Outdoor Activities for Kids

Kids love to play outside in Cayman, either on the beach or on grassy fields, where they can explore, play games and mingle. If you are struggling to find outdoor activities for your children to take part in, look no further

Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ambassadors of the Environment

Learn from Cousteau-trained naturalists about Grand Cayman’s natural wonders with ecoadventure activities offered to adults, children and business groups through Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ambassadors of the Environment programme at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman. Activities include everything from shipwreck snorkelling and mangrove kayak explorations to photography, arts and crafts and science experiments. The activities are fun for all and also offered as after-school activities, along with summer and fall camps. For more information, contact (345) 815 6120 or email: caymanambassadors@ritzcarlton.com.

Black Pearl Skate Park

Located behind Grand Harbour Shopping Centre in Red Bay, the Black Pearl Skate Park is the largest in North America and the second largest in the world. It has 62,000sq ft of beginner, intermediate and expert flow, as well as street courses. The park is operated by the Cayman Islands Skateboard Association (CISA). It is open Sunday-Thursday, 3pm-7pm, and Friday-Saturday, 3pm-9pm. Membership fees range from CI$45 per month to CI$300 for the year. The resident daily rate is CI$7 and the visitor rate is CI$10. Equipment available for rent includes: skateboards, scooters, helmets and elbow and knee pads. They do not offer BMX bikes for rental at the moment. The Park also includes three half basketball courts and rents out basketballs, table tennis tables, foosball tables and board games. The Park is also available to host birthday parties. Contact Michael Myles on (345) 939 1301, email: skate@blackpearl.ky, or visit www.blackpearl.ky.

Cayman Parrot Sanctuary

Cayman’s newest attraction is a friendly, interactive and educational experience. The Cayman Parrot Sanctuary on Austin Conolly Drive, East End, features a variety of Cayman’s native animals. These include Cayman Parrots, parakeets, agoutis, guinea pigs and rabbits, a racer snake, peacocks and an iguana. It is open on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday 12pm-5.30pm. Admission for adults is CI$10 and CI$7 for children 15 years and under with free admission for children two years and under.

Cayman Turtle Centre

Located in West Bay, The Cayman Turtle Centre offers guests a variety of unique experiences. Learn about and observe sea turtles up close and take the photo of a lifetime in one of the turtle touch tanks. Swim or snorkel with yearling green sea turtles and other colourful marine life, experience hand-feeding birds in the Caribbean Aviary, watching the Predator Reef Feeding Frenzy, or join Smiley’s Croc Encounter on specific weekdays. Eat lunch in the restaurant overlooking the lagoon where the resident peacock family hang out, and then swim in the Island’s largest pool with its two waterfalls, underwater viewing panel and Turtle Twister water slide. Open Monday to Sunday 8am-5pm (with last admission at 4.30pm). The resident rate for adults is CI$15 and CI$10 for children 12 years and under with free admission for children two years and under. There is a courtesy shuttle bus that picks up guests from hotels along Seven Mile Beach or plenty of parking if you decide to drive. For more information, call (345) 949 3894, email: info@turtle.ky or visit www.turtle.ky.

Camana Bay

Camana Bay’s Town Centre is a delightful place to take a stroll with your children. It offers wide shady avenues, landscaped courtyards with water features, fountains for children to play in and benches to sit on. Climb the Observation Tower, one of the tallest buildings on Grand Cayman at 75 ft (lifts are also available), for panoramic views of the Island. The book store, Books & Books, also has a great kids section filled with plenty of books and toys to choose from.

Crystal Caves

The Crystal Caves offer tours of underground caves in Grand Cayman. Local guides will take you through the surrounding tropical forest and into the caves, where striking rock formations and an underground lake lay waiting. Stories of how the caves were created, and their history as a hiding place for pirate treasure, offer an intriguing tale for all. There are also a variety of bats nesting, and you can even watch them flit about or eat plums. Call (345) 9492 283, (345) 925 3001 or email: info@caymancrystalcaves.com to arrange a visit.

Dolphin Encounter Attractions

There are two dolphin attractions in Cayman. Dolphin Cove (Tel: (345) 623 2683) is situated in West Bay near Morgan’s Harbour and Dolphin Discovery (Tel: (345) 769 7946) located adjacent to the Cayman Turtle Centre in West Bay. Both of them offer three different programmes and special rates for residents starting at CI$85 for adults and CI$75 for kids under 12 years old. At Dolphin Discovery, guests can enjoy a free dolphin presentation every Saturday and Sunday at 12.30pm.

Floating Water Parks

Floating Water Parks have now become a popular activity for kids. Oasis Aqua Park, located on South Church Street, is a fairly recent inflatable playground that combines friendly competition, exercise and entertainment for an enjoyable experience. It is open to those aged six and up and/or 42” in height. Contact (345) 917 1459 or visit www.oasisaquaparkcayman.com for more information. Another great water park is Jungle Float Cayman which is located at Starfish Point, Kaibo. The float can accommodate up to 40 people and is comprised of six attractions – Tarzan Rope, Jungle Waterslide, Gorilla Bounce, Gorilla Jump, Monkey Jump and Monkey Bounce. Call (345) 922 1830 or email: junglefloatcayman@gmail.com.

Glass Bottom Boat Tours

Explore Cayman’s fascinating underwater world without getting wet by taking a ride on the 35ft ‘Sea Escape’. Tours visit the wrecks of the Cali, Balboa, Eden Rock and Cheeseburger Reef. There is also the opportunity to snorkel and see the fish up close or watch while the crew feed the fish. There is also lots of shade providing protection from the sun. It is perfect for a friend or family outing. Call (345) 917 2323 or (345) 943 5252, or email: info@sealandadventuretours.com.

The CI Humane Society - Volunteering

The Cayman Islands Humane Society is located at 153 North Sound Road, next to A. L. Thompson’s at the Butterfield roundabout. Local families are encouraged to consider adopting a dog from them as an alternative to shipping in a dog from overseas or buying from a breeder. Volunteers are also always needed for dog walking, pet grooming, and dog and cat socialising. They operate an excellent second-hand bookstore (Book Loft) and a thrift shop (Claws-It). Call (345) 949 1461 or visit www.caymanislandshumanesociety.com for more information on how you can help.

Educational Activitieskeyboard_arrow_right

Mastic Reserve & Trail and the Blue Iguana Safari are good educational activities that are great for older kids and teens.

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Parasailing & Paddleboarding

For an incredible view of Seven Mile Beach, take a ride on a parasail. Parasailing Professionals offer single, double and triple rides that take off and land from the back of their parasail boat. A wonderful family experience for kids of six years and older, depending on their confidence levels. Call (345) 916 2953 and ask about resident discounts.

If your kids are keen on learning how to paddleboard, join the Salty Squad. They meet after school, on weekends, holidays and during summer. They also host an all-inclusive ocean sports youth programme. Visit their Facebook page for more information.

Pedro St. James Castle

This 18th century Great House, known by locals as ‘Pedro Castle’, is a great place for all ages to learn about the early history of Cayman. With a multisensory movie theatre, a variety of 18th-century artefacts, and a rich history to learn about, this experience truly is a “step back in time” that will stimulate any child’s imagination. Ask for the Nature and History Trail Hunt for children, or the history quiz, if you really want to test your little ones. With a playground, lots of green space, activities and the Outpost Bar and Grill serving tasty bites, your children are guaranteed to have a fun time at Pedro St. James! It is also a great place to hold kids parties. Located in Savannah, Pedro St. James is just a 20-minute drive from George Town, and is open daily from 8.30am-5pm. Resident rates are: CI$5 for adults, seniors 65+ are free and children five and under are free. A valid ID is required for resident rates. For more information call (345) 947 3329 or email: info@pedrostjames.ky.

Atlantis Submarines

Atlantis Submarines (Tel: (345) 949 7700) offers submarine rides and underwater observatories. They bring underwater exploration to everyone aged four and up, aboard the state-of-the-art, air conditioned Atlantis Submarine. The vessel dives to depths of up to 100ft. For the more adventurous, there is also a submarine night dive. For families with kids under four years old they also offer a semi-submersible craft with an observatory five feet below the surface. Residents are eligible for a discount on the presentation of an accepted ID. For tour times and availability visit www.caymanislandssubmarines.com.