If you are planning a beach holiday with the kids, you won’t run out of kid-friendly things to do on South Padre Island. SPI is a popular tourist spot for families with children. Tourists flock to this beautiful little island all through the year, and kids love it. From visiting the famous Big Padre alligator to rescuing sea turtles to go-karting at the amusement parks, the island offers a mix of education and entertainment for young visitors to the island.

Here’s a short list of the many kid-friendly things to do in SPI:

Bird watching and gator counting

One of the island’s main attractions is the South Padre Nature Center and Alligator Sanctuary. On the center’s short trail, you can take an educational walk to see several species of local birds in their habitat and get to know more about their way of life. In addition, reptile enthusiasts can watch alligators roam freely in the alligator sanctuary. Big Padre, the sanctuary’s mascot and a giant gator to boot, is a local celebrity, and visitors flock to marvel at his size and beauty.

Nature walks such as the one at the nature center, are the island’s most refreshing and exciting bonuses. Natural swamps, migratory birds, and berry-laden trees provide a welcome relief from the cacophony of nearby urban centers.

Selfie at the Whaling Wall

South Padre Island is located north of the Mexican border. Whale sighting is one of its many gifts to visitors, but the orcas that swim by in the Gulf of Mexico are threatened by human activity. The Convention Centre features a large whale mural painted by Robert Wyland and is part of his nationwide endeavor to make everyone aware of the risks faced by these majestic creatures. Take the family to strike a pretty pose before the giant whale mural and share it with friends. It is a kid-friendly way to do your party to preserve nature on SPI.

Go-karting at the amusement park

Head over to one of the island’s amusement parks, such as Gravity Park for single and double go-karts that you can share with older kids. For the adventurous ones, there are go-karts for younger kids too. Wall climbing, golfing and playing Crazy Shopping at the arcade are other kid-friendly amusement park activities to try on SPI.

Head to the beach

What’s an island without its beaches? South Padre Island beaches are clean, safe and patrolled. The beaches are off limits to most motor vehicles. However, there are parking spots nearby and you can leave your car there. Walk or take a swim with the family.Or, you can relive childhood memories by building sandcastles. You can even see a permanent giant sandcastle on the island or take a workshop to learn the art better. SPI beaches are meant for the young and the young at heart alike.

Bike riding

The streets of South Padre Island are very bike-friendly, and several places throughout the island offer bike rentals. Choose this kid-friendly activity on SPI as one way to have fun getting from one activity to the other, or make the bike ride your activity by enjoying some of the island’s most beautiful trails.

Paragliding

Fly over the breathtaking island with trained guides. Paragliding and parasailing over the sea give you a bird’s eye view of the scenery. As waves roll below, your eyes follow the Laguna Madre as it stretches along the beach, the cruises and banana boats below, and the resort town’s many attractions. Children are usually accompanied by adults, so you can have a great time bonding in the air.

Horseback riding and interacting with rescued animals

Horseback riding on South Padre is a calming experience. Enjoy riding along the shoreline and share an unhurried joy with your family. Spread over many acres of sparsely crowded areas of the island, these horseback riding parks are run by the local community.

An added bonus is the petting barn at Island Adventure Park. There are various species of birds and animals here. Children can interact with the animals while learning all about them in an unforgettable, hands-on experience.

Fishing and angling

Walking down the Queen Isabella fishing pier, you’ll spot a fairly large number of hobbyists and professionals trying their luck at fishing. While trout are commonly caught near the pier, anglers often catch bigger fish a little deeper into the water. If not throwing a line, you can simply take a walk along the pier. It’s a clean, quiet place, and if you are lucky you might sight dolphins in the water. Take in the cool sea breeze even on warm days.

Another option is to book a fishing charter and spend many long hours on the sea. As one of the best kid-friendly activities on SPI, they usually have experienced guides on board along with different types of angling activities on offer. Book your rides in advance and fish to your heart’s content.

Learn about sea turtles

South Padre Island and its community are closely linked to the sea. Sea turtle rescue and rehabilitation is an important aspect of local life. Ridley sea turtles are rescued, treated, and released back into the sea. At Sea Turtle, Inc., children (and parents) come to know about the threats faced by this and other turtle species found worldwide and conservation efforts that are being made in this regard. So hang out with the marine life at the rescue center, donate if you want, or collect souvenirs to take back home.

Sailing, Snorkeling, Kayaking

There seems to be no end to the attractions this island has for beach-loving Texans. Charter boats, kayaks, and other watercraft are rented out to visitors and offer amazing views of sunsets and the sea. Dive into the calm waters with full snorkeling gear and come back up on the surface to a delectable lunch. You might find musicians on board to keep you company. Charters offer different services and operate at different times. For instance, some might rent out for birthday parties and other celebrations. To make the most out of your ride, check it out in advance and make your reservation early

These 10 different kid-friendly things to do in SPI are just a sampling of the fun to be had on the island. Head out for this bustling beach town and bring back priceless memories. You can now take a tour of the island on rented golf carts and save yourself time and energy for the more important things, like drinking a pina colada. Get in touch with Paradise Fun Rentals today, and put fun in the driver’s seat!