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Siesta Key is Perfect for Family Vacations

For your upcoming family vacation on Siesta Key you might be thinking about spending all your time on the beach, or exploring the amazing family-friendly restaurants the island has to offer. But, it’s important to find things that are fun for the little ones to do too.

As tempting as it is, there is so much more to do in Siesta Key than just staying by the pool or the beach at your beachfront rental. There are plenty of kid-friendly activities to keep your family occupied on a week-long trip to Siesta Key.

sarasota aquarium

Head to the Aquarium

Didn’t quite see enough fish or marine life swimming around in the waters of Siesta Key? Take the kids to the Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium just a short drive away in Sarasota. They will be thrilled to experience the local sea life in a safe and educational setting. The aquarium is complete with a 30-foot touch tank as well as an exciting 130,000-gallon shark tank. It lets them get up close and personal with exciting marine life of all kinds like the touchable ray and reef animal exhibit.


Big Cat Habitat

Lions, tigers, and bears–Oh my! Check out the Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary. This unique animal rescue is home to tigers, lions, tortoises, birds, and more. Daily events showcase parrots and their extreme intelligence, plus the agility of big cats. There’s even a petting zoo for the kids with goats, llamas, chickens and emu.


Museums & Theatre

The world-famous Ringling Museum offers a plethora of exhibits that entertain the young and the old. It offers several family programs that will keep your little ones entertained while exposing them to historic art and the creative.

Check out the Museum of Art Mondays where children can actually make their own art tied to the current exhibits at the gallery. Or head over for ROAR! Ringling Order of Art Readers—a story time program that connects toddlers and preschoolers with art and early literacy.

Head to the Florida Studio Theatre’s “Just For Laughs” children’s theater for some family friendly fun this summer. You’ll find a music and improve extravaganza like no other where the cast will make up songs, improve act and tell stories. The shows here are appropriate for all ages, and no two shows are exactly the same! The theatre hosts plenty of other family friendly plays throughout the rest of the year as well.


things to do siesta key
things to do with kids on siesta key
siesta key beach

Explore Outside

There are 3 beaches to choose from on Siesta Key that provide safe fun for younger and older kids. Siesta Key Public Beach is most popular, but you can skip the parking hassel by staying in one of our conveniently located rental homes. You can walk or bike to the main beach or sit on your porch watch the sunset.

Looking for some history about the area presented in a fun interactive format perfect for kids? You’ll find just that at the Crowley Museum and Nature Center. It’s a nearly 200-acre farm that’s been around since the 1800s. The site includes pioneer building and heritage animals. Hiking trails will take you through the park, and you’ll get a view of the river from the tower after a scenic walk along the boardwalk through a marsh.

Start Your Siesta Key Vacation Here

Whether you’re looking for Siesta Key rentals or Siesta Key Florida vacation rentals, you can find everything you’re looking for with Siesta Key Luxury Rental Properties!

Sarasota Children’s Garden

siesta key things to do with kids

The Sarasota Children’s Garden is a popular spot for kids to explore art, the outdoors, and feel like they’re in a fairytale world. They can see the Three Little Pigs houses, a butterfly garden, explore the Amazing Maze, and be someone else in the Dress Up Room. It’s almost like being transported to Alice’s Wonderland. You can even meet the park’s biggest attraction—a giant green dragon named “Snuffy.” She’s found in the Monster Garden with other fun, quirky, and unusual monster friends.

Feed the flamingos, be wowed with the interactive Reptile Encounter and Wildlife Wonder shows, and more! Take everyone on a mini-golf adventure through pirate ships and caves at Smugglers Cove Adventure Mini-Golf, where you can even feed the live alligators!


siesta key things to do

Book an Adventure Tour

You won’t have to worry about booking the perfect tour months in advance. One of our Siesta Key concierge assistants can help you rent bikes, paddleboards, and so much more. Get everyone out onto the water for hours of fishing fun, book an eco-tour for some very hands-on and educational entertainment, or watch for nearby dolphins and manatees as your family relaxes on a sightseeing cruise.


Find Family-Friendly Vacation Rentals

Our company has expanded so now we offer more luxury homes than ever! Guests can choose from our Siesta Key vacation rentals. All of our vacation rentals are located near stunningly beautiful beaches, so you’ll always get to enjoy a little beachfront relaxation anytime you want. See the map here.