Rainy-Day Activities for Kids in Naples

By Jennifer Adams

The Paradise Coast is best known for its sun and sand, but that’s not all we have to offer! When it’s time for a beach break, gather the family and explore these eight rainy-day activities for kids in Naples and other Florida family vacation ideas on the Paradise Coast, featuring everything from the active to the artistic.

Museums are great rainy-day activities for families in Naples.

Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples

There’s no shortage of interactive fun for children of all ages at C’mon, as it’s known for short. This wonderfully designed environment fosters play-filled learning through Florida-centric exhibits and installations, such as climbing a two-story banyan tree, adventuring in the Everglades, weaving through a maze and more.

Collier County Museums

Naples, Marco Island and the Everglades have plenty of stories to tell, from the civilization of its first inhabitants, the Calusa Indians, to the railroading “boom” days of the Roaring ‘20s and beyond. The Collier County Museums offer a rich sampling of the people, places and events that shaped this area’s history and heritage throughout their five museum locations in Naples, Everglades City, Immokalee and Marco Island. Admission is free to all.

Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center

There’s plenty to explore indoors at the 16,500-square-foot Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center, which features an art gallery, auditorium, research labs, nature store, and a variety of hands-on experiences, including a 2,300-gallon aquarium and interactive exhibits that give children an inside look at the mangroves and marine life that call Southwest Florida home.

Tin City

What used to be the hub of Naples’ thriving fishing industry is now an iconic collection of unique waterfront shops and restaurants. Wander the boardwalk and discover treasures at Tin City Magic, sweet treats at Vicki’s Sweet Shoppe and lots of other goodies and gifts along the way.

Little Chefs Pizza-Making Class

Pepperoni or cheese? The kids decide during this interactive pizza-making session, held every Saturday at 10 a.m. at the Naples Grande Beach Resort. Children age four and older get in the kitchen with Naples Grande chefs to create, bake and then enjoy their pizza creations. Sign up by calling (239) 594-6058.

Historic Palm Cottage

Take a peek inside Naples’ oldest house-turned-museum (built in 1895), where trained guides share unique insights and colorful tales about this local architectural gem and its surrounding Old Naples community. Public tours are available Tuesday through Saturday afternoons, and admission for children 10 and under is free.

Sugden Theatre

The Naples Players perform a variety of plays and high-energy musicals year-round at Sugden Theatre, located on Fifth Avenue South in downtown Naples. Their youth acting program, KidzAct, also participates in fully realized, top-quality musical productions ideal for entertaining and inspiring the younger set.