5 Fun Things to Do in Aruba With Kids

There’s no shortage of adventurous things to do in Aruba with kids. Why stay at your resort when an entire paradise awaits you? Not sure where to begin? Add these 5 excursions to your vacation bucket list. Many thanks to Around Aruba Tours, Aruba Surf School, Atlantis Submarines Expedition and Pelican Adventures for partnering with us on this feature.

1. Renaissance Island

Renaissance Island

This other-worldly, private island belongs to Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino, but you don’t have to be a hotel guest to enjoy it. Take a fun, 8-minute water taxi ride to this family-friendly oasis, where you can hand-feed flamingos (a must-do with kids), lounge on the breathtaking beaches, pamper yourself at Spa Cove, or enjoy lunch at Papagayo Bar & Grill.

Day passes to the island are $100 per person. However, total access is included to guests of the resort, so if there are more than two guests in your party, it makes sense to book a room instead of buying day passes for everyone.

2. Hummer Jeep Tour

Around Aruba Tours

Get to know the entire island at the beginning of your vacation with a private tour! Kids will love the bumpy ride in this huge, open-air vehicle. Children must be over the age of 4 to participate. The tour will take your family to all the most famous sites on the island, including California Lighthouse, Aruba Natural Bridge (which is now collapsed, but there are other smaller ones that are just as cool), Alto Vista Chapel, the historic gold mine ruins at Bushiribana, and swimming in the Natural Pool.

Be sure to bring water shoes for everyone for the Natural Pool. You’ll need to climb a ladder down into the cavern, and traverse very sharp, slippery rocks.

3. Atlantis Submarine Expedition

Atlantis Submarines Expedition

Take a once-in-a-lifetime voyage to the depths of 130 feet below the Caribbean Sea! Hitch a ride aboard the largest passenger submarine fleet in the world, for this unforgettable guided tour. It’s just one of many epic things to do in Aruba with kids that will take their breath away!

See sunken ships, coral reefs, and tons of sea life. This U.S. Coast Guard approved vessel is environmentally friendly and fully air-conditioned. The tour lasts a total of one hour and 45 minutes, and children must be over the age of 4 to participate.

4. Private Paddleboarding Lesson

Aruba Surf School

Imagine gliding through turquoise waters of the Caribbean on a paddleboard! While kids can do it, too, my husband and I opted to make our lesson more of a date. It was much harder than we thought it would be! I fell multiple times. My husband remained steady, thanks to years of balance training as a karate practitioner.

We let the kids sit on our boards toward the end, as we paddled along through paradise.

5. Snorkeling Cruise

Pelican Adventures

One of the ultimate things to do in Aruba with kids is take a snorkeling cruise! Watch as your children get up close and personal with sea urchins, starfish, and sand dollars! The 2 1/2 hour sailing trip includes an open bar, snacks, music, and snorkeling. (Equipment is included.)

The boat makes two stops: the famous WWII German shipwreck ‘Antilla’ and Arashi Reef. The second of the locations had extremely choppy water when we went, so I’d suggest saving that part for experienced swimmers only. It was too much for us to handle, so we enjoyed our rum punch onboard and watched the others attempt it.

Make your vacation magical and memorable with these five fabulous things to do in Aruba with kids. Soak up all the island has to offer and return home with unforgettable memories.

Many thanks to Around Aruba Tours, Aruba Surf School, Atlantis Submarines Expedition and Pelican Adventures for providing us with complimentary admissions to their experiences.