Best Things to Do with Kids in Fort Myers

The Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium in Fort Myers make learning fun. Spanning over 100 acres with elevated boardwalks and a museum, this interactive education center allows families to get up close and personal with some of Florida's native creatures, including snakes and alligators. There's also a stunning butterfly aviary and the Audubon Aviary, which houses permanently injured birds of prey like hawks, bald eagles and owls. The planetarium offers an exciting celestial experience for all ages. There are stargazing programs and nighttime laser light shows, the show featuring the music of Pink Floyd being among the most popular. If you happen to be in town for Halloween, the Haunted Walk through the dark swampy trails is sure to get your adrenaline up.

HeadPinz is a one-stop-shop for family entertainment. This 48 thousand square foot entertainment complex is centered on bowling; three unique rooms totaling 28 lanes and a killer sound system. However, the first thing to catch one's attention is the Game Zone, lit up like Las Vegas. Purchase a Passport to Fun Card, play as many of the popular arcade games as you can, then cash in your points for prizes. Kids and adults both like the ropes course, suspended above the Game Zone and JukinBox, with its lighted dance floor. Laser Tag is so popular that the wait for a 15-minute session is sometimes more than an hour. HeadPinz is also famous for its 48-inch pizzas and a sports bar where mom and dad can escape while the kids play.

CROW, which stands for Care & Rehabilitation of Wildlife, is dedicated to nursing sick and wounded wildlife back to health. At any given time, patients here will include everything from foxes and birds of prey to marine life. The Visitor Center on Sanibel Island stages scavenger hunts, hosts interactive exhibits and has live programs daily. While here, meet animal ambassadors including Sydney the American alligator, Mina the great horned owl, and Cob the corn snake. Along with tours of the facility, there are cameras in the rehabilitation center that give visitors a glimpse of wounded animals in various stages of their rehabilitation process. The gift shop is full of unique trinkets that help support the clinic's mission.

If you're looking for a day of 'Old Florida' fun, you'll find it at the Shell Factory and Nature Center. The Nature Center is full of exotic and native animals from camels and zebras to alligators and hissing cockroaches. Kids will enjoy the petting zoo and butterfly garden too. The Fun Park features a host of water activities such as bumper and paddle boats. There is even a zip line across the lake. You can test your skills on the miniature golf course or on the many arcade games. There's no need to leave the property when you've worked up a good appetite, thanks to the popular Southern Grill, serving local cuisine. The Shell Factory is also one of the best places to shop for authentic Florida souvenirs.

The IMAG History & Science Center is an incredible museum meets aquarium hands-on experience, that promises to entertain and even inspire creativity. Here, children and their adult companions enjoy diverse diversions like running through rainstorms, experiencing tropical-storm-force winds and reporting about it on the museum TV screen. The museum's exhibits also include the Dino Dig where kids look for real fossils, the Sporty Science Arena to test their physical skills and Tiny Town for kids under twelve. Outside, you'll find the Fisheye Lagoon where you can feed sea creatures and learn about marine life. You can even feel some of the resident reptiles, mammals and fish in designated touch tanks and during programs. There is always something creative going on at the IMAG History & Science Center.

Get ready for some swashbuckling action with pirates the likes of Captain Jack, Peg Leg Meg and Pick Pocket Pete, aboard the Pieces of Eight Pirate pirate ship in Estero Bay. Your adventure begins at Salty Sam's Marina, just before the big bridge to Fort Myers Beach, where you can dine at Parrot Key or Bootleggers. The 65-foot Spanish Galleon-style ship sells snack food and has a full bar; after all what respectable pirate takes to the seas without rum for mom and dad? The ship sails at different times starting at 9 am and going until 8 pm depending on the day of the week and time of year. You can upgrade your ticket to include pirate paraphernalia such as eye patches, swords, water pistols, hats and more. It's a fun and festive way to see the Fort Myers waterways.

Gator Mike's is ideal for the active and competitive family. Great for kids of all ages with action like go-cart racing, paintball, rock climbing walls, miniature golf, zip-lining and more. There is even a new escape room. There are dozens of arcade games inside and for more laid-back entertainment feed fish and turtles from the waterside dock. However, the signature activity is the batting cage. Eight different cages pitch balls with speeds ranging from 30-75, including both slow and fastpitch softball. Don't worry about packing your gear, everything you need is available for rent. Add to the list a sports bar and a gift shop and you have one well-rounded place for family fun.

Walking the 2.5 miles of paved and unpaved paths at Lakes Park is free but if you have a few extra dollars there are boat and bike rentals too. The small water park is free for kids to cool off and concessions are available. Check out the Miniature Railroad offering a 15-minute ride past a small-scale village. Hurricane Irma took a toll but you'll still see exotic vegetation and the occasional alligator in the 158 acres of freshwater quarry lakes; fishing is allowed. On your walk or ride, you'll spot birds like the Ibis and Heron, enjoy the fragrance garden, a seasonal community garden and rest in the gazebo or the many covered picnic areas. The park is also home to many cultural and music festivals and a seasonal Farmers Market on Wednesday mornings. Be sure to check the park's calendar for events.

There is a plethora of water in the Fort Myers area but there is only one, true water park. Explore more than fourteen acres of water slides, pools and activities at Sun Splash Family Water Park. Kids go crazy for the adrenaline-pumping speed slides and others that allow you to free-fall through a five-and-a-half story drop. If that's too much excitement, grab a float and peacefully bob down the Main Stream River Ride. There is a Tot Spot for the little ones and plenty of chairs for mom and dad to stretch out in the sun. Food and concessions are available and lots of special deals are offered throughout the summer so be sure to check the events calendar online. The water park typically closes at the end of October through February but the site is still used for carnivals and food and music events.

Fort Myers Beach is perhaps the most popular place for families to explore. A day at the beach provides an endless amount of things to do, from parasailing and jet skiing to shelling and building sandcastles, to simply relaxing. The gently sloping shores and light waves make it a safe swimming spot for little tykes, and with seven miles of shoreline, they'll have lots of room to run and play. Lynn Hall Park is in the heart of beach activities, including dining and shopping. If you prefer nature trails and more peace and quiet, try Bowditch Park at the north end of the island. You'll find the award-winning Lovers Key State Park at the south end of the island and a reliable trolley system to transport you to all.