Things to Do With Kids in Naples
Naples is one of the easiest places in Florida to travel with kids: a real zoo with a monkey-island boat ride, a children's garden built for climbing, a summer waterpark, a hands-on museum and beaches so calm the little ones can wade out for ages.
Updated June 2026
The thing about Naples with kids is that the marquee attractions are genuinely good, not just kid-tolerable. You can drift past free-roaming monkeys on a boat, turn the children loose in a treehouse garden, cool off at a real waterpark in summer, and still be back on a soft, shallow beach for sunset. Distances are short, the pace is gentle, and almost everything is shaded or air-conditioned for the hot months.
This page is for families of every stage, from stroller-and-nap-schedule to teenagers who want a go-kart track. We've pulled together the big-ticket attractions plus the calm beaches that make Naples so easy with little ones. When you're ready to string it into a route, see our day-by-day Naples with kids itinerary, and for the full lineup of options browse things to do in Naples.
Attractions kids actually love
Five Naples mainstays that earn their spot on the schedule, from a cageless zoo to a treehouse garden.
Calm beaches & a dolphin cruise
Naples faces west onto the Gulf, so the water is shallow, warm and glassy-calm, ideal for small swimmers and sandcastle engineers.
A perfect family day
Beat the heat, see the monkeys, and finish with toes in the sand.
- Be at the Naples Zoo when it opens and ride the Primate Expedition Cruise early, before the day heats up.
- Break for lunch and an air-conditioned reset, or pop into the Golisano Children's Museum if the little ones still have energy.
- In summer, cool off with an afternoon at Sun-N-Fun Lagoon waterpark; out of season, swap in HeadPinz for bowling, laser tag and the arcade.
- Head to Vanderbilt or Clam Pass for shallow-water swimming and sandcastles as the sun drops.
- Stay for the sunset over the Gulf, the free finale to every Naples day, then grab ice cream on the way back.
Where to go next
More Naples for the whole family, from the beach to the bay to the full plan.
Naples With Kids Itinerary
A day-by-day route that strings the zoo, the beaches and the museum into an easy family trip.
Vanderbilt Beach
The family beach up north, with shallow Gulf water, soft sand and a cool parking garage.
Dolphin & Sunset Cruises
The kids' favorite hour on the bay, with wild dolphins and a Gulf sunset on the way home.
Things to Do in Naples
The full lineup of Naples activities, from beaches and boats to art, shopping and the Everglades.
Book a family-friendly tour
Common questions
What are the best things to do with kids in Naples?
The standouts are Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens (with its free primate boat cruise), Naples Botanical Garden's children's garden, the Golisano Children's Museum (CMON), Sun-N-Fun Lagoon waterpark in summer, and HeadPinz Naples (bowling, laser tag and an arcade). Add calm beaches like Vanderbilt, Lowdermilk and Clam Pass, plus a dolphin-watching cruise.
Is Naples good for a family beach trip?
Yes. Naples faces west onto the Gulf of Mexico, so the water is warm, shallow and usually very calm, which is ideal for young swimmers and sandcastles. Vanderbilt Beach, Lowdermilk Park and Clam Pass Park are the easiest family beaches, with restrooms, showers and gentle water.
When is Sun-N-Fun Lagoon waterpark open?
Sun-N-Fun Lagoon runs on a seasonal schedule. It opens daily for the summer (typically starting around June 1) and has limited weekend operations in the shoulder seasons, so check the park's current calendar and hours before you go. Capacity is limited, so arrive early on busy weekends.
What is the primate boat cruise at Naples Zoo?
The Primate Expedition Cruise is a guided catamaran ride at Naples Zoo that glides past a chain of small islands where lemurs, monkeys and apes roam free, with no cages or glass between you and them. It typically lasts about 15 minutes and is included with zoo admission.
Is there an indoor activity for kids if it's too hot or rainy?
Yes. The Golisano Children's Museum of Naples (CMON) is a large, air-conditioned, hands-on museum aimed at younger children, and HeadPinz Naples has indoor bowling, a big arcade and a two-story laser-tag arena. Both make good midday or rainy-day plans when the beach and gardens are too hot.
Do Naples beaches and parks charge for parking?
Most Collier County beach lots and garages charge non-residents a fee, so bring a card. Clam Pass and Vanderbilt have paid parking (Vanderbilt has a garage), and beach lots fill quickly midday in season, so arrive early. The Naples Botanical Garden, zoo and waterpark each charge separate admission.