Summer is here! The season is such a happy and magical moment for families and kids. Summer is filled with endless possibilities for adventure, exploration, and creating lifelong memories. Southwest Florida is such a perfect area to create this magic and find new adventures that kids can enjoy. With its stunning beaches, captivating wildlife, and an array of family-friendly attractions, from Marco Island to Sarasota offers a treasure trove of activities that will keep children of all ages entertained and engaged throughout the season.

If you’re not from here, make sure to take the weather into consideration when making plans. During the Summer in Florida there is always rain and extremely hot temperatures. Make sure you carry enough water to stay hydrated, sunscreen, and an umbrella. Also, stay flexible with your plans and remember that the rain won’t usually last long.

Five exciting things to do with Kids in Southwest Florida

1. Visit the Naples Botanical Garden: This gorgeous botanical garden is a nature’s lover paradise. There are over 1,000 different types of plants and flowers to see, as well as a variety of educational exhibits. The garden also offers a variety of programs and events for kids, including story-time, nature walks, and art classes. I love going here because it is so peaceful, you can enjoy nature, and get a good walk in. Keep in mind that they only open from 8:00am -2:00pm, unless there is a special event.

2. Spend a day at the beach: It is no secret that we have some stunning beaches here in Southwest Florida. Take advantage of the sand, sun, and water, and make a day out of it. Make sure to take snacks, water, always keep an eye on your kids when in the water, and to clean after yourself when you’re done. Here is a list of our beach day essentials.

3. Visit the Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium: The aquarium, located in Sarasota, is a research facility dedicated to the study and conservation of the marine environment. They have great exhibits for kids to be entertained and for them to learn at the same time. Some of their most popular exhibits are: Shark zone, Florida watershed, and sea turtles. They are open from 9:30 am to 5:00pm daily.

4. Lakes Park: This huge and beautiful park, located in Fort Myers, is 279-acres big. I love to go there with the family to walk around, let the kids play in the playground, rent a bike, or just watch the Florida wildlife. This park is a great option if you’re looking for something to do that is accessible for strollers and wheelchairs. Keep in mind that it does get pretty hot in the middle of the day, so I recommend going in the morning or later afternoon and to always take water with you.

5. Visit the Everglades National Park: This is the perfect plan to do with kids that love animals and nature. The Everglades is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it is home to an overwhelming amount of plants and animals. I recommend that you visit and do an airboat tour, this is a unique experience where you glide through the waterways and the sawgrass prairies while seeing and listening to the Florida ecosystem. Get your kids to count how many alligators they see during the ride.

These are just some of the great things to do with kids in Southwest Florida, but there is so much more to see and explore during the Summer. What is your favorite thing to do here?

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