My daughterโs first vacation overseas was to the Canary Islands โ with nearly assured solar, a comparatively brief flight and no time distinction, the islands are at all times tempting with a child (and older children!), particularly the most important of the group, with so many issues to do in Tenerife with children.
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Since then, sheโs visited Lanzarote twice extra in addition to Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura, whereas Iโve been to Tenerife a number of instances myself, exploring the inexperienced north in addition to the attractive seashores of the south.
As a result of this island is so family-friendly, thereโs lots past the pool โ not least these 18 nice issues to do in Tenerife with children.
Jungle Park Tenerife (Parque Las รguilas)
Greater than 400 animals and over 100 completely different species stay in 75,000 sq. metres of jungle at Parque Las Aguilas-Jungle Park, together with two uncommon white lions โ but in addition lemurs, penguins, unique birds, monkeys and extra.
You too can uncover Tenerifeโs uncommon wildlife as you discover the animal park, and watch the fowl of prey present, with falcons, vultures and eagles flying free within the park, certainly one of a number of reveals happening throughout the day.
Plus there are some enjoyable jungle play areas for youths to find on the Jungle Park Zoo, with rope bridges and tunnels alongside a 300m path.
Itโs straightforward to get to should youโre staying in one of many principal vacationer areas, not removed from Playa de Los Cristianos, with a free bus working by way of Costa Adeje, Playa de Las Amรฉricas and Los Cristianos.
Monkey Park (Tenerife Zoo)
Stroll among the many animals, feeding monkeys, lemurs and parrots at Monkey Park, the smallest zoo on this planet โ though donโt count on to whizz round, youโll need to take your time amongst all of the furry inhabitants.
No bananas allowed on this breeding centre for endangered primates โ youโre requested to not deliver your personal meals, however youโll be the centre of consideration should you choose up a few of the meals offered at reception.
Whereas the main target is firmly on conservation and defending the animals, you may stroll by means of the enclosures as a part of the expertise โ the following neatest thing to being with them of their pure habitat.
Loro Parque
One other award-winning spot, voted the number one zoo in Europe, Loro Parque has additionally picked up awards for for its safety, conservation and training programmes, with over 350 species of parrot alone, in addition to an aquarium, new lion habitat and reveals all through the day.
Planet Penguin has its personal iceberg and over 200 penguins, whereas thereโs additionally an aquarium with a mixture of sea life and shark tunnel, in addition to a household of gorillas.
Extra controversially, there are common reveals that includes orcas at Loro Parque, a few of which have been rescued and are unable to be returned to the wild.
Together with the animals, thereโs a childrenโ play space known as Kinderlandia โ designed to appear like an African village among the many palm timber, with hanging bridges and snake slide among the many points of interest.
Thereโs a free prepare from Puerto de la Cruz, in addition to buses from Los Gigantes and Costa Adeje, amongst different places within the south of Tenerife, or you can even purchase tickets together with transportation.
If you wish to discover independently, itโs straightforward to rent a automobile in Tenerife โ Zest Automobile Rental is my go-to for automobile rent, with places together with the airport and Costa Adeje, or Uncover Automobiles is an efficient various to check charges
Submarine Safari
Should youโd fairly spot marine life within the wild, how about boarding an actual submarine? These submarine excursions from Submarine Safaris are appropriate for youths aged over two, so that youโll get near the fish with out getting moist as you head 30m down into the Atlantic.
Departing from Amarilla Marina (Marina San Miguel), you possibly can see octopus and sting rays, in addition to barracuda and parrot fish throughout the hour-long dives, plus shipwrecks alongside the best way.
In the course of the tour, the submarine will truly sit on the ocean mattress with divers encouraging the fish nearer to your yellow submarine, so you may get some nice views of the underwater world down there, plus a dive certificates to take residence with you.
Should youโve received children aged 8+, you possibly can even select to stroll on the ocean ground close to Los Cristianos, on a Sea Trek expertise carrying a particular helmet
Whale recognizing
The Canary Island are famend as the most effective locations in Europe to go whale watching, so should you choose to remain above water, you possibly can spy a few of the numerous whales and dolphins which make their residence within the waters of the Atlantic Ocean โ bottlenose dolphins and pilot whales are a few of the most typical, however you can even spot Sperm Whales, Sei Whales, and False Killer Whales.
Thereโs an important alternative of boat journeys together with choices to go well with younger kids, principally departing from Puerto Colon โ attempt the shorter catamaran journeys for littler whale watchers, as a part of the broad alternative of licensed boats.
This two-hour cruise has massive underwater home windows so you may get a glimpse of them swimming in addition to leaping.
Or this two-hour whale-watching tour ensures a sighting otherwise you get one other ticket free โ appropriate for all ages, plus you may count on to listen to about big squid on this boat journey in addition to an excellent likelihood of seeing pilot whales.
This three-hour whale and dolphin-watching boat tour contains the possibility to swim and snorkel, with an opportunity of recognizing sea turtles as properly, whereas this three-hour cruise contains lunch and pick-up from Costa Adeje in addition to a dip and snorkel time.
Take a Viking boat journey
In addition to whale-watching and basic sightseeing boat journeys in Tenerife, children will love the possibility to set sail on a Viking boat throughout their vacation.
Thereโs a alternative of two completely different journeys departing from Los Cristianos harbour โ a two-hour Viking boat cruise aboard Ragnarok, in addition to a three-hour Viking ship cruise with drinks (and meals out there to buy on board).
Thereโs an opportunity youโll spot dolphins and whales on each journeys, whereas Vikings will chat to you about life as a warrior and present you some conventional Viking gear in between. On the longer tour, thereโs additionally an opportunity to swim and snorkel as properly.
Siam Park
Siam Park has repeatedly topped the record of the worldโs finest water parks, and thereโs one thing for the entire household to get pleasure from on a time out โ a Lazy River and beach-side pool if you wish to relax, plus adrenaline-thrill water slides and rides should you donโt.
Take a look at my ideas for getting probably the most out of your day at Siam Park with children or purchase skip-the-line tickets right here to find the worldโs finest water park for your self
Should youโre visiting with youthful children, thereโs a kidsโs space with child pool, The Misplaced Metropolis, which is sort of a waterpark inside a waterpark, in addition to Coco Seaside with its wave pool โ the waves are mild and thereโs a white sand seaside to loosen up on for some household pleasant enjoyable.
For older thrill-seekers, the vertical drop Tower of Energy is 28m excessive โ youโll shoot down at as much as 50mph and zoom by means of a tank of rays and sharks.
Or the Sawasdee kidsโs space has its personal water slides, together with a mini model of The Dragon, one of many water parkโs in style points of interest, plus a toddler space.
Aqualand Costa Adeje
The second best-known water park in Tenerife, Aqualand is an efficient choice you probably have youthful children.
The queues are sometimes shorter and thereโs nonetheless loads of alternative for little ones who is likely to be below a few of Siam Parkโs top restrictions, together with the lazy river and the smaller slides of the youngsters pool, in addition to some areas with heated water.
You too can uncover Pirates Port and Journey Land with extra water enjoyable thatโs nice when youโre past the preschool years, and Mega Journey Land, new a couple of years in the past, with a couple of extra thrills geared toward youthful children.
Itโs price realizing there may be additionally a dolphin present right here โ whereas itโs an added attraction for some households, others will choose to keep away from wherever with dolphins in captivity.
We additionally visited Aqualand in Gran Canaria for a take a look at what you may count on should youโre visiting the water park with children
Go to a black sand seaside
Who may think about not hitting the seaside whilst youโre visiting Tenerife with children? However sitting on the pure black sand seashores is much more memorable than on a regular basis gold, with the color a legacy of the islandโs volcanic previous, a few of it eroded over centuries from lava flows and volcanic rock.
Do keep in mind that black sand may be hotter than golden, should youโre visiting with youthful children.
Playa Jardin on the northern coast, close to Puerto de la Cruz, is without doubt one of the finest in Tenerife for households, and simple to mix with a go to to Loro Parque โ formally itโs divided into Playa del Castillo, Playa Chica and Playa Maria Jimรฉnez.
Within the south and west, Playa de los Guios close to Los Gigantes (often known as Playa de los Gigantes) sits below some dramatic cliffs, with shallow waters (though there may be sturdy currents should you enterprise additional out).
Close by Blue Flag seaside Playa de la Area (to not be confused with Playa de las Arenas on the east coat close to Santa Cruz de Tenerife) is one other pretty choice.
Extra of one of the best seashores in Tenerife with children
In order for you some extra conventional golden sand, thatโs not exhausting to seek out in Tenerife both, with some nice seashores to get pleasure from on a household vacation โ even when the sand itself has been imported from the Sahara Desert.
Should youโre exploring the north of the island, Playa de las Teresitas, not removed from Santa Cruz de Tenerife has some attractive nice, golden sand and calm waters due to the breakwater. Thereโs even a bouncy citadel within the sea.
Or Playa Las Vistas, close to Los Cristianos seaside within the south of Tenerife, has its personal calm waters and loads of services โ there are showers in addition to sunbeds, lifeguards and water sports activities to get pleasure from.
The Blue Flag Playa Fanabe is one other good choice should youโre searching for loads of services and enjoyable actions.
This pretty seaside at Costa Adeje within the south of the island has altering rooms in addition to nice sand and calm waters, and a promenade hyperlinks it to a different of one of the best household seashores, known as Torviscas if you wish to seaside hop. Or not far-off, Playa del Duque is a Blue Flag seaside with a extra subtle vibe, nice for teenagers.
Thereโs an enormous alternative although, so wherever youโre staying youโll discover stunning seashores close by to benefit from the islandโs heat temperatures โ no must journey miles to seek out the proper seaside!
Mount Teide Nationwide Park
Exploring the height of the worldโs third largest volcano, Mount Teide, is an unmissable expertise. Take the Mount Teide cable automobile, or Teleferico de Teide, for the ultimate stretch to three,555m for fabulous views out to La Palma, El Hierro and La Gomera.
Whilst you can hike up, itโs a really difficult one even with older kids โ that is the very best peak in Spain in spite of everything, so not superb for anybody planning stress-free household holidays.
Thereโs a enjoyable new exhibition giving some historical past and background on the Unesco World Heritage website: Teide Legend shares a few of the myths in addition to how Spainโs highest mountain was created.
You’ll be able to discover independently, e book a tour alongside along with your entrance ticket, in addition to a day journeyย guided tour should you donโt need to drive to the volcano your self โ donโt neglect to decorate for mountain climate when youโre away from the seaside! Should you do need to go to the very best level, it’s good to apply for a allow upfront; that is an lively volcano, though the final eruption was in 1909 and itโs consistently monitored.
A go to can also be implausible for astronomers of all sizes, with day journeys to the observatory plus sundown and stargazing excursions for older children.
Should you canโt get sufficient of volcanoes, the island can also be residence to the second highest mountain in Spain, Pico Viejo, round 3,135m above sea degree, a part of the Teide volcano advanced
Anaga Rural Park
Mount Teide isnโt the one good spot to get outdoor in Tenerife with children. Should you fancy heading off the crushed observe, away from the massive vacationer resorts, this actually is without doubt one of the loveliest and most dramatic locations on the island.
The mountains listed below are coated with laurel timber, and one of many best locations to discover them is the Vueltas de Taganana pathway, however there are strolling trails galore by means of the slopes and valleys together with a number of others ranging from the customer centre at Cruz del Carmen, plus guided routes.
Itโs one of many oldest elements of Tenerife, shaped hundreds of thousands of years in the past earlier than the islandโs unique inhabitants, the Guanches, lived right here.
You too can discover a few of the little villages, together with historic Taganana, San Andres and Igueste de San Andres, to step again in time and get a sense of what life was like on the island within the days earlier than tourism.
The entire space is a Unesco World Heritage Biosphere Reserve and solely round an hour from Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the place you can even see the most effective preserved Guanche mummies โ the Mummy of San Andres โ within the Museum of Nature and Man (Museo de la Naturaleza y el Hombre).
You too can be part of guided excursions of Anaga Rural Park for youths aged 8+ together with a go to to the Enchanted Forest
Forestal Park Journey Park
If a stroll within the timber doesnโt minimize it to your children, thereโs extra of an journey to be discovered at Forestal Park Tenerife, within the pine forests of Las Lagunetas within the coronary heart of the island.
With greater than 90 tree-top actions, together with excessive altitude trails and zip strains, a climbing wall, rope bridges and much extra, there are completely different circuits appropriate for various ages and health ranges.
Not appropriate for youths aged below 5, the minimal top is 1.1m, with kids below 11 needing to be supervised at altitude on all of the circuits. Kids aged 11-12 can climb alone on the simple and medium circuits (inexperienced and blue), supervised by an grownup on the bottom should you donโt fancy becoming a member of in.
Pyramids of Gรผรญmar Ethnographic Park
Thereโs one other likelihood to be taught extra about Tenerifeโs historical past with a go to to the Pirรกmides de Gรผรญmar Ethnographic Park and Botanical Backyard, an open-air museum in Santa Cruz de Tenerife thatโs residence to 6 stepped pyramids.
All constructed to mark the course of the solstices, no-one fairly is aware of why the pyramids of Guimar had been constructed โ though there are many theories!
There are additionally routes which will even take you thru the unusual lava rock formations and the museumโs botanical gardens (certainly one of 5 on the island), plus an opportunity to be taught extra about different indigenous cultures from all over the world.
The park even has its personal poison backyard, with a few of the most harmful vegetation on the planet amongst its 70 toxic plant species โ not one for toddlers!
Museum of Science and the Cosmos
Theme park meets museum at this child-friendly spot, with loads of probabilities to get arms on on the Museum of Science and the Cosmos. In truth, itโs not a lot a museum as a succession of museums, with exhibitions on the earth, solar and the universe in addition to a planetarium and loads of interactive reveals for youths of all ages.
Contact a meteorite, uncover optical illusions, tackle a string of challenges or uncover extra about black holes, whilst youโre there โ thereโs even a mannequin of the Mount Teide observatory.
The museum in San Cristรณbal de La Laguna can also be price allowing for should youโre visiting Tenerife with children throughout the winter: the islands are well-known for his or her year-round solar however itโs nonetheless doable to come across the occasional wet day in Tenerife so that is the proper place if the climateโs dangerous.
Castillo de San Miguel
Should youโre considering an outdated fortress receivedโt maintain your children entertained, the Fort of San Miguel is fairly completely different than the typical medieval fort. As a substitute, itโs designed to recreate what a night is likely to be like with the Knights of the Spherical Desk.
From the surface, it appears correctly historic, with 16m stone towers, and loads of armour, swords, scrolls and different historic paraphernalia dotted round. When youโve been welcomed by the Rely and Countess, itโs time for the video games to start within the Event Corridor.
Whilst you tuck into the medieval-style banquet, youโll see six knights on horseback arriving, with every desk cheering for its personal knight as they joust, struggle and attempt to show whoโs worthiest. Plus thereโs dancing to complete, with some acrobatics to look at on the facet.
You’ll find tickets together with transport to Castillo de San Miguel or thereโs additionally free parking should youโre received your personal rental automobile. Itโs near Golf Del Sur and round quarter-hourโ drive from Los Cristianos and Costa Adeje
Botanical Gardens, Puerto de la Cruz
Based in 1788 on the orders of Carlos III, the Jardin Botanico is a relaxed and shady spot thatโs excellent to discover with children should youโre visiting Puerto de la Cruz, within the north of the island.
With older children, you may uncover a few of the collections of tropical and subtropical plans, in addition to the backyard devoted to flowers and vegetation from the Canary Islands.
Or just spot lizards, picnic below the shady timber or simply wander the luxurious shady plant-lined paths of the botanical backyard.
Tenerife Carnival
The Tenerife Carnival is the second largest on this planet after the glitzy samba-fuelled occasion in Rio de Janeiro, so should youโre searching for an unforgettable expertise on Tenerife with teenagers, itโs positively one to contemplate.
Evidently, the island is massively busy over the Carnival interval which usually takes place throughout February (the dates transfer every year, relying when Easter falls) and lasts for a few weeks.
There are two elements, with the Official Carnival that includes over 100 teams of dancers, musicians, singers and different performers, whereas the Road Carnival is open to anybody who desires to decorate up and dance.
The whole lot kicks off correctly with the election of the Carnival Queen, on the Wednesday of the primary week, adopted by the beginning Parade on Friday. The ultimate parade comes on Carnival Tuesday, held on Shrove Tuesday, earlier than the festivities finish on Ash Wednesday with the โBurial of the Sardineโ, the place the fish is carried by means of the streets earlier than being set on fireplace.
For extra concepts, try my information to the Canary Islands with children
*first printed 2018, up to date 2025*
PIN FOR LATER: THINGS TO DO IN TENERIFE WITH KIDS
Disclosure: This publish incorporates affiliate hyperlinks โ any purchases you make are unaffected however I’ll obtain a small fee. All opinions on one of the best issues to do in Tenerife with children are my very own.
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