School’s out, and all along the Gulf Coast, Southwest Florida invites children to join in the fun through dinosaur adventures, nature expeditions and Father’s Day celebrations. Your little ones won’t want to miss these events.
June 1
Carn-Avow at Avow Kids Aunt Janet’s House, Naples
Close out the school year with a bang at this summer spectacular, featuring ponies from Naples Therapeutic Riding Club, slides, obstacle courses, face painting and carnival games for you and your kiddos to enjoy. Staff from the Drowning Prevention Coalition and Collier CARES are onsite to promote safety resources to help parents prep for summer months spent in and around water.
June 2
Hula Dance at Alliance for the Arts, Fort Myers
Travel to the Polynesia islands during this dance class for kids ages 3 to 9. Participants sway to the cultural styles found in Hawaii, Tahiti, New Zealand and Samoa, all taught by a seasoned Polynesian dance instructor.
June 3-4
Kids Fringe Festival at Alliance for the Arts, Fort Myers
This spinoff kids’ event offers fun-sized segments of the larger, four-day Fringe Festival and its focus on an unhinged, creative and inclusive atmosphere. Interact with an Alice in Wonderland immersive show with families accompanying Alice as she chases the white rabbit to a tea party and plays croquet with a queen. For more fun, Fringe Festival’s Family ArtLab offers games and art activities themed around Fringe’s long-standing tradition of welcoming all.
June 9
Avow Kids Father’s Day Celebration Dinner BBQ at Aunt Janet’s House, Naples
Invite your children to celebrate those who have passed on at the child bereavement center Aunt Janet’s House. Kiddos can bring an adult guest to the event, which includes a barbecue and the opportunity for kids to share mementos and memories of fathers and grandfathers who have passed away.
June 11
Preserving Panther Pathways at Gore Nature Education Center, Naples
Kids pounce on the opportunity to learn about big cats and how they help maintain a balanced ecosystem at Gore Nature Education Center preserve. After, venture out with your budding environmentalists and walk the trails to gain a better understanding of the varied wildlife (black bears, deer and screech owls, oh my!) on the property.
June 16-18
Jurassic Quest at Lee Civic Center, Fort Myers
Step into a land of larger-than-life Tyrannosaurus rexes, Apatosauruses and Spinosauri in the world’s largest dino event while it’s in town for the weekend. The interactive attraction is an all-out, prehistoric adventure with dino-themed rides, animatronics, a Jurassic-inspired bounce house, fossil excavation and a challenge that invites adventurers to solve 10 clues with the chance of earning a junior dino trainer reward.
June 16
Pirate Day at Marco Island Historical Museum
Join the museum for a buccaneer-themed experience that leaves kids shivering their timbers. Enjoy games like coconut bowling and walking the plank (or balance beam, in this case), all in an effort to earn some Pirate’s booty (a.k.a. prizes from the treasure chest).
June 16-18
Matilda The Musical Jr. at Center for the Arts Bonita Springs
Actors aged 8 to 18 from the Center for the Arts Bonita Springs’ Youth Theatre Production perform in Matilda The Musical Jr., which celebrates the anarchy of childhood, with wit, imagination and some good ol’ fashioned magic.
June 17
Summer Kick-off Family Day at Collier Museum at Government Center, Naples
Start your summer with an activity-filled day for the whole family, where kiddos make STEAM crafts, like paper pinwheels, create giant bubbles at the bubbles station, and sip on refreshing summer drinks.
June 17-18
Father’s Day at Sun Splash Water Park, Cape Coral
Celebrate Dad all weekend with free entrance for fathers to the 14-acre water park. Families enjoy a quarter-mile lazy river and a plethora of water slides, from toddler-sized descents to the exhilarating 30-foot-high Cape Fear.
June 20
Movies on the Lawn at Mercato, Naples
The Lawn at Mercato Shops transforms into a theater under the stars for Puss in Boots: The Last Wish. Bring lawn chairs or blankets, and cozy up to an animated story of adventure with a swashbuckling, sword-wielding cat.
June 21
Shell-ebration Time! at Collier Museum at Government Center, Naples
This all-out seashell fest lets littles explore the beauty and anatomy of mollusks with hands-on crafts, including painting physical shells. Cap off the event with a sea-themed book reading.
June 22-23
Disney and Pixar’s Finding Nemo Jr. at Gulfshore Playhouse, Naples
Watch the regional premiere of this tender story about an anxious clownfish and his son, Nemo, performed by kids ages 8 to 13 from the playhouse’s summer camp. Audiences explore the big blue ocean in this stage musical while hearing live renditions of fan-favorite songs like “Fish Are Friends Not Food” and “Go With the Flow.”
June 25
I Am Cute kids class at Painting with a Twist, Port Charlotte
Keep life colorful and inspire confidence in your kids with this painting class, themed “I Am Cute,” where kiddos create self-portraits with guided instruction. The class is for children 5 years old and up; children over 7 do not require a caretaker.
Recurring Events
June 4
Sensory Sundays at Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium, Fort Myers
On first Sundays, the nature center presents a sensory-friendly planetarium show designed for young children and guests with Autism or sensory sensitivities. Capped at 50 guests, the shows include precautions for sensitive viewers, including well-lit segments and low sound, and the theater doors stay open so kids can move around freely.
June 11
Mini Buddhas Kids Yoga at Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples
Each month, Just Play be E.Co’s Elaina Vasta helps children develop their yoga skills with a 30-minute beginner session that focuses on breathwork, asanas (poses) and mantras. Mats are provided, and registered participants also get free admission to C’MON that day.
June 17
Family Art Lab at Alliance for the Arts, Fort Myers
On third Saturdays, families find inspiration at Alliance for the Arts, with games and art activities themed around the current exhibit. This month, Fort Myers-based artist Tiani Rosado helps littles craft the perfect Father’s Day gift for Dad.
June 27
Exceptional Nights at Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples
Created for children with physical and/or neurological disabilities, autism and other sensory sensitivities, Exceptional Nights brings a thoughtful touch to an exciting museum experience on the fourth Tuesday of each month. Space is limited to avoid heavy crowds, general lighting is softened, the noise level is decreased, and cool-down spaces are available as kiddos explore the museum’s exhibits, such as the Inventioneer’s Lab, where budding engineers can design and build objects.
