Things to do with the kids this weekend in Southwest Florida

Pamela Hayford, PAMELA@SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM Published 4:08 p.m. ET April 9, 2018 | Updated 2:27 p.m. ET April 10, 2018

Numerous events are ready to entertain families this weekend, from Disney on Ice to Family Fun Day at CREW.

Here's our list of things to do with the kids this weekend, April 13-15, in the Fort Myers-Naples area of Southwest Florida.

Friday, April 13

Baby Boot Camp — 9 a.m. Miromar Outlets, 10801 Corkscrew Road, Estero, FL 33928. Certified fitness professionals instruct exercise classes for pregnant, post-natal and ultra-fit moms every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday in WINK Playland.

Charlotte Harbor Aquatic Preserves Nature Boat Tour Ecotour — 10 a.m. Gasparilla Marina and Grill, 15001 Gasparilla Road, Placida, FL 33946. $30 admission, plus $5 parking. A two-hour informative tour to view wildlife in the aquatic preserves, including dolphins, manatees, white and brown pelicans. Bring your own or use the supplied binoculars. Cruises led by a licensed captain and environmental specialist from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection/Charlotte Harbor Aquatic Preserves. 941-575-5861.

Columbus Ships: Nina and the Pinta — April 4-15. Fishermen’s Village, 1200 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda. Replicas of Christopher Columbus’ ships, the Pinta and the Nina, arrived Wednesday, April 4. Tours are given daily April 5-15. The ships leave the morning of April 16. Self-guided tours are $8.50 for adults, $6.50 for ages 5-16, free for ages 4 and younger. The ships are open to the public 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day. ninapinta.org

Dinosaurs: Back with a Roar — February 17-June 3. Naples Botanical Garden, 4820 Bayshore Drive, Naples. Ten life-size animatronic dinosaurs are on display among the foliage of the gardens. Plus, there’s a fossil dig and a dinosaur photo station. The gardens are open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Included with regular park admission, which is $14.95 for adults, $9.95 for ages 4-14, free for children younger than 4 and members. 239-643-7275. naplesgarden.org

Disney On Ice: Reach For The Stars — April 13-15. Germain Arena, 11000 Everblades Parkway, Estero. $25-$105 for tickets; parking is $10. Disney On Ice returns with “Reach for the Stars,” a show that incorporates a wide variety of favorite characters. Shows are 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. Friday, April 13; 3 and 7 p.m. Saturday, April 14, and 1 and 5 p.m. Sunday, April 15. 800-745-3000. germainarena.com

“Elf Jr.” — 6:30 p.m. April 11-13. Ida Baker High School Auditorium, 3500 Agualinda Blvd., Cape Coral. Oasis Middle School presents “Elf Jr.” each evening. Tickets can be purchased at the door. General admission is $5. VIP seating is $8.

“Freckleface Strawberry” — April 13-15. Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers. With the help of her schoolmates, including a talented ballerina, a cutie jock, a charming ditz and a totally kooky teacher, Freckleface learns that everyone is different — and that's what makes everyone special. Shows are 8 p.m. April 13, 3 and 8 p.m. April 14 and 3 p.m. April 15. Tickets are $10-$20. 239-939-2787. artinlee.org

Miracle Baseball Game & Fireworks — 7-10 p.m. Centurylink Sports Complex at Hammond Stadium, 14100 6 Mile Cypress Parkway, Fort Myers, FL 33912. After the game against the Tampa Tarpons, turn your attention to the outfield for a big fireworks show. First responders get $5 admission with a work badge. Plus, the first 500 fans get a Fort Myers Miracle replica hat. 239-768-4210. miraclebaseball.com

Mystery Walk — 6-8 p.m. Fort Myers River District, 1400 Jackson St., Fort Myers, FL 33901. A mystery scavenger hunt every second Friday of the month takes you through an exploration of the historic River District. Follow the event on Facebook for monthly details.

Saturday, April 14

C’mon Mini Wonders: Roaring Rockets — 11:15 a.m.-noon. Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples, 15080 Livingston Road, Naples, FL 34109. $6 per child, plus general admission, which is $10 for adults and $12 for children ages 1 and older. Join in the Mini Wonders Workshop, recommended for ages 2-5. Build a super space STEAM rocket craft, be an astronaut and roll, count and build with a super galactic number game, and more out of this world exploration.

Canine K9-3K Run/Walk — 8 a.m. Vineyards Community Park, 6231 Arbor Blvd W., Naples. Family- and canine-friendly 3K run/walk around Vineyards Community Park. This 1.8-mile course is fun for all ages. Race starts at 8 a.m. $10. To register: apm.activecommunities.com/collierparks/Activity_Search/6187

Family Fun Day — 9 a.m.-2 p.m. CREW Cypress Dome Trails, 3980 Corkscrew Road, Immokalee. It’s 15 minutes east of I-75 near the Lee-Collier County line. Visit 10 stations and experience everything from nature-related crafts and geocaching to learning about local and migratory birds and the wildlife that lives at CREW. Naturalists will lead small groups on guided nature walks. Registration is encouraged. Cost is $5 per family for nonmembers, free for members. There’s a pavilion there if you choose to bring lunch. There’s no running water at the site. Portable bathrooms are available. crewtrust.org

Fearless & Flawless Boys and Girls Empowerment Workshop — 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Fort Myers Stars Complex, 2980 Edison Ave., Fort Myers, FL 33916. Free admission, but must register to attend. For middle and high school boys and girls ages 13-18. Wear presentable attire. Free food, prizes, giveaways and more. Celebrity guest panel, music and entertainment, breakfast and lunch. voicethemovement.org/fearlessflawless239

Kids Cruise Free — 10-11:30 a.m. Tin City, 1200 Fifth Ave. South (US 41 East), Naples. Adult tickets are $39 per person. Child tickets are free with adult purchase. Additional child tickets are $19.50. The 1.5 hour children’s cruise provides an entertaining environment for children to learn about the Southwest Florida environment. While Pure Florida cannot guarantee animal sightings in the wild, the captain will alert passengers to wildlife such as dolphins, pelicans, eagles, manatee, native birds and more. Pure Florida offers a sightseeing scavenger hunt for the children to participate in to win a prize. Reservations required. 239-693-4949. purefl.com

Lorenzo Walker Technical High Book Club Bookfair — 9 a.m. Barnes & Noble at Waterside Shops, 5377 Tamiami Trail, Naples, FL 34108. Supports Lorenzo Walker Technical High Book Club.

Naturalist Guided Walk at Barefoot Beach Preserve — 9-10 a.m. Barefoot Beach Preserve, 503 Barefoot Beach Blvd., Bonita Springs, FL 34134. Free with park entrance. Every Saturday through April 30. Learn the importance of barrier islands, how our ancestors used Florida’s state tree, and native plant communities on barrier islands of Southwest Florida. friendsofbarefootbeach.org

Nature Lectures at Barefoot Beach Preserve — 10-11 a.m. Barefoot Beach Preserve, 503 Barefoot Beach Blvd., Bonita Springs, FL 34134. Free with park entrance. Join the Friends of Barefoot Beach Preserve at the Learning Center chickee for a variety of lectures each Saturday through April 21. friendsofbarefootbeach.org

"Pig the Star" Storytime — 11 a.m. Three Barnes & Noble locations: Coconut Point, 23130 Fashion Drive, Estero; Waterside Shops, 5377 Tamiami Trail, Naples, and 13751 Tamiami Trail, south Fort Myers. Pig does everything he can to be the star of a photo shoot. When the photographer starts to favor his friend, Pig must try everything to steal back the show. Activities to follow.

Science Saturday — 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Miromar Outlets, 10801 Corkscrew Road, Estero. Join Mr. Glen, his Science & Engineering team and the Sylvan Learning Center for interactive science projects. miromaroutlets.com

SoCo Second Saturday Art Crawl — 6-10 p.m. Royal Palm Square, 1400 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. Explore the SoCo arts district from the corner of McGregor and Colonial boulevards, driving east and turning south on Summerlin Road, then making a right turn on Royal Palm Boulevard and finally meeting on McGregor again.

“The Taming of the Shrew” — 11 a.m. April 14 and 6 p.m. April 15. Sugden Regional Park, 4284 Avalon Drive, Naples. $10. The Naples Players KidzAct presents this Shakespeare classic. 239-263-7990. naplesplayers.org

True Tours’ River District History Tour — 10:30 a.m.-noon The Franklin Shops, 2200 First St. Fort Myers, FL 33901. This 90-minute walking tour will educate and entertain you with narratives of local history and acquaint you with the colorful personalities of the founders of our city.

Walk the Talk for Epilepsy — 9 a.m. North Collier Regional Park, 15000 Livingston Road, Naples. In addition to the walk, there will be family-friendly activities, including live entertainment, stilt walking and a kids’ zone. Through April 12, registration is $25 for adults, $15 for children; day-of is $35 for adults, $20 for children. The Epilepsy Foundation of Florida hosts the event to raise awareness and funds to benefit Floridians impacted by epilepsy. Registration opens at 8 a.m.; the walk is at 9 a.m. efof.org/walkthetalk

Sunday, April 15

93X Garlic Fest — 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Centennial Park, 2000 W. First St., Fort Myers, FL 33901. More than 20 vendors offer food and cold beverages. Kids entertainment area and live music.

"Aladdin Jr." in American Sign Language — 5 p.m. Sanibel Community House, 2173 Periwinkle Place Sanibel, FL 33957. Creative Theater Workshop, a nonprofit children’s theater company, is putting on the musical "Aladdin Jr." As you step through the door you will be magically transported into Agrabah. Beautiful scenery, colorful costumes, amazing casts and an actual flying carpet. Songs include “A Whole New World” and “Never Had A Friend Like Me.” Tickets are $5-$15. 239-738-3525. ctw.life

Community Band Spectacular — 2-4 p.m. Cambier Park, Park Street, Naples. The Naples Concert Band and the Bonita Springs Concert Band will present two Community Band Spectacular Concerts. On Sunday, April 15, they perform at Cambier Park, and on Sunday, April 22, they perform in Bonita Springs. Admission is free, donations appreciated. 239.263.9521. naplesconcertband.org.

Family Day at Millennial — Noon-5 p.m. Millennial Brewing Company, 1811 Royal Palm Ave., Fort Myers. Free admission. Every Sunday, Millennial Brewing Company turns the brewery and the parking lot into a kids' play paradise. Kids' movies by request on the big screens, kids' corn hole, kids' table pong, and a huge bounce house and/or water slide. House crafts, cider, kombucha and beermosas for the adults. There's also a food truck serving kid-friendly foods and dessert (sno-cones, ice cream, etc.).

Fort Myers Drum Circle — 7-9:30 p.m. Centennial Park, Edwards Drive, Fort Myers, FL 33901. Every Sunday. Drummers, dancers, jugglers, hula hoopers, everyone welcome. Bring a chair and instrument or come just to listen.

Miracle Baseball Youth Baseball Day — 4 p.m. Centurylink Sports Complex at Hammond Stadium, 14100 6 Mile Cypress Parkway, Fort Myers, FL 33912. Children in uniform receive a free ticket. Kids can play catch on the field before the game and run the bases after the game. Team autograph opportunites. Members of the Dick's Sporting Goods Kids Club get free admission. 239-768-4210. miraclebaseball.com

Traveling Through Music — 2 p.m. South Fort Myers High School, 14020 Plantation Road, Fort Myers, FL 33912. Hear music performed by the Southwest Florida Concert Band for all those traveling this spring. The concert will open with a stirring New Zealand march called "Invercargill." The featured trombone soloist will perform Sammy Nestico’s "Reflective Mood," and the band will play "Wonderful World of Disney," which includes "The Mickey Mouse March," "It’s a Small World" and "Zip-A Dee Doo-Dah." A student will play music from "Schindler’s List." The band will play the Beatles' "Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band," including the songs "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds," "When I am Sixty Four," "With a Little Help From My Friends" and more. swflconcertband .org

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