Barbados family holidays

Barbados has some fantastic family-friendly hotels. Right on Maxwell Beach, Bougainvillea Barbados offers three pools – one of which has a waterfall – and a variety of activities and watersports. Children aged three to 12 will love the Kids’ Club, too, where they can play games, join in with arts and crafts, and make new friends.

Crystal Cove is another great option for your family holiday to Barbados. The hotel’s spacious suites have plenty of room for everyone to spread out – and you’ll certainly sleep well after a full-on day here. Watersports are included, so you can look forward to all sorts of fun activities. Teens can try water-skiing for the first time, and the whole family can hop on a giant banana boat.

If you’re looking for an all-inclusive resort, Sea Breeze Beach House ticks all the boxes. You’ll find a range of activities, sports and dining options – ideal if you’re travelling with always-hungry teenagers. Plus, the Kids’ Club and Teen Lounge allow everyone to enjoy some time to themselves.

No family trip to Barbados would be complete without spending some time on the island’s tropical sands. Your holiday is the perfect time to relax and play together, as you explore some of Barbados’ best beaches. You’ll find that many of the beaches here are ideal for families, as most have kiosks, lifeguards and clear seas. Mullins Bay offers lovely calm waters for paddling tots, and there are plenty of sun loungers and parasols to rent. Or you could head to Accra Beach – the water stays shallow for a long time, making it a great spot for young swimmers.

There are lots of fun beach activities to try in Barbados, too. Little ones can learn to bodyboard in the gentle surf, while older kids can go paddle-boarding, kayaking and jet-skiing. You can join in the fun, or simply sit back with a cold drink and watch your family having the time of their lives.

While it can be tempting to spend your entire getaway on the beach, there’s plenty more to Barbados than its pristine white sands. Why not head out on an exciting safari and explore with a 4x4 tour? Kids and adults alike will love seeing the island’s rich interior. Barbados Wildlife Reserve makes a brilliant family day out, as you’ll be able to see cheeky monkeys, sleepy tortoises, colourful parrots and more.

Maybe you’d prefer to head out on the water? Rent a catamaran or speedboat for a day – complete with a local captain and guide – and you can swim in hidden coves and snorkel among bright corals. Or, if you’re travelling with very young children, you could discover these underwater worlds by submarine. Little ones will be able to see colourful fish and beautiful corals through the portholes, without even dipping their toes in the water.

If you fancy a cultural day out, visit bustling Bridgetown. Home to over a third of the island’s population, Barbados’ capital is a social, commercial and cultural hub, as well as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The city’s old town boasts a wealth of beautiful colonial architecture and historical buildings, so there’s plenty to see. Children of all ages will love browsing colourful markets, and the shops along Broad Street and Swan Street. Or, if you’re a family of cricket fans, you could watch a match at the famous Kensington Oval. Grab a delicious Bajan bite to eat afterwards, before returning to your resort for a dip in the pool or a chilled cocktail by the beach. What could be better?