Finding an awesome activity that the entire family will enjoy can sometimes be a struggle. Luckily, Sarasota, Florida has a wealth of options to keep the kids entertained from animal encounters, boat tours, and more. Read on to learn about the eight best family friendly activities for kids in Sarasota, Venice, and Lido, Longboat, and Siesta Key.
Feed Flamingos at Sarasota Jungle Gardens
Sarasota Jungle Gardens has been a favorite for families since 1939! This beautiful 10-acre garden is the perfect place to spend a nice sunny day amongst the animals that call it home. Kids will love the opportunity to feed flamingos by hand, watch an interactive animal show featuring reptiles, small mammals, or exotic birds and birds of prey, play on the playground, and more. Make sure to stop by the café for lunch, a snack, or ice cream.
Hunt for Shark Teeth at Caspersen Beach in Venice
Finding your very own prehistoric shark’s tooth to take home as a souvenir will be a day your kids won’t soon forget! Venice Florida is known as “The Shark’s Tooth Capital of the World” for the huge numbers of teeth found there. For the best chances head to Caspersen Beach to shift through the sand at the shoreline looking for black t-shaped teeth. If you are a certified diver, considering taking your search underwater, you may even find a tooth from the extinct Megalodon!
Play a Round of Miniature Golf at Smugglers Cove Adventure Golf
Golfers of all ages will have a great time playing the fun and challenging miniature golf course at Smugglers Cove Adventure Golf. After you’ve picked up your ball and putter, stop by the educational alligator exhibit where you can see 20-30 American alligators enjoying the Florida sunshine, plus you can feed the alligators with a cane fishing pole! All 18-holes at Smugglers Cove feature a challenge of some sort from cascading waterfalls, caves, bridges, and even a wooden pirate ship.
Be Wildly Entertained While Learning About Lions, Tigers, Primates, and More at Big Cat Habitat & Gulf Coast Sanctuary
Haven’t gotten your wild animal fix yet? Check out the amazing big cats at Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary. Many of the animals here were rescued after working in circuses or being used for baby animal photo opportunities. Now, they have a safe home and provide educational experiences for visitors to learn about exotic animals. Time your visit to coincide with an animal show, visit the petting zoo to meet goats, birds, tortoises, and more, and be sure to see the Royal Bengal Tigers, lions, and ligers!
Meet Amazing Creatures at Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium
Touch a stingray, watch river otters play, see sharks, manatees, sea turtles, and more than 100 species of marine life at Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium in Sarasota, Florida. In addition to being an aquarium, Mote is a world-renowned research and conservation facility. They also offer a number of educational programs for single-household groups including enrichment time with animal ambassadors, Walk & Talk through a local estuary, and mornings at the aquarium to learn how the staff cares for all the animals.
Dance to the Beat of the Siesta Key Drum Circle
Watch the sun dip down into the warm Gulf of Mexico waters while dancing and enjoying the beat of drums at the Siesta Key Drum Circle. The family friendly atmosphere is a perfect way to wind down your week whether you choose to participate in the dancing and drumming or just sit back and watch the regulars perform belly dancing, sword tricks, and more. The drum circle takes place at Siesta Beach in Siesta Key Sunday evenings year-round.
Take an Educational Boat Cruise With Sarasota Bay Explorers
Spend some time out on the water during a hands-on educational Sarasota Bay Explorers sea life encounter boat cruise. Kids will learn about Sarasota’s resident dolphins, manatees, native birds, and more. Tours last 1 hour and 45 minutes and include comfortable seating, onboard restrooms, drinks, and snacks.
Check out more favorite family friendly activities in Sarasota, Venice, Siesta Key, and Bradenton below.
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Sarasota Outdoor Activities for Kids and Adults
8 Great Teen Activities in Sarasota, Florida
Children’s Rainforest Garden in Sarasota
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