If you’re visiting Sarasota, Florida, you may be tempted to lounge on the beach all day, especially if you’re on Siesta Key (ranked America’s best beach by Dr. Beach). There’s nothing wrong with that – the kids may be perfectly happy searching for sand dollars, digging into the wet sand for coquinas, watching for dolphins, and splashing in the water. However, if the weather isn’t right for the beach, or you just want to do something different, Sarasota has plenty to offer in the way of unique experiences and family fun. It is a vibrant city, rich in arts, culture and natural beauty.

These are my top 25 picks for things to do with kids during a visit to Sarasota, including a few must-do activities in nearby Bradenton and Tampa. My family travels on a budget, so many of my favorites are free, like strolling on a boardwalk among mangroves, sticking our toes in some of the finest sand in the world, exploring a secret garden, viewing manatees in the wild, enjoying whimsical art, and watching a water ski show. Most of the attractions I've chosen honor reciprocal agreements for museum, aquarium, or botanical garden memberships, which can also help keep you on even the tightest of budgets during your Sarasota adventure.