10 Things to Do in Fort Myers With Kids

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Fort Myers Florida, named after Colonel Abraham Myers, was home to an important military fort throughout the Civil War.

Yet, no more than 10 families were residing in Fort Myers when it was platted several years later, in 1876.

Today, Fort Myers is home to around 96,000 people according to the latest U.S. Census estimate.  

Fort Myers is a popular tourist destination, with more than 4.5 million people visiting the area every year.

The county seat of Lee County, Florida has a variety of fun, entertaining, and educational things for families with kids to do in Fort Myers.

Dig your toes in the sand on gorgeous beaches or watch the dolphins.

Take a kid-friendly cruise or visit a water park.

Let the kids think that they are just having fun as they participate in STEM or other learning activities.

Things to Do in Fort Myers With Kids

These 10 things to do in Fort Myers with kids are sure to provide enjoyable experiences. 

Manatee Park 

A popular attraction for kids to visit in Fort Myers is Manatee Park.

The natural refuge allows kids to see the manatees in their natural habitat.

Kids view the manatees from the paved walkways or when you rent a kayak to give them a more up close and personal view of the gentle creatures. 

Take a break from watching the manatees and have a picnic or other refreshments at the picnic area.

Kids will enjoy visiting the butterfly garden or having fun at the playground. 

Parents will be happy that there is no admission charge to Manatee Park.

There is a small charge for parking your vehicle.  

Salty Sam’s Pirate Cruise 

Ahoy! Climb aboard the 65-foot Spanish Galleon-style boat for some swashbuckling pirate fun on a 90-minute cruise that sails into the Gulf of Mexico from San Santos Island, Fort Myers.

Kids play pirate-themed games, engage in treasure hunting, and participate in face painting.

Point out the dolphins and other wildlife while you are on your pirate cruise. 

The kids have more fun, including getting their pirate patch, pirate sword, and pirate hat if you upgrade their package.

The upgraded package also includes the kids receiving a booty bag. 

Consider having an afternoon or evening meal at Bootleggers or Parrot Key.

The cruises start at 9 a.m. each day and continue until around 8 p.m., depending on the weather and time of the year.  

IMAG History & Science Center 

The IMAG History & Science Center indicates that it is “bringing imagination to life.”

IMAG features a variety of exhibits, including animal exhibits.

Kids engage in interactive activities and experiences while advancing their STEM knowledge and education. 

Science on a Sphere allows kids to take control of the Earth through the planet’s many systems.

The display uses computers and digital projectors that simulate the complex systems of Earth.

Kids learn about other worlds, weather patterns, and more at the Science on a Sphere exhibit. 

The USS Mohawk CGC Aquarium allows kids to take a virtual dive to a real ship, as they see the tropical fish and discover what lies below the waters of the Gulf of Mexico. 

Kids of all ages will enjoy the SEA-to-SEE Touch Tank.

The attraction opens once every hour and allows kids to pet a stingray.

The center allows kids to feed a stingray twice a day.

Kids investigate the starfish investigating them and look for the horseshoe crab and eyed flounder. 

Some other activities include the IMAG Hurricane Simulator and the Google Earth Wall.

Parents of younger children will appreciate taking their little ones to the Nano Lab, Engineering Lab, and the Imagination Playground. 

The Shell Factory and Nature Park 

Take the kids to The Shell Factory and Nature Park for extraordinary fun at the place that touts itself as the “world’s largest shell factory.”

See over 400 animals at the Nature Park and Botanical Gardens or view the exotic reptiles and snakes.

Older kids who think weird things are cool will probably marvel at the hissing cockroaches. 

See the tortoises, iguanas, and other specimens roaming freely about, or take a walk over to Gator Slough.

Smaller kids will have fun interacting with farm animals.

They will get to know Zack the miniature zebu and Hampton, the mini pig, and other animals. 

Enjoy the Eco Lab, the paddle boats, bumper boats, and the huge game room.

The Soaring Eagle Zipline provides fun for brave older kids.  

Stop at the Southern Grill for something to eat and shop at the huge retail store and the Christmas House before you leave The Shell Factory and Nature Park.  

Sun Splash Family Waterpark 

It may seem strange that although there is a lot of water in Fort Myers, there is just one actual water park.

Sun Splash Family Waterpark provides fun and excitement for your youngest to your oldest kids.

Take the entire family to engage in the fun in the sun activities before letting the older kids experience the free fall through a five-and-a-half story drop on a water slide, and getting an adrenaline rush on other speed slides.

The Tot Spot is ideal for younger children to have fun and splash about and enjoy the water park.  

Grab some refreshments or lunch while visiting the water park, which has more than 14 acres of water slides pools, and other attractions. 

Railroad Museum of South Florida 

Take the kids for a ride on a miniature train at the Railroad Museum of South Florida.

The 15-minute ride takes passengers on a scenic tour through miniature villages reflective of communities of Southwest Florida.

Experience traveling through a 100-foot tunnel and over a bridge, where kids can view the wildlife.

The train ride is only one of the many things to see and do at the museum, which includes indoor and outdoor exhibits and activities. 

See a restored turn-of-the-century Atlantic Coastline Railroad 0-6-0 Baldwin Locomotive and Tender and a restored 1953 Seaboard Airline Railroad Caboose.

Take advantage of the photo opportunities when viewing a retired locomotive.

Visit the interpretive center, where family members can learn about the critical role of railroads in South Florida, and throughout the U.S. 

Explore Fort Myers Beach 

Discover a variety of things to see and do when you take the kids to Fort Myers Beach.

Enjoy swimming, parasailing, shelling, and building sandcastles in the sun. 

Take the little kids to this beach where they will enjoy the lighter waves so that they can splash their feet or swim like the older kids.   

Travel over to the north end of the beach to Bowditch Park, where you will find a quieter setting and nature trails.

Lynn Heart Park is the hub of beach activities, including family fun, dining, and shopping experiences.

Take a dolphin tour while visiting the beach.

Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium 

The Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium offers kids several opportunities for exploration and adventure.

Start your visit at the Natural History Museum, where family members participate in an immersive experience.  

See the stars in a wondrous display, and view other planetary wonders with the recently upgraded high-contrast, high-resolution planetarium system.

Visit the butterfly garden and the bird aviary. 

Stop and say hello to the rescue animals.

The residents include both native and exotic species of reptiles, birds of prey, turtles, two alligators, and other rescue animals. 

The 105-acre attraction includes two nature trails that take the family through several ecosystems.

Wear long pants and shoes that protect your feet from the wet trails during the spring and summer. 

GameTime 

The entire family will enjoy spending a fun-filled day at GameTime, a 22,000-square-foot indoor arcade.

Located in the Gulf Coast Town Center, the facility also has delicious food for kids who get hungry after playing more than 120 games at GameTime. 

Parents will enjoy reminiscing about their own gaming experiences when they play the classic games.

Kids who are at least five years of age will enjoy a great variety of the latest simulated and interactive games and activities.  

Lakes Regional Park 

Lakes Regional Park offers 279 acres of fun and activities for kids of all ages.

Biking, hiking, canoeing, and paddle boating are examples of some activities for families to enjoy at the park.

Younger kids will enjoy the playground, while older kids will want to take a turn on the rock-climbing wall.  

Take a guided tour through Lakes Regional Park.

The splash park provides the opportunity to cool off after the family enjoys bird watching to see how many of the more than 1,000 birds that come to the area during nesting that they can spot.  

Take a break for food, with popular options that include burgers, pizza, and hot dogs.

Make sure that you order a malt, sundae, or ice cream cone from the ice cream shop that uses real homemade ice cream.  

Fort Myers Safety Overview

READ THE FULL REPORT: Fort Myers Safety Review

Safety Index:

75

• OVERALL RISK: LOW
• TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
• PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
• NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
• MUGGING RISK: LOW
• TERRORISM RISK: LOW
• SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
• WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW