Coastal Scavenger Hunts in Fort Myers Sanibel

When kids need a break from sand, surf and sun, area state parks offer the perfect way to pass the time: beach scavenger hunts. This classic game has been adapted by area parks to expose the hidden gems and natural treasures along the Fort Myers-Sanibel coast.

It’s an outdoor adventure that’s as educational as it is entertaining. The scavenger hunts bring kids face to face with parts of the natural world they might not otherwise encounter. Questions send kids scurrying through parks and beaches, down nature trails, over waterways and past plenty of wildlife. They count picnic tables, look for shorebirds and nests and even listen to identify sounds they hear in the park. In the process, they learn about plants, animals and the effects of human interaction on them.

Local parks offering scavenger hunts include Lovers Key State Park in Fort Myers Beach and Koreshan State Historic Site in Estero. To start the hunt, just ask the ranger’s office for a free Junior Ranger paper at the park entrance. Some parks even give away a plastic badge to reward young explorers.