Free
Little Discovery Center
Downtown Bradenton, 321 15th St W
A library play space built for kids 2 to 5 and their grown-ups.
Good for: Free toddler mornings.
Skip if: your child is older than 5.
Report a problemGUIDE Sarasota–Bradenton · The Suncoast
Things to do with toddlers and little kids in Sarasota–Bradenton: the parent guide.
Sarasota and Bradenton pair a big art museum campus on the bay with a hands-on science museum downtown.
Around town4 spots · checked Oct 30
The Sarasota places we go back to, again and again.
The places we go back to all year. Where to eat with a toddler, where to burn off energy when it rains, where to splash, what’s worth the admission, and where to spend a night without going far.
Play
Indoor play and rainy days
For rainy mornings, cold afternoons and anyone who needs to run in circles for an hour.
Free
Manatee County Public Library
Branches in Bradenton, Palmetto, Holmes Beach and Lakewood Ranch
Free baby storytimes and 40 Carrots play groups during the week.
Good for: Free weekday mornings.
Skip if: you need something on Sunday; most branches are closed.
Report a problemFeatured partnerThis spot is open.Run a place in Sarasota that belongs in this section? One featured spot here is set aside for a local partner, and it’s always labeled.About featured spots →
Explore
Museums, zoos and big outings
Museums, animals and farm days that hold a little one’s attention.
Bishop Museum of Science and Nature
$$Downtown Bradenton, 201 10th St W
Science exhibits, a planetarium and manatees in the rehab habitat. Kids 4 and under get in free with an adult.
Tickets
- Kids 5–17 $16
- Adults $25
- 0–4 with a paying adult
Good for: Hot or rainy afternoons.
Skip if: it’s Monday; it’s closed.
Tue–Sat 10am–5pm · Sun noon–5pmSite ↗ for Bishop Museum of Science and Nature
Report a problemThe Ringling
$$5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota
An art museum campus on the bay with gardens and lawns where little kids can run between buildings.
Good for: A morning walk in the gardens.
Skip if: you only want an indoor stop; much of the visit is outside.
Report a problemFeatured partnerThis spot is open.Run a place in Sarasota that belongs in this section? One featured spot here is set aside for a local partner, and it’s always labeled.About featured spots →
These don’t change week to week. Last checked . Hours and prices change, so check the place’s own site before you go. Know a spot we missed? Tell us at hello@littlesweekly.com.
No ticket needed
Free things to do
Where a family can go in Sarasota without paying for admission. For free days, free events and this week’s free outings, see every free thing to do in Sarasota.
Littlest explorers
Best for under 3s
Free or cheap for babies and toddlers, and easy with a stroller.
Downtown Bradenton, 201 10th St WBishop Museum of Science and NatureAges 0–4 free with an adult.Kids $16Adults $250–4 with a paying adultIndoor
Downtown Bradenton, 321 15th St WLittle Discovery CenterBuilt for toddlers.FreeIndoor
Branches in Bradenton, Palmetto, Holmes Beach and Lakewood RanchManatee County Public LibraryBaby storytime.FreeIndoorEvery week
Library storytimes
Recurring and free. Times change by branch, so check the calendar. For every weekly storytime by day and branch, see library storytimes in Sarasota.
Baby storytime, Wiggles, Giggles and Tales, and 40 Carrots play groups on weekday morningsManatee County Public Library
Seven branches plus the Little Discovery Center run free programs for babies and preschoolers.
Schedule ↗By season
Seasonal spots
Santa visits and Christmas lights only run part of the year, so they have their own pages with this season’s dates and prices.
This week
What’s on this week in Sarasota
The guide is the evergreen list. Here’s what’s happening in Sarasota–Bradenton right now.
- Halloween Family Night at The RinglingThe Ringling · Free
- Trick-or-Treat in the VillageVillage of the Arts · Free
- Baby Storytime (Palmetto)Palmetto Branch Library · Free
Good questions
Things to do with toddlers in Sarasota–Bradenton: the FAQ
Is Sarasota–Bradenton good for toddlers?
Yes. The Little Discovery Center is made for ages 2 to 5, and the Bishop lets kids 4 and under in free with an adult.
What’s free?
Library programs, the Little Discovery Center and seasonal events like Halloween Family Night at The Ringling.
What can we do in Sarasota–Bradenton on a rainy or cold day with a toddler?
Go indoors: Little Discovery Center and Manatee County Public Library. They’re all under one roof, and most work for a short visit around nap time.
What can we do with a baby, 1-year-old or 2-year-old in Sarasota–Bradenton?
Bishop Museum of Science and Nature: Ages 0–4 free with an adult. Little Discovery Center: Built for toddlers. Manatee County Public Library is also easy with a baby or toddler. See best for under 3s.
Where are the free storytimes in Sarasota–Bradenton?
Manatee County Public Library: Baby storytime, Wiggles, Giggles and Tales, and 40 Carrots play groups on weekday mornings. Library storytimes don’t need a ticket, but times change by branch, so check the calendar first. See library storytimes, and this week’s dated sessions are on the Sarasota weekly list.
How do you choose the places in the Sarasota–Bradenton guide?
Every one of the 4 places is somewhere we’d take a baby, toddler or preschooler, with a note on who it suits and when to skip it. Prices, hours and menus come from each place’s own site, and 1 of them have checked admission or menu prices. The guide was last checked Oct 30, 2026. How we choose and check.
Get the list every Thursday.
One short email every Thursday evening with the five things we’d leave the house for in Sarasota.