While Fort Myers does cater to an older demographic, it also offers plenty of family and kid-friendly activities. Speaking from my own experience, you might even find yourself rediscovering your inner child through these activities.
Where can you compare seeing your children and grandchildren having a great time on vacation, or visiting you in general? Thankfully, Fort Myers is full of fun places to visit, so your family will want to visit you in Southwest Florida
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So let’s start the list of activities with drum roll.
1. DEFY Trampoline Park
DEFY describes itself as more than a trampoline park — it’s active entertainment. My kids beg to go to DEFY with a Target conveniently right next door. DEFY is a great place where no limits exist, it’s a place where adrenaline junkies, extreme sports fans, and anyone who wants to try something new can come to get their kicks and then some.
Don’t use your kids as an excuse to jump around, okay? Kidding aside, if your kids want to be more active or you want your kids to be more active with their everyday fun, this is a great place to go.
Summer Passes
DEFY offers summer passes year-round for locals. If you have young children or grandchildren who haven’t experienced a trampoline park like this before, it’s a must-visit. It’s like a combination of Sky Zone and American Gladiator, offering fun for all ages. Plus, they host kids’ birthday parties!
2. Manatee Park
Manatee Park is a non-captive warm water refuge for the Florida Manatee. It sits just across from our water treatment facility, where warm water naturally flows. Manatees flock here, especially in February, our coldest month, which makes this spot particularly inviting for them.
Visitors can observe these gentle creatures up close, enjoying the warm waters during the cooler days in winter when the temperature in the Gulf of Mexico is below 68° F (20° C). Optimum viewing months are late December, January, and February when the gulf temperature is below 68F. Manatees are generally not present during the warm summer months.
During winter months, you may see people in and around the lagoon or canal for a few specific reasons:
- Manatee Observation – a manatee has been identified as having an injury or other issue that may require further investigation/observation. Depending on the issue, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) biologists may respond to the park to rescue the manatee.
- Photo documentation – Scientists in partnership with FWC take photos of manatees for identification purposes. The individual scar patterns allow scientists to distinguish different manatees.
- Genetic sampling – Scientists in partnership with FWC use a long PVC pipe with a needle at the end to get a skin tissue sample from manatees. The sampling may temporarily startle manatees, but it does not cause any injuries. This sample allows scientists to study manatee survival, migration, and population structure. This activity is conducted under federal and state research permits.
3. Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium
If your children have a passion for science and nature, then Calusa Nature Center is a must-visit. This nonprofit organization is dedicated to educating the public about wildlife, water conservation, and nature-related topics.
From astronomy to ecology, the center offers a wide range of programs for both adults and children. It houses a diverse collection of rescued animals, including butterflies and birds, along with a planetarium, theater, and museum. It’s an engaging and educational experience that allows visitors to learn more about the natural world in Southwest Florida.
4. Salty Sam’s Pirate Cruise
If you’re looking for a thrilling adventure on the water, don’t miss out on Salty Sam’s Pirate Cruise, especially if you have a son who loves pirates. It’s not just a regular cruise; it’s a full-blown pirate experience that kids will love.
They host birthday parties and charity events, where you can purchase tickets to support a good cause and join the pirate crew for a 90-minute adventure on the Gulf of Mexico. The cruise features a hilarious pirate comedy show with interactive games and refreshments, making it enjoyable for both kids and adults alike. It’s a fantastic way for families to have a blast together out on the water.
5. Escape Rooms
While escape rooms may seem like a kids’ activity, they’re actually enjoyable for adults too. It’s a fantastic option if you’re looking for a fun and challenging experience, especially if you have older kids or young adults visiting.
In an escape room, you’re locked in a room and tasked with solving clues and puzzles as a team to escape. It has been getting incredibly popular and tends to get booked up quickly. So book in advance for your family bonding adventure.
6. Family Music Time
One of the few kid-friendly activities I took my children to when they were small was Family Music Time at Bell Tower Park in Fort Myers with Miss LouAnne Dunfee.
Their Music Together® classes build on your child’s natural enthusiasm for music & movement, helping your child grow into a confident, lifelong music maker. You’ll discover delightful ways to interact with your child as you experience the joy of actively making music. You and your child will learn a variety of music and movement activities led by trained and talented instructors. These fun ‘mommy and me’ music activities are appropriate for your baby, toddler, or preschooler. Most importantly their classes provide a forum for community music-making.
7. Little Gym, Sports, and Nature Camps
My granddaughter enjoys activities at The Little Gym, which offers various gymnastics programs. With Florida’s year-round sunshine and passion for sports, there are abundant sports camps and events for young children during summer and spring breaks. Fishing camps are especially popular during spring break. Additionally, Sanibel Nature camps, though quickly filled, provide an enriching week-long experience on Sanibel Island to learn about natural ecology.
8. Golfing
Topgolf
Topgolf, which opened a few years ago near Colonial and the interstate, is a favorite among kids. They offer golfing camps in the summer, which is popular in Florida due to the weather. Even Topgolf for kids is a big hit. It’s enjoyable for both children and parents, offering food, drinks, entertainment, and a chance to socialize. My daughter celebrated her 12th birthday there and had a blast.
PopStroke
Next on the list is Tiger Wood’s putting golf course, PopStroke. This place is a technology-infused golf entertainment concept featuring two 18-hole putting courses, as well as exceptional food and beverage. At PopStroke, you’ll find a playground, along with amenities like cornhole, foosball, ice cream, indoor and outdoor seating, and a stylish bar, perfect for all ages.
9. Lakes Park
Lakes Park sprawls across acres of recreational space, offering an array of attractions. It features numerous trails and boardwalks, tandem bicycles for four, water parks tailored for kids, several playgrounds, spots for feeding ducks, and a festive train ride during holidays such as Christmas and Halloween.
Lakes Park hosts many community events such as the Farmers Market, the Fall Festival featuring Scarecrows In The Park, StoryTime in the Garden, and many more making it a fantastic spot for family outings.
10. Cape Coral Water Park
Another option is the Cape Coral Water Park, featuring attractions like a lazy river, slides, and splash pads, perfect for kids’ enjoyment. It is Southwest Florida’s largest waterpark with more than 14 acres of slides, pools, food, and fun for all ages open March through September.
It’s a perfect place to cool off from hot Florida summers and enjoy family memories that will last a lifetime!
So these are a few of the kid-friendly activities that your family can bond over here in Fort Myers. Enjoyed a good read? Follow Stacey Glenn on all social media platforms for more.