School is almost out, which mean lots of time with the kiddos, but that doesn't mean the family has to stay cooped up at home. There are plenty of fun, promising places to take them, and you can find several of them on our list of kid-friendly things to do Sarasota this summer that you will enjoy, too.
Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium
School may be out for the summer, but that doesn't mean learning has to stop! Mote Marine is a family favorite with everyone as children will have a blast while learning about marine life. The aquarium is open everyday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Mote has an impressive aquarium where you can walk around and get up-close to many marine animals. They have touch touch tanks where your children can feel the fish as well as sharks, sea turtles, fossils, manatees, otters, and crocodiles. There is so much for them to learn about these species as they have interactive experiences. They aquarium also hosts camps and "mommy and me" days as well.
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A refreshing and beautiful place to take the kids is Selby Gardens. These gardens aren't just lush and gorgeous with plants and flowers but also a crazy fun jungle for the kiddos! They have a huge jungle gym where your kids could play for hours. With little caves and swinging bridges, they are sure to get their exercise in while being out in nature. They also have little huts with different things to do such as drums and instruments, fake dinners, and even a play room with plenty of toys, books, puzzles, and costumes.
Take your little ones out for a day of fun in the sun at Siesta Key Beach. This could be an all-day event if you'd like, but make sure the get there before 11 a.m. because after it's almost impossible to find parking. Pack yourselves a lunch, cool drinks, some beach games, and sand toys, and hit the beach! The water is lovely during the summer and the sand is like powdered sugar. If you eat all your snacks, they have a restaurant and snack shack at the entrance so you won't have to head out early. This is also a perfect beach to float in because it doesn't get deep until a ways out there where you'll reach a sandbar. The children love this beach, and there will be plenty of them there!
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If you're not a huge fan of the sand but the kids love water, Bayfront Park is a perfect place to take them. There is a lot to do in this scenic area. Across the street from Main, this wonderful park and marina offers a splendid day. There is a nice sized playground where the kids can run around and climb or swing on the monkey bars. After the kids have played some, you could take a break and walk right over to Oleary's Tiki Bar & Grill for lunch. After you have filled up and refueled, walk right back over to the fountains. Their two-tier fountains are a kid's dream! They have different animal statues as well as little seats, and the fountains spray at varying heights. The kids could splash around and run through these fountains for days! After that, enjoy a gorgeous stroll around the bay, admire all the boats, and swing on the bench swings around the entire park. You can even bring your pup with you as well!
Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary
Have a daring kid? The Big Cat Habitat will put them face-to-face with lions, bears, camels, monkeys, tigers, and lemurs. They even have a petting zoo letting the little ones get to meet their favorites. Adult all-day tickets are $18 and kids are $8, and the sanctuary is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. There is plenty to do to here as they have different shows through the day featuring parrots and other birds as well as large cats.
A fun thing to do with the family on Saturdays is taking them to the Sarasota Farmers Market. This is a great time for all as kids can help you pick out fresh veggies and fruits for the week ahead, get some tasty food from the local vendors, and make a bouquet. Of course, there is always a lot going on at a farmer's market, so there will be live entertainment as well to enjoy while you eat and shop. They also have a trampoline for the kinds!
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With these kid-friendly things to do in sarasota, your family is bound to have a fun summer. Do you know of any other places to go? We'd love to hear from you in the comments section below! For more things to do in Sarasota, register at 941area and connect to everything going on in the Sarasota and Bradenton area.
Cover photo from PxHere
