Looking forward to a family vacation in the Caribbeans? And wondering what things to do with kids in the Caribbeans? The tropical island region of the Caribbean is the perfect family getaway destination. There are enough activity choices to keep everyone smiling. Even if you are traveling with a toddler or difficult to please teenagers. But how do you begin to choose which Caribbean islands to visit? There is no real wrong choice, It all depends on what you are looking for. Here we help you out with our top picks for must-do Caribbean family holiday activities. With the summer vacations arriving, we are sure it will help you out.
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#1 Head To The Beach – best among things to do with kids in the Caribbean
The Caribbean has some of the world’s best island beaches for families. These wide stretches of shoreline are safe for swimming. It is easy to spend the day building sandcastles on the white sands. Also, the best-known beach in the Caribbean is Big Major Caye in the Bahamas. This is home to the famous swimming pigs. Aruba is well known for family-friendly swim-spots including Eagle Beach and Baby Beach. Rockley Beach in Barbados is great for bodyboarding. Burwood in Jamaica and The Bight on Turks and Caicos are also popular beaches for families.
#2 Explore National Parks
The Caribbean offers loads of opportunities to explore nature with your family. Barbados Wildlife Reserve and Grand Etang National Park are two of our favorites. Aruba’s Arikok National Park is perfect for adventure activities. Enjoy 4×4 drives, take a guided hike or ride on ATVs. In Puerto Rico, take a walk through the jungle or zipline above the treetops of El Yunque National Forest. Teens will love paddleboarding around Chalk Sound National Park in Turks and Caicos. The little ones can ride with you on a kayak.
Kids love animals. And believe me, after our recent tryst with tiger in Bandhavgarh national park, we can say with 100% confidence that nothing excites kids more than seeing the wild animals in their own natural habitat. And the second best thing that attracts them is the different type of flora. In fact, taking the kids through a national park and educating them about various plant, animal, bird and insect species is the best way to both provoke as well as satisfy their curiosity. And after all, nature is our best open book. So, don’t forget to add a visit to one of the national parks in your list of things to do with the kids in the Caribbean.
#3 Charter A Sailboat
If you are anxious to avoid crowded resorts and beaches, why not charter a sailboat in the Caribbean? Your kids will love playing pirates while you relax and sip cocktails on the deck. Hiring a sailboat gives you the freedom to island-hop and visit multiple destinations. You can swim and snorkel right off the boat. If you are lucky, you may even spot some dolphins. Boats are available fully crewed or you can captain the boat yourself.
#4 Spend A Day At A Themepark/Resorts
There are multiple resorts geared for full-day family entertainment. You could stay at these resorts or purchase a one-day pass. In the Dominican Republic, the Nickelodeon theme park is extremely popular. Spongebob fans can book a pineapple shape villa. Also in the Dominican Republic, Eden Roc Cap is known for ziplining and buggy rides. In fact, Aquaventure at Atlantis Resort (Bahamas) is one of the biggest water parks. This 141-acre park includes a mile-long river ride and loads of slides and pools. There are several rides here that kids can totally enjoy. And they are pretty safe too. So do keep a theme park visit or theme resort visit in your list of things to do with kids in the Caribbean,
#5 Snorkeling
Open up a new world and meet underwater creatures with your kids. If you have the time, take a trip to Green Island (Antigua) which is known for sea turtles. A must-see is the off the Moliniere Point, Grenada. Boats take snorkelers out to dive amongst 60 submerged statues. These artworks were inspired by Grenada’s history and folklore.Swim with stingrays in Stingray City, Cayman Island. The rays are fed and come into the shallows. It is safe to stand or swim amongst them.
#6 Dive in a Submarine
If you have ever dreamed of cruising the deep ocean, this is your chance. Create unforgettable memories in a passenger submarine. Come face to face with sea life through the glass windows and explore ancient shipwrecks.A few companies that offer this experience are:
- Atlantis (Aruba)
- Aquafari (Curacao) and
- Atlantis Submarines (Barbados)
Trips range from 1-2 hours. Children need to be at least 4 years old or 3 feet tall to join these tours. So, do ensure to check on the age limit before booking one. But if you can, then a submarine trip is a must among the things to do with kids in the Caribbean. As kids love adventure and water. And being underwater sounds like the perfect adventure for them.
# 7 Trek to a Waterfall – top rated among things to do with kids in the Caribbean
We are totally in love with waterfalls, especially after seeing numerous gorgeous waterfalls in Meghalaya. With a little research, you will find a wide variety of waterfalls to visit in Caribbeans too. Some offer a challenging hike to the top but most are easily accessible for a refreshing swim. Be prepared to pay an entrance fee and go along with a guide.In Jamaica, Dunn’s River Falls is a breathtaking 180ft high. We recommend going early or late to miss the crowds at this popular attraction. You can also visit the Blue Hole in Ocho Rios or Reach Falls near Port Antonio In the Dominican Republic, 27 Charcos is a series of 27 waterfalls and pools. 7 Sisters Falls in Grenada is a great spot for a family picnic. And that is why trek to a waterfall is on our list of things to do with kids in the Caribbean.
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