Outdoor Things To Do With Kids In Naples, Marco Island And The Everglades

My son Aaron, at age 8, HAD to have the fried alligator and frog legs. His lunch order at The Rod & Gun Club in Everglades City had "wait till I tell my friends" written all over it. Just think of the volley of cools peppered with an occasional ewww that it would elicit.

Of course, there would also be stories to tell about the gators we saw swimming alongside Tamiami Trail in the Everglades, not to mention the manatees, roseate spoonbills, and lemurs we'd seen on our trip to Florida's Paradise Coast.

Yes, lemurs. No, not in the wild. For in addition to the region's rich native wildlife populations, Naples, Marco Island and the Everglades–long a secret of savvy family travelers–has an amazing zoo, awesome beaches, and unique resort programs that get kids outside and introduce them to an entirely different world from back home. 

EXPLORE WILDLIFE AND OUTDOOR FUN

Kids don't have to settle for seeing the cartoon animals in Madagascar on the big screen when they can see the real thing at Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens. The primate islands here are home to cute, fluffy-tailed Madagascar lemurs, monkeys, and apes. Visitors can watch their antics aboard the Primate Expedition Cruise or participate in the newly renovated Giraffe Feeding Experience just around the corner.

Naples Zoo is just one of many outdoor attractions in the area. With ideal weather year-round, Naples is a great choice for those looking to connect with family through the great outdoors. To learn more about the Everglades environment and its awesome wildlife, visit the Conservancy Nature Center's exhibits and live animals and Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center's hands-on displays. Admission at Rookery Bay is free for kids ages three and younger, and it’s the perfect activity for a rainy day.

MINI-GOLF, SKATE PARKS, AND WATER PARKS

Enjoy fun for the whole family on two separate 18-hole miniature golf courses at Coral Cay Adventure Golf, open every day from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., weather permitting. Skate parks, like The Edge Johnny Nocera Skate Park in Fleischmann Park, are another great idea to keep kids active and breathing fresh air.

For further adventures with your little ones, Naples' small amusement parks are just the right size. The brand-new Great Wolf Lodge is home to an indoor water park that maintains a balmy 84 degrees year-round. Fun experiences such as the Slap Tail Pond wave pool and River Canyon Run water slide are sure to keep your kids on the move. 

BOAT TRIPS

Hundreds of species of birds, alligators, manatees, dolphins, and incredible fish find refuge in Florida's Paradise Coast habitat, and the best way to see where they live is on a boat tour. Some, such as Manatee Sightseeing & Wildlife Adventures, specialize in one creature–but that's not all you'll see.

Approved tour companies provide all sorts of guided experiences through the Everglades National Park via catamaran and or kayak. Companies like Coopertown, Everglades Safari Park, and Gator Park zip you across shallow water on airboats, fan-powered vessels designed for water travel back in the frog-hunting days.

Nearly any kind of boat trip you take will bring you into contact with finned, feathered, and furred creatures. Apart from the Everglades, Marco Island also offers a number of fishing, sailing, and shelling excursions from its marinas.

One unique experience with the kids is to take the Hemingway Water Shuttle from Rose Marina to Keewaydin Island, a barrier island with eight miles of untouched sand. Or, if you want to skip the boat trip, drive over to Tigertail Beach for great wildlife watching and shelling opportunities in its clear tidal pools.

CHILDREN’S PROGRAMS AT RESORTS

Local resorts also run their own kid-centered programs that not only give mom and dad a break, but also teach impressionable minds about the importance of nature and local flora and fauna.

At the Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburón, the Ritz Kids program offers engaging experiences designed to educate children about Florida's diverse ecosystems and environmental sustainability. Through activities such as storytelling, art, and culinary adventures, children can explore the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary and learn about the importance of recycling and environmental protection in a fun and interactive way.

At JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort, the Tiki Time Day Camp offers children ages 5 to 10 an engaging wildlife exploration experience led by Marriott-trained counselors. Set against the backdrop of three miles of gorgeous coastline, the resort's natural playground offers a variety of activities, including arts and crafts, shelling, outdoor games, and beachside story time, ensuring every child has a memorable vacation filled with fun and adventure.

From wildlife encounters to thrilling outdoor activities, Naples, Marco Island and the Everglades offer endless family fun. So, next time you’re planning an unforgettable vacation with your little ones, remember that Only Paradise will do!

Chelle Koster Walton has written nine Florida guidebooks and countless travel and food articles for national publications.