PARENT & CHILD

Things to do with the kids this weekend in Southwest Florida

Pamela Hayford

The News-Press

Leila Tucker, 6 of Fort Myers visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus at the 2016 Holiday Nights' opening-night tree lighting at the Edison & Ford Winter Estates.

A list of things to do with the kids this weekend, Nov. 24-26, in the Fort Myers-Naples area.

FRIDAY, NOV.. 24

American Sand Sculpting Championships — 10 a.m.-5 p.m. November 17-26. Wyndham Garden Hotel, 6890 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach. $7 admission, free for ages 4 and younger. Check out the work of professional sand sculptors, vendors and food. fmbsandsculpting.com

Book Signing by Local Author: "Crazy Bones! The Tale of a Waggy Tail!" — 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Pet Supplies Plus, 15880 San Carlos Blvd Fort Myers, FL 33908. Book Overview: It is the story of a Hurricane Katrina refugee, a small dog with a big attitude that was rescued by a middle-aged spinster from Northern New England.

Christmas Island Style’s - Santa’s Arrival — 6 p.m. Shops of Marco, 141 South Barfield Drive Marco Island, FL 34145. Cookies, fun and photos with Santa.

Free Tours of the Tom Allen Memorial Butterfly House — 10:30 a.m. Rotary Park, 5505 Rose Garden Road, Cape Coral, FL 33914. Every Monday, Friday and Saturday. Reservations not required.

Holiday Nights — 5:30-9 p.m. Edison & Ford Winter Estates, 2350 McGregor Blvd. Fort Myers, FL 33901. Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for ages 13-19, $2 for ages 6-12 and free for children 5 and younger. Edison Ford members are also admitted free. Guided Holiday Tradition Tours are $30 for adults, teens $25, children $18 and $10 for Edison Ford members. Inside-the-Homes Holiday Tours are $50. On November 24, Edison & Ford Winter Estates will kick off its 42nd celebration of Holiday Nights. The winter estate homes of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford will be decorated with thousands of lights and decorations. Opening Night festivities start at 6 p.m. with the annual tree lighting ceremony. The Waltzing Waters Liquid Fireworks light show will return and there will be holiday carolers. For children, local artist Doug MacGregor will be onsite drawing cartoons on November 24, December 9, 16 and 23 and Santa will be visiting on select nights. Children are invited to make holiday postcards that will be sent to military personnel. EdisonFordWinterEstates.org or call 239-334-7419.

Photos with Santa at Miromar — November 24-December 23. Miromar Outlets, 10801 Corkscrew Road, Estero. Get your photo taken with Santa. miromaroutlets.com

SATURDAY, NOV. 25

Blesssing of your Pets — 10-10:30 a.m. St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 3901 Davis Blvd. Naples, FL 34104. The Rev. Bill and Deacon Mary will greet and bless your pets. This will take place on the front lawn of the campus. Bring your leashed pet, or if they are nervous, bring them in their kennel.

"Everything is Mama" Storytime — 11 a.m. Three Barnes & Noble locations: Waterside Shops, 5377 Tamiami Trail, Naples; Coconut Point, 23130 Fashion Drive, Estero, and 13751 Tamiami Trail, south Fort Myers. Jimmy Fallon is back with a follow-up to his bestselling picture book, "Your Baby’s First Word Will Be DADA." His new book, "Everything is Mama," is a lighthearted look at the world from a baby’s point of view, as different animals try to teach their children that there are other words in addition to mama. Activities to follow.

Free Social Saturdays with Orchard Supply Hardware — Noon-2 p.m. Orchard Supply Hardware, 3790 Tamiami Trail N. Naples, FL 34103. Every Saturday through Dec. 16, swing by Orchard Supply Hardware for an afternoon of family fun. During the free Social Saturdays, customers of all ages can delight in a live DJ, fantastic food and hands-on games. To find out more, visit: http://bit.ly/2iVzRpd

Guided Estero Bay Scrub Trail Walk — 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Koreshan State Historic Site, 3800 Corkscrew Road, Estero. Free with $2 walk-in admission at the scrub on Broadway. Registration required. Join a member of the Alligator Amblers Chapter of the Florida Trail Association for a walk through the Estero Bay Scrub. Observe mangroves, saw palmettos, sugar sand, gopher tortoises and fiddler crabs. Wear old shoes; they’ll get muddy. Bring water, hat, sun protection, snacks. 239-495-7644.

Guided Historic Tours — 10-11:30 a.m. Koreshan State Historic Site, 3800 Corkscrew Road, Estero, FL 33928. Explore the 19th century religious Koreshan settlement, its structures and gardens, and learn about these idealistic pioneers. $2 for adults, $1 for children over 6, plus park admission.

Science Saturday — 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Rookery Bay NERR and Environmental Learning Center, 300 Tower Road Naples, FL 34113. An opportunity for families to spend the day at the Environmental Learning Center enjoying programs, labs and activities centered around a different science theme, on the last Saturday of every month. This month’s theme is Plankton! Scheduled activities include: Estuary Encounter, Activity Lab, Show & Tell, and Nature on the Silver Screen.

Square One Improv — 8 p.m. Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers. Fast-paced, hilarious, musical, completely improvised family-friendly comedy show. artinlee.org

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.

SUNDAY, NOV. 26

Family Day — Noon-5 p.m. Millennial Brewing Company, 1811 Royal Palm Ave., Fort Myers. Free admission. Food truck, bounce house/slide, face painting, kids’ activities and kids’ movies on a big screen. 239-271-2255.

Fit & Fuel Iron Joe Turkey Ride — 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Fit & Fuel Bicycle Cafe, 819 Vanderbilt Beach Road, Naples. Rides for all levels: 62, 30, 20 miles and a 5 mile fun ride for families with kids. A kids’ bike safety clinic precedes the ride. There will be cold beer, music, a lunch from Food & Thought and Johnsonville Sausage. Proceeds help support the Naples Pathways Coalition to create safe, bikeable, walkable communities. Register: naplespathways.org. Questions: 239-777-7781.

Fort Myers Drum Circle — 7-9 p.m. every Sunday. Centennial Park, Edwards Drive, Fort Myers, FL 33901. Drummers, dancers, jugglers, hula hoopers, everyone welcome. Bring a chair and instrument or come just to listen.

Manatee Kayak Tour — 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Orange River, Fort Myers, FL 33905. $65 per person Manatee Kayak Tour on wild creeks and rivers with GAEA Guides - Guided Kayak Nature Tours. Fort Myers. 10AM - 2PM. Get up close and personal with these gentle giants and learn about their history, habitat and habits. Learn about the history of these waterways and other fascinating facts about this area and the birds, plants and animals that call it home. $65 per person includes all equipment and a Fla. Master Naturalist as your guide - Reservations required 239 694-5513 http://gaeaguides.com/

More:When should a kid get their first smartphone? And other parenting questions of the social media age

More:Parenting: Learner's permit onboard