Aruba Awaits: 17 Family-Friendly Activities You’ll Love!

Aruba offers a diverse range of culture, food, history and entertainment.

This makes it an exciting destination for people of all ages!

There is truly an abundance of fun family-friendly activities to do in Aruba, from go-karting to island hopping to engaging with local wildlife.

We have handpicked the 17 best family activities in Aruba for you.

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Best Family-Friendly Activities In Aruba:

17. The Butterfly Farm

Featuring a lush tropical garden, The Butterfly Farm is home to an abundance of butterflies!

Tour guides will take you through the life cycle of these beautiful creatures as you admire life on the farm.

Located just a few steps away from Palm Beach, you can easily and conveniently visit before or after a beach trip.

Address: J.E. Irausquin Boulevard, Noord, Aruba

16. Aruba Ostrich Farm

Come meet ostriches at the Aruba Ostrich Farm!

Guests can get up close and personal to these fascinating animals while learning interesting habits of ostriches.

Opt for the guided tour for a more comprehensive experience, which concludes at the hatchery where you can interact with young ostriches and emus.

Address: 57 Matividiri, Paradera, Aruba

15. Philip’s Animal Garden

Animal lovers are sure to love Philip’s Animal Garden.

Visitors will get a chance to interact with a series of animals, from camels and donkeys to ostriches and tortoises.

Amazingly, the zoo is a non-profit organization working to rescue and rehabilitate exotic animals in Aruba!

All proceeds go to improving the living environment of animals and providing them with necessary veterinary care.

Address: 116 Alto Vista, Noord, Aruba

14. Donkey Sanctuary Aruba

Meet adorable donkeys at Donkey Sanctuary Aruba!

Visitors can feed and pet the donkeys from the safety of an enclosed porch.

The sanctuary doesn’t provide feed for the animals, so remember to bring along a few apples and carrots.

Admission to the sanctuary is free!

Address: 2–Z Bringamosa, Santa Cruz, Aruba

13. Arikok National Park

Arikok National Park offers a wide range of natural, cultural, and historical sites that are unique to the island of Aruba.

Wander through hills populated with tall cacti or take a leisure stroll among unique local flora and fauna.

A range of guided tours are available for visitors, but you can also visit the park on your own.

Address: 70 San Fuego, Santa Cruz, Aruba

12. Horseback Riding

While exploring Aruba on foot or by car might be some of the most common options, you can switch things up by exploring on horseback!

While there are plenty of ranches around the island offering sightseeing tours, we recommend check out the following three.

With decades of training and management under their belt, Rancho Notorious Aruba offers personalized tours led by certified guides.

Visitors can explore Aruba’s stunning natural sights while riding a capable steed.

Address: Boroncana, Noord, Aruba

Rancho La Ponderosa is one of the most respected establishments on the island.

Having trained multiple racing champions in the past, you and your family will be in safe hands as you ride through Aruba’s breathtaking natural wonders.

Address: 30 Papaya, Paradera, Aruba

Owned and operated by a small family, the Gold Mine Ranch offers a series of adventures for visitors along the coasts of Aruba.

They work with both beginners and more experienced riders!

Address: 60 Matividiri, Paradera, Aruba

11. Visit De Palm Island

Visitors will find a cluster of string-like islets lining Aruba’s west coast.

These islands are perfect destinations for travelers looking for a secluded place to stay or day trip.

De Palm Island is a coral island offering a wide range of activities for visitors to enjoy— many of them family-friendly, of course.

The offshore islet is surrounded by a series of coral reefs, making it a prime location for snorkeling and scuba diving among other water activities.

One of the highlights is the Atlantis Submarines Expedition, where visitors go underwater for a tour around the Barcadera Reef and gaze at a number of shipwrecks.

Little ones will absolutely adore the waterparks on the island, which offer pools, slides, and other irresistible features.

De Palm Island also has a range of restaurants and bars scattered among entertainment establishments, so you can easily refuel and recharge before continuing your excursion around the island.

A day package grants you unlimited food and drinks, access to the waterpark, snorkeling tours, a meet-and-greet with fabulous flamingos, banana boat rides, and more!

De Palm Island is accessible from mainland Aruba by ferry.

Address: De Palm Island, Aruba

10. Visit Renaissance Island

For some uninterrupted family bonding time on the beach, check out Renaissance Island!

A tropical private island, this thin stretch of land is home to stunning beaches as well as a thriving population of wild flamingos. It’s one of those romantic things to do in Aruba!

Renaissance Island is open only to guests staying at Renaissance Wind Creek Aruba Resort, making it the perfect spot for beach activities, surfing, or simply basking in the warm Caribbean sun.

Address: Renaissance Island, Aruba

9. Aruba Aloe Factory, Museum, and Store

At Aruba Aloe Factory, Museum, and Store, visitors can learn about the history of cultivating aloe on Aruba.

Free tours at the museum take you through the entire manufacturing process of the nourishing plant including growing, harvesting, and processing.

Don’t forget to visit the adjoining store for some premium aloe products!

Address: 115 Pitastraat, Aruba

8. National Archaeological Museum Aruba

Visitors can explore Aruba’s rich history through a collection of archaeological artifacts at the National Archaeological Museum Aruba.

Exhibits at the small museum are comprehensible and perfect for a quick detour from your activities around Oranjestad.

Address: 42 Schelpstraat, Oranjestad, Aruba

7. Bon Bini Festival

Get a taste of local culture at the Bon Bini Festival!

A year-round celebration of Aruba folk culture at the Historical Museum of Aruba, visitors are treated to traditional dances and music, educational sessions about the indigenous language, as well as a carnival.

For those who are eager to learn more, dive deeper into Aruba’s history and culture at the museum.

Address: Zoutmanstraat, Oranjestad, Aruba

6. Aquaventure Waterpark Aruba

A waterpark never fails to impress children!

Aquaventure Waterpark Aruba offers ample family-friendly fun for visitors.

Complete with multiple water slides and wooden towers that lead into a large pool, there is plenty of fun to be had at Aquaventure.

Address: Hooiberg, Santa Cruz, Aruba

5. Give Watersports a Try

Playing watersports is a classic way to spend a holiday in the Caribbean!

Aruba has no shortage of water activities for you to take advantage of.

From snorkeling to boat tours and tube rides, there are plenty of family-friendly options to choose from.

We recommend checking out Delphi Watersports Aruba, a family-run establishment offering top-notch watersports and ocean experiences for travelers and their loved ones.

Address: Noord, Aruba

4. Head to the Beach

There are a multitude of beaches for families to enjoy in Aruba.

From pristine white sand beaches to shimmering blue waters, these beaches are perfect for a day out in the sun or some kid-friendly watersports.

A few secluded spots you might want to consider include Rodgers Beach, Baby Beach, Mangel Halto Beach, and Boca Catalina Beach.

Address: Rodgers Beach and Baby Beach, San Nicolas, Aruba

Mangel Halto Beach, 10 Faradaystraat, Savaneta, Aruba

Boca Catalina Beach, L. G. Smith Boulevard, Aruba

3. Have Fun Go-karting

If your little ones are into racing, check out Bushiri Karting Speedway on your vacation in Aruba!

The establishment offers high speed, outdoor tracks that let you race without limits, complete with thrilling hairpin turns that put your go-karting skills to the test.

Bushiri is open Tuesdays to Sundays.

Address: 25 Bushiri, Oranjestad, Aruba

2. Explore Town

Hop on the Aruba Streetcar for a short ride around town!

The historic trolley takes visitors on a slow track around Oranjestad, making stops at monuments, museums, and key shopping areas.

The experience is completely free and makes for a great mid-day break!

Address: Oranjestad, Aruba

1. Shopping Spree

The Paseo Herencia Shopping & Entertainment Center offers a wide range of shops and restaurants for you to choose from.

Browse between established brands as well as local vendors as you take a stroll around the historical location.

Visitors can also look forward to nightly entertainment, a live water show with dancers, and other special events at the central stage.

Address: 382A J. E. Irausquin Boulevard, Noord, Aruba