18 Things to do with kids in Curaçao
Planning a family trip? Curaçao makes it easy. The beaches are calm and shallow, the island is small enough that nothing is more than forty minutes away, and there is far more to do than sand and snorkels.
Here are 18 exciting things to do with kids on Curacao that will make your Caribbean vacation truly special.
1. Beaches for small children
Start with the obvious, because Curaçao does it well. The beaches on the sheltered south coast are calm and shallow, and several are close to ideal with small children:
- Blue Bay Beach, right beside the hotel: free for our guests, with a playground and plenty of shade.
- Mambo Beach: a breakwater keeps the water still, with cafés, toilets and showers along the boulevard.
- Cas Abou: clear, calm water with showers and toilets. Entry is charged per car, about $6 ($7 on Sundays).
- Kokomo Beach: shallow water, and the famous swing hanging out over the sea. Bring water shoes for the stones.
2. Snorkelling
For snorkelling with a guaranteed wow, drive west to Playa Piskado. Sea turtles swim close to the shore here because the fishermen clean their catch on the beach, and you walk straight into the water from the sand. There is free parking, picnic tables, showers and some kiosks.
Keep at least two metres away and never touch the turtles.
Tugboat Beach at Caracas Bay has a small tugboat wreck lying just 50 metres from the shore at five metres deep, completely overgrown with coral — one of the few wrecks you can see properly with just a snorkel. There is a beach bar, toilets and parking, and it is open daily from 9am to 6pm.
Between swims, children and adults can paint their own sign on a piece of driftwood from the sea to take home. Daily 9am to 5pm, no booking needed.
3. A first dive: PADI Bubblemaker
From age 8, children can try diving with a PADI Bubblemaker: a supervised first breath underwater, never deeper than two metres. Blue Bay Dive & Watersports, right next to the hotel, runs it from about $99 on a shallow, calm house reef that is genuinely suited to a first time. Coral Divers and Ocean Encounters offer it too.
Not quite ready? Kayaks, paddleboards and snorkel gear are for hire on Blue Bay Beach.
Book your unique stay next to blue bay beach
4. Kayaking through the mangroves
At Curaçao Rif Mangrove Park near Otrobanda you paddle through the mangrove channels with a guide who explains what lives among the roots: baby fish, crabs, the odd heron. Kayak tours run several times a day and start at age 6; there are walking tours on the boardwalks for younger children.
Entry is $15 for adults, $2 for ages 6 to 12, and free for under-sixes. Open daily, 8am to 5pm.
5. Mini Waves
For young water lovers, Mini Waves at Jan Thiel Beach offers the ultimate nautical experience. Kids can steer and dock their own mini boats in a safe lagoon while learning about boating and teamwork.
Everyone leaves with a captain’s certificate. Mini Waves is open to all ages, as long as one adult is aboard each boat. Sessions run between 10am and 5.30pm, by reservation only.
6. Waterpark day passes
Looking for a full day of splashing fun? Get a day pass at one of Curaçao’s family-friendly waterparks. Both resorts allow day visitors, including food and drinks depending on the package.
- Kunuku Aqua Resort has eight pools, three of them for small children, and twelve slides There are no day passes on Tuesdays or Wednesdays.
- Mangrove Beach Corendon has the bigger slides, including one that sends you back up the other side, plus a separate water play area for smaller children. The day pass is all-inclusive, with lunch and drinks.
7. Amazonia
Step into the tropical rainforest at Amazonia and let your children’s imaginations run wild. Kids can explore the jungle-themed play pool, while parents sip on a cocktail. With its vibrant atmosphere and educational exhibits, Amazonia offers a fun and immersive experience for the whole family. It is open 10am to 5pm and closed on Mondays. Day passes must be booked in advance.
8. Curaçao Sea Aquarium
The aquarium is built around the sea itself, with pools fed by the ocean rather than filtered tanks. Children come for the shark feeding and the flamingo feeding, both scheduled through the day, and for the Ocean Lens, where you look at the reef from below without getting wet. There are dolphin demonstrations too, generally around mid-morning.
Open daily from 8am to 5pm, at Bapor Kibra.
9. Curaçao Ostrich Farm
Take a short drive to the Curaçao Ostrich Farm for a fun and educational outing. Families can join a guided tour to feed and learn about these fascinating animals. The farm also features smaller animals like goats and birds — perfect for curious little ones. $20 for adults, $15 for children. Combine it with Serena’s Art Factory, a few minutes down the road.10. Spotting flamingos
Several areas, such as the salt pans in Jan Kok, Sint Willibrordus and Blue Bay Resort, offer great opportunities for birdwatching and observing these magnificent creatures up close. Make sure to bring your camera to capture stunning photos of this unique wildlife encounter.
11. Hiking in Christoffelpark
Christoffelpark, run by the island’s nature foundation Carmabi, has trails for every age. The easy White Tailed Deer trails take 20 to 40 minutes in the shade, with a lookout tower and a picnic spot; the route from the plantation to Boka Grandi is an easy hour and a half. Older children with good stamina can climb the Christoffelberg, the island’s highest point: about two hours up and down from the car park, with a scramble on hands and feet near the top. Because of the heat the climb has to start before 10am, so go early and bring two litres of water per person. The park opens daily at 6am. Entry is $15 for adults, $2 for ages 6 to 12, free for under-sixes, and includes the Savonet Museum.12. Shete Boka National Park
A wild stretch of cliffs on the north coast where the waves boom into the rocks and shoot up through blowholes — children love it. Sea turtles nest on the little beaches between May and December. It is not a place to swim, so keep children on the paths and viewing platforms.
Open daily 8am to 4pm (last entry 3pm). $15 for adults, $2 for ages 6 to 12, free for young children. There are toilets at the entrance and you can bring your own picnic.
13. Zipline at Hofi Mango
For older children after a bit of adrenaline: the zipline at Hofi Mango sends you over the treetops of a lush plantation in Santa Cruz. Riders must be at least 8 years old, 120cm tall and 25kg, and closed shoes are compulsory.
Rides run Tuesday to Sunday between 9.30am and 2.30pm.
14. Painting chichis at Serena’s Art Factory
Serena’s Art Factory in Santa Catharina is where the island’s chichi figurines are made — the round, brightly painted statues of the big sister that you see everywhere. Children paint their own to take home, in a workshop that runs about three hours. You cannot book: turn up in good time, as there is room for sixty. Combine it with the Ostrich Farm nearby.
15. Children’s Museum Curacao
For an educational and interactive experience, head to Children’s Museum Curacao. This small-scale museum offers a range of hands-on exhibits both indoors and outdoors. Children can engage in experiments, play in a mini-supermarket, and embark on a journey of discovery. Ideal for kids aged 2 to 7, this museum is a must-visit, especially on rainy days or when you’re looking for a fun outing with your little ones.
16. Hato Caves
A guide takes you through limestone chambers past ancient rock drawings, on a lit path with handrails throughout. Tours leave every hour and last about forty-five minutes.
Open daily 9am to 3pm, near the airport. $10 for adults, $8 for children aged 4 to 12. One practical warning: there are 49 steps up to the entrance, so it is awkward with a pushchair or a toddler who has run out of legs.
17. Sambil: a whole day indoors
When it rains, or when it is simply too hot to be outside, Sambil has something for every age under one roof:
- Kidi’s Park: 600m² of air-conditioned indoor playground for children up to about eight, with coffee for the parents.
- Xtreme Zone: a trampoline park with a foam pit and a dodgeball court, for children and adults alike.
- Dushi Bowling: a fun activity that keeps everyone entertained.
- Volt Karting: indoor electric go-karts.
- Caribbean Cinemas: the latest family films, with D-Box and XD screens.
The mall opens Monday to Thursday 10am to 8pm, Friday and Saturday until 9pm, and Sunday from noon to 8pm.17
18. A family morning in Willemstad
The capital works well with children if you keep it short and walkable. Start on Wilhelminaplein in Punda, where the big CURAÇAO letters and the dushi letters stand — the photo every family takes, with the children climbing in between. Then walk across the Queen Emma Bridge, the floating bridge that swings open for passing ships, to Otrobanda.
On the Otrobanda side, at Brionplein by Rif Fort, there is a playground for letting off steam — and plenty of shade and ice cream nearby. A few streets from Brionplein, Museum Kurá Hulanda tells the story of the transatlantic slave trade and the African diaspora across a series of restored buildings.
Where to eat with children
A good lunch spot with somewhere to play is worth as much as any attraction. These are our favourites:
Bayside Boutique Hotel & Blue Bay Beach: Our own restaurant has a children’s menu, colouring pages and games, and a playground downstairs, with a pizzeria and an ice-cream cart a few steps away. On Fridays from 5pm to 6.30pm the Blue Bay happy hour brings live music to the beach while the children play.
De Dames: At the Promenade on the Schottegatweg: a lunch that works as well for children as it does for adults, with a small play area. Monday to Saturday from breakfast until 5pm, closed on Sundays.
De Heeren @ Sea: Tables in the sand in Pietermaai, with a playground on the beach. Open daily from 7.30am.
Kokomo Beach: A beach club with swings, shallow water and lunch on the sand. You cannot bring your own food.
La Hacienda Olivia: Lunch among horses, goats and donkeys, with a big playground and horse rides at the weekend. Go on a Saturday or Sunday: it is closed Monday to Wednesday, and on Thursday and Friday it only opens in the evening.
Landhuis Brakkeput Mei Mei: A plantation house with a playground and an 18-hole mini golf course, free to play if you are eating. Wednesday to Sunday from 4pm, which makes it a good early dinner.
Stay at Bayside Boutique Hotel
After a day full of adventure, return to your peaceful oasis at Bayside Boutique Hotel, located within the secure and family-friendly Blue Bay Resort.
Why families love staying with us:
- Spacious family rooms and connecting suites
- A kids’ menu with popular favorites
- A playground, pizzeria, and ice-cream cart right next to the hotel
- Free access to Blue Bay Beach
- Central location: just minutes from Willemstad and top attractions
Book your stay today and make unforgettable family memories on Curacao.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. The beaches are shallow and almost waveless, the island is small enough that no outing is more than about forty minutes away, and most attractions have a shaded playground attached. Blue Bay, where we are, is one of the calmest beaches on the island.
Blue Bay, Mambo Beach and Cas Abou: calm, shallow water with toilets, showers and shade. Kokomo is lovely too, with free entry and swings, but bring water shoes for the stones.
The Children’s Museum, Hato Caves, and at Sambil the indoor playground, trampoline park, bowling, go-karts and cinema. Our rainy day guide has more.
Eight. The PADI Bubblemaker lets children take their first breaths underwater in shallow water, no deeper than two metres. Snorkelling works much younger.
For some, yes. Mini Waves and Amazonia take reservations only, Kunuku day passes sell out weeks ahead, and the Christoffelberg climb has to start before 10am. Serena’s Art Factory cannot be booked at all — you simply arrive early.
Most outings are modest: $2 per child for Christoffelpark and the Mangrove Park, $8 for Hato Caves, $15 for the Ostrich Farm, and several beaches are free. Waterpark day passes are the expensive end.
