Barbados is one of the easiest Caribbean islands to visit with children. English is spoken everywhere, the roads and services are good, the sea on the west and south coasts is warm and generally gentle, and many attractions are short, shaded and hands-on. With a little planning, you can fill a family holiday with variety without exhausting small travellers.
Choose the right coast
The west coast has the calmest water, which makes it ideal for young swimmers and first-time snorkellers. The south coast has more waves and a livelier scene, which suits older children and teenagers. The east coast is wild, and the surf is not suitable for swimming, so treat it as a place for scenery and short walks rather than beach time. When you choose a hotel, look for a calm beach, a pool with a shallow area and family rooms or connecting rooms. The Accra Beach Hotel and Spa, Coconut Court and the larger resorts such as the Hilton are practical family bases, while smaller luxury hotels often set age rules for some areas, so check the policy before you book.
Animals
The Barbados Wildlife Reserve is a favourite with children, who can walk among green monkeys, tortoises and birds in a shaded woodland. Welchman Hall Gully is another good place to look for monkeys on a short, gentle trail. Remind children not to feed the animals and to hold on to hats and sunglasses, since monkeys are quick. A turtle snorkel or a glass-bottom boat adds another animal encounter, and the turtles at Carlisle Bay are used to visitors.
On the water
The catamaran turtle and shipwreck cruise is a family highlight, with snorkelling, swimming, music and lunch on board, and crew who are used to looking after children. Life jackets are usually provided for those who need them, and many operators offer reduced child rates. If your children are not ready for open water, the Atlantis Submarine lets them see the reef and wrecks from a seat in a cooled cabin, subject to minimum age and height rules. Carlisle Bay offers calm, shallow swimming close to Bridgetown, and a beach day there is easy to arrange.
Caves, gardens and history
Harrison's Cave is the island's best family outing, since the electric tram does the work and the waterfall and pools keep children interested. Hunte's Gardens and the Flower Forest are shady and calm, and young children enjoy the paths and the flowers. Gun Hill Signal Station is a good short stop for children who like cannons, climbs and views. Older children may enjoy the Garrison and the Barbados Museum, particularly if you set a time limit and add an ice cream afterwards.
Food
Most restaurants welcome children, and local dishes such as fishcakes, macaroni pie, grilled chicken, rice and peas and fresh fruit are generally child-friendly. The Oistins Fish Fry is lively and informal, and families often go early in the evening before it gets busy. Ask for pepper sauce on the side, as it can be very hot.
Practical tips
The sun is strong, so use reef-safe sunscreen, rash vests, hats and shade, and plan outdoor activities for the morning. Carry water, and give children regular breaks from the heat. Choose small-group tours with hotel pickup rather than long drives with a rental car, and avoid packing more than one big outing a day. Seatbelts and car seats can be harder to arrange on taxis, so ask in advance if you need one. Pack insect repellent for evenings and gardens, and water shoes for rocky or urchin-prone spots.
A sample family week
Spend the first day on the beach and in the pool, then take the catamaran cruise on day two, the Wildlife Reserve and the Flower Forest on day three, Harrison's Cave on day four and a relaxed Carlisle Bay day on day five. That leaves room for a Friday fish fry and for plenty of unplanned time in the sea.
