Dead Sea With Kids: What to Expect (And What Surprised Us Most)

If you're wondering what it's really like visiting the Dead Sea with children, this guide is for families trying to decide whether the Dead Sea is worth including in a Jordan itinerary and what to realistically expect when you get there.

Quick answer: is the Dead Sea worth visiting with kids?

Yes — but probably not for the reasons you think. The famous floating experience is fun and definitely worth doing once, but for most families it's a relatively short activity rather than a full-day attraction. What surprised us most was just how salty the water is and how quickly we were ready to get out.

Before visiting, I'd seen all the classic photos of people floating effortlessly in the water and covering themselves in mineral-rich mud. It looked relaxing, unique and like something Joshua, our 7-year-old son, would love.

The reality was slightly different.

While floating in the Dead Sea is an amazing experience, the water is incredibly salty and can be uncomfortable if you have cuts, eczema or sensitive skin. Joshua our 7 year old son struggled more than we expected because of his eczema, and even we found ourselves heading for the freshwater showers much sooner than anticipated.

What surprised us most was that the Dead Sea itself isn't really an all-day activity. You float, take the photos, try the mud, and then you're usually ready to get out and wash off.

What we loved, though, was the overall experience. The scenery is stunning, the salt-covered shoreline feels unlike anywhere else we've visited, and there is something special about floating in the lowest place on Earth. We also found that staying at a beachfront resort made a huge difference.

While the Dead Sea was the reason we visited, Joshua probably spent more time enjoying the beach and pool than he did in the water itself, which is why choosing the right hotel ended up being just as important as the Dead Sea experience.

In this guide, I'll cover what the Dead Sea is like with kids, whether children can float safely, how long you'll realistically spend there, what surprised us most, and how to choose the right Dead Sea resort for families.

Just a quick note: some links in this guide are affiliate links. This doesn't affect the price you pay, and we only recommend hotels, tours and travel products we've used ourselves or would confidently book again.

Is the Dead Sea Worth Visiting With Kids?

For us, yes. The Dead Sea with kids experience is completely unique and unlike anything else you'll do in Jordan. It was one of those places where Joshua could say he had done something most children never get the chance to try.

That said, it wasn't quite what we expected. We had imagined spending hours in the water floating around and enjoying the beach. In reality, the Dead Sea itself was more of a short, memorable experience that we enjoyed before heading back to the pool.

If you're expecting a traditional beach day, you'll probably be disappointed. If you're expecting a fascinating natural phenomenon and an opportunity to float effortlessly in the water, it's absolutely worth including.

If you're still deciding how the Dead Sea fits alongside Petra, Wadi Rum and Aqaba, our How to Plan a Family Trip to Jordan: Step-by-Step Guide for First Timers explains how we structured the entire trip.

What Is the Dead Sea Like With Kids?

The best way to describe the Dead Sea with kids is that it's fun, unusual and surprisingly intense.

Unlike a normal beach:

• you don't really swim

• you don't spend hours in the water

• you definitely don't splash around - you DO NOT want to get salt in your eyes!

The salt content is so high that you naturally float on the surface, which is an incredibly strange feeling at first.

For Joshua, the novelty was exciting. For the adults, it was equally entertaining watching everyone try to work out how to float comfortably without getting water anywhere near their face.

This is why a lot of family guides to the Dead Sea in Jordan talk about managing expectations. The experience is memorable, but much shorter than most people imagine.

Our Hilton Dead Sea Experience

We stayed at the Hilton Dead Sea Resort, and it worked really well for our family. The beach itself was lovely. A short lift ride took us directly down to the private beachfront where there were sun loungers, towels and plenty of space.

Even when we weren't floating in the Dead Sea, Joshua enjoyed playing on the sand and exploring the beach. The pool area was also excellent, with plenty of shade, loungers and a large family pool.

There was a complimentary kids club included. Joshua gave it a try but there weren't many English-speaking children during our visit, so he quickly came back to the pool with us. He's very social and tends to enjoy kids clubs most when there are other children to play with.

Food was good throughout our stay and reasonably priced, while breakfast was included and made mornings much easier.

For a full breakdown of the rooms, beach access, pools and whether the hotel is worth the money, read our Hilton Dead Sea Resort Review: Is It Right for Families?

Are Cheaper Dead Sea Hotels Worth It?

There are cheaper accommodation options around the Dead Sea. Whether they're worth it depends on what you want from the experience.

The premium resorts typically include:

• private beach access

• mud bath facilities

• freshwater showers

• pools

• sun loungers

Without those, you may end up paying separately to access some facilities anyway.

We looked at several options before booking and felt the Hilton offered the best balance of:

• location

• beach access

• facilities

• value for money

Other popular family options with beach access include the Mövenpick, Marriott and Kempinski.

If you're comparing hotels across the whole country rather than just the Dead Sea, see Where to Stay in Jordan With Kids: The Best Family Hotels by Location, which compares accommodation in Amman, Petra, Wadi Rum, Aqaba and the Dead Sea.

What Surprised Us Most About the Dead Sea

When researching what the Dead Sea is like for families, the one thing I hadn't fully appreciated was just how intense the saltiness would be. Poor Joshua has eczema and really struggled with the irritation, while even small cuts and scratches on the adults stung far more than expected.

If anyone in your family has sensitive skin, it's worth knowing that the water can be uncomfortable, and you definitely don't want to get any in your eyes.

The other surprise was how quickly the experience was over. Before visiting, I imagined spending ages floating around, but in reality most of us were ready to get out much sooner. We floated, took the photos, tried the mud, and then headed straight for the showers.

That's why, for us, the Dead Sea with kids experience was less about spending hours in the water and more about enjoying a unique natural wonder as part of a wider resort stay.

The Mud Baths Are Fun — But Brief

Covering yourself in Dead Sea mud is definitely worth trying. It makes for great photos and was part of the experience we wanted to tick off.

What surprised us was that it wasn't quite the luxurious spa experience we'd imagined. Like the water, it felt more like a fun novelty than something we'd want to spend ages doing.

Afterwards, everyone wanted the showers fairly quickly. Fortunately, our hotel had freshwater facilities right on the beach, although you sometimes had to wait your turn.

Is the Dead Sea Safe for Children?

Yes — the Dead Sea is safe for children when properly supervised. The biggest concern isn't safety in the traditional sense. It's comfort.

Children need:

• close supervision

• help entering and exiting the water

• reminders not to splash

• help keeping water away from their eyes

Our biggest challenge wasn't safety — it was managing how uncomfortable the salt felt on Joshua's skin.

Can Children Float in the Dead Sea?

Yes — children can float in the Dead Sea surprisingly easily. In fact, floating is one of the easiest parts.

The challenge isn't staying afloat — it's remembering not to splash, rub your eyes or get the water in your mouth afterwards. This is why some beaches and resorts advise extra caution with younger children.

Joshua could float perfectly well, but he wasn't interested in staying in the water for very long once he realised how salty it felt. In reality, most families spend far less time in the Dead Sea than they expect, especially if children have sensitive skin or eczema.

How Long Should You Spend at the Dead Sea?

For most families, a couple of hours is enough for the actual Dead Sea experience. You'll float, take the photos, try the mud baths and then, more than likely, be ready for a freshwater shower.

Looking back, what we really enjoyed wasn't just floating in the Dead Sea. It was having time to enjoy the pools, beachfront, hotel facilities and simply slow down. In fact, we probably spent longer in the pool than we did in the Dead Sea itself.

For us, the Dead Sea worked best as a relaxing stop between Amman and Petra. If your itinerary allows, I'd recommend spending one or two nights here to break up the journey and enjoy some downtime before moving on to the more active parts of Jordan.

If you're planning your route, see our 9-Day Jordan Family Itinerary: Petra, Dead Sea, Wadi Rum & Aqaba Road Trip, which shows how we used the Dead Sea as a relaxing family stop rather than just a quick photo opportunity.

The Dead Sea Salt Lakes: One of the Most Unexpected Highlights

While most people visit the Dead Sea to float in the water, some of our favourite photos actually came from the salt formations along the shoreline.

As the water recedes, thick layers of salt build up along the edge of the Dead Sea, creating bright white platforms that look almost like snow or ice against the deep blue water. Seeing them in person felt completely different to anything we had expected.

For Joshua, this ended up being just as interesting as floating. He loved exploring the unusual landscape, looking at the crystal formations and walking out onto the salt-covered areas (carefully). It also made a great opportunity to take a break from the water itself, especially after discovering just how salty the Dead Sea can be.

The salt formations are also one of the best places for family photos. The contrast between the white salt, turquoise water and mountains in the background creates some of the most striking scenery anywhere in Jordan.

A couple of practical tips:

• Wear sturdy footwear if you're exploring the salt formations, as the surface can be uneven and sharp in places.

• Keep children close to you, as some areas can be slippery near the water's edge.

• Visit earlier or later in the day if possible, as there is very little shade.

For us, the salt lakes and salt formations were one of the most memorable parts of our Dead Sea visit and something we hadn't really appreciated when planning the trip. If you're visiting the Dead Sea with kids, don't just float and leave — spend some time exploring the shoreline as well. It's a unique landscape that feels almost otherworldly and makes the experience much more than just a quick photo opportunity.

The Dead Sea salt formations are easily reached by car from the main Dead Sea road, with several unofficial roadside pull-offs allowing access to the shoreline. We stopped for around 30 minutes on the way between resorts and attractions, and found it was one of the best photo opportunities around the Dead Sea — just make sure you wear sturdy shoes, as the salt can be sharp and uneven underfoot.

What We Would Do Differently Next Time

Honestly, not much.

The biggest change would simply be our expectations. If we visited again, we'd spend less time focused on the Dead Sea itself and more time enjoying the resort experience around it. We'd still float. We'd still try the mud baths. But we'd recognise that the hotel is just as important as the sea itself.

One thing we were glad we'd packed was plenty of sunscreen, swimwear and spare clothes. If you're planning the rest of Jordan too, see Jordan Packing List With Kids

Final Verdict: Dead Sea With Kids

Yes — the Dead Sea is worth visiting with kids.

It's unique, memorable and something your children will almost certainly remember. But it isn't the all-day activity many families imagine. The biggest surprise for us was how intense the saltiness was and how quickly everyone wanted to get back to fresh water afterwards.

The best Dead Sea experience isn't just about floating — it's about combining the Dead Sea, mud baths, beach and hotel facilities into one relaxed family stop.

FAQs: Dead Sea With Kids

Is the Dead Sea worth visiting with kids?

Yes — the floating experience is unique and something most children will remember. Just don't expect to spend all day in the water, as most families find the pools, beach and hotel facilities become just as important as the Dead Sea itself.

Can children float in the Dead Sea?

Yes, children can float surprisingly easily. The bigger challenge is avoiding splashes and keeping the highly salty water away from eyes and mouths. Children with eczema or sensitive skin may find the water uncomfortable.

Is the Dead Sea safe for children?

Yes, with supervision. The main things to watch for are slippery shorelines, salt water in the eyes, and skin irritation if your child has cuts, grazes or eczema.

How many days should you spend at the Dead Sea?

For most families, one or two nights is ideal. The Dead Sea itself is a relatively short experience, but staying overnight lets you enjoy the pools, beach and resort facilities without rushing.

See our 9-Day Jordan Family Itinerary to see how the Dead Sea fits into a wider Jordan trip.

Do you need to stay at a Dead Sea resort?

No, but we'd recommend it. Direct beach access, mud baths, freshwater showers and pools make the experience far easier with kids.

Read our Hilton Dead Sea Resort Review to see why we chose a beachfront resort.

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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.