Top 10 things to do with your kids on your next vacation to St. Thomas
St. Thomas is full of sights that will delight the whole family. If you’re traveling with kids, you’ll find that our island paradise has plenty of offerings for keeping kids of all ages entertained, while you make lasting memories together as a family.
The Virgin Islands Children’s Museum is a can’t-miss for anyone with younger kids. With a variety of interactive exhibits including a music room, circuit bench, and the hands on Cooperation Station where kids can build Rube Goldberg machines, the Children’s Museum is a great place to stimulate kids’ creativity and intellect.
What child doesn’t love pirates? Take your crew on a tour of Blackbeard’s Castle, one of the island’s most famous historic landmarks, where they can learn about the real life Blackbeard and his exploits.
If you have a budding lepidopterist in your midst, the Butterfly Garden offers a unique experience. The rich tropical garden features a wide spread of native plants through which many species of butterfly flit from flower to branch. Voted one of the top activities on St. Thomas especially for families with small children, the Butterfly Garden will be sure to delight one and all.
The Skyride to Paradise Point will whisk you and your family high above beautiful St. Thomas and give you a one of a kind experience. At the top of Paradise Point, you’ll encounter unparalleled views, be able to grab a bite, and see some of the local flora and fauna; there’s an excellent bird show put on twice a day.
Take your kids on a ferry to one of the adjacent islands; children of all ages love the experience of the boat ride. For kids with an outdoorsy streak, St. John has an enormous national park for a firsthand experience of hiking through one of the most idyllic places in the world. There are also plenty of dining options as well as shopping once you’ve emerged from the jungle.
The Lindbergh Bay Park & Water Playground is conveniently located near the Cyril E. King Airport and has everything a family could want for a fun day in the sun. In addition to the water park, there are volleyball and tennis courts, picnic tables, and a designated children’s play area.
Phantasea is St. Thomas’ newest attraction, an incredible tropical garden unlike any other. It boasts over a 1000 orchid varieties and a host of other botanical wonders found only in the world’s tropical regions. Kids and adults alike will enjoy the paradise-like setting and learn a bit from Phantasea’s knowledgeable tour guides.
Being an island means that St. Thomas has a plethora of beaches where you can take your kids for a fun day outdoors. There are over 40 beaches to choose from, with Magen’s Bay and Sapphire Beach being the most popular, and each beach is even more gorgeous than the last. With clear, blue water, white sand, and the calm Caribbean waters, the beach is a perfect place for frolicking in the waves and building sand castles. Many beaches also have pedal boats available to rent if you and your kids would like to get out on the water.
Looking to get a bit closer to the life aquatic? Check out Coral World Marine Park which will enthrall both children and adults. With over 5 acres of exhibits and attractions, you and your family can experience everything from the Caribbean Reef Encounter, the Undersea Observatory Tower, or the Critter Corners, where you can see native iguanas, ducks, tortoises and even visit the Lorikeet Garden, which is filled with Australian Rainbow Lorikeets.
Have teens in tow? Let them experience an escape game, courtesy of The RoomVI. This exciting activity lets players choose a themed room and they have exactly one hour to complete a mission or task giving them the key to escape. The players will need to work together to solve the various riddles and codes.
Finally, for anyone with really little ones, there’s a Movers and Shakers class available at the Antilles School for toddlers up to three years old.
