Visiting Sarasota with Kids: 19 Family Fun Activities!

Sarasota is buzzing these days, living up to its reputation as a jewel of Florida’s Suncoast. People ask if it’s still a good place for families. YES, it’s incredible with so many Sarasota attractions for all generations. After years as locals, we know which Sarasota family activities bring the most smiles.

The highlight when visiting Sarasota has to be our sandy beaches on Siesta Key and Lido. For days when you want something different to do, we have you covered with kid-friendly things to do around Sarasota.

Visit Myakka Elephant Sanctuary, Anna Maria Island, or The Bishop Planetarium in Bradenton, where rescued manatees also live. Read on for how to plan these and more fun activities into your itinerary.

Best Sarasota Family Activities

Sarasota is so family-friendly, and kids love the variety of things to do in the great outdoors in and around town. It’s one big adventure playground.

1. Enjoy Sarasota Beaches

Kids love beach time, and so will you, with award-winning beaches all around Sarasota. Read our detailed guide for taking kids to Siesta Key Beaches, which is our top recommendation.

Here are the local beach options. All are within 10 miles of downtown Sarasota:

• Siesta Key Beaches: Main Beach, Crescent Beach, and Turtle Beach
• Lido Beach, St Armand’s Circle – soft sands with good facilities.
• Bradenton Beach – Coquina Beach has pine pine-lined beach picnic area.
• Venice Beach – great for shark tooth hunting, as is Caspersen Beach.

If you are planning to drive from Siesta Key to Anna Maria Island, check out our Guide to this beautiful trip.

2. Mote Marine Aquarium

Mote is on the move! They have a brand new facility next to UTC and Nathan Benderson Park. At the time of writing, they are moving their animals and will be giving them time to transition and settle into their new home.

Recognized nationally and internationally for its scientific research on many ocean-related issues, the whole family will enjoy Mote Marine.  From dip-netting to sailing the bay with a marine biologist, Mote makes learning fun.

While you are in this part of town, check out events at Nathan Benderson Park. They organize all sorts of fun rowing races, dragon shows, and the circus comes to this park too.

3. Jungle Gardens Sarasota

For an opportunity for kids to get closer to a range of Florida nature, bring them here for a few hours. Centrally located on Sarasota’s Bayshore Road, they can feed a pink Flamingo (food is $3.50 per bag), hold an alligator, a small snake, or parrots.

There is a paved walkway that guides you around the small park and a show area where timed events run throughout the day. These events help youngsters learn about a particular species: fun and educational!

There’s a gift store and Flamingo Cafe if you want a snack during your visit. Alternatively, bring a picnic and enjoy at one of several tables near the car park, as no food is permitted inside the park.

4. Play Miniature Golf & Feed Alligators

Long Boat Key island, across the Ringling Bridge from Sarasota, offers excellent golfing for all skill levels. However, if you and your kids prefer the mini-golf experience, head to Smugglers Cove.

They have an 18-hole course that twists and turns around a huge pirate ship and all sorts of awesome holes to aim for. It’s bright and lively, a perfect game for kids, but also fun for adults.

The 20 or so resident baby alligators offer an added attraction to your budding golfers, and you can feed them. Our grandkids loved this as they were close enough to feed with a pole, but 100% safe above and behind a fenced area. A Florida moment!

When you’re done, relax at the on-site snack bar clubhouse where they sell ice cream, drinks, and for us adults, a refreshing beer or wine.

5. Big Cat Habitat Conservation & Lemur Yoga!

Big Cat Habitat is run as a non-profit and has been caring for a mix of animals since the late 1980s. It’s a fun outing for kids who can learn about the different animals and enjoy a petting zoo and koi pond.

As well as interacting with smaller animals, kids can take a horse ride, feed a big cat, and generally learn about the importance of protecting all species of animals.

This started as a refuge for abandoned cats and has grown into a conservation force for many species, from tigers to bears. Cheeky monkeys and a Florida panther are more of the residents you can meet.

6. Bayfront Park Playground

This is a lovely park right on the bay to enjoy in the morning or later in the afternoon, perhaps after a morning boat tour or before a sunset cruise.

It’s designed for kids to run around and have fun with a splash pad and brand new playground area. Walk up to the dolphin fountain and watch boats coming and going from the Marina.

There is a small restaurant within the park. Or, head to Marina Jacks for outdoor casual dining, and views of Sarasota’s super yachts moored next door.

7. Go Fishing

This is an easy family activity in Sarasota. Choose from several fishing piers around town or our lesser-known fishing spot at Turtle Beach lagoon.

You can also fish on your own over the north bridge onto Siesta Key at Nora Patterson Park, which is dog-friendly and has a wide dockside area to fish from.

If you want a stress-free fishing experience, it’s better to hire a guide or go with the affordable Flying Fish! This way, you’re not constantly untangling lines or baiting them 🙂

CB Fishing Charters at Siesta Key Marina at Stickney Point are also highly rated, and we have used them in the past.

For older kids, consider using an up-and-coming local guide who is amazing at getting fish on the hook. No Mercy Charters is run by Siesta Key local Captain Michael Russo.

8. Outdoor Movie Nights – The Bay

What kid doesn’t love a movie night? Here in Sarasota, enjoy a family night out under the stars. For film showings and times, check the Cinema at The Bay site.

You can have dinner at Marina Jacks before or after the show, making it a great way to enjoy this part of town later in the day.

Another family-friendly cinema experience is Cine-Bistro on Siesta Key Drive. No cooking, just enjoy a waiter service dinner while you watch a movie.

9. Sarasota Circus Arts Conservatory Shows

Sarasota was the winter home for thousands of circus performers and animals about a century ago. World-famous circus owner John Ringling built a winter Venetian-style home on the bay in Sarasota, which is now open to visitors.

He also supported our local performing arts, creating a vibrant artistic culture across the city, including the unique Circus Arts Conservatory.

If you are coming here over the school summer and winter vacation times, buy tickets for Circus Arts shows – they go fast. Some are youth shows that we have been to and are so inspirational for kids.

Others are professional performers, and it is one of the unique things to do when visiting Sarasota as a family.

10. Help Feed An Myakka Retired Elephant

Yes, we have a non-profit elephant sanctuary right here in Sarasota! Visit and you can help the team with daily activities from feeding to bath time.

The elephants at the Sanctuary are all retired, having been in various lives around the country. While we are not zoo people, we love that these animals have a loving place to spend their later years.

11. Bike Ride On The Sarasota Legacy Trail

If you love a family cycle, don’t miss the Legacy Trail in Sarasota. From the bay, this trail runs to Venice Rail Depot, part of it on an old railway line. It’s a safe way to ride around town, and there are shaded areas along the way to take a break.

You can rent bikes, including e-bikes, right by the trail itself. Legacy Trail Bikes will set the whole family up, and rentals can be picked up at 9 am and returned before sunset! Current rates start at $40 per day, up to $70 for e-bikes.

12. Let Loose In Sarasota Children’s Garden

A wonderland of adventures awaits little kids in Sarasota’s Children’s Garden just off 10th Street, where you can park up for your visit.

Let them loose to run wild through the tree-shaded garden full of surprises, along the way from hidden doors, climbing areas, and water shoots. Our grandkids loved this, but we suggest it’s best suited for kids up to, say, 10 years old.

The garden is full of plants, wild flowers, and there will be butterflies and bees enjoying the environment too.

13. Glass Bottom Family Kayak Tour (Mornings)

Sarasota Bay’s waters are calm and it’s a beautiful coastline to sail around especially as the sun sets. We have resident dolphins here and you can see them any time of the day!

Take your kids on a Glass Bottom Kayak Tour on Sarasota Bay. where they can paddle gently in tandem kayaks around the bay. This tours makes it easier to see the marvelous marine life below and around them.

Nets are provided to collect shells along the ways – super cool! Lifejackets included.

14. Family Friendly Dolphin and Manatee Cruise

LeBarge Dolphin & Manatee Watch Tours sail around the bay on a larger 2-deck vessel, & leave from Marina Jacks in Sarasota.

Park in the county managed car-park which means only a short walk to the boat. If it’s full here you can park in Palm Avenue Garage & walk over.

15. Sunset Boat & Night Kayak Trips

We love going out on the LeBarge Sunset Bay Tour when we have friends and family staying. It’s fun with live ‘tropical’ music, snacks and of course everyone looking for the ‘green flash’ as the sun sinks below the Gulf waters. Expect up to 120 fellows passengers between 2 decks.

If your kids are a little older, the night-time glass bottom kayak tour will be a hit. Travel in tandem kayaks while LED lights illuminate the marine world as you paddle. This is a relaxing experience so suitable for all levels.

16. Bishop Museum Bradenton

For a change from beaches and outdoors, head up to Bradenton and visit the Smithsonian Partnered Bishop Museum which is designed for kids! Our little ones love it for the manatees and the older ones rave about the planetarium.

After you’re finished you can walk around the corner and enjoy an ice cream by the marina area.

They also have 7 pm and 9 pm laser night shows during summer months which are fantastic set to different genres of music.

17. Myakka River State Park

Kids will love a day out in Myakka State Park one of Florida’s oldest parks which is full of activities. It’s around a 25 minute drive from Sarasota to the park entrance where you will find the Visitors Center.

You can hike the 1.2 mile Boylston Nature Trail loop or check when you arrive to see what other trails might suit your group. We met a gopher tortoise on a trail which the grandkids loved.

Walk to the bridge area and check out the banks – alligators love to sunbathe here and it is important to know they live here so are around!

18. Hunt For Sharks Teeth at Caspersen Beach

Head to Venice Beach or a little further south to Caspersen Beach to explore for sharks teeth!

Sharks go through thousands of teeth in their live so there’s always new ones being washed up. Low tide is the best time. All you need is a small scoop and a screen to shake the sand through.

We made these as a little project with our grandkids and they were a bit hit. All you need are a couple of noodles and some small mesh.  You can buy these around town but cheaper and more fun to make them together!

If everyone is starving after finding their treasure, why not stop at Sharky’s Beach Front Restaurant and Bar in Venice on the way back to Siesta Key? With its boardwalk and kid-friendly service, it’s bound to be a hit.  

19. Check Out Sarasota Festivals

We hope you can see how family-friendly our town is and that we live up to our reputation as a great place to vacation with kids.

Here’s our list of the most popular local festivals. Most are free to enter with lots of kid-friendly activities. Grab a local paper when you arrive as they are well advertised locally ahead of time.

• January: Sarasota Seafood and Music Festival
• January: Sarasota Winter Festival
• February: Ski-A-Rees-Waterski Show
• February: Thunder By the Bay
• March: Sarasota Film Festival (often kids’ movies)
• April: Siesta Key Beach Easter Egg Hunt
• June – St Armands Craft Festival

FAQs

Your Sarasota Vacation: Making It Happen!

If it’s helpful to planning your trip to sun-kissed Sarasota, here are our recommended travel planning resources.

Check best flights to SRQ (local airport), only minutes from town, car rentals, and even more fun activities, from paragliding to food tours. We use these resources ourselves again and again; otherwise, we wouldn’t suggest them to you!

Want to Swim With Wild Manatees?

There’s so much fun in Sarasota that we are reluctant to entice you to leave our beach paradise.

But, if you’re spending a couple of weeks here, you might think about heading north and having an overnight stay in Crystal River.

This is where you can arrange to go swimming with manatees, which we’ve done a few times with grown up kids in their 20s and they still rave about it! It’s also suitable for younger kids too and we think one of the best ‘bucket list’ adventures in Florida, or maybe the USA!