Although known as a playground for adults, there are plenty of opportunities for kids to keep busy, learn and find things to do in Naples. Below, you’ll find a list with some ideas to keep the children active and interested.
- Take the kids to the Golisano Childrens Museum of Naples in the North Collier Regional Park on Livingston Road.
- Go to the Naples Zoo. We are very lucky to have such a wonderful zoo here. Kids can feed the giraffes and participate in other interactive events.
- Enjoy the waterpark, Sun-n-Fun Lagoon, at the North Collier County Regional Park.
- Take an excursion in the Everglades. Go on an airboat ride.
- Visit the Wonder Gardens in Bonita Springs.
- Manatee Park in Fort Myers offers close-up viewing of these sea elephants.
- Take a road trip to the Edison & Ford Estates in Fort Myers.
- Rent bicycles or a four- to six-seater surrey at Naples Cyclery. Tell him that Tim & Ellie sent you.
- Go to the farmers market at Third Street South on Saturday morning. We have several other farmers markets in the area (click on this link to see all of the farmers markets)
- Watch the Florida Everblades play hockey at Germain Arena.
- On weekend evenings, the Skeletal Pirate provides street entertainment in Times Square of Fort Myers Beach. This is worth the drive.
- Be brave and take the children to the Swamp Buggy Races. They have events in November, January and March.
- Check out Dog Beach on a weekend day. Even if you don’t have a dog yourself, this is great family entertainment (and it’s free). Watch our Dog Beach video.
- Collier County Veteran’s Park has a lot of kids’ activities and programs.
- Enjoy a scenic cruise on the Naples Princess.
- The Royal Scoop on Vanderbilt Drive or in Pavilion Shopping Center for the world’s best ice cream (get on their mailing list – they have several special & free events for kids).
- Baseball spring training for the Boston Red Sox or the Minnesota Twins is in nearby Fort Myers.
- There are a number of playgrounds, recreation facilities and much, much more in the Collier County Parks. There’s a playground for tots at the intersection of Vanderbilt Drive and Wiggins Pass Road which is well equipped and never so busy that parking or too many kids is ever a problem.
- Minor league baseball games in Fort Myers (great mascots & very family-oriented atmosphere).
- Walk the Naples Pier – there is always interesting things going on with people fishing, kids skim boarding and lots of action (only a part of the Pier is open at this time due to storm damage).
- Go to the “IMAG Center for History and Science” in Fort Myers. Great for curious kids.
- Water activities are obvious for kids while in Naples. Depending on the ages, those activities range from just hanging out at the beach to renting jet skis, renting a stand-up paddle board, going fishing, renting kayaks, going on a guided excursion or participating in a nature walk at Barefoot Beach or Lovers Key.
- Take the tourist trolley around Naples for some sightseeing. You can get on and off during the route as you like.
- We love our fireworks in Naples and there are great fireworks displays from The Pier on both the Fourth of July and New Year’s Eve. Take a seat on the beach but find your spot early as the beach gets busy on these two occasions. Plan ahead.
- Go on a Segway tour of Naples.
- Take the kids to the Collier County Fair. In 2012, the fair runs from March 15th to the 25th. Check it out at CollierCountyFair.com.
- Go on the Pirate Cruise out of the marina in Fort Myers Beach. It’s an interactive excursion on a re-creation of a pirate ship.
- If the beach is part of the program, then follow the lead of local kids and include Clam Pass Park. If you walk north up the beach and around the point, you’ll find a tree that overhangs the water where the kids will climb out on a branch to jump off into the water. This Collier County park is great for adults, too, with a full-service restaurant (including alcoholic beverages) right there at the beach. Plenty of outdoor seating overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. Walk or ride the free tram along the boardwalk to the beach.
- Charter the “Captain Marvel” fishing boat for a half or full day. Catch your limit of grouper and then take it to a local restaurant for them to cook it or take it home to prepare it yourself. Contact the Captain Marvel at (239) 261-7159. This is a family business for Tom & Lisa Marvel.
- Take the kids to play miniature golf. There are two courses nearby – Golf Safari Mini Golf on Bonita Beach Road (239-947-1377) and Congo River (239-948-9099) which is on the west side of Route 41 (Tamiami Trail) north of Bonita Beach Road. Check out their websites for hours, special offers, coupons and information.
- Go to the huge Easter egg hunt that is hosted by The Royal Scoop ice cream shop at the corner of Vanderbilt Drive and 8th Street in the northwest corner of Collier County. It’s a free event and includes a visit by the Easter bunny, games & races, a barbeque and ice cream, of course! Call The Royal Scoop directly at (239) 992-2000 for more information.
- Book a boat trip with Treasure Seekers Shelling Tours to find a variety of shells including the rare and elusive Junonia. Scenic boat ride to and from uninhabited islands that dot the 10,000 Islands.
