With miles of beaches, plenty of parks, casual restaurants, and fun outdoor activities at your doorstep, Anna Maria Island is a great place to stay for families with kids. There are plenty of Anna Maria Island kid activities to choose from that parents will love, too.
Ready to dive in? Here’s what you need to know about kid-friendly fun in the sun on Anna Maria Island.
Is Anna Maria Island Kid Friendly?
Short answer: Yes!
Year-round warm weather means you can ditch coats and boots for a simpler packing job. Most of the time shorts and a T-shirt will suffice. Don’t forget to pack swimsuits, goggles, and beach toys for hours of fun on the sand.
There are plenty of things to do in Anna Maria Island that kids will love. Pristine, white-sand beaches, and leafy parks line the shores of this seven-mile-long barrier island, so be prepared to spend plenty of time outdoors. Local nature parks have opportunities for wildlife spotting, fishing, and boating, while island activities and tours will give kids new and exciting experiences.
Kid-Friendly Outdoor Parks
Anna Maria Island parks are a great way to burn off that extra energy outside. With local green spaces both on the island and in nearby cities on the mainland, there’s no shortage of outdoor time in this South Florida region.
Here are some of the best Anna Maria Island nature parks for kids on Anna Maria Island:
Bayfront Park
Located on the northern tip of Anna Maria Island, this four-acre park has everything a family might need. A grassy area for games, playgrounds, a beach for digging, sandcastles, and swimming, and picnic tables for snacks. Be sure to check out the adjacent pier and nearby ice cream, coffee shops, and restaurants.
The park is typically open from sunrise to 10 p.m. With stunning views of Tampa Bay and the Skyway Bridge greet visitors to the park, it’s a great place to catch one of the island’s famous sunsets.
Coquina Baywalk
At the island’s south end, you’ll find Leffis Key Preserve, a 30-acre preserve and tidal habitat with plenty of trail and boardwalk accessible to wheelchairs and strollers. Just a mile long, Coquina Baywalk is the perfect length for young kids.
The trail travels through thick mangrove swamps, an important coastline protection against high winds and waves, and alongside vast Sarasota Bay. The baywalk is just across from Coquina Beach, so take a walk and then enjoy the beach on the very southern tip of Anna Maria Island.
Bradenton Riverwalk
Explore the Manatee River at the Bradenton Riverwalk, a 36-mile-long river that feeds into the Gulf of Mexico. Kids will love the Riverwalk which follows its path as it winds through this mainland city. Walk, run, or ride bikes along this urban nature trail.
While the kids are occupied at one of the park’s playgrounds, parents can enjoy picturesque views of the impressive Manatee River. The Riverwalk is also a great opportunity to check out downtown Bradenton, where you’ll find restaurants, ice cream shops, and the South Florida Museum.
Robinson Preserve
Comprising 600 acres of protected land, the Robinson Preserve is South Florida wildlife at its best. Make an ‘I Spy’ sheet and help kids spot dolphins, manatees, birds, and fish among the salt marshes and mangrove forests. Rent a kayak to get an even closer look at the aquatic life that lives and hunts in the sandy shallows.
Kid-Friendly Outdoor Activities
The weather in South Florida is pleasant almost year-round, meaning many of the best Anna Maria Island activities are outdoors. Below are some of the island’s highlights you won’t want to miss on your visit.
Play A Game Of Mini Golf
Take a break from the beach and challenge your kids to a round or two of mini-golf. Fun for families of all ages, a day on the putting green offers plenty to see along the way. An Old Florida aesthetic will greet putters as they arrive at The Fish Hole, a popular Anna Maria Island course in Bradenton Beach.
Play your way through 18 holes of fishing-inspired fun, as you wind your way through lush botanical gardens. Count the fish in the 3,000-gallon koi pond. Fish food is available around the course.
Misters throughout the course will keep you cool, and soft drinks are available for purchase. The course is open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. for all-day fun.
Plan Your Visit
There’s so much to experience on Anna Maria Island – browse our entire inventory of rentals on Anna Maria Island to find the perfect accommodations for your stay!
Take A Dolphin Tour
A dolphin tour with one of our local guides should be at the top of your list of Anna Maria Island things to do when traveling with kids. Kids will love the challenge of spotting pods of dolphins in the distance. If you’re lucky, these playful creatures may even follow behind your boat, darting in and out of the wake.
Anna Maria Island dolphin tours are a great way to get out on the open ocean and see the shores of this Gulf Coast vacation destination from a different vantage point. Kids should keep their eyes peeled for the elusive manatee, a much shier creature than its dolphin friends.
The island has several tour companies offering different packages for families.
Go Fishing On The Pier
Aspiring fishers in your family? Cast a line off the Anna Maria Island City Pier and wait for a tug! The island is known for its year-round fishing opportunities, and the pier is one of the most accessible places to reel one in. Snook, trout, and redfish call the shallow waters home. Fish are drawn to the structure of the pier, making it an easy place to catch some dinner.
Grab your kids’ rods and some bait, and encourage them to be patient as they drop the sinker into the depths off the side of the pier. A little patience will pay off! Early to mid-morning is a great time to try your luck at the pier, while beating the midday heat.
At the foot of the Anna Maria Island City Pier, you’ll find ice cream shops, restaurants, and plazas for local shopping for the non-fishers in the family. Parents of early risers will appreciate the nearby coffee shop for something hot and strong.
Book Your Anna Maria Island Vacation Rental With Mike Norman Realty
After all that fun and excitement, you’ll want a comfortable place to rest your head at night. That’s where Mike Norman Realty comes in! We have a wide selection of Anna Maria Island rentals across the entire island so you can be sure to stay in comfort no matter where your vacation takes you.
Our two-bedroom Anna Maria Island vacation rentals are perfect for families with young kids who need extra space for naps and quiet time. Families with older kids will enjoy our Anna Maria Island rentals with a pool. Don’t miss out! Book one of our rentals in Anna Maria Island and start planning your South Florida beach vacation today.