20 Hidden Gems for Kids around Sarasota

From the scientist to the artist, the comedian to the adventurer, Sarasota has something for kids of all ages and interests.

In every city, there are those tucked-away tidbits of awesomeness that the locals know to do. Perhaps not the most obvious or Trip Advisor-advertised, but the places and activities the people who live there learn about as the years pass. For those who don’t have years to spend learning them, here you go - 20 great local Mom-approved hidden gems for kids in Sarasota.

Outdoor Adventures for Kids in Sarasota 

Treetop Adventure

With their children’s course ticket and junior ticket options, climbers ages seven and above can swing through the trees at Tree Umph! Adventure Course. Rope climbs, zip lines, barrel crawls, and obstacles galore.

Come Trail Away

Just off Highway 75 on Bee Ridge Road and Honore Avenue, Urfer Family Park serves not only as a mega playground, but deeper in hides cows, a mile-long nature trail, and a boardwalk overlooking wetlands.

Earn Your Badge

Like all State Parks, Myakka River State Parks offers a Junior Ranger program. Complete the tasks while learning about the Park and that which lives within it. Upon finishing, get sworn in and receive validation of ranger-fication.They also host Junior Ranger Saturdays on select weekends.

Run and Roar

Hike or run to the top of the Celery Fields and listen….those lions aren’t far away. Definitely a time for pretending to be in Africa. The lions, tigers and bears of Big Cat Habitat & Gulf Coast Sanctuary are just next door to this natural gem of Sarasota.

Wild Rides

Mountain biking in Myakkahatchee abounds with excitement, adventure, exercise, and good ol’ fresh air. Remember to pack Band-Aids and a helmet. For more controlled biking, Sarasota BMX gives a thrill Saturday mornings on their world-class track.

Happy Bay-Day

There’s always something fun happening at The Bay, Sarasota's massive waterfront oasis. Outdoor movies, watch parties, astronomy nights, kayak tours, Sunday concerts - you name it and it’s happening at The Bay! Fuel up for the next activity with a pop into The Nest for refreshments, then return to their mangrove bayou, ibis playground, and reading room.

Simple Joys

Grab lunch at Old Salty Dog where kids’ meals come on a take-home Frisbee. Down the street is one of my family’s favorite jaunts, Ken Thompson Park. Toss that free Frisbee and enjoy the playground to your heart’s content. The park’s nature trail takes you through mangroves while fiddler crabs scurry underfoot. Overlooking the Ringling Bridge, with sailboats floating past, it’s an aquatic paradise. If you have a net, it’s a great place for critter hunting. My gang has found urchins, sea horses, scallops, crabs, and even a pistol shrimp while wading in the seagrass.  

Museums, Arts & Educational Fun

Going Old School

Past the dinosaur fossils, the rescued manatees, and the planetarium at The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature lies the most incredible indoor playspace - The Mosaic Backyard Universe.  Imagination and education collide in one you-gotta-see-it-to-believe-it experience. 

Clown Around

The Ringling features a few hidden goodies for the kiddos. ROAR! Storytime, Art Making, scavenger hunts, and a playground for anyone who likes having fun. Kids (oh, who are we kidding – grownups, too) especially love the interactive exhibit within their Circus Museum.

Secret Garden

The Ann Goldstein Children’s Rainforest Garden at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, with its huts, paths, and waterfall, provides a backdrop for exploration and imagination amongst stunning landscaping. Pop into the Kids’ Corner for a scavenger hunt form; while there, play dress up, read a book, make a craft, learn about some bugs, or color a picture.

Kids on Stage

The kiddos don’t want to come to the theatre with you? What if it’s their peers on stage? Suddenly, those sparks of a dream can actually become a reality. The Sarasota Opera, Venice Theatre Teen Improv Troupe, The Sarasota Players, Florida Studio Theatre, and Circus Arts Conservatory each feature youths doing their thing, loud and proud as the stars.

All Aboard!

Explore a train. A real train. What more could a kid want? Young? It’s Thomas. Holiday time? Polar Express, off to the North Pole. Older? Hop aboard the Hogwarts Express. Even older? It’s a restored historic locomotive from 1927. Across the street is Legacy Park, the train-themed playground for further imagination exploration.

Unbox the Fun

I don’t know who loves the Sarasota Toy Museum - nostalgic adults or wide-eyed kiddos. From PeeWee to Popeye, Funko to Kylo Ren, it’s the perfect place where generations collide in their mutual appreciation for all things fun.

Games, Sports & Just-for-Fun Activities

Downtown Grind

Tucked behind downtown’s Circus Park playground, Payne Park's Skate Park is the ideal opportunity for young skateboarders to practice their skills in the bowl.

Gamer Heaven

Lovers of video games, Manga, comic books, Pokémon, Dungeons and Dragons, and all things fantasy will love The Dark Side - Comics & Games. Friday nights are game nights, so get ready to battle.

Fore! Chomp!

Nestled between the pirate ships and skeletons at Smuggler’s Cove Adventure Golf is a hidden surprise - baby American alligators. Putt past these crocodilian creatures and swap your club for a feeding pole and give them a tasty treat.

Make a Splash

Can’t decide between beach or pool? Have the best of both worlds with a dip at the public Lido Beach Pool. Entry is less than $5 per person and the pool features a concession stand and lifeguards.

The Purrr-fect Day

Spend the day lounging with kittens at Katy’s Kat Cafe. The adorable (and adoptable) cats will happy be pet, read to, or nap in your lap as long as you let them. Need a break? Pastries, gelato, or coffee will give that extra boost to rejoin the lounge purrrr-ty.

More Unique Things to Do With Kids

Cow-abunga!

Moooooove on over to Sarasota’s working dairy farm to see these milk makers up close and personal. Mosey over to Dakin Dairy Farm for a tour of their farm and some country fun on their ipic playground. Follow up with a pop into Dakin Moofé (I’m partial to the root beer float) and some some goodies to bring home. No overalls needed, but it would make for cute pictures!

Toot, Toot!

Park downtown and catch a free, open-air ride on the Bay Runner Trolley to Bayfront Park, Bird Key, St. Armand’s Circle and Lido Beach. Down in Siesta Key, The Siesta Breeze Trolley also provides free service from Siesta Village to Turtle Beach Park. Kids think it’s extra awesome to ride without a car seat, and parents love avoiding the stress of parking and just enjoying the views.