10 Great Things to do with Kids in Ibiza

Ibiza Horse Valley, in the north of the island, offers the chance to see forests, mountains and beaches on horseback, on either a half-day or full-day excursion. It’s a fantastic way to experience the island, and they accept riders of all levels, from complete beginners upwards, but you must be over 12 years old and weigh under 90 kg (14 stone). Group sizes are never large (maximum eight people) and there are always two guides. They can also arrange customised trips with camping and swimming.

You may think that holidaying with kids means your days of enjoying a leisurely beach-club afternoon are over, but some beach clubs have tuned in to this problem, and thoughtfully created special kids’ areas so they can play while you sit back and relax. El Chiringuito, on the particularly beautiful Es Cavallet beach, and Beachouse in Playa d’en Bossa, both have dedicated kids’ areas, in the form of Little Chiringuito and Little Beachouse. These areas offer kids the chance to draw, paint, do crafts and hang out with other kids. These clubs also have fantastic kids’ menus, with the likes of grilled sea bream and mini burgers, as well as vegetarian pasta and rice options.

If your kids don’t get car sick, and you think they’ll get a thrill from bumping around off-road in the back of an all-terrain, open-top jeep, Ibiza Jeep Safari is worth looking into. A day out on these safari jeeps gives you a chance to see parts of the island you otherwise wouldn’t see, in rough terrain accessible only in a 4×4 or on foot, and also gives you the opportunity to learn about local birds and wildlife. There will be a chance to swim at a stunning remote beach, and although it’s not cheap, the price includes transfers to and from your hotel, and a fantastic lunch in a rustic finca. Children must be over six years old.

It’s not always necessary to have an organised activity planned; sometimes hitting the beach is the best (and easiest) thing to do with kids. Ibiza has numerous fantastic beaches, some of which are perfect for families, whether you want water sports and restaurants, or simply a picnic on the sand and a nice spot for swimming. Cala Llonga has a huge stretch of sand, shallow waters, water sports, restaurants and even a kids’ play area, while nearby Cala Llenya is quieter, and has shade from the pine trees at the back of the beach, making it perfect for picnics.

Plenty of parents frequent the numerous yoga retreats on the island, or at least try the odd class in their hotel, so why not let the kids in on some of the action? Yoga is known to benefit the health of people of all ages, and Ibiza offers not only kids’ yoga classes, but also mother and baby (and partner) classes and family classes, so that you can all join in together. For children who love the water, or those who need to build their water confidence, they also offer kids’ aqua yoga (suitable for babies aged just six months right through to teenagers).

Mini Ibiza is part of the Club de Campo sports and country club, and has a well-equipped and spacious playroom as well as a lovely garden and play park. You can hang out with your kids in the garden or play area, but they also offer a childcare service where you can leave your kids to be entertained with arts, crafts and free play (for over threes) while you go off and do your own thing. They also run various workshops for older kids (up to 12 years) over the summer period. All in all, a fantastic service in a gorgeous location.

It would seem remiss not to take at least one boat trip with your kids while holidaying on an island. For a full day out, you can take one of the regular ferries to the nearby island of Formentera, hire bikes and explore its incredible beaches or there are a huge range of tours you can book on for an unforgettable boat trip.

Most kids (and a lot of parents) love a water park, and if you fancy a change from the beach, they can make a great day out for all the family. Aguamar water park (next to Space nightclub), in Playa d’en Bossa, has plenty of parking, a range of different slides and pools (including paddling pools for smaller kids), picnic areas, a decent restaurant and a play park.

Ibiza’s famed hippy markets can make for a colourful and fun-filled day or evening out, with the chance to browse for souvenirs, enjoy a meal and see some live music. If your kids are old enough to stay up after 7pm, Las Dalias night market is on every Monday and Tuesday night (7pm–1am) from June to September, and on Sundays in August. There are plenty of stalls selling goods for kids, from handcrafted toys to clothes, key rings and other knick-knacks. Punta Arabi is the oldest and largest hippy market on the island, and is on every Wednesday from 10am during the summer months. Not only does this market have great food, great shopping, and lots of live music and other acts, but it has a dedicated area for kids, where they can have their face painted or make their own souvenir or T-shirt using recycled craft materials.

Often referred to as ‘the Lobster Cave’, Cap Blanc Aquarium is located in a large natural cave, which was once used as a nursery for lobsters, which were then exported to mainland Spain. Due to the quality of the water and the naturalistic environment, the cave is often used to house rescued sea turtles before they are released back into the wild, and there is a wooden walkway over the water, as well as tanks containing examples of other Mediterranean sea-life. From colourful fish such as the rainbow wrasse, to sea sponges, starfish, shark eggs and other marine life, there is plenty to keep children engrossed. When you’re done in the cave, there’s a decent sea-front cafe on the terrace.