Aruba Vacations With Kids
Aruba can be a popular retreat for romantic getaways, but it is also an ideal choice for family vacations. The island offers many activities for children and their parents to enjoy.
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Animal Attractions
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The Donkey Sanctuary
Prior to cars, donkeys were the primary mode of transportation. In the 1970s, illness depleted the population to about 20 donkeys. As travel by car increased, many donkeys were found injured or killed along the side of the road. The Donkey Sanctuary was established in 1997 to provide the donkeys in Aruba with a safe home. Admission to the sanctuary is through donation. Children can pet the donkeys and are encouraged to bring apples and carrots to feed the animals. The volunteers are available to answer questions and show you and your family around. If you arrive early, the children may help with the daily chores, including feeding and caring for the donkeys. The sanctuary is located at Noord Cura Cabai 80A, Aruba Dutch Caribbean.The Aruba Ostrich Farm
The Aruba Ostrich Farm is home to 80 ostriches. Children will learn about the behavior and survival instincts of ostriches and emus. Visitors can also stop in the African Art Shop and peruse authentic goods from South Africa. The restaurant and bar provide panoramic views of the island's northern coast. The farm is located at Matividirl 57, Paradera, Aruba.The Butterfly Farm
Children will enjoy The Butterfly Farm at Palm Beach across from the Aruba Phoenix and Wyndham hotels. It is open all year from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Butterflies from around the globe can be seen flying about a tropical garden. Children will also learn about the life cycle as they observe eggs develop into caterpillars and then chrysalis into butterflies. Tours provide a detailed explanation of this process.
Beaches
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Aruba's oceans are the perfect location to fish or checkout local fishing boats. Children as young as 5 can help rolling in a fishing pole or casting a rod. Younger children, or those who are uninterested in fishing, may still enjoy watching the fishing fleet arrive at the Bali pier in the late afternoon.
Clean, white-sand beaches offer young children the opportunity to sculpt and dig in the sand. The tropical breezes also make this a nice location for kite flying. There are many locations along the water to rent boats on your own or take a cruise of the island. Aruba Watersports Center, located in Pam Beach, rents Jet Skis, wakeboards, speedboats, sailboats, kayaks and snokels. They also provide sail trips, tube rides, parasailing, and scuba and sailing lessons.
The north shore of Aruba is home to many animals. Families may be able to observe donkeys, rabbits, goats, iguanas and lizards as they take an easy stroll along the sand dunes. You may also notice pelicans and parrots flying above.
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Older Children
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Older children and teenagers can take advantage of the water slide and dancing offered at Senor Frogs. The mall near the high-rises offers a spectacular water show every hour on the hour. Children can go to Champions Bar to catch up on sports scores and news broadcasted over ESPN. There are also locations on the island to see movies, go bowling, play miniature golf and race go-carts. Many resorts offer game rooms for children, and board games can often be signed out from the front desk. Teenagers can rent and steer their own kayaks or go horseback riding through Aruba's countryside.
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