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PARENT & CHILD

Things to do with the kids this weekend, June 22-24

Celebrate the Shell Factory's 80th anniversary, dance the night away with dad, enjoy a laser show and more

Pamela Hayford
The News-Press
In this file photo from an event at the Shell Factory & Nature Park in North Fort Myers, Charlee Scott and her sister Raegan Scott, of Fort Myers, share their treats with each other. Photo by Gregg Pachkowski
  • 80th Anniversary Celebration at the Shell Factory & Nature Park
  • YMCA Daddy Daughter Dance
  • Laser Shows at Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium
  • Miromar Has Talent Finals

Here's our list of things to do with the kids this weekend, June 22-24, in the Fort Myers-Naples area.

Friday, June 22

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.

Family Beach Walk — 9 a.m. every Friday. Gulfside Park, 2001 Algiers Lane, Sanibel. A J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge-guided exploration of the Perry Tract. Free. City parking fees apply. Bring water, sunscreen and bug spray. 239-472-1100 ext. 237. dingdarlingsociety.org/articles/free-refuge-programs

Kids Free Friday: Birds — 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Rookery Bay NERR and Environmental Learning Center, 300 Tower Road, Naples. $5 for adults. In celebration of the reserve’s 40th anniversary, this popular summer education program provides free admission with programming geared toward ages 12 and younger who are accompanied by an adult on Fridays through summer. A ratio of no more than three kids per adult is recommended to ensure a safe and pleasurable experience. June 22 and July 20: Birds. June 29 and July 27: Reptiles. July 6 and August 3: Fish. July 13: Mammals.

KidsLaser Show — 4 p.m. Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium, 3450 Ortiz Ave., Fort Myers. $5. Shows are "Laser Legend of Orion" on Friday and Saturday, "Laser Pereus and Andromeda" on Sunday. calusanature.org/laser-shows

Laser Shows at Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium — 6, 7, 8 and 9 p.m. Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium, 3450 Ortiz Ave., Fort Myers. $10. The 6 p.m. show is based on Pink Floyd’s 1973 album of humanitarian, political and philosophical empathy, "Dark Side of the Moon." At 7 p.m., it's Pink Floyd's "The Wall." At 8 p.m., it's "Laser Pop: B52s, Smashmouth, etc." At 9 p.m., "Laser-X," featuring Rage Against the Machine, Smashing Pumpkins, Chris Cornell, Foo Fighters, Alice in Chains and more. calusanature.org/laser-shows

“Sewing a Native Truth: Seminole Fashion and Culture” — Now through October 28. IMAG History & Science Center, 2000 Cranford Ave., Fort Myers. The exhibit examines the cultural significance the craft of patchwork holds for the Seminoles. Over 20 Seminole dolls and clothing items are on loan from The Florida Museum of Natural History. Regular admission to IMAG is $14 for adults, $10 for children and students with ID, free for ages 2 and younger. Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and noon-5 p.m. Sunday. theimag.org

Story Time — 10 a.m. Chick-fil-A Estero, 21900 S. Tamiami Trail, Estero, FL 33928. Story time and craft activity. Come early to purchase breakfast.

Walk on the Wild Side — 10-11 a.m. Lovers Key State Park, 8700 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach. Included with park admission, which is $4 for a one-person vehicle, $8 for a vehicle with 2-8 people, $2 for pedestrians and cyclists. Join a Park Ranger for a guided hike along the Black Island Trail. Learn about the vegetation and wildlife that reside in this maritime hammock. Do some bird watching, and maybe learn a little local history. Reservations required. 239-463-4588.

Saturday, June 23

The American Radio Relay League Field Day — 9 a.m. June 23-2 p.m. June 24. North Fort Myers Community Park, 2000 N. Recreation Park Way, North Fort Myers. The ham radio that 16 students will use in October to speak to astronauts on the International Space Station will be unveiled by the Fort Myers Amateur Radio Club. It will be the first time the students get to try the radio. Members of the club built the radio equipment with help from CenturyLink. During the field day, some 35,000 radio amateurs gather with their clubs  to operate from locations throughout the U.S. and Canada. fmarc.net

Best Darn Comedy Show for Kid Period — 4-5 p.m. The Laugh-In Comedy Cafe, 8595 College Parkway, Fort Myers, FL 33919. The Comedy Magic of BJ Odom, a major investor of Houdini’s Pizza & Magic, performs a family-friendly kids comedy magic show. The shows are geared to ages 4-14, but parents and grandparents alike enjoy watching the kids become the stars of the show.

Girl Scouts G.I.R.L. South Summer Sizzler Recruitment Event — 8:45 a.m.-noon. Camp Caloosa, 19931 State Road 31, North Fort Myers, FL 33917. Five counties are coming together to host a fun-filled event open to the public, all Girl Scouts, their friends and families to learn more about Girl Scouts. Free goodie bag to first 100 girls to register online and attend this event. Free admission and parking. Register online at gsgcf.org/en/events/event-list.html.

“Jurassic Park Little Golden Book” Story Time & Activities — 11 a.m. Three Barnes & Noble location: Coconut Point, 23130 Fashion Drive, Estero; 13751 Tamiami Trail, south Fort Myers, and Waterside Shops, 5377 Tamiami Trail, Naples. Introduce little ones to the world of Jurassic Park. This action-packed (and age-appropriate) title is great for dinosaur lovers, new and old. Activities to follow.

Kids Day — 10 a.m.-noon. Miromar Outlets, 10801 Corkscrew Road, Estero, FL 33928. In WINK Playland. Kids from toddlers to 12 are invited to participate in fun activities. Kids receive a free slice of pizza from Luna Pizza, a free kids’ cone from Dairy Queen/Orange Julius, and a special offer to Mr. Pretzels, while supplies last.

Kids Cruise Free with Pure Florida — 10-11:30 a.m. Pure Naples at Tin City, 1200 Fifth Ave. S., Naples, FL 34102. Kids cruise free when accompanied by an adult. Adult tickets are $39 per person. 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. There's also a sightseeing scavenger hunt for the children to participate in to win a prize. Reservations required. 239-693-4949. purefl.com

Laser Shows at Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium — 6, 7, 8 and 9 p.m. Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium, 3450 Ortiz Ave., Fort Myers. $10. The shows vary from the Beatles to electric pop. calusanature.org/laser-shows

Miromar Has Talent Finals — 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Miromar Outlets, 10801 Corkscrew Road, Estero. Ages 13 and younger compete 11 a.m.-1 p.m., ages 14-20 compete 2-4 p.m. The top participants from each age group are crowned at the sixth annual talent competition.

SummerJazz on the Gulf — 6:30-9:30 p.m. The Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club, 851 Gulf Shore Blvd. N., Naples. Free concert by Show Biz Kids on the Watkins Lawn overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. Show Biz Kids is a 12-piece Steely Dan tribute band. Free SummerJazz on the Gulf concerts take place one Saturday each month through September. 239-261-2222. naplesbeachhotel.com

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. 

Wildlife Wonders — 11 a.m. every Saturday. J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge, One Wildlife Drive, Sanibel. Free. Refuge education staff lead this 30-minute indoor program about the mysteries of manatees, alligators, crocodiles, horseshoe crabs and birds in the Visitor & Education Center auditorium. 239-472-1100 ext. 237. dingdarlingsociety.org/articles/free-refuge-programs

YMCA Daddy Daughter Dance — 6:30-8:30 p.m. Greater Naples YMCA, 5450 YMCA Road, Naples, FL 34108. This special event helps foster the bond between father and daughter and offers a fun night of music, dancing, snacks and refreshments. For ages 4-14 and their dad or male role-model. $20 suggested donation per couple. greaternaplesymca.org

Sunday, June 24

80th Anniversary Celebration — Noon-5 p.m. Shell Factory & Nature Park, 2787 N. Tamiami Trail, North Fort Myers, FL 33903. Celebrate the Shell Factory's 80th anniversary and National Seashell Day with old fashion fun at old fashion prices. Admission to the Nature Park is a 25 cents. There will also be carnival food and games and live entertainment. shellfactory.com

Festival of Dance 2018 — Noon-3 p.m. Broadway Palm, 1380 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. Dance Bochette’s annual performance celebrates the life of its founder, Jeanne Bochette. In addition to the studio’s dancers, performers also include professionals from the Gainesville-based Dance Alive National Ballet. Brunch begins at noon, show at 2 p.m. Tickets are $35 for adults, $25 for children younger than 12. 239-278-4422 for tickets, 239-334-3274 for information. dancebochette.com/2018/05/2015-festival

Dog Frisbee Summer League — 9:30-11:30 a.m. Sherman Soccer Complex, 13260 Griffin Drive, Fort Myers, FL 33913. $10 per dog for the entire season. If your dog loves to catch and fetch, come out and play. The five-week Summer K9 Frisbee Toss & Fetch League begins in the Fort Meyers area. There’s no experience necessary. All you need is a dog with some drive, and the league will get you going. It’s an easy game to learn and a great family activity, so bring the kids and let them get some playtime in, too. No registration required; just show up and play. For information, follow the Sun Coast Disc Dogs Facebook page: facebook.com/suncoastdiscdogs. The rules of the game: tossandfetch.com/league-rules.

Family Day at Millennial — Noon-5 p.m. Millennial Brewing Company, 1811 Royal Palm Ave., Fort Myers. Free. 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.).