool. Bring lots of shovels to build giant sand castles/structures. Make sure to pick up a tide table (the chamber of commerce, on your right when you first get onto the island, has them)so you can find out when low tide is each day. Your kids will have a great time shelling and looking at the cool critters on the beach during low tide. Depending on the weather, kite flying or boogie boarding may be possibilites, too. I second the recommendation for Cheeburger Cheeburger, but I say skip the Bubble Room. Very overpriced. Instead, try the Lazy Flamingo. There are two, but I like the one near Blind Pass the best. I love the Tarpon Bay kayak trips, and it is possible to get a boat and captain at on the the marinas to take you to one of the less acessible islands for shelling/picnicking, too.

A beautiful tour that is also educational is the tour of the Edison (Thomas) home and labs. The grounds are marvelous!!! It is located on McGregor Blvd. almost in downtown Ft. Myers. Henry Ford%26#39;s home is next door, and also on the tour. The tour is almost 2 hours long, and well worth the time spent. There is also a museum on the property which is included in the tour.

I agree with the other posts...the kids will be plenty occupied with looking for shells. If you make it to Captiva, check out the Mucky Duck restaurant. My kids enjoyed sitting outside listening to the music and looking for shells on the beach in front of the restaurant. Bubble Room is a must for desserts, but skip the pricey lunch/dinner. Lazy Flamingo has wonderful food - we frequent the one at Blind Pass. I%26#39;ve heard that the Island Cow is great too, but haven%26#39;t tried it yet.

For more information, visit the Sanibel/Captiva Chamber of Commerce web site at www.sanibel-captiva.org.

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