It can be difficult to find fun things to do with older kids who, let’s be honest, are hard to please. These are some of our favorites.

Mini Golf

PopStroke, the Tiger Woods-designed destination, has an outdoor gaming area, two mini-golf courses and a restaurant. Signature milkshakes and homemade ice cream sweeten the deal. For something owned by a local family, try Evie's (eviesonline.com). At Smugglers Cove, you can feed real alligators between putts.

Rent a Bike or Scooter

Whizz around town and over the Ringling bridge on a rented electric Veo bike or scooter. Download the app and grab a helmet to get started.

CinéBistro

Movies never cease to entertain. At CinéBistro, add sink-back-and-relax reclining chairs and gourmet menu items for a meal and a movie that puts poor old popcorn to shame.

The Mall at University Town Center

Like generations before them, today’s teens still like walking around malls, and with 70 shops spanning two floors, UTC has something for everyone.

Legacy Trail

Bikers, scooter riders, walkers and joggers are welcome to enjoy this 18.5-mile trail that spans from downtown Sarasota to south Venice and North Port.

Tennis and Basketball

With more than 60 public tennis courts and dozens of basketball courts throughout both Sarasota and Manatee counties, all you need is gear. (You'll probably even meet some teammates on the court.)

Beaches

Do we even need to state this obvious destination? With miles of glittering shoreline, Siesta Key, Venice, Anna Maria Island, Lido Key and more await.

Big Cat Habitat

Although the arresting sight of ligers, tigers and lions suffice, visitors can also hang out with goats, check out marmosets, laugh with lemurs and more.

Escape Rooms

Build a team and crack a mystery at one of our several local escape rooms—including Escapology, Escape Room Sarasota, Escape Reality and more.

Arcades

From air hockey to video games and go-karts, game centers like Livingston's Amusements, Arcade Monsters and Mysterium Escape Rooms & VR abound.

Ellenton Ice and Sports Complex

Who says you can't hit the ice in our tropical paradise? Take a free class for beginners or join the public skate schedule.

Drum Circles

Live like a hippie by joining a drum circle on the beach. These free, well-attended celebrations happen every Sunday at sunset on Siesta, Englewood and Nokomis beaches. Dance, drum, make music of your own or bring a hula hoop and ribbon to cut loose.

Trampoline Parks

Flex your parkour skills, play extreme dodgeball or free jump at Sky Zone in Sarasota, Altitude and Defy in Bradenton, or Jumpin Fun in Lakewood Ranch. Weekend glow nights turn the festivities into black light parties.

Climb in the Treetops

Located way out east, TreeUmph! Adventure Course (treeumph.com) offers more than 10 football field lengths of challenging terrain and hundreds of aerial adventure games. Clip in and off you go.

Stroll an Outdoor Mall

With more than 140 shops and restaurants, St. Armands Circle is great for window shopping, people watching and strolling, ice cream in hand. Dine outdoors or take in fresh fudge-making at Kilwins and enjoy the salty breeze–it's just a hop, skip and jump away from Lido Beach.

Roller Skating

Bradenton’s Astro Skate Family Fun Center has everything you want from a skating rink: cheesy wall art, groovy tunes, candy, pizza and more. Check out weekend teen nights and rent skates or bring your own.

Go Bowling

Slip on your bowling shoes and hit the lanes at Bowlero or Sarasota Lanes.

Special Sips

Be your own boba barista at DIY Boba Tea, which has a full bar of ingredients to choose from. Or try RoyalTea in the Rosemary District (FYI: RoyalTea is part of DreamLarge, Sarasota Magazine’s parent company), Ding Tea, Funky Fresh Boba Tea Co. or The Elixir Tea House, each of which offer a world of flavors.

Hunt Vintage Finds

Got a kid who loves thrifting and finding that one-of-a-kind purse or timeless scarf? Try Canned Ham Vintage, the SPARCC Treasure Chest, The Exchange and others.

Make Your Own Custom Doughnut

Get creative at The Donut Experiment on Anna Maria Island, where you can choose how to dress your freshly made sweets.

Painting With a Twist

Put your talents to the canvas at one of many do-it-yourself guided painting classes where the whole family can bring home a unique work of art.

Play With Glass

Regardless of their skill level, teens can sign up for a glass-fusing class at 2Di4Glass and take home a colorful piece of jewelry or a keepsake bowl they made with their very own hands.

Swimming

Take a dip in outdoor pools at Arlington Park & Aquatic Complex, Sun Outdoors and the Lido Beach Resort. Some area hotels like The Sarasota Modern and Art Ovation Hotel also offer pool day passes.

Make Wood Décor

Sign up for a DIY wood décor class at Nailed It DIY Studio in Sarasota or Brush & Board Creative Studio (boardandbrush.com) in Lakewood Ranch and take home a personalized item you’ll cherish for years.

Take a Pottery or Art Class

The Artful Giraffe is both a local shop and art instruction hub where teens can sign up for pottery, painting, sun-catcher-making classes and more.

Check Out the Rosemary District's Murals

Colorful and contemporary, these larger-than-life murals in the hippest neighborhood in town make for great photo opps and strolling.

Rent a Jet Ski

With so many waterways and bays, there are lots of places to choose from in the way of Jet Ski rentals. Make sure to make a reservation first, because they fill up fast. Check out Sarasota Jet Ski Rentals, Jammin' Jetskis of Sarasota or Siesta Key Jet Ski to name just a few.