Fun things to do in Maldives with kids

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Maldives with kids might seem like an unusual vacation idea to many, but the island nation is on a path of rediscovery. Having reached the top position among holiday destinations for honeymooners, it is now on a mission to attract different tourists.




Over the last decade, the country has started to welcome budget travelers as well as families with children looking for an extraordinary break full of adventure, fun, and entertainment.

At the forefront of this change are the private islands. Almost every Maldives family resort now offers a wide range of events for different ages, from adults-only dance nights for parents to beachside games for children.

By providing several things to do for kids in Maldives, and having villas that help accommodate larger groups, resorts have seen a significant rise in families visiting the islands.

Before planning all the exciting activities, you want to partake in, it is essential to select the best Maldives family resort beforehand. This includes looking at the different types of rooms, amenities, and accessibility from the airport. When on a family vacation, opt for a Maldives family resort with open spaces for kids to run around, multiple dining options, and a designated kid’s club.

Once you have your accommodation sorted out, it is time to sit down and pick out all the interesting things to do for kids in Maldives from the following list.

Art class at a kid's club

Enjoy kid’s club activities

The kid’s club of a Maldives family resort is the center of activity for every child residing on the island. These play centers differ in size from one retreat to another but come with a professional staff who are more than happy to keep children occupied with various games throughout the day.

For the younger kids, there are playgrounds with slides and swings, painting classes, sandcastle building, toddler’s pools, board games, movies, books, and song and dance happenings, conducted in comfortable airconditioned rooms.




Not to forget pre-teens and teenagers, Maldives family resorts have special pool games, video games centers, and areas where elder kids can mingle with each other. Moreover, there are language and dance classes, cooking demonstrations, and marine life presentations to educate them about Maldivian culture and lifestyle.

Go on a dolphin cruise

Vacationing at a Maldives family resort is about spending uninterrupted moments with your loved ones. While individual children’s activities leave parents with free time to enjoy adults-only excursions, it is equally essential for the entire family to do things together.

A dolphin sunset safari Maldives is the perfect excuse for everyone to appreciate the archipelago’s natural beauty. Private islands have regular dolphin spotting boat trips that last a few hours.

To make the evening magical, you can rent a dhoni and ask the resort to arrange for dinner onboard. Kids particularly love a leisurely sail out in the sea and are the first to squeal with joy whenever they spot a dolphin or few.

Learning watersports in the Maldives

Learn watersports

Watersports are available everywhere on the islands, and they are among the best things to do in Maldives with kids. Moreover, the resorts and local operators on inhabited islands take water-based activities very seriously. As a result, all watersports are totally safe, conducted keeping in mind regional laws and safety precautions.

Watersports for children in the Maldives fall into two main categories. There are thrill-based options like riding a tube or a banana boat that kids can do with the whole family. For something like jet skiing, though, they can ride behind a parent or the operator.

However, a holiday in the Maldives is also the perfect opportunity to learn new watersports. Many retreats have specialized classes for their little guests, teaching them how to surf, snorkel, and even get a beginner’s lesson in diving.

Watch a movie in an outdoor cinema

A well-established trend you’ll see at every Maldives family resort is that of an outdoor cinema. Provided the weather is good, the staff plans an atmospheric setting to view a kid-friendly movie under the stars.

Large bean bags and couches to comfortably lie down, popcorn and other snacks on hand, and the ocean’s cool breeze create the perfect setting for the entire family to snuggle up and watch a favorite film on a large screen.




Playing games on the beach

Play beach games

Beach games are the easiest of things to do for kids in Maldives. Moreover, unlike some other activities, children can have fun on the beach at private resorts and on inhabited islands.

When staying at a luxury resort in the Maldives, there are daily beach events for kids. These include races, treasure hunts, and presentations by on-site marine biologists about the different fishes found in the house reef.

While on an inhabited island, children can play volleyball or football on the beach with the local kids, snorkel, build sandcastles, or relax in a traditional Maldivian beach chair called jaoli.

Visit inhabited islands

A vacation in the Maldives with kids isn’t complete until they experience life on an inhabited island. This is where children understand what it means to be a Maldivian as they look around observing the “real Maldives.”

The islands of Maafushi, Gulhi, Thoddoo, and a few others have recently seen a surge of foreign tourists arriving. However, these islands still have a rustic charm about them and aren’t active enough to hold the attention of children.

Malé, on the other hand, is a bustling capital. Easily navigable on foot, a day in Malé presents families with a variety of attractions, including shopping and beach excursions.

For slightly quirky things to do in Maldives with kids, consider a trip to the fish and vegetable market in Malé and a boat trip to Hulhumalé on a local ferry. You can also go shopping for souvenirs on Chaandhanee Magu, enjoy a drink at one of Malé’s hipster cafes, and splash around in the water at the city’s artificial public beach.

Cooking demonstration for kids

Try the local cuisine

Food is in abundance across all the resorts in the Maldives. Keeping their young guests in mind, retreats serve an array of delicious bites from comfort eats like pizza and pasta to gourmet seafood for kids with a more refined palate.

Moreover, when having fun on the islands, children get to savor international dishes, ranging from Japanese sushi and Indian curries to French desserts and American snacks. Of course, relishing authentic Maldivian food should top the list, especially since it consists of basic ingredients found on the islands or in the surrounding waters.

Children with a sincere interest in the culinary arts have plenty more options. Resorts and guesthouses can arrange for cooking classes, and if you ask politely, it may be possible to take a tour of your favorite restaurant’s kitchen and meet the chef.

Take a submarine ride

While in Malé, an opportunity not to miss is a ride in a submarine. The Whale Submarine is ideal for all ages and gives smaller children the chance to see aquatic life in its natural habitat.

The Whale Submarine tour takes around 2hours and consists of the submarine going to a depth of 50m across four diving sites thriving with vibrant underwater life. There are four trips during the day, each starting from and ending at the Malé President’s Jetty.

Visit historical and religious sites

The Maldives is a Muslim country with distinct traditions. Being in Malé for a day or on any one of the inhabited islands is an occasion for children to know more about the local culture.

The Malé Friday Mosque, for example, is not just a religious monument but one that highlights Maldivian architecture and design. Built-in 1658 using coral stone, the carvings on its walls signify the brilliance of Maldivian artisans. Another important historical site worth visiting with older kids is Utheemu Ganduvaru, the house of ruler Sultan Mohmed Thakrufaanu situated in Haa Alif Atoll.

A family picnic on a sandbank in Maldives

Picnic on a sandbar

A slightly more exciting thing to do in Maldives with kids is organizing a sandbar picnic. Dining in the middle of the ocean, with no one around, is undoubtedly a romantic dinner option for couples.

However, it is not exclusive to honeymooners in the Maldives. Resorts can arrange a day trip to a nearby sandbar, sending the family off with picnic baskets and other accessories to make their short stay comfortable. Children can pack their snorkeling gear, a beach ball, frisbee, and the likes to make the most of this unique experience.

Have a professional photoshoot

With unimaginable beauty all around, everyone is forever busy taking photos in the Maldives. It can be of the ocean’s different shades, glorious multi-colored sunsets one witnesses each evening, of luxurious Maldives overwater bungalows or the fascinating world that exists below the water.

But for something truly exceptional, one of the things to do for kids in Maldives is organizing a professional photoshoot. Since the islands are already a favorable wedding destination, there is no shortage of excellent photographers. Photo sessions can be for the entire family or individuals, leaving children with a memento they can then show to their friends back home.