Things To Do In SW Florida

Consisting of 97 acres, that includes mostly salt marsh, some upland and a lot of rock just under the surface, Rotary Park in Cape Coral is the result of funding from a grant from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection stipulating the area be preserved. The preserved area can not be developed (that is why it is called a preserve) excluding the 9 acres of upland that the building, the dog park and the open areas currently occupy. There’s something for everyone from hiking in the natural trails and checking out the butterflies and craters at the environmental center to a dog park and a playground for the kids!

The Nature Center

The 4,200 square foot environmental center is used for gardening and nature related classes, exercise classes, summer camp, and is home to the annual Burrowing Owl Festival, and several large native plant sales throughout the year. The facility is also available to rent for small to medium sized gatherings, as long as you don’t mind partying with a few creatures! A variety of small critters reside in the nature center including snakes, frogs, lizards and turtles. The nature center offers some very interesting classes including: gardening, wildlife, nature, ghost hunting, kayaking tours, and exercise classes. read more

There are so many options when looking for a good place to eat in Gainesville but we picked some great family friendly options that run the gamut from pizza and southern fare to sushi and popsicles.

Satchels Pizza

If you are visiting Gainesville with kids Satchels Pizza is not to be missed.  This pizza joint offers amazing pizza, calzone and salads all served in a whimsical and quirky setting.  When you travel with kids you never know what will be that experience that provides them with a magical memory, that one thing that they will be telling their friends at school on Monday and one of those Wow! moments for my 7 year old was eating his lunch in a table inside a classic VW bus!

Satchels Pizza in Gainesville. Photo: Paula Bendfeldt-Diaz, all rights reserved.

While we waited for our order the kids burned some energy in the playground and after our meal we all checked out the kitschy junk museum in the back.  The frosting on the cake was checking out the dessert menu through an old time viewfinder! read more

As exciting as the solar eclipse may be, there are some safety concerns. here is everything that SWFL parents need to know about the solar eclipse on Monday, August 21st. 

Solar Eclipse Info & Safety

The first total solar eclipse since 1918 will be able to be viewed in Southwest Florida on August 21st between the hours of approximately 1 pm and 4 pm, depending on where you are in the area.

Protecting kids’ eyes is the most important safety concern.  It is possible to buy ISO certified solar eclipse glasses on Amazon, however, it’s not recommended to let kids younger than 7 wear them. It may be a better idea to watch a live streaming video with young kids instead.

School Safety

Since school is in session, schools are preparing for how to handle P.E., recess, class changes, and release. Find out how your county is handling it:

Collier County Schools

Lee County Schools

Sarasota County Schools

Charlotte County Schools

Call your school for more information if your kids attend a private school. 

Activities for Younger or Homeschooled Kids

Not all kids will be in school. If you are lucky enough to have your kids home during the eclipse, consider finding something fun for them to do in the area. read more

Love McDonald’s? Love free things? Then you’ll love this news! During the month of August, participating McDonald’s restaurants across South Florida will be giving two guests free breakfast every single day!

Over 300 restaurants in Southwest Florida, West Palm Beach and Southeast Florida are participating and will each randomly select two guests to receive a free breakfast.

Guests will have the chance to win a free breakfast either in the drive-thru as well as the lobby, where table service is available at participating restaurants, between the hours of 5am and 10:30am, every Monday through Friday and until 11am on Saturday and Sunday.

Why free breakfast? Mike Adams, owner and operator of 28 McDonald’s restaurants in SWFL says, “A good breakfast makes for a good morning, which in turn makes for a good day. We’re really excited to surprise some of our customers with free breakfast. There’s a McDonald’s for every morning and we want show our guests that they’re the best part of our morning and we want to be that for them.”   read more

$1 Summer Movies at select Regal Theaters

One dollar to see a movie in the theaters? Yes, please!

We look forward to Regal theater’s Summer Movie Express each year at Gulf Coast Town Center and Bell Tower Shops (see all locations). It’s especially an affordable way to cool off in the summer and keep kids entertained while school is out. It’s also great for play dates and meeting with other parents.

The movies are second-run titles but always feature some popular options. This year, the line-up includes Trolls, Sing, Secret Life of Pets and The Lego Batman Movie.

Family fun movies playing on Tuesdays & Wednesdays

$1 movies start at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from June 6 to Aug. 2, 2017. Admission to the Summer Movie Express truly is only $1 for kids of all ages and adults too. Tickets can be purchased at the box office that day.

Each week, the same two movie options are available on both days. So, you can go both days and see different films.

Even better, a portion of the proceeds goes to the Will Rogers Institute!

Tips for Going to Regal Summer Movie Express with Kids

• While you might only be paying $1 per person, be prepared to purchase popcorn and snacks still, especially if you want to keep younger kids staying in their seats.
• Arrive at least a half-hour early in order to claim a seat near the aisle for easy bathroom break escapes.
• If going to the Gulf Coast stadium location on Tuesdays, head to Cold Stone Creamery after near the kids play space area for $1 ice cream scoops too.

 

 

At @RegalMovies $1 summer series with the kids seeing HOME pic.twitter.com/0GYJNmyJfv read more