Fun for the kids – big and small

There’s a reason so many families keep returning to Barbados for vacation – they have so much fun! The island seems made for children – dozens of safe beaches to explore, numerous attractions, everything and everyone seems kid-friendly. Many hotels offer kids’ clubs where the sprogs can make friends with other children and play games.
If you prefer the DIY approach, and actually want to spend time with the little people, here’s a shortlist of our favorite family-friendly activities:

SPLASH
We all love the sea and truly, Barbados is blessed with the most glorious waters and weather for days at the beach. Start at Accra Beach on the South Coast, where you can easily while away a day or two splashing around with the kids and people-watching at the same time.
Bar Kanei offers both a cool open-air picnic table setting, and the rental of chairs and umbrellas on the beach for a small charge that can be redeemed at the bar. The surf here has just enough kick to keep older kids busy body boarding or surfing, while a rocky outcrop on the left of the beach creates a sheltered area where little ones can play while mums attempt to sneak a peek at that great book they’ve been dying to read for ages. Another option that’s always a fave with parents with toddlers: Pebbles Beach near Bridgetown, where the waves are gentler, the sand is fine and options for drinks and snacks abound.

FLY
If you can tear yourself away from the beach long enough to check out what’s on land, you’ll be blown away. The Concorde Experience simulates the extraordinary aviation adventure that only a privileged few were able to enjoy on board the fastest aircraft known to man. This includes a flight simulator for those who want to try their hand at flying Concorde, as well as the distinctive sonic boom that the departing aircraft emitted. At the museum, set in a hanger designed specially to house a Concorde, the whole family can board one of these remarkable planes and pretend to hurtle across the Atlantic at supersonic speed.

DISCOVER
Another family favorite is Harrison’s Cave. Recently renovated to the tune of a few million dollars, this natural wonder has been enhanced by technology and now gives an educational and historic overview of the amazing geological formations in the complex cave system. A glass elevator takes you down to the caves, where you take a tour on an electric tram of the stalactites and stalagmites. Be prepared to get wet by the constant drip, drip, drip of the stalactites… but honestly, you soon forget about it when you are oohing and aahing at the formations.

GO BELOW
For any child who has seen Nemo (and which of them hasn't?), the Atlantis Submarine experience is something they will never forget. The excitement starts with the boat trip out to the submarine, which takes about 10 minutes. Almost as soon as everyone is seated and the submarine begins to submerge, the show begins. Schools of purple fish wiggle past your window, rainbow-colored parrot fish shake their fins at you, a turtle does a slow crawl along the seabed, an eel pokes its head out from behind a rock. As you go deeper and head out to a wreck, it becomes a carnival of colors, as residents of the reef go about their business. Be advised though, this is not for small children or the claustrophobic. There's a height limit for kids but be sure your child can handle the pressure of being in a confined space for 45 minutes.

EAT
After all that tramping around with children, you need grub from places where both you and the kids will feel right at home. For casual eats, check out Bert’s Bar or Bubba’s, and catch a bit of sports while munching on kid-friendly staples. For going out in the evening sans babysitter, Tapas, which also offers a view of all and sundry walking the South Coast Boardwalk, is a good bet for ordering either sample-size portions or mains. For sweet treats, stop in at Chilly Moo’s for some bovine humor and a generous variety of sprinkles, gummies, sweets and other mix-ins that can be added to your ice cream while you wait.