Awesome Things to Do With Kids in Naples for Florida Fun

For families, the possibilities are endless when it comes to fun things to do with kids in Naples. 


From interactive museums to off-the-beaten path nature preserves, water fun, and unique kids programs, a Naples FL family vacation is easily within reach.

Frankly, you’d be hard pressed to find a better place to visit with kids than southwest Florida.

A visit to Naples Florida with kids and grandkids is a perfect multi-generational destination with plenty of things to do like golfing, boating, shopping, dining, nature, and beach options for everyone in the family.

First, it's sunny in Naples most of the year, so a beach vacation is possible year round.

Ocean temperatures are typically better for swimming March through November for most adults, but kids are usually the ones braving the chillier 68 degree temps in winter.

The clear water of the Gulf of Mexico is generally calm with a soft sandy bottom — perfect for small children and kids of all ages to play in.

With endless memorable settings, time spent in Naples with your children will turn out to be a vacation they talk about for years to come.

No wonder families love to spend a few weeks here as they never have to worry about their little ones ever getting bored.

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Table of Contents - Click to Jump Ahead

Things to Do with Kids in Naples

Best Naples Resorts for Families

Best Naples Beaches for Kids

Nature Activities For Kids

Best Kid Friendly Restaurants Naples FL

Things to Do in Naples With Kids

Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens

1590 Goodlette-Frank Rd, Naples

Entrance fee

The Naples Zoo is one of the city’s most beloved attractions and bucket list things to do in southwest Florida.

You'll find exotic animals surrounded by the mature trees and exotic plants of a historic tropical garden founded in 1919.

As the botanical collection was planted fifty years before the animals were introduced, the exhibits carefully maximize the space around decades old trees.

Because of this special need to conserve space, you will be very close to the animals -- often just three or four steps away!

Admission to the Naples Zoo is reasonable, the animals are accessible, and children simply love taking the boat cruise to see the primates roaming freely on an island.

If you’re unsure about visiting Naples Florida with kids, one visit to the Zoo will show you just how much fun it is.

Naples Train Museum

401 10th St S, Naples

Entrance fee

Naples has plenty of interesting museums but the interactive gadgets and the several miniature train running displays at the Naples Train Museum will fascinate even the biggest kid in the family.

Kids will love seeing the scenic, multi-level train display in action and pushing buttons to see what will happen next.

See yourself in a miniature drive-in movie theater and watch the "Thomas the Tank Engine" run among interactive circus and park accessories.

You can opt for a real steam or diesel locomotive drive outside as well. This museum is open only during weekends, so go early.

Sun-n-Fun Lagoon

15000 Livingston Rd, Naples

Entrance fee

Your kids and grandkids will love it at the Sun-n-Fun Lagoon, Collier County's premier water park and one of the best Naples kids activities.

There are four pools, a long lazy river that's open in the warmer spring and summer months, a splash playground, five water slides, and a concession stand with snacks, to keep them going all day.

If your kids love water parks (are there any that don’t!) Sun-n-Fun is one of the most fun things to do in Naples Florida with kids.

Golisano Children's Museum of Naples (C'MON)

15080 Livingston Road, Naples

Entrance fee

A visit to the Golisano children's museum makes for a perfect inexpensive day outing for the whole family.

The permanent and temporary exhibits offer the kids a dynamic environment to explore and discover new things.

The Golisano museum is a great option for rainy days with kids under 8 or 9, located at the same park as Sun-n-Fun.

They have hands-on interactive exhibits like grocery and restaurant-themed play rooms, and a fun outdoor garden and water play area. 

Naples Botanical Garden

4820 Bayshore Dr, Naples

Entrance fee

If you’re looking for fun things in Naples for families, the Naples Botanical Garden is a must.

The 170-acre, world-class garden paradise features plants from around the world and dozens of themed gardens that represent the culture and flora of the tropics.

It’s a relaxing day for parents and kids will be mesmerized at the plants both towering and small, the winding pathways that draw them in to discover, and the native wildlife that can be seen in the ponds, marshes, overhead and surrounding the gardens.

The Garden’s W.O.N.D.E.R. Program (Walk, Observe, Navigate, Draw, Explore, Read) will keep kids engaged as well.

River Park Aquatic Center

451 11th St South, Naples

Free

River Park Aquatic Center is a unique water park managed by the City of Naples that many visitors don’t realize is even here, but the Aquatic Center is indeed open to the public, and the best part is — it’s free!

The small water center offers a heated 75’ lap pool with six lap lanes, a teaching pool which a 47' slide also empties into, and a beach entry pool with interactive water features. (You must be 48 inches or taller to ride the 47 foot waterslide).

There’s a fun children's splash play feature with a zero entry area.

There’s a bath house with two clean family restrooms, and men’s and women’s restrooms which include showers.

Lockers are also available to rent for your stay. A large shaded pavilion, with ceiling fans and vending machines, allows you to enjoy snacks or a meal you've brought with you.

The Edge Johnny Nocera Skate Park

1600 Fleischmann Park, Naples

Free

Do you have a skateboarder in the family?

Located in Naples’ Fleischmann Park next to the Community Center on the "edge" of Fleischmann Blvd and Goodlette Rd, the Johnny Nocera Skate Park — aka “The Edge” — is a great skate park with over 40,000 square feet of fun.

The park is a combination of wood and concrete ramp structures and offers a variety of styles from flow to street and beginner to advanced level boarding.

There’s a plaza, a mini plaza, and a concrete snake run, bowl, and pool.

There’s a 6-month pass for non-residents so if you’re a frequent visitor to Naples, it may be worth the cost. Skaters must have a parent sign a waiver available from the City of Naples in order to skate.

Best Naples Resorts for Families

Many hotels and resorts offer child-friendly services, while others provide eco-friendly adventures to keep the young minds stimulated.

A few of them are included here:

Naples Grande Beach Resort

475 Seagate Dr, Naples

The Naples Grande Beach Resort is elegant and luxurious, but what makes this property stand out from others are the amenities for an ideal family vacation.

While the outdoor areas are perfect to watch the sunsets, the Mangrove Pool, complete with a spectacular waterslide and shallows for toddlers is a big hit with kids.

Twisting 100 feet around a rock tower through landscaped waterfalls, the whitewater slide surges 800 gallons of water per minute, while the beach style entry is an ideal location for younger children — the water gradually deepens from just inches to approximately 5 feet.

Nature-loving kids will love the resorts proximity to Clam Pass and the boardwalk through mangroves to reach the beach and inner lagoon.

It’s one of the best kids activities Naples FL has to offer, and an ideal place to walk, beach comb, and explore both on and around the water.

Check rates and availability.

Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa

5001 Coconut Rd, Bonita Springs

If you’re looking for a kid-friendly hotel near Naples, look no further than the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point, where there’s something for everyone, and one of the most amazing pools you’ve ever seen!

Guests and their families have exclusive access to five water slides, four refreshing pools, a lazy river, and a secluded private island.

The contemporary style and coastal-inspired rooms offer plenty of Florida sunshine, and suites offer even more with multiple balconies and sweeping views of Estero Bay and the Naples area coastline.

Check availability and more details.

Ritz Carlton Naples

Beach resort - 280 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, Naples

Golf resort - 2600 Tiburon Drive, Naples

When it comes to family-friendly travel it’s hard to beat the Ritz Carlton brand for knowing what families love and need in a vacation.

And the Ritz Carlton Naples takes this to new heights with their Ritz Kids kid-centered programs.

Youngsters will love their in-room camping experience for kids that transports their imaginations to new galaxies with a space-inspired tent and a glow-in-the dark solar system.

For teens and tweens, the beach resort’s VUE (Virtual User Experience) and the Golf Resorts's I.C.E. are the ultimate entertainment lounges, with the most popular virtual-reality games from Microsoft XBox 1 game stations to Sony Playstation and Nintendo Wii.

Experienced gamer employees staff this ultimate social gaming immersion. And when your family wants some old school down time, the pool amenities are the perfect place for everyone to unwind and make a splash.

• Check availability and rates at The Ritz-Carlton Naples Beach Resort

• Find availability and check rates at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort in Naples

Best Naples Beaches for Kids

While a holiday in Naples conjures up visions of spending time on pristine beaches in a lounge chair, those traveling with a family have to consider keeping the kids occupied as well.

Luckily Naples has beautiful beaches that are perfect for kids and families.

Delnor Wiggins State Park

11135 Gulf Shore Dr, Naples

$8 per vehicle to park

The reason this beach always finds itself at the top of the popularity chart is because of natural sand dunes and the protection it offers from the Gulf waters.

There are plenty of walking paths and several picnic areas with tables spread out.

Kids will love to climb the small watchtower at the north end of the beach for beautiful views of the Gulf.

Barefoot Beach Preserve County Park

505 Barefoot Beach Boulevard, Naples

Free

This unspoiled Barefoot Beach is often touted as one of the most beautiful beaches in the US.

The waters are shallow and the settings idyllic, making it perfect for families.

A mile long nature trail runs among the dunes, which is excellent for spotting marine life in summer. Enthusiasts can hire a canoe or kayak for mangrove paddling on the inland area of the beach.

Lowdermilk Park

1301 Gulf Shore Blvd N, Naples

Free
Located in the beautiful residential district of Lowdermilk, the Lowdermilk Park beach is a must visit for families visiting Naples.

The beach has excellent family-friendly facilities like a concession stand, sand volleyball courts, two children's playgrounds, picnic tables, benches, and restroom & shower facilities.

They also rent kayaks and SUPs (stand up paddleboards) and have plenty of metered and unmetered parking. 

Get there early before too many humans show up and the nature sightings are amazing.

Early risers are bound to get rewarded with views of dolphins and turtles swimming just off the shore during the summer months.

• LOCAL TIP: Get to Lowdermilk Park early (around 7:30-8:00am). Eight sturdy, thatched roof palapas are free and up for grabs first come first serve, and big enough for the whole family to gather under!  

  If you’re visiting in the summer — the sun in southwest Florida is hot, hot, hot, and you’ll get fried to a crisp without some kind of beach umbrella to gather under.

• We love the Sportbrellas you can buy on Amazon or sometimes locally in Naples.

Naples Pier Beach

25 12th Avenue South, Naples

Free
The historic landmark Naples Pier is a big hit with children who come here to see the dolphins play while the parents enjoy the breathtaking sunsets.

Additionally, fishing is free for everyone as the pier has a blanket fishing license.

Though the star attraction is undoubtedly the iconic pier, the adjacent beach is no less impressive.

Conveniently located near the popular shopping venues of 3rd St South, the beach provides the perfect option to relax and unwind after a hard day's stroll of the beautiful shops and streets.

There is plenty of action in the form of outdoor activities to keep the entire family busy throughout the day. If you are lucky, you might find a shaded spot to lay your blanket in a coveted place under the Pier.

Nature Activities for Kids in Naples

Nature has a way of bringing the best out of everybody, including children, and Naples and the surrounding areas have plenty of nature activities for kids that you won’t find anywhere outside the unique ecosystem of southwest Florida.

These natural and educational opportunities are everywhere for the kids, from watching a Florida alligator at close quarters to going shelling on the beach.

There are lots of magical experiences for the eyes of little ones that will linger long in their memories.

Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center

300 Tower Road Naples, FL

Entrance Fee
When it comes to nature activities for kids, you can’t beat the wealth of things to do in Marco Island and Naples, gateways to the Florida Everglades.

At the Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center, there’s a lot going on in the two-story exhibition hall and a visit here lets them learn all about the Everglades habitat and see the local critters that are native to Rookery Bay.

Outside, kids can follow the Observation Bridge and participate in kids classes and special projects. Indoors, there are giant jellyfish floating around the Moon Jelly tank and swimming around the glass water columns and a 180-gallon display tank with interesting creatures.

The “Estuary Encounter” is pretty unique and features over a dozen species of marine animals like lightning whelks and pygmy sea cucumbers.

Take a Boat Tour

There’s really no better way for your family to experience the local ecosystem than by getting out on the water on a Naples boat tour.

Part of the thrill of a boat ride isn’t just to be on the ocean, but to see the other parts of the journey as well.

You’ll watch dolphins riding the waves next to your boat, visit deserted sand bars to search for shells, and see an abundance of wildlife in their natural habitat, and you and your kids will be left with extraordinary memories that last a lifetime.

Shelling cruises are especially fun for kids, and even better when they’re combined with a Sunset cruise.

Deep within the Ten Thousand Islands are secluded locations where thousands of fascinating shells lie untouched.

You will learn about the types of shells and collect them in buckets to share with friends when you return home.

Feel like being Captain for a day? Renting a boat in Naples and Marco Island for the day is easy, and you don’t have to have any experience driving a boat, though it helps.

Pontoon boats are flat-bottomed so you don’t have to worry about running aground or handling much weight.

It’s a great way to have family time in the privacy of your own boat for the day!

Since Naples is at the gateway to the Florida Everglades, there are lots of tours to choose from that will take you and your kids into the Glades to explore.

From pole-boating to the ever popular airboating in the Everglades, there’s a boat tour everyone will love.

Help injured Wildlife at the Conservancy

1495 Smith Preserve Way, Naples

Entrance Fee

There is no better way to introduce the kids to nature and animals by an interaction with them at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida.

Located just ten minutes by car from downtown Naples, the Conservancy is one of the unique things to do with kids in Naples FL with your budding Naturalist.

The Nature Center and on-site hospital has programs for kids of all ages and visitors can see how injured or orphaned wild animals are rehabilitated and cared for by public volunteers. A 45-minute guided excursion by an electric boat on the Gordon River is included in your tour.

Nature’s Wonders Program at Ritz-Carlton Naples

If you’re staying at the Ritz-Carlton Naples (and if you weren’t planning to, this may change your mind), their Nature’s Wonders program is perfect for your budding biologist.

Accredited by the American Camp Association, the immersive program dives deep into the local SWFL ecosystem with cool aquarium exhibits and interactive programs.

The science-based program lets kids use real models, microscopes, and other resources to learn from resort experts and explore the natural world.

Kid Friendly Restaurants Naples FL

Naples is known for its culinary delights, evident by the large number of restaurants and cafes lining the streets (over 700 restaurants in Naples alone).

That said, there are a few that cater to the interests of adults and toddlers alike.

Check out these family-friendly restaurants in Naples:

Lake Park Diner

944 7th Ave N, Naples

When one of the newest restaurants in Naples is also one of the coolest and kid-friendly to boot, you know it’s a great place.

This indoor/outdoor diner serves fresh and healthy salads, bowls, sandwiches, and other kid and family favorites like rotisserie chicken, Mac n cheese, homemade fried chicken, and the class PB&J.

La Trattoria

878 5th Ave S, Naples

This popular Italian (very authentic) eatery at the end of swanky 5th Avenue South is surrounded by some of the best restaurants in Naples, and is one of our absolute favorites for families.

One word: PIZZA!

Between the casual atmosphere, fun music that’s occasionally sung loud, and the warm and welcoming waitstaff, the service at La Trattoria will make you feel you are sitting in a restaurant in Italy.

Yes, pizza is huge here, and of course kids love that.

But many of the meals can be shared among everyone — it even feels Italian!

Brooks Burgers

Original downtown location: 330 9th St S, Naples

If your family has a hankering for a great burger, we see a visit to Brooks during your visit to Naples.

Brooks is THE place for hand-packed Angus burgers, amazing sweet potato waffle fries, onion rings, cheese curds, and fried pickles.

Plus, they have great shakes and slurries too!

The Local

5323 Airport-Pulling Rd, Naples

This family run eatery, apart from serving some excellent dishes, organize cooking classes for children in their large spacious kitchen.

The menu changes daily according to the best product available.

Expect lots of flat breads, creative soups and pizzas with colorful toppings.

The Dock

845 12th Ave S, Naples

This popular restaurant overlooks the water at Crayton Cove and is a perfect place to eat and enjoy views at the same time with the family.

To add to the fun, you can access it by boat from the nearby pier.

Apart from the unique artwork on display,

The Dock is known for the hilarious playful fish people, which can be spotted all over the place from restrooms to table menus.

When it comes to having fun in paradise and unique kids activities, Naples FL has a lot going on.

Whether your family loves the beach, nature and the outdoors, museum-hopping, restaurants, or shopping, there’s an abundance of fun things to do in Naples with kids.

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