21 Best Things to Do in Tenerife With Kids: Our Complete Family Guide (Ideal for October Half Term)

If you're wondering what to do in Tenerife with kids, you'll quickly discover the island offers far more than beaches and hotel pools. From one of the best water parks in the world to whale watching, volcanic caves and Spain's highest mountain, Tenerife is one of the most exciting family destinations in Europe.

We visited with our 7-year-old son Joshua during October half term and tried a range of excursions, some of which we'd book again in a heartbeat and others we'd approach differently. In this complete guide, I've combined our honest experience with a comprehensive round-up of the best things to do in Tenerife with kids, including age suitability, what to expect and practical tips to help you plan.

Whether you're staying all-inclusive or self-catering, this is your one-stop hub for planning an unforgettable family trip.

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Quick Answer: The Best Things to Do in Tenerife With Kids

If you're short on time, here are our top picks:

• Best big day out: Siam Park – one of the world's best water parks

• Most memorable experience: Kayaking and snorkelling

• Best animal attraction: Loro Parque

• Best shorter activity: Family go karting

• Best natural wonder: Mount Teide

• Best unique adventure: Cueva del Viento lava caves

• Best boat trip: Whale and dolphin watching

We'll cover all of these in detail below, plus plenty more to fill a week or two.

How We Chose Tenerife Excursions as a Family

With so much choice, we were selective about what we booked. Our criteria were simple:

• Suitable for our child's age – Joshua was 7, so everything needed to work for a younger child

• Not too far from the hotel – Tenerife is small and easy to get around, but we didn't want long drives

• Worth leaving the resort for – with plenty to do at the hotel, each excursion had to feel special

• Different from home – we wanted experiences unique to Tenerife

If you're still deciding where to base yourself, see Where to Stay in Tenerife With Kids. And if you're planning to explore, read Driving in Tenerife With Kids

Sigha Ride Siam Park

Siam Park Splash Area

The Best Water Parks in Tenerife for Families

1. Siam Park

Best for: All ages | Our verdict: Book again

Siam Park is a Thai-themed water park in Costa Adeje, regularly voted the best water park in the world. It's home to some of the most impressive slides in Europe, alongside a huge wave pool, a lazy river and the Lost City children's area designed for younger visitors.

Siam Park genuinely lived up to the hype. Having previously visited Volcano Bay in Florida, we actually preferred Siam Park overall. It's easily a full day out, and there's something for every age and confidence level.

Our only word of warning is that it gets busy, so we bought Fast Passes and arrived early. It's also not the cheapest day out once you factor in tickets, food and extras.

For everything you need to know, see Siam Park Tenerife Review With Kids

Tip: If you're only booking one major attraction in Tenerife, Siam Park is the one I'd plan ahead for.

2. Aqualand Costa Adeje

Best for: Younger children | Our verdict: Great alternative

If you have younger children or want a gentler water park, Aqualand Costa Adeje is a good option.

Alongside its slides and pools, it's known for its dolphin exhibit, which many families enjoy. It's smaller and generally less intense than Siam Park, making it well suited to little ones.

The Best Animal and Nature Attractions in Tenerife

3. Loro Parque

Best for: All ages | Our verdict: Highly recommended

Loro Parque, near Puerto de la Cruz, is one of the most popular attractions on the island. This animal and conservation park is home to penguins, sea lions, chimpanzees, an impressive aquarium and beautifully landscaped tropical gardens. It's a full day out and consistently ranks among the top attractions in Europe.

If this sounds like something your family would enjoy, there is an option to buy a combined ticket with Siam Park.

4. Jungle Park (Aguilas del Teide)

Best for: All ages | Our verdict: Good half day

Jungle Park combines animals with adventure, featuring big cats, penguins, sea lions and an excellent bird of prey show. There's also a zip line and jungle-style setting that older children particularly enjoy.

5. Monkey Park

Best for: Younger children | Our verdict: Fun and affordable

Monkey Park is a small, hands-on animal park near Los Cristianos lets children get up close to lemurs, meerkats and marmosets. It's compact, budget-friendly and ideal for a short visit with younger kids.

6. Camel Park

Best for: Younger children | Our verdict: Novelty experience

For something different, Camel Park offers camel rides through the countryside, along with a small animal farm. It's a quirky, memorable activity for little ones.

The Best Outdoor Adventures in Tenerife With Kids

7. Kayaking and Snorkelling

Best for: Confident swimmers aged 6+ | Our verdict: Book again

This guided kayaking excursion combines kayaking along the shoreline with snorkelling stops in clear water, where you can spot fish and often sea turtles.

This was the most memorable experience of our trip. Paddling along the coast and snorkelling in the sea felt like a proper adventure, and spotting marine life was a real highlight for Joshua.

Children need to be reasonably confident in the water, as you'll be snorkelling in open sea. Sea conditions can vary, and younger children may tire from the paddling, though life jackets are provided.

For the full experience, see Kayaking and Snorkelling in Tenerife Review: Should Families Book It?

Tip: For families who want something more adventurous than another pool day, this is a good excursion to shortlist early.

8. Whale and Dolphin Watching

Best for: All ages | Our verdict: A must-do

Tenerife is one of the best places in Europe to see whales and dolphins in the wild, with resident pods living off the south-west coast year-round. Boat trips range from small eco-tours to larger catamaran cruises with swimming stops. It can be a magical experience for children and adults alike.

9. Family Go Karting

Best for: Ages vary by track | Our verdict: Book again

Go karting in Tenerife is a fun, adrenaline-friendly activity with tracks catering to different ages, including junior karts designed specifically for children.

It was a great shorter activity that we easily fit into part of a day. Joshua loved it, and it was excellent value compared to similar experiences back home. Age and height requirements vary by track, so check in advance. There are multiple tracks in Tenerife so make sure you book the one that is best suited to your location.

For more, see Family Go Karting in Tenerife: Is It Safe and Worth It?

10. Forestal Park

Best for: age 5 years +| Our verdict: Great for active families

Forestal Park is a treetop adventure course set among pine forests, with zip lines and rope courses of varying difficulty. It's ideal for more active, older children who love a physical challenge.

11. Pirate Boat Trips

Best for: All ages | Our verdict: Fun and themed

Themed pirate boat cruises combine sailing with swimming stops, entertainment and sometimes dolphin spotting. They're a hit with younger children who love the novelty.

The Best Natural Wonders in Tenerife for Families

12. Mount Teide

Best for: All ages (check altitude suitability) | Our verdict: Unmissable

Mount Teide is Spain's highest peak and the centrepiece of a stunning national park. You can drive up through the dramatic volcanic landscape, or take the cable car towards the summit for breathtaking views. It feels like another planet and is a fantastic educational experience for kids. If you fancy exploring by quad bike or star gazing there are plenty of tours available that offer different ways to experience Mount Teide.

13. Cueva del Viento

Best for: 5 years + | Our verdict: Unique adventure

Cueva del Viento is one of the largest volcanic lava tube systems in the world. Guided tours take you underground to explore the tunnels, offering a completely different type of adventure. There's a minimum age requirement, so it's best suited to older children.

14. Masca Village and Gorge

Best for: Older children | Our verdict: Scenic day out

The remote mountain village of Masca offers dramatic scenery and one of the island's most famous (and challenging) hiking routes. Even without the full hike, the winding drive and viewpoints make for a memorable family outing. Booking a tour is a good idea if you aren't comfortable exploring independently.

15. Anaga Rural Park

Best for: Active families | Our verdict: Off the beaten track

Anaga Rural Park is great for families who love the outdoors, the ancient laurel forests of Anaga offer beautiful, family-friendly walking trails and a completely different side of Tenerife.

The Best Beaches in Tenerife for Families

16. Playa de las Vistas

Best for: All ages | Our verdict: Ideal family beach

This calm, sheltered golden-sand beach in Los Cristianos is perfect for families, with gentle waters and plenty of facilities nearby.

17. Playa El Duque

Best for: All ages | Our verdict: Upmarket and clean

Located in Costa Adeje, this beautiful Blue Flag beach is known for its calm water and excellent facilities.

18. Playa de las Teresitas

Best for: All ages | Our verdict: Best in the north

This palm-lined golden beach near Santa Cruz is one of the most beautiful on the island, with calm, protected waters ideal for children.

The Best Towns and Cultural Experiences

19. Puerto de la Cruz

A charming northern town with a traditional feel, black-sand beaches and the Lago Martiánez lido complex, which is great for families.

20. La Laguna

Tenerife's UNESCO-listed former capital is full of colourful streets, history and lovely cafés, perfect for a relaxed cultural wander.

21. Local Markets and Spanish Food

Don't underestimate the simple pleasures. Trying new ice cream flavours, tucking into fresh churros and sampling local dishes are often the moments children remember most.

Our Ideal Tenerife Week With Kids

If we were planning the perfect family week, it would look like this:

• 3 pool or beach days – time to relax

• 1 Siam Park day – a full day at the water park

• 1 kayaking and snorkelling trip, paired with 1 shorter activity like go karting

• 1 flexible exploring day – ideal for Teide, a cave visit or a boat trip

• 1 relaxed final day – winding down before home

This balances adventure, relaxation and downtime without overpacking the week.

For more on our seasonal experience, see Tenerife in October Half Term With Kids: Is It Worth It?

Final Verdict: The Best Things to Do in Tenerife With Kids

After trying a range of activities, here's our honest ranking of the excursions we'd book again:

1. Best overall: Siam Park – a must-do and the highlight of our trip

2. Best for adventurous families: Kayaking and snorkelling – memorable and unique

3. Best animal attraction: Loro Parque – a full, rewarding day out

4. Best short activity: Go karting – fun and easy to fit in

5. Best natural wonder: Mount Teide – unforgettable scenery

6. Best to skip if your child is nervous or tired: Kayaking – wonderful, but only for confident swimmers

Ultimately, the best things to do in Tenerife with kids will depend on your children's ages, interests and confidence. For us, a mix of a big day out, an adventurous excursion, an animal park and a shorter activity struck the perfect balance.

Whatever you choose, Tenerife offers an incredible range of family experiences that go far beyond the beach, making it one of our favourite family holiday destinations.

Frequently Asked Questions: What to do in Tenerife with Kids

What Is the Best Thing to Do in Tenerife With Kids?

Siam Park is the standout attraction and our top recommendation, but Loro Parque, whale watching and Mount Teide are all excellent for families.

What Age Is Tenerife Best For?

Tenerife suits all ages. Younger children love the beaches, animal parks and gentler water parks, while older kids enjoy Siam Park, kayaking, caves and adventure activities.

Do You Need a Car to Explore Tenerife With Kids?

Not essential, but helpful if you want to explore beyond your resort. See Driving in Tenerife With Kids.

How Many Days Do You Need in Tenerife With Kids?

A week is ideal for balancing excursions with relaxation, though 10–14 days lets you explore both the south and north of the island.

Is Tenerife Good for a Family Holiday in October Half Term?

Yes. The weather is warm, the island is less crowded than summer, and all the main attractions remain open. See Tenerife in October Half Term With Kids: Is It Worth It?

plan your TRIP TO tenerife

If you’re planning your family trip to the Tenerife, these guides will help you pull everything together:

About Plan Family Escapes

We’re a UK-based family sharing real, experience-led travel guides based on trips we’ve taken with our school-age son Joshua across destinations like Lapland, Turkey and India.

Everything we share is based on what we’ve personally experienced — with honest advice on what actually works when travelling with kids, focusing on making family travel easier, more comfortable and genuinely enjoyable.