Family-Friendly Things to Do on a Budget

Head to the Beach

Find free fun on the beach, from body surfing Gulf-Coast waves to picnicking at South Lido Park. Shell comb beaches for sand dollars and hermit crabs, or hunt for sharks' teeth at Caspersen and Venice Beach. Love a little friendly competition? Kick off a game of beach volleyball at Siesta Key Public Beach’s free net setup.

End the day watching a mile-wide, tangerine sunset, or experience Siesta Key’s famous drum circle, a Sunday-evening celebration of artists, dancers and passersby. 

Image

Immersive Yourself in Nature

Big Waters Land Trust, a local nonprofit located at Bay Preserve at Osprey, provides free nature programs for kids. Wade in the grass flats of Little Sarasota Bay and dip nets to collect creatures like fish, shrimp and crabs. Kids can learn to perform a water quality test alongside local scientists and learn all how they can do their part to protect our coastal waters.

In North Port, soak up the Old Florida-vibes and lush vegetation in Orange Hammock Wildlife Management Area. The wild habitat offers recreational opportunities like fishing, wildlife viewing, hiking, biking and horseback riding. 

Image

Explore Farmers Markets

On Saturdays, find fresh produce, plants and handmade goods at the Sarasota Farmers Market and Venice Farmers Market. The Siesta Key Farmers Market and Lakewood Ranch Farmers Market both take place on Sunday mornings, and there’s typically live music, as well as food-truck fare to snack on. 

Image

Go Camping

Opt for staying at one of Sarasota County's primitive campsites to save some cash. There are plenty of places to pitch a tent, make s'mores and hike around for free. 

Love lush views? Explore Myakka River State Park (which requires an admission and campsite fee). Spot epic wildlife, climb the Canopy Walkway and fish in the river.

Camping at Oscar Scherer State Park in Osprey offers access to a bounty of nearby hiking and nature trails, like The Legacy Trail, which is free to access. If you’re at Turtle Beach Campground during turtle nesting season (May-October), you may witness native loggerhead turtles hatch on the beach. 

Image

Play at Local Parks

The Bay Park

Known as "one park for all,” The Bay Park offers free activities and programming for the public, like free yoga classes, country line dancing lessons, paddle tours, family movie nights and guided nature walks. See a calendar of events and activities

Payne Park

Tucked away in Downtown Sarasota is Payne Park, a beautifully landscaped community park that includes a free skatepark, a giant circus-themed playground, water fountains, trails, disc golf courses and a cafe. On Friday evenings, catch free live music.

Wellen Park

Just south of downtown, the master-planned community of Wellen Park offers families an easy (and free) way to spend a full day outdoors. Its centerpiece, Downtown Wellen, features a large playground and a splash pad where kids can cool off while parents relax nearby. The community regularly hosts free activities like outdoor concerts, movie nights, fitness classes and seasonal festivals, with a lively, welcoming atmosphere.

Waterside Place

Waterside Place at Lakewood Ranch blends recreation and entertainment with plenty of no-cost options for visitors. The waterfront park includes a colorful playground and splash area that’s perfect for younger kids, while the surrounding green spaces host weekly farmers markets, live music, yoga sessions and family-focused events throughout the year.

Image

Ride a Trolley Around Town

Downtown, there are a number of pickup and drop-off spots where you can ride the Bay Runner trolley for free. The open-air trolley service runs 8 a.m. to midnight and goes from downtown to St. Armands Circle on Lido Key and down the shoreline of Lido's beaches. 

Additionally, the Siesta Breeze Trolley provides free service from Siesta Village to Turtle Beach Park. Avoid the stress of parking, sit back and enjoy the views. 

Find more family-friendly activities in Sarasota.