Paula Bendfeldt-Diaz

Paula is a freelance writer, translator & marketer. She started her writing & publishing career as the editor of Bebé y Mamá, the first parenting magazine in Guatemala. She is the founder of www.GrowingUpBilingual.com and www.365thingsswfl.com and writes articles in Spanish and English for both magazines and the web on subjects ranging from travel and food to parenting and bilingualism. She enjoys traveling, good food and is always in search of new things to do and in Southwest Florida.

Most commented posts

  1. 7 Day Caribbean Cruise GIVEAWAY for our 365 Things To Do In SWFL Readers! — 46 comments
  2. Family Fun in Paradise at South Seas Island Resort — 39 comments
  3. Dunkin’ Donuts New Menu Items, Free Donuts and $10 Gift Card Giveaway! — 38 comments
  4. Win a 4 Pack of Tickets to Disney on Ice Rocking Ever After At Germain Arena! — 38 comments
  5. Sanibel Sea School: Teaching Kids to Fall In Love With the Ocean — 35 comments

Author's posts

Best Things to Do With Teens and Tweens in Fort Myers

Defy Fort Myers

Teens and tweens can be a tough crowd to entertain. Not only are they notoriously hard to impress, but they’re often stuck between childhood and adulthood – too grown up for kid attractions but not grown up enough for adult activities. Luckily Fort Myers is full of amazing attractions that will definitely spark the interest …

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Best Places for Birding in Southwest Florida

Southwest Florida is one of the best places in the country for bird watching. The area is in the path of one of the world’s most traveled flyways, which means migrating birds from across the globe travel across our skies. To get great views of birds flying across Southwest Florida, check out these five amazing …

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Guide To Visiting Rotary Park In Cape Coral

Rotary park mangrove preserve Cape Coral

Consisting of 97 acres, that includes mostly salt marsh, some upland and a lot of rock just under the surface, Rotary Park in Cape Coral is the result of funding from a grant from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection stipulating the area be preserved. The preserved area can not be developed (that is why it …

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Service Project Ideas for Kids in Southwest Florida

humane society adopting dogs

No matter how old your kids are it’s always a great idea to get your family involved in the community. Service projects are a great way to teach your kids empathy while also showing them the importance of giving back to their community. Whether your kids want to help other local children, the environment, or …

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5 Fun Family Indoor Activities in Southwest Florida For a Rainy Day

CMON Children's Museum Naples

Southwest Florida is known for its wonderful weather, but sometimes the rain or heat can put a dent in your family’s summer plans. Luckily, there are tons of great family-friendly things to do in Southwest Florida that don’t involve being outdoors. When you’re ready to head inside, check out some of these great family activities; …

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Best Nature Hikes for Families in Southwest Florida

J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge, Best Nature Hikes for Families in Southwest Florida

Southwest Florida is home to so many wonderful nature preserves full of interesting plant life and animals. While these parks offer may a variety of learning experiences for kids, hiking as a family can often be tricky. That’s why I’ve outlined the best nature hikes for families in the area. Each of these hikes are …

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Best Water Play Parks in Southwest Florida

Sun-N-Fun Lagoon Naples, Best Water Play Parks in Southwest Florida

The beach is definitely our best feature here in southwest Florida, but sometimes you need to get out of the sand to have fun in the water. Cape Coral, Naples, and Fort Myers are all home to some great water play parks. On top of big water parks with slides and lazy rivers, we also …

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10 Fun Seashell Crafts To Do With Your Kids This Summer

Melted Crayon Seashells Shell crafts to do with kids

Wether you’re a local or just visiting Southwest Florida collecting shells at the beach is always a favorite past time, so I’m sure you probably have tons of seashells lying around. Put some of those awesome beach finds to good use this summer by making some adorable crafts with your kids. There are so many …

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Great STEAM Summer Camps In Southwest Florida

From robotics and video game design to awakening your child’s inner artist with painting classes there are many options in Southwest Florida when it comes to summer camps that promote STEAM learning (in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math). Here are some of our favorite options for STEAM camps in Fort Myers, …

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On The Water: Summer Camps That Put Kids In Contact With The Ocean 

paddle boarding summer camp Southwest Florida

The ocean is Southwest Florida’s greatest attraction, so give your kids a chance to make the most of the beautiful water this summer with these awesome summer camps. There are so many great options for summer camps throughout the area, but not all of them give kids the opportunity to take a dip in the …

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