The Ultimate Guide to Family-Friendly Activities in Barbados
As a proud local, a new mum, and someone who spent over nine years running a childcare agency here in Barbados, I’ve had the joy of planning and experiencing hundreds of kid-approved adventures around the island. With my team at Island Sitters, we catered to families from all walks of life and discovered the very best of what Barbados has to offer children of all ages. Whether you're dealing with rainy days or sunshine-filled weekends, this guide pulls from real experience—mine!—and has your family completely covered.
A Few Handy Tips for Your Family Adventure:
Plan Ahead: Check if you need to book in advance, especially for popular attractions or activities with limited space.
Check Opening Hours: Barbados loves a bank holiday, and not all businesses update Google regularly. Facebook pages and Instagram accounts are your best bet for real-time updates.
Carry Cash: You’ll be surprised how many places are still cash-only! Even better, bring some smaller Bajan dollars along just in case they don’t have change.
Collecting sea shells and treasures along Cattlewash
Alphabetical List of Family-Friendly Activities in Barbados
Each listing includes accessibility notes and age suitability to help you plan ahead.
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Suitable for: All ages
Wheelchair and stroller accessible: No
Explore the beautiful gardens and feed the fish in their pond. -
Suitable for: 6+
Wheelchair and stroller accessible: No
The caves underneath the playground and restaurant are a sight to behold. You can crawl through the labrynth and swim in the pool overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The caverns are wide with high ceilings, so you won’t feel claustrophobic. You need to hire a guide to enter the caves, for safety reasons and for an educational tour. There is adequate lighting to see where you are walking, as the caves open out to the ocean. If it’s rough, you won’t be allowed into the caves, so follow the guidelines of the tour guides on duty. Keep an eye on kids at all times, of course. Keep a close eye on kids. -
Suitable for: All ages
Wheelchair and stroller accessible: Yes, somewhat. Uneven terrain.
There’s a shaded play park, overlooking the beautiful East Coast. The owners of the site are also avid animal lovers and rescuers of goats and sheep, which you can also say hello to next to the play ground. Parents can enjoy rum sours, fish cakes and lunch, but make sure to keep an eye of your children at all times. -
Suitable for: All ages
Wheelchair and stroller accessible: No
Underwater exploration in a real submarine. You’ll need to climb down a hatch. My dad and brother were both submarine pilots and some of my fondest childhood memories are on the submarine.
The entrance to the Animal Flower Cave
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Suitable for: All ages
Wheelchair and stroller accessible: Strollers yes, wheelchairs may need to call ahead to add ramps to the deck on the beach.
Safe beachfront bar and club. Great for families, shaded eating, and swimming. -
Suitable for: All ages
Wheelchair and stroller accessible: Yes, there is wheelchair access to the snack bar and bathrooms, as well as a viewing platform for wheelchair users.
The Barbados Drive-In theatre is an old school drive in, with a radio system for sound. Their cafe serves movie favourites such as popcorn, candy, as well as rotis, barbecue chicken, burgers and french fries. -
Suitable for: All ages
Wheelchair and stroller accessible: Yes
Recently renovated interactive space for kids. Great for learning through play. -
Suitable for: All ages
Wheelchair and stroller accessible: No – rough cobbled paths.
The animals, including large troops of very relaxed monkeys, are offered fresh fruit every day at 10am and 2pm and you can observe them while they feast! Don't forget to bring cash as they don’t accept card. There is local and visitor pricing for tickets.A note about ethical animal encounters at Barbados Wildlife Reserve: These are wild animals who are free to leave the reserve when they please. Please do not touch or feed any of the animals yourself.
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Suitable for: All ages
Wheelchair and stroller accessible: No.
Best during early mornings or evenings. Watch for sun exposure. Great shell collecting and driftwood finds. -
Suitable for: All ages
Wheelchair and stroller accessible: Partially, the restaurant and bar area is accessible.
There’s a jetty with a rope swing and inflatable trampolines in the water for kids to play on. Your Day pass also includes a boat ride on a glass bottom boat, with a snorkeling trip out to the shipwrecks in Carlisle Bay. -
Suitable for: All ages
Wheelchair and stroller accessible: Somewhat. There is a path along the vendors but getting to the grassy seating area is tricky as the terrain is unpaved and uneven.
Lots of children, fresh food and a playground to burn off energy.
Feeding time at Barbados Wildlife Reserve
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Suitable for: 4+ (depending on swimming ability)
Wheelchair and stroller accessible: No
Carlisle Bay is home to a wide range of shipwrecks, less then 200 meters from the beach. There are eight shipwrecks laying in the sand for you to explore! I recommend taking a paddle board, boogie board or some sort of flotation device with you so you can easily take a break. -
Suitable for: All ages
Wheelchair and stroller accessible: Yes, weather permitting, though it is all on grass.
Enjoy cat yoga on Saturday mornings under the shady palm trees at Ocean Acres Animal Sanctuary on the East Coast. All proceeds from the class supports the work of Ocean Acres Animal Sanctuary. It is recommended to give a donation of at least BDS$20/US$10 per person for the lesson. -
Suitable for: 4+
Wheelchair and stroller accessible: Playground is not wheelchair accessible
Chefette indoor playgrounds are perfect for rainy days! I believe that children need to be 4+ to be allowed on the playground unaccompanied (within the slides, etc.) As you can imagine, it can get quite rowdy when kids are on a sugar high from their ice cream and soft drinks, so make sure to keep an eye on little ones. -
Suitable for: All ages
Wheelchair and stroller accessible: Yes
Feed the ducks and fish. Calm, shaded, scenic grounds. -
Suitable for: All ages (babies in carriers)
Wheelchair and stroller accessible: No
Hiking and 'forest bathing' at Coco Hill Forest is truly magical. The forest does become quite humid in the middle of the day, but there is always canopy cover. There are lookout spots and platforms where you can relax and enjoy a picnic. -
Suitable for: All ages
Wheelchair and stroller accessible: Yes to paved area
Beach club with great food and clean amenities. Perfect for sandcastle building and relaxing.
Snorkeling in Carlisle Bay
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Suitable for: All ages
Wheelchair and stroller accessible: Somewhat, there is a road that runs through the property and some of the grassy areas are flat.
Explore the ruins and the park, which includes a shaded playground for kids. -
Suitable for: All ages
Wheelchair and stroller accessible: Yes
You can buy fish scraps from the fish mongers to feed the turtles at Oistins jetty in the late afternoon, or just watch the fishermen offload their catch of the day. -
Suitable for: All ages
Wheelchair and stroller accessible: Yes, path accessible
Visit the Garrison Savannah and watch the horses during their early morning and evening training sessions or attend one of the action packed Race Days! Though it is very busy, the atmosphere is very exciting on race days. There is also a playground in the West corner of the track. -
Suitable for: All ages
Wheelchair and stroller accessible: Yes
Experience a family fun dinner show at Harbour Lights. Be prepared for a heavy Bajan buffet, some limbo dancing, fire eaters and dancers. -
Suitable for: All ages
Wheelchair and stroller accessible: Yes, with assistance
Ride a tram through incredible underground formations. Ziplining available too. -
Suitable for: All ages
Haymans is a breezy, open-air events venue and food court on the west coast with great coffee from Wyndhams, plenty of local eats, and a playground for kids. It’s pet-friendly and has kid-friendly bathrooms—perfect for a casual family outing.
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Suitable for: All ages (carried toddlers)
Wheelchair and stroller accessible: No
Join Sunday morning hikes to discover lesser-known parts of the island. There are a number of hiking groups, including Hash Harriers, which you can find on Facebook. The routes are shared beforehand, and there are usually varying degrees of ‘speed’ and experience within the hiking groups. -
Suitable for: All ages
Wheelchair and stroller accessible: Yes
A lovely kids' corner and space to run around. Family-friendly vibes. -
Suitable for: 6+
Wheelchair and stroller accessible: No
I recommend riding with Nature Fun Ranch, a social enterprise that empowers Barbadian youth. I can’t speak to the welfare of the horses with other riding schools, as I have heard mixed reviews. It’s best to read reviews before deciding who to book a ride with.
Feeding the ducks at Codrington College
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Suitable for: All ages
Wheelchair and stroller accessible: Yes at Garrison track
Kite flying is a cultural pastime in Barbados, and is especially popular around Easter. Buy a kite and fly it along the scenic East Coast road in Bathsheba or join the crowds of kids at the Barbados Garrison. -
Suitable for: All ages
Wheelchair and stroller accessible: Yes
Perfect for a rainy day, stroll around at Limegrove Lifestyle Centre and a coffee at Always Summer Cafe. -
Suitable for: All ages
Wheelchair and stroller accessible: Yes with grassy areas
Set in five acres of lush tropical gardens, children love the parrots, toucans and emus through to tortoises, rabbits and rare breed pigs. There are also miniature kune kune pigs, pygmy goats and adorable miniature Mediterranean donkeys. -
Suitable for: All ages
Wheelchair and stroller accessible: Strollers can access some of the paths, which are quite rocky. However wheelchair users may struggle if it muddy, which applies to both the paths and the grassy areas overlooking the cliffs.
PEG is a permaculture oasis, located high atop the cliffs on the East coast of the island. It’s one of the only permaculture farms on the island, where pigs, cows, and chickens roam freely in their allocated spaces. The pigs are truly a blissful sight to behold, wallowing in their shaded muddy patches. Don’t miss out on the organic cafe, for delicious breakfast and lunch made with products raised and grown right on the farm. -
Suitable for: All ages
Wheelchair and stroller accessible: Yes
Watch planes take off and land at Grantley Adams International Airport. You can park across the street from the runway and watch the planes fly overhead as they approach the runway! -
Suitable for: 4–5 with adult / 6+ solo
Wheelchair and stroller accessible: No
This inflatable, floating water park is a hit amongst families of all ages in Barbados. The water park is about 500m from the shore, so you must be comfortable swimming to it. You are required to wear life jackets. -
Suitable for: All ages
Wheelchair and stroller accessible: Yes
Visit, cuddle, or even take a rescue dog for a beach walk (by appointment) The same can be done at Ocean Acres Animal Sanctuary.
Saying hello to the happy animals at PEG Farm
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Suitable for: All ages
Wheelchair and stroller accessible: Depends on beach access
The Barbados Sea Turtle Project manages sea turtle populations in Barbados. Once a sea turtle has laid eggs on a beach, the Sea Turtle Project collects the eggs, incubates them and keeps them safe. They then announce when the hatchlings will be released on social media. This is hands down, one of my favourite activities in Barbados, and it's even more fun and exciting with children! -
Suitable for: All ages
Wheelchair and stroller accessible: Yes
Watch racehorses bathe in the sea from 4:30–7:00am. A magical, only-in-Barbados moment.SCAM ALERT: Please DO NOT ride or sit on the horses. There are a number of young men who are now scamming tourists by bringing retired race horses down to the beach and charging people to take photographs on the horses. Please note that many of these horses are not in good condition and should not be ridden or sat on.
You can enjoy watching the horses from a safe distance.
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Suitable for: All ages
Wheelchair and stroller accessible: No strollers, but you can take a car seat for babies. Best to call and ask specific catamarans about their accessibility programmes. Smaller catamarans that don’t have a large cockpit space will not be able to accommodate a wheelchair, but some of the bigger ones may be able to.
Snorkel and swim with turtles on a catamaran cruise is one of the best activities with children! My personal recommendations are Calypso Cruises for smaller groups up to 17 people, Cool Runnings for larger groups and Seaduced for a small and large luxury options. -
Suitable for: All ages
Wheelchair and stroller accessible: Unsure
Visit a shaded, forested colonial site with a steam train. -
Suitable for: 5+
Wheelchair and stroller accessible: No
Try stand up paddle boarding with Paddle Barbados at the Barbados Cruising Club. You can rent boards or buy a monthly membership, which includes free SUP rentals on Fridays. -
Suitable for: All ages
Wheelchair and stroller accessible: No (access via stairs)
Natural ocean pools perfect for little ones to splash. Go at low tide. Bring shade. -
Best for: All ages
Wheelchair and stroller accessible: Strollers yes; wheelchairs may need assistance across sand
Tiki Beach Bar on the South Coast is a hidden gem for families. The calm, shallow waters here are protected by a breakwater, making it one of the safest beaches on the island for small children to swim. -
Suitable for: All ages
Wheelchair and stroller accessible: Yes
Best to go early in the morning while it's cool. Check out the sights, sounds and smells. Get lost, have fun! I recommend walking along the boardwalk, checking out the boats, getting a sno cone on Swan Street and visiting Cheapside market. -
Suitable for: All ages
Wheelchair and stroller accessible: Yes
Explore the natural beauty of Welchman Hall Gully, where troops of monkeys follow you through the beautiful, lush gully. There is a swing and small tree house at the entrance.
Free Family Activities in Barbados
Fun doesn’t have to come with a price tag. (These are also included above and tagged.)
Bathsheba & Cattlewash Shell Collecting
Collect seashells, driftwood, and other beach treasures.
Best during early morning or evening to avoid harsh sun.
Brighton Farmers Market (Saturday)
Enjoy a lively market morning with kids and a playground.
Codrington College Duck Pond
Feed ducks and fish in a peaceful, shaded setting with beautiful views.
Garrison Savannah Horse Training
Watch racehorses train in the early morning. Bonus: there’s a playground in the west corner of the track.
Holders Farmers Market (Sunday)
Stroll, snack, and relax while your kids enjoy the dedicated children’s corner.
Plane Spotting at Grantley Adams Airport
Park near the runway to watch planes take off and land overhead.
RSPCA Animal Shelter Visit
Visit puppies and kittens who need some love. Book ahead if you'd like to walk a dog along Brighton Beach.
Sea Turtle Hatchling Release
Follow the Barbados Sea Turtle Project for announcements and witness magical hatchling releases (seasonal). This beautiful activity is also listed on my blog post “Ethical Animal Tourism.”
“Seahorse” Spotting at Pebbles Beach
Watch racehorses swimming in the sea from about 4:30–7:00am—a magical Barbados moment. SCAM ALERT: Please DO NOT ride or sit on the horses. There are a number of young men who are now scamming tourists by bringing retired race horses down to the beach and charging people to take photographs on the horses. Please note that many of these horses are not in good condition and should not be ridden or sat on.
You can enjoy watching the horses from a safe distance.
Take a Walk Through Bridgetown
Walk the boardwalk, explore Cheapside Market, grab a sno cone on Swan Street, and take in the sounds of the city.
Tidal Pools on the East Coast
Visit at low tide for natural saltwater pools perfect for safe, shallow play. Don’t forget an umbrella for shade.
Whether you’re visiting for the first time or have lived here your whole life, Barbados is full of opportunities to connect, explore and enjoy quality time with your children. With its rich culture, natural beauty, and warm hospitality, there's no shortage of things to do—you just need to know where to look.
Did I miss any of your favourite family spots? Drop me a message or leave a comment below. If you host one of these activities and would like me to come for a visit (or feature you on Instagram), let’s connect!
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