Things to Do in Sarasota with Kids
Sarasota is one of the easiest places in Florida to vacation with little ones: calm Gulf beaches, short drives, and plenty to do when the kids need a break from the sun. Here are our family favorites, all an easy drive from Sarasota Sunshine.
Best for toddlers & little ones
Bayfront Park Playground & Splash Pad
Downtown Sarasota, about 6 miles
A shaded splash pad and playground right on the water downtown, with views of the boats on Sarasota Bay. Little ones love running through the fountains. An easy morning outing before lunch and nap time.
Circus Park Playground at Payne Park
Payne Park, downtown Sarasota, about 6 miles
A huge, circus-themed playground that nods to Sarasota’s circus history, with big-top towers, lots of slides, clown car sculptures and shade sails over much of the play area. There’s plenty for both toddlers and bigger kids.
SRQ Aircraft Observation Area
By Sarasota–Bradenton Airport, about 3.5 miles
A hidden gem just minutes from the house: an airplane-themed playground right next to the runway, so little ones can climb aboard their own “plane” and watch the real ones take off and land. Perfect for a quick morning or sunset outing.
The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature
Downtown Bradenton
A planetarium, a manatee rehabilitation habitat and an indoor nature play space for kids. A great rainy-day pick.
Waterside Park Playground & Splash Pad
Waterside Place, Lakewood Ranch
A big, modern playground with a toddler-sized playhouse, swings, spinners and climbing domes, plus a splash pad to cool off. Waterside Place is right next door with restaurants and ice cream, so it’s easy to make an afternoon of it.
Nathan Benderson Park
Near University Parkway
A huge lakeside park with flat, stroller-friendly paths, and home to Mote’s new aquarium, so you can pair the two in one morning.
Hunsader Farms
Bradenton · seasonal
A family-favorite farm with a fall pumpkin festival and u-pick in the spring. Check their dates before you go.
Local tip: for storytimes, open gyms, festivals and other kid events happening during your stay, we love following @sarasotatotsonthego on Instagram. They post a weekly guide to family fun around Sarasota and Bradenton.
Beaches
Lido Beach — our family’s go-to
9 miles from the house
The closest beach to the house and the one we go to most. There are restrooms and a small concession stand with food and ice cream, and it’s just a short hop from St. Armands Circle for lunch or a stroll afterward. Pack the beach wagon, chairs and umbrellas from our garage and make a morning of it.
Siesta Key Beach
13 miles
Famous for its soft, white quartz sand that stays cool underfoot. A great pick for building sandcastles and wading in the shallows.
Longboat Key & Bayfront Park
Longboat Key, just north of Lido Key
A quieter, less crowded stretch of Gulf beach with gentle waves that are perfect for little ones. Our favorite spot is the beach across the street from Longboat Key’s Bayfront Park, which has a playground right on the bay. When the kids are done with the sand, there’s a second round of fun before heading home.
Anna Maria Island & Bradenton Beach
12–17 miles
Old-Florida beach towns with a laid-back pace. Guests love making a day of it with lunch on the island.
Animals & aquariums
Mote Marine’s Science Education Aquarium
Mote’s brand-new aquarium opened in October 2025 at Nathan Benderson Park. Kids can press right up to the glass of a giant reef tank, watch the penguins, and see sharks and sea turtles. A perfect hot-day or rainy-day pick for all ages.
Sarasota Jungle Gardens
A shady, stroller-friendly garden with flamingos, birds and reptile shows, and you can even feed the flamingos! Perfect for a morning before nap time.
Museums & rainy-day fun
The Ringling
3 miles
The circus museums, with the miniature circus model, are a hit with kids, and the bayfront grounds are lovely for a stroll.
St. Armands Circle
8 miles
Shops, ice cream and restaurants in a walkable circle on the way to Lido Beach.
Downtown Sarasota
6 miles
Restaurants, the bayfront and the weekly farmers market.
Family-friendly eats
O’Leary’s Tiki Bar & Grill
Downtown Sarasota bayfront, about 6 miles
A toes-in-the-sand tiki spot right on Sarasota Bay. The kids can dig in the sand while you watch the sunset over the sailboats. One of our favorite ways to end a beach day.
Sports & events
IMG Academy
4.5 miles
Visiting for a tournament or camp? The house is a quick drive from campus, with room for the whole family to unwind by the pool afterward.
Day trips
Walt Disney World
Orlando, about 2 hours by car
Yes, you can do Disney from Sarasota! We’ve done it as a day trip with our little ones: leave early, and you’ll make it for park opening in about 2 hours. Then come home to the heated pool and a quiet house instead of a crowded hotel.
Visiting in December?
Lights in Bloom at Selby Gardens
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens · holiday season, evenings
Our family’s December tradition! Selby Botanical Gardens lights up with glowing tunnels, giant flowers, light-up flamingos and twinkling palm trees. It’s stroller-friendly, and the kids love running through the light tunnels. Tickets usually sell out on busy nights, so book ahead.
Photos by your hosts.
Or just stay in
Some of the best days are spent at the house: an afternoon in the heated pool, a round of Pac-Man and ping-pong in the game room, s’mores weather at the fire pit, and a playhouse in the backyard for the little ones.
Make Sarasota Sunshine your home base
A heated saltwater pool, game room, kids’ playhouse and a house full of baby and toddler gear, so the days off the beach are just as fun.
