imagination

Things for kids to do in Sarasota

• Swimming
  • --in our own pool
  • -- in the Clubhouse pool, at the end of Cottonwood Trail.
  • -- at Siesta Key Public Beach -- Beach with warm water and gentle waves rated as one of the "Top 10 Beaches in the World."
  • --water slide at the YMCA
• Siesta Key Drum Circle, every Sunday night at 6 pm. Every Sunday in Sarasota, about 1 hour before sunset, located just south of the main pavilion between lifeguard stands 3 and 4 on Siesta Public Beach. Just follow your ears. This is not a commercial event but local phenomenon that began sponteneously and now has a life of its own.
• Fishing on our own lake. Or near any bridge to Siesta Key.
• Feed turtles from the gazebo in our lake.
• Bayfront fountains, This 4,000-gallon fountain shoots filtered water from more than 30 jets. Relax on the steps of the surrounding amphitheater as the kids frolic among wildlife sculptures. For info call 954-4101, extension 5254. (Go up Tuttle to Ringling Blvd., make left, drive to end of boulevard).
• Mote Marine Laboratory (1600 Ken Thompson Parkway) Aquarium and undersea showcase, open 10-5 pm daily. $12 for adults, children 3 and younger are free. Call 388-4441 for info
• G-WIZ (Gulfcoast Wonder & Imagination Zone) Interactive science center for kids and grown-ups.
• Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary (7101 Palmer Blvd) 371-6377 (or 359-0949) for reservations. Open House every Sunday at 12:30 pm. Demonstrations at 1:30 pm
• Crowley Museum & Nature Center A non profit nature and pioneer history center located on 190 acres of native land adjacent to the Myakka River in Sarasota County. Visitors can enjoy nature trails through the protected wildlife sanctuary, a boardwalk traversing the Maple Branch Swamp and Tatum Sawgrass Marsh and an observation tower overlooking the Myakka River. The pioneer history area includes a museum with artifacts from the late 1870's to the early 1900's, a one room homestead cabin, a working blacksmith shop, a working sugar cane mill, and a restored 1892 "Cracker" house. Trails are well maintained, and many are handicapped accessible. (941) 322-1000
• Livingstons Amusement Center. 45,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art venue (formerly the Albritton Fruit location) is the ultimate place for guests to drink, socialize and enjoy the latest in amusements and fun. Full service Bar, Pizza & Soft drinks, 5,000 sq ft Arcade, Indoor Go Kart Track, 26 Pool Tables, Private Party Room. 5947 Clark Center Ave, Sarasota. (941) 925-7665
• Pirates Cove, Bradenton Features bumper boats, laser tag, go-kart tracks, miniature golf, batting cages, and video arcade. Open seven days a week. 5410 14th St. W., Bradenton (941) 755-4608.
• Sarasota–Bradenton Children's Zoo. A sanctuary for injured wildlife and abandoned exotic animals. Children's petting zoo. Open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 10am - noon. Open 9am - noon Saturday. Closed Thursday and Sunday. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated. The zoo provides short-term care for local injured wildlife. 7512 Tamiami Trail. Sarasota. (941) 360-8315.
• Sarasota Jungle Gardens, where you'll walk a brick path that winds a shady course through the entire tropical zoological park, passing by 100 different species of palms, as well as bamboo, hibiscus, and even roses. There's also a butterfly garden. Of course, you'll also see parrots, spider monkeys, alligators, turtles and flamingos.
  
• Smugglers Cove Adventure Mini-Golf Two great locations in the Sarasota-Bradenton area! Come play "adventure" mini-golf amid pirate shipwrecks, caves, beautiful waterfalls and live alligators!!! Feed the live alligators too! The best courses on Florida's West Coast. Open 9am-11pm daily. 3815 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota / (941) 351-6620 & 2000 Cortez Road W., Bradenton / (941) 756-0043.
• South Florida Museum - Bishop Planetarium & Parker Manatee Aquarium.
  * Planetarium - Planetarium Starshows, these presentations can place visitors in a simulated thunderstorm or propel them through the universe on a photon of light.
  * Laser lightshows, - One of the longest continuously-running laser shows in the world (20 years!) offered at 2:30 pm daily, features artistic interpretations in light to a wide variety of musical styles. Weekend evening laser shows - Feature various rock & roll music, presented on Fridays and Saturday nights.
  * Rooftop Observatory - Solar observing is open to the public Friday and Saturday nights 8:30 PM until 10 PM (weather permitting) for lunar, planetary and deep-sky observation. The observatory is also open Saturdays from 11:30 AM until 1 PM for solar observation (weather permitting).
  * Manatee Aquarium - Above and below-water viewing of West Indian Manatees. The pool holds approximately 60,000 gallons of water and includes both deep and shallow areas to provide viewing of Mo and Snooty the Manatee's. 201 10th Street West. Bradenton. (941) 746-4131.
• Houdini's Showplace (5500 N. Tamiami Trail) Inside Sarasota Car Museum (351-1250) 6:30- Thursday-Sunday, and 12:30 pm Sunday. Tickets: $30 for adults; $16 for children aged 5-12.
• G-Whiz (hands-on science and learning center for kids)
• Hunsader Farms. 80 acres of vegetables, fruit & fun. Many children and family friendly events and activites throughout the year. Farm tours, Pick Vegetables, Hay rides, Petting Zoo, Playground, Picnic Area, Educational field trip programs, Pumpkin Festival, Country Christmas, Spring Festival, and Civil War Battle Reenactments. Rent the new party barn for businesses or organizations that want to hold their picnics on the farm. Located on C.R. 675 halfway between S.R. 64 & S.R. 70 about 10 MILES East of I-75 in Bradenton. (941) 322-2168 or (941) 331-1212