In Southwest Florida, families can welcome 2024 with plenty of kids-centric activities and learning opportunities.
Jan. 1-5
IMAG STEAM Camp IMAG History & Science Center, Fort Myers
Over winter break, campers delve into this immersive, one-week camp, which includes guided museum tours and up-close animal encounters—including a meeting with Bertha, the Horseshoe Crab in the recently opened Stingray Bay touch tank. Interactive games, craft sessions and guest speakers keep littles engaged. View event details
Jan. 17-21
GARDEN BROS NUCLEAR CIRCUS at North Law Firm Stadium, Fort Myers
GARDEN BROS NUCLEAR CIRCUS delights with its 90-minute Humans Gone Wild show. Talented performers from all over the world engage in acrobatics, trapeze, dances and stunts during the technicolor spectacle that also includes a dog show. Head to the outdoor fun zone for pony rides, rock walls and bungee jumping and round out the experience with carnival fare staples, like cotton candy, funnel cakes and popcorn. View event details
Jan. 20
My First DIY Toolbox at Lowe’s, Estero
Little helping hands around the house just got more skilled, with Lowe’s hardware stores’ guided lesson in building a toolbox. At this workshop, staff assist children in assembling a wooden toolbox, complete with their name on the side. All supplies—including a keepsake red apron for your kiddo—are provided. View event details
Jan. 20 and 21
33rd Annual Tour de Cape 5K & Bike Ride & Kids Bike Ride 2024 at Rotary Park, Cape Coral
Engage competitive and active little ones during this annual event. Aspiring athletes peddle their hearts out during the bike race, or run (or walk) during the 5K and adults can race in the 15-, 30-, 62- or 100-mile bike tours throughout the city. T-shirts and a grab-and-go breakfast are included. View event details
Jan. 22
Mini Chef Baking Class: Disney Jungle Cruise Python Pretzels Adventure! at Lake Kennedy Center, Cape Coral
Budding chefs, ages 3 to 6, learn how to make python-shaped pretzels during this step-by-step cooking class. The chef sends each participant home with a recipe card so kids can recreate their reptilian-inspired masterpieces at home. View event details
Jan. 27
Cape Coral Kiwanis Kidsfest 2024 at German American Social Club
It’s all about the little ones at this outdoor festival, where kiddies can jump in bounce houses, scale climbing walls, play carnival games and enjoy rides—plus, there’s live entertainment and onsite food vendors. View event details
Recurring
Tuesdays
Avow Kids Creative Expression at Aunt Janet’s House, Naples
The 41-year-old Collier County-based hospice centers offer family-friendly activities through Avow Kids, the branch of their services that creates a safe space for grieving children. A board-certified music therapist leads kids ages 5 to 10 in activities in art, games and music sessions, harnessing the creative process as a vehicle for processing pain with other children who share similar experiences. View event details
Wednesdays-Sundays
W.O.N.D.E.R. Sessions at Naples Botanical Garden
Elementary-aged ecologists—and adults—build binoculars by hand before searching the garden for birds with an educator alongside them. Coupled with a discussion circle and a story time reading of Birds of a Feather by Jane Yolen and What Makes a Bird a Bird? by May Garelick, conversations teach the importance of Southwest Florida avians. Little birders plant native fiddlewood seeds in recycled cardboard tubes filled with soil so they may start a habitat at home. View event details
Thursdays
Habitat Chats at Wonder Gardens, Bonita Springs
In this new offering from Wonder Gardens, animal care and education team members take time each week to teach little zoologists about resident animals like parrots, parasol birds and African spurred tortoises. View event details
Thursdays and Fridays
Mini Wonders at Golisano’s Children’s Museum of Naples
Throughout the month, the museum invites 3-to-5-year-old storytime lovers to learn (focusing on different books throughout the month). The wonder-filled stories read aloud this month include The Mitten by Jan Brett, The Napping House by Don Wood and Outdoor Opposites by Brenda Williams. The hour-long event includes an art project. View event details
Jan. 10, 11 and 17,18
Introduction to Robotics at Edison & Ford Winter Estates, Fort Myers
Students learn the basics of robotics through two-hour, hands-on lessons each day in engineering, circuits and electronics. Littles in grades one through three are welcome on the 10th and the 18th, while those in grades four through six are encouraged to come on the 11th and 17th. Once students understand basic mechanics and simple machines, they put their knowledge to the test in a robotics field challenge. View event details
Jan. 11
Nature Explorers at Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium, Fort Myers
Typically held on first Saturdays, Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium’s two-hour drop-off Nature Explorers program teaches 5- to 11-year-olds about nature, astronomy and biology. Lessons often lead students down the nature trails winding through the 105-acre property. This month, staff members educate students on natural protections, and how when we protect nature, it does the same for us. View event details
Jan. 20
Game On! Family Edition at Pine Island Public Library, Bokeelia
Saturday night is game night at Pine Island Public Library, where for two hours, the whole family teams up or goes head to head playing board games and video games provided by the library. Provided light snacks and drinks help keep your head in the game. View event details
Jan. 20
Junior Ranger Day at Lovers Key State Park, Estero
The Florida Park Service invites children to learn at the Junior Ranger program, where students explore the four aspects of its curriculum: natural resources, cultural resources, recreation and service. After completing each component, students are eligible for Junior Ranger passport stamps. View event details
Jan. 24
Make-and-Take at Artis—Naples
This recurring workshop invites the whole family to create art inspired by a different exhibit each month that is on display at The Baker Museum. Take two hours with your kiddos and embrace your inner artist in the John and Jeanne Rowe Performance and Learning Center with this month’s theme: botanical sculptures. View event details
