10 Best Things to Do in Tenerife With Kids

1. Spend a day at Siam Park

I'm starting with the obvious one because, for us, Siam Park has become a family tradition.

Every time we've been to Tenerife with the children, we've ended up there.

Our boys are 7 and 3, and fair to say there's definitely less for the three-year-old. But the lazy river and Lost City were plenty enough to keep him entertained. If your children are older, there's loads that they’ll love!!

A lot of people say Aqualand is better if you've got younger children, so that's definitely on our list to try next time.

It was very busy when we went in August this year, so I'd definitely consider the fast-track option if you're visiting during a particularly busy period.

It was so busy that this time we parked at Siam Mall and walked across to the waterpark rather than getting caught up in the traffic around opening and closing time. It also meant we could grab a bite to eat in the mall afterwards.

I'd recommend getting there early if you want to bag yourself a sunbed for the day.

We actually had some really nice food in Siam Park too, and it wasn't overly expensive, which was a nice surprise.

One practical tip: take pool or beach shoes with you. Some of the floors can get really hot.

Over the summer, they've also introduced Siam Park Nights. We haven't been, but visitors we've spoken to have loved it and said it's quieter, so it's definitely worth considering if you're visiting in peak season.

 

2. Have a wander around Siam Mall

We'd never really explored Siam Mall properly before this trip, and I'm glad we did.

There are some good shops — we did a bit of an H&M haul while we were there — and because it's an open-air mall, it feels lovely to wander around rather than being stuck inside.

Obviously, there's plenty of shopping and lots of places to eat, but there are things for children too, including soft play and a trampoline park.

We ended up sitting outside with a drink in the sunshine while the children burnt off some energy.

There are loads of options for food too, so it's a really easy place to spend a couple of hours, particularly if you're combining it with a trip to Siam Park.

3. Spend an evening in La Caleta

If I had to pick one area of Tenerife that I'd happily return to again and again, it would probably be La Caleta.

It's smaller and quieter than some of the surrounding resorts, but it's a lovely setting, with some fabulous restaurants and gorgeous sea views.

One evening this trip, we stopped at Playa de La Enramada before dinner and had a drink at Coqueluche Beach Bar.

It's a great spot with children, there were surfers in the water, paragliders coming into land on the beach and live music from around 5pm.

The children were entertained, we had a drink, and then we walked into La Caleta for dinner.

10/10 holiday evening.

There are lots of good restaurants to choose from, but two personal favourites of ours are La Caleta Restaurant and Masia del Mar Restaurant.

4. Go whale and dolphin watching

Our seven-year-old is a big nature and animal lover, so a whale-watching cruise was a must for us.

There are heaps of options from Los Cristianos, and some are only a couple of hours long, which worked well for us with a three-year-old.

If you can, I'd recommend going in the morning. The sea is generally calmer earlier in the day, before the wind tends to pick up.

5. Walk the coast from Costa Adeje towards La Caleta

One of the things I really like about staying around Costa Adeje is that you don't necessarily need a car to have a day out.

There's a lovely coastal path which takes you along the coast towards La Caleta, with plenty of places to stop along the way. Recommend a stop at SEEN by Olivier, not far after Playa del Duque. Excellent tacos, ceviche and cocktails!

Along the coastal path, there's a small area full of big pebbles that the kids absolutely love. We spent a good hour there stacking rocks like they're Makka Pakka.

And I quite like looking at all the hotels along the way and making a mental note of where we should stay next! 😊

And, importantly, it's free. Which is always a bonus when you're travelling as a family.

6. Explore beyond the South

This is probably the biggest thing I'd recommend doing if you've already experienced the main resorts in the south.

Hire a car and head north or west.

It's amazing how quickly Tenerife starts to feel completely different.

The landscape becomes greener and more dramatic, there are tiny villages and hamlets, winding roads and stretches of coastline where you'll suddenly want to pull over because the view is too good to drive past.

It's a really good reminder that Tenerife isn't just Costa Adeje, Playa de las Américas and the big resort hotels.

On the drive home from the north-west back towards the south-west, we stopped at the most amazing petrol station I've ever been to!

It's called Cafetería El Mirador, and it's on the TF-5 in Los Realejos. It's basically a petrol station with a café attached, but the views are incredible.

There's a diner if you want to stop for something to eat and drink, as well as ice creams — basically everything you need for a family road-trip stop.

7. Have a Tenerife beach day

Not every day needs to be an excursion.

Some of our favourite days in Tenerife have involved very little planning at all — breakfast, the pool, a trip to the beach, lunch somewhere nearby and then back to the pool.

Many of the beaches have quite big waves, which are great fun, but if you've got little ones, keep a close eye!

8. Stay around Costa Adeje

If you're trying to decide where to stay, Costa Adeje is the area we've naturally gravitated towards on our trips.

It's convenient without feeling like you have to stay in one place.

You've got beaches, restaurants, shops and plenty to do, while being close to Siam Park, Siam Mall and Aqualand.

There's also a market twice a week, which is always a hit with our family.

The coastal path is another bonus, particularly if you like being able to walk out for dinner rather than getting in a taxi or hire car every evening.

If convenience is important to you, I'd have Costa Adeje very high on my list.

9. Put Mount Teide on your list

This is one I can't quite claim to have done yet.

Despite four trips to Tenerife, we've still never made it to Mount Teide.

We've decided to wait until our youngest is a little older, but it's definitely on the list for a future visit.

The landscape around the national park looks completely different again, and there are plenty of different ways to experience it, from the cable car to sunrise trips and stargazing.

So, if you're visiting for the first time, don't make the mistake of thinking Tenerife is just about the beaches.

There's a whole other side to the island up there.

10. Leave some time for doing absolutely nothing

Because one of the best things about a family holiday here is that you don't have to fill every day.

You can have a day at Siam Park.

You can drive around the island.

You can explore La Caleta.

You can spend an afternoon on the beach.

Or you can stay by the pool for six hours and let the children entertain themselves.

On this trip, we did a bit of everything.

Some days we wanted to get out and explore. Other days we wanted a long lunch, the pool and an early night.

There's enough to keep you busy if you want it, but you never feel as though you have to.

So, would I recommend Tenerife with kids?

Absolutely. I think what I like most about Tenerife is that it doesn't force you into one type of holiday. No doubt we'll be back for our fifth visit.