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Photo by Donkey Sanctuary Aruba

Family Vacation in Aruba: 16 Kid-friendly Activities!

Meet & Greet Aruba’s Animals

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Photo by The Butterfly Farm

1. The Butterfly Farm

Experience a special tour full of fun facts about diverse butterfly and moth species that live at Aruba’s very own butterfly farm!

*Tip from the Team: The early AM tours are notorious for being the best ones to experience!

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Photo by The Butterfly Farm

If you and your family are big nature and animal lovers, than this venue is the epitome of RELAXATION & FUN. 🐛🌺🦋

 

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Photo by Donkey Sanctuary Aruba

2. Donkey Sanctuary Aruba

Did you know Aruba has wild donkeys? Well, Donkey Sanctuary Aruba was established to ensure that the Aruban donkey community are well taken care of.

You can visit the sanctuary to pet and feed these fuzzy friends, or you could even ADOPT A DONKEY, to help their cause!

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Photo by Donkey Sanctuary Aruba

The sanctuary is currently home to over 130 different donkeys. Each one has a microchip for safety, & their own official name!

*Note from the Team: EL Tours Aruba‘s Aruba Fauna Tour stops here. 🐴

 

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3. Philips Animal Garden

Visit Philip’s Animal Garden to pet and feed rescued animals. My personal favorite inhabitants would definitely be their cow and the dwarf goats – TOO CUTE! 😍

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Many of the animals are secured within their habitats for security reasons, but some of them are allowed to roam around.

*Example A: the happy and gluttonous dwarf goat seen on the right.

*Note from the Team: EL Tours Aruba‘s Aruba Fauna Tour stops here. 🐐

Adventure in Nature & History

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Photo by Arikok National Park

4. Arikok National Park

Explore all that Arikok National Park, a.k.a Parke Arikok, has to offer by organizing a tour with the park rangers.

From hiking in Aruba’s ‘mondi’ (our desert-like forests), to visiting caves, to taking a dip at the natural pool, better known as Conchi, the possibilities are endless when it comes to FUN AT ARIKOK NATIONAL PARK!

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Photos by Arikok National Park

Learn all about Aruba’s flora and fauna… Get to know the endemic creatures from the One Happy Island… All with the help and knowledge from Parke Arikok’s well-trained park rangers!

*Note from the Team: Fofoti Tours & TransfersThe Natural Pool Adventure by UTV , and various EL Tours Aruba‘s guided tours, stop here. 🦉

 

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Photo by Felix Oz Kiddo

5. Ayo Rock Formations

Walk through the Ayo Rock Formations to explore these ginormous boulders.

Here you can also find historic drawings that were created by the native people of Aruba.

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Photo by Carolina Bulos

There are various local companies that offer guided tours that include explanations of these ancient wall paintings.

*Note from the Team: : Pelican AdventuresBeach & Cave Tour, and diverse EL Tours Aruba‘s guided tours, stop here. 🏜

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Photo by Emily Rojer

6. Casibari Rock Formation

Have you ever seen the giant boulder with railings on the top surface? Well, it’s located at Casibari Rock Formation!

Casibari is definitely an iconic natural site to visit in Aruba. Both kids and adults love the adventure of having to hike and climb to the top.

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Photo by Josey de Cuba

Not to mention you’ll get rewarded with a WINNING VIEW OF ARUBA!

Tour guides can give you the full rundown behind Aruba’s rock formations, but you can also check them sans a guide too! Plenty of family picnics have been held at these natural attractions. Just be sure to clean up after yourselves! 😉

*Note from the Team: Fofoti‘s The Best of Aruba Tour, different EL Tours Aruba‘s guided tours stop here. 🌵

Get Artsy

7. Aruba Cosecha

Aruba Cosecha hosts a monthly event called the: ‘Local Art & Farmer’s Market Under the Stars‘. Here you can experience a more artsy Aruba.

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Photo by Aruba Cosecha

They also frequently host 1-day arts & crafts workshops for both kids and adults.

*Tip from the Team: Check out Aruba Cosecha’s Facebook Page to check up on their currently offered workshops.

 

Beach Time with the Fam

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Photo by Romano Cecilia

8. Baby Beach

Baby Beach is located on the south side of the One Happy Island, in San Nicolas, and is perfect for families who enjoy seaside chilling, or shallow waters for splish-splashing!

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Photos by Caterina Porcari

Just like any other beach in Aruba, we would recommend arriving early to ensure your spot on the beach.

*Note from the Team: Pelican Aruba‘s Beach & Cave Tour, custom Kukoo Kunuku Island Tours, Fofoti‘s The Best of Aruba Tour, and various EL Tours Aruba‘s excursions stop here 👶

 

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Photo by Aruba Tourism Authority

9. Mangel Halto

Does your family love the idea of snorkeling? Mangel Halto is the beach to go to! This is a local favorite for unwinding and exploring Aruba’s marine life.

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Photo by Jonathan Colina

Besides being surrounded by vibrant sea life, you can also easily relax on top of a floatie at Mangel Halto too!

Just be sure to respect the wildlife. As there has been much attention brought on the conservation of our Mangrove Ecosystems.

*Note from the Team: El Tours’ Beach Hopping outing stops here. 🐠

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Photo by Remigiusz Kola

10. Arashi Beach

Arashi Beach is located nearby Aruba’s California Lighthouse. This sandy toes spot is a FAMILY FAVORITE.

With that being said, it gets packed & FAST, so make sure you’re early to score seating with shade!

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Photo by Max Dedekind

You can even see some local kiddos catching waves while surfing and/or body-boarding here!

*Note from the Team: El ToursExplore Aruba Tour, and  Fofoti‘s Island Expedition by UTV excursion stop here.

 

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Photo by Splash Park Aruba

11. Splash Park Aruba at Surfside Beach

Splash Park Aruba is still a fairly new addition to the One Happy Island’s kid-friendly options for things to do, but THE KIDS LOVE IT.

It is located near the Airport, at Surfside Beach in Oranjestad.

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Photo by Splash Park Aruba

This is not an aquatic park that is solely for kids though, adults are also welcome to SPLASH AROUND! 💦

Go Beyond the Shores of Aruba

12. De Palm Island

Take a boat ride over to De Palm Island for a HALF or FULL DAY OF DIVERSE FUN ACTIVITIES WITH THE FAMILY! This island experience has been a kid-favorite for over 30 years now…

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Photo by De Palm Island

Their exclusive water park is apt for both kids and adults to play around in, AND they just did renovations in Summer 2018, so be sure to check out their VAMPED UP NEW LOOK and offerings!

P.S. Their unlimited foods & drinks are still a thing! 😉

 

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Photo by Atlantis Submarines Aruba

13. Atlantis Submarines Aruba

If your family compromises of people ages 4 and older, than you can take up the opportunity to EXPLORE ARUBA FROM UNDER THE SEA!

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Photo by Atlantis Submarines Aruba

You never know what kind of sea life you’ll get to see! 🐙

Enjoy Fun & Delicious Dining

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Photo by Eduardo’s Beach Shack

14. Eduardo’s Beach Shack on Palm Beach

Pick up a healthy & colorful bite ON-THE-GO with Eduardo’s Beach Shack, and then have a family walk alongside the beach to enjoy the view of Aruba’s very own PALM BEACH!

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Photo by Eduardo’s Beach Shack

This venue is VERY POPULAR for it’s healthy bites that look & taste:

D E L E C T A B L E ! 🍴❤

They even offer plenty of vegan treats, for the plant-based families out there!

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Photo by The Dutch Pancakehouse

15. The Dutch Pancakehouse at Renaissance Marketplace

From mini pancakes, a.k.a Poffertjes, to unique toppings for the traditional Dutch-style pancakes, the presentation of The Dutch Pancakehouse‘s foods are sure to activate smiles.

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Photos by The Dutch Pancakehouse

This venue is located at the back of Renaissance Marketplace, which means if you & your family love to have a stroll after you eat, Wilhelmina Park is right next door & perfect for breezy walk.

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Photo by Sonja Theysen

16. Iguana Cantina at Paseo Herencia

While your munching on chips and salsa at Iguana Cantina, be sure to check out the water show at Paseo Herencia! This venue has some great seats by their balcony where you can get a GREAT VIEW!

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Photo by Iguana Cantina

Or, just enjoy your Mexican-inspired cuisines with the FAM in this colorfully decorated restaurant, and then grab a seat down and RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE WATER SHOW!

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