So, get ready for fun on this gem of an island.

Jamaica plays host to vacationing families of all sizes who are seeking affordable ways to decompress after enduring a few rough months in cold weather back home.

The island's inviting warm weather, even when it rains, makes it the perfect escape for everyone. Also, you'll discover how well the tropical backdrop compliments your cute family portraits.

So, if you're in Jamaica, here are 30 things to do with the kids. 



Zipline through the rainforest, St Elizabeth

Swing like a monkey through the trees and over the gorgeous YS Falls.

Chukka Caribbean caters to adventure-seeking visitors to the island at their St Elizabeth outpost adjacent to YS Falls. 

Only kids six years and older are permitted to this attraction.

The younger ones can bathe in the pools on the YS Falls property so they don't feel as if they are missing out on the fun. 



Swim with dolphins

Swim with the sociable sea animals at Dolphin Cove. The guide will supervise your kids' interaction with the dolphins making it a safe experience.

Dolphin Cove has locations in the parishes of St Ann and Hanover. 

Hike Dunn's River Falls, Ocho Rios

Standing 6,000 feet above sea level is this beast of a waterfall that the older kids will take pleasure in climbing.

Hold hands and follow the instruction of your guide who will patiently escort you and the kids over the slippery rocks seated along the path to the peak.

Amp up the fun by making quick stops in the pools as well.

Visit the National Gallery of Jamaica, Kingston

When you're in Kingston with the kids, take a tour of the largest public museum dedicated to showcasing the best artwork, sculptures, and artifacts that give insights into the history of the Caribbean region. 

It's a great activity to spur their creative side.


Tour Bob Marley's former home studio

The kids will certainly enjoy roaming through the former home of Reggae icon, Bob Marley, viewing his awards and smash hit records as well as browsing the gift shop and cafe.

The Bob Marley Museum is conveniently located on Hope Road in Kingston.

Have a scoop of ice cream at Devon House

After touring the Bob Marley Museum, travel a few blocks away to Waterloo Road, specifically Devon House, the best ice cream parlor in Jamaica.

Here, the kids can taste the soft, sweet, and cool flavors of Jamaican-made ice cream, a favorite Sunday afternoon treat among locals and tourists alike.

You can also book a tour of the mansion which is the only one of its kind in the English-speaking Caribbean.

 

Tour Bob Marley's childhood home

If the tour of the Bob Marley Museum has piqued their interest in his life story, take a trip to Nine Mile, St Ann to tour Bob Marley's former childhood home and final resting place.

The Rastafarians who manage this local attraction will share an oral history of Bob's early life before he was famous and give you a tour of the community where he developed an affinity for football. 

Eat bammy & fried fish in Middle Quarters

Staying at a villa on Jamaica's south coast? Ask your local driver to take the entire family to Middle Quarters for a sampling of the best-fried fish and bammy meals on the island.

Also, try the fish and conch sips (soups) at this popular roadside eatery in St Elizabeth.

Catch beautiful photos at Holland Bamboo

This is literally a cool, shady place to take beautiful photos on the main South Coast Highway between Middle Quarters and Lacovia.

The bamboo plants that grow on either side of the roadway act as shelter from the sun so you may have to turn on your flash feature on the camera app to get the best quality.

Taste Jamaican patties

Ask your local driver to take the family for lunch at the popular Jamaican bakery and restaurant, Juici Patties. 

There are several locations islandwide but the largest one is in Clarendon Park. 

Allow the kids to taste Jamaican patties filled with chicken, beef, shrimp, cheese, or callaloo. 

You can also try a serving of Jamaica's national dish, ackee and saltfish, with a mixed selection of sides such as fried dumplings and boiled bananas and yam.  

Mosaic Workshop at Jack Sprat

Jakes Hotel hosts weekly mosaic tile workshops for their young guests.  

This is an amazing opportunity for your little ones to have fun while expressing their natural creative potential. 



Bird feeding at Rockland Bird Sanctuary

One of the most calming activities for the kids is feeding the furry creatures at Rocklands Bird Sanctuary in St James.

In addition to feeding the birds, you'll receive a guided tour and interact with the many species of protected birdlife on the property. 

Watch a Jamaican movie classic at Jack Sprat

Treat the whole family to a Jamaican movie night on Thursdays at Jack Sprat restaurant in Treasure Beach.
 
You'll be surprised how many Patois words you and the kids will pick up after the viewing.

Visit Milk River Mineral Spa

The Milk River Bath and Spa sits on the bank of the Milk River in Clarendon.

The waters have radioactivity of 16m curries per liter (which is about 50 times as radioactive as the waters of Vichy in France and 54 times as radioactive as the waters of Baden in Switzerland) and are some of the most radioactive waters in the world.

It isn’t recommended to spend more than 20 minutes immersed in the waters at a maximum of three dips per day.

Yoga at Wellness Centre in Treasure Beach

No tantrums are permitted on this trip. Treat the little ones to brief lessons in mindfulness at the Wise Wellness Centre in Treasure Beach. 

Lessons are scheduled every day with specific themes.  

Cliff diving at Rick's Cafe, Negril

Take the kids to the lively cliffside restaurant to watch and participate in the cliff diving fun. For younger divers, the guide will recommend that they use the levels closer to the water. 

Plunge into blue holes, Ocho Rios & Westmoreland

If they enjoyed cliff-diving at Rick's Cafe, they'll enjoy making big splashes in Jamaica's natural sinkholes. 

Next stop - Cool Blue Hole in Ocho Rios. The older kids can try the larger sinkholes like Irie Blue Hole in Saint Mary, and the Blue Hole Mineral Spring in Westmoreland.

Observe turtle hatching, Treasure Beach

Book a tour with the Treasure Beach Turtle Group to observe the precious baby turtle migrate to the sea during turtle hatching season.

This is a fascinating activity for toddlers who are learning about land and sea animals. 

Visit Lover's Leap, Saint Elizabeth

Your teenagers may appreciate the heartwrenching legend of a man and woman slave who foiled their master's plot to separate them by jumping to their death at this cliffside historic site in St Elizabeth. 

Tour Rose Hall Great House, Montego Bay 

Book a day tour of Montego Bay's most famous 18th-century mansion. 

This historical attraction is open every day except on Sunday.

The tour costs USD$10 for each child 12 years or younger, and USD$25 for each adult. 

If you're traveling with brave teenagers, you could join them for the thrilling night tour. But be warned, this is not for the faint hearted.

Tour Greenwood Great House, Montego Bay

This great house sits on the border of the parishes of St James and Trelawny. It's the former home of the Barretts family who were famous sugar plantation owners.

Inside the lovely mansion, your children will be introduced to a collection of antique musical instruments, one-of-a-kind furniture, and the story of the wealthy Barretts family who owned several acres of land stretching from Montego Bay to Falmouth. 

You'll pay USD$10 for each child and USD$25 for each adult. 

Climb Konoko Falls, Ocho Rios

If Dunn's River Falls is too steep for the little ones, wet their feet on a water hike activity with the Konoko Falls climb. The climb is much shorter than Dunn's River so the older kids might try it more than once.

Also on showcase at this adventure park are exotic birds, a crocodile, snakes, and iguanas. 

Have fun snorkeling

Doctor’s Cave Beach is among the favorite spots for snorkeling on the island because it is accessible, the water is warm, and the underwater adventure is amazing.

However, if the kids are new to this water activity, we strongly recommend Negril because the waters are so calm and clear, and people of all ages can enjoy snorkeling.

If preferred, a person can snorkel out further from shore but because the waters are harder to manage it is recommended to hire a qualified snorkeling guide. 

Horseback riding with Chukka

Chukka Caribbean offers incredible horseback riding tours from land to sea and back. It's a great activity for the entire family to participate in. 

Only kids five years and older are permitted so you may have to schedule other activities for the younger ones. 

Play dominoes 

Traditional Jamaican board games are not only for adults.

You can ask the entertainment team at the resort or villa you're staying at to treat the entire family to a lesson in domino play.

It's actually a popular pastime among locals and has been proven to sharpen critical-thinking skills. 

Play Jamaican Ludi

Another favorite pastime in Jamaica is a game of Ludi. This is a four-player game with each player being assigned four markers.

Players take turns moving their markers around the board with the aim of getting them to the home base first. 


Eat Jerk Chicken, Pork, and Sausage at Scotchies

Scotchies is possibly one of the best outdoor-style restaurants to bring the kids to while you're in Jamaica. Introduce their palates to the flavorful taste of jerk chicken, jerk pork, and jerk sausage. 

Scotchies has four locations across the island, two in Montego Bay, one at the Falmouth Pier, and one in Drax Hall.

Visit the Luminous Lagoon, Glistening Waters

The luminous lagoon tour at Glistening Waters is a nice evening activity for teenagers.

They'll be exposed to one of Jamaica's hidden water gems. The site of the glowing water used to be a wharf for the offloading of imported goods to the island.

When the commercial activity ceased, the property owners discovered the glowing feature of the water. 

Spend a day at Frenchman's Cove 

A family beach day is best spent at Frenchman's Cove in Portland, on the eastern end of the island.

This unique beach, voted one of the world’s best, is attached to a hotel property but is open for public access for US $10.

You’ll see exactly why it's one of the best in the world before you even hit the beach, as you walk through the lush vegetation of the beautiful property and cross a stunning river that you follow down to the sea.

Step out onto a white sand beach and breathe in the beauty.

To the right, the river makes its way to the cove, creating its own crystal clear, unique swimming hole with a tiny beach of its own and rope swings for you to leap into the water below.

Refreshments are on sale with a fully-catered beach service, bringing your food and drinks to you as you lounge in the beach chairs.

Learn to speak Jamaican Patois

Find out if the entertainment team at your hotel would be open to offering the kids brief lessons in Jamaican Patois.

The most common Jamaican expressions that visitors usually want to learn are everyday greetings such as "Wah Gwaan" and "Lata".

It's a delight to watch the kids color their speech with the Jamaican dialect as they interact with the locals. 

Buy fresh fruits & veggies at Coronation Market, Kingston

There may be a local farmer's market where you take the kids back home, but nothing compares to the experience they'll have at Coronation Market in Downtown Kingston.

Ask your tour guide to organize a trip for the entire family to interact with the locals and shop for fresh fruits and vegetables at one of the most affordable and popular farmer's markets on the eastern end of the island.

The best days to visit are Fridays and Saturdays. 

Take your family to Jamaica

Crazy fun and adventure are waiting for you and the entire family to explore on the island paradise of Jamaica.