by Adam David Seeley

Created on: May 05, 2008   Last Updated: April 18, 2011

Anna Maria Island is a name that is synonymous with the word fun. Some fellow travelers have small children and would like to have a pleasurable vacation with their little ones. While on vacation, wouldn't it be nice to have fun and still have some greenbacks when you are on your flight home? Anna Maria is a town geared for fun for all ages. We all know that sometimes children can be hard to please, this popular travel destination is one place where you and the kids will be guaranteed to have some good old fashioned fun.

Some hotels that most families will be staying in during their stay offer complimentary activities aimed at families with young children. Such a hotel is Tradewind's Island Grand Resort. Kids Only Club, No Kidding (K.O.N.K); is exactly what the name implies. It is a club designed with only kids in mind, fun drinks and music, plus the ability to make new friends, makes this a very nice place for the younger vacationers. With pools and sand castle making classes, kids might not even want to leave the hotel premises. There is also a medley of other free activities for the kiddies staying at the hotel. This is one hotel that will help you stay on budget and let the kids have fun at the same time.

For the parents out there who like to watch their kids grow up and spend as much time with the little rugrats as possible, Anna Maria offers so much. You could spend some quality time with your kids and learn about the area's history. Visit the Desoto National Park; it's only about a half an hour drive from the island. Learn about the Spanish conquest of Florida; take pictures of your children in the helmets, armor and clothing of the 16th century. They also have demonstrations of the weapons of the era, chain mail making, and even cooking. Nature lovers out there will also enjoy this park, 80% of the 26 acres is mangrove swamp and bits of other types of forest. Right down the road from the Desoto National Park is The South Florida Museum. Take the youngsters here for a day of history; with exhibits including a Mastodon skeleton and C. Megalodon's jaw and teeth (that's a really big shark), and an ancient man exhibit to show them what man was like long ago. Right next-door is the Parker Manatee Aquarium. Where you and your children can see a live Manatee show and other wildlife.

There are dads out there; you know who you are, that would like to take their son or daughter on a deep-sea fishing trip. The area is bursting with fishing charter boats; create

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