Aruba Family Vacations
Aruba is a very family-friendly destination and offers activities for all members of the family to enjoy. Young kids will love the beaches and most hotels in Aruba have activities for kids that vary from day to day, and also depending on age. Visitors can also make use of trusted on-site babysitting services!
Kids-friendly hotels
The Marriott Aruba Surf Club has the "lazy river" and waterslide that are a favorite with kids. They also have a Wii lounge and the "Natural Pool" (named after one of Aruba's landmark's )
The Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino is also very kid-friendly. Kids are welcome at the Bon Bini Kids Club playing air hockey and arcade games while parents can get some R&R on the beach or at the Mandara Spa. The resort also has a lagoon-style pool.
The Ocean Suites at Renaissance Wind Creek Aruba Resort is also a favorite with families, having a nice pool area, games room, and access to Renaissance Island by boat which is a treat for the kids. The private island has a family-oriented section as well as an adults-only one.
The Holiday Inn Aruba All Inclusive offers an all-inclusive package that caters very well to families and children who love the beach and partaking in many different activities. Children 11 years and younger eat for free.
The Hilton Aruba Caribbean Resort & Casino makes the most of your stay by offering the services your family needs, the amenities you expect, and the extras you deserve. They have day camp on-site, children's activities, babysitting service, playground and playpen available, the kiddos will love it! Hilton also offers you Family Packages.
The Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort & Casino is another family favorite. Camp Hyatt is specifically catered to kids and is essentially a daycare facility with games, toys. The Hyatt also sports a multi-level pool with a popular waterslide.
For families with very young children, many resorts all offer cribs.
Babysitting Services
Sitters Aruba is a trusted and reliable, family-owned and operated, on-call babysitting service offering in-room babysitting, child care, baby equipment rentals, and elderly care at all high-rise and low-rise hotels and vacation home rentals.
One Happy Family Program
Most of the above hotels, and several others, participate in a program called "One Happy Family" (formerly the One Cool Family program) which caters specifically to family vacations. This program is normally offered between July 1st and August 31st every year and includes free accommodation and free children’s breakfast at several resorts for kids 12 and under staying with one or two adults in a room. For more details please check out the page about One Happy Family
Things to do for families with children
The amount of things to do as a family is abundant and varied. From things as simple as playing on the beach in the sand and going snorkeling, to visiting the Donkey Sanctuary, The Butterfly Farm. Many kids love Arashi Beach for "bodyboarding" in the smaller waves and can spend a whole day in the water if allowed! There is also the bowling alley at the Palm Beach Plaza that opens in the afternoons/evenings. The nature trail at Arikok National Park is ideal for a more eco-friendly and fun educational experience. A visit to the Ostrich Farm, Philips Animal Garden, horseback riding, underwater tours or just a more laid-back tour in the glass bottom boat could be fun. Possibilities are endless, and a lot depends on the interest of one's kids.