At less than 70 square miles, Aruba is a small island, but it packs in a lot of kid-friendly activities for a Caribbean family getaway. Snorkel or splash in the bright blue waters of the Caribbean Sea, explore breathtaking natural parklands, dig in to a wide variety of tasty restaurants, support Aruba’s wildlife sanctuaries, or just stake out a spot on the powdery sand beaches.

With its mix of beach beauty and easy-access family attractions—and a relatively protected location south of the main Atlantic hurricane corridor—Aruba is a kid-pleasing choice for a sunny school-break vacation. Perhaps best of all, Aruba has a well-deserved rep for being one of the friendliest places on Earth. It certainly lives up to its tagline: One happy island!

Whether you’ve got an active crew in search of some new adventures or you’re just looking for a fabulous hotel pool to sink into for a few days, here are the best things to do in Aruba with kids. Find more tropical family-friendly escapes, including St. Thomas, in our Caribbean Family Travel Guide.

These New England roadside attractions will add extra fun to a family trip.

Cowboy-obsessed kids will love a trip to Western-themed Bandera.

A bar mitzvah and bat mitzvah are huge milestones in any Jewish child's life. Usually occurring around a child's 12th or 13th birthday, this momentous occasion celebrates the first steps into adulthood and the religious honors and responsibilities that come with it. And after the solemn service, it's all about an epic bar or bar mitzvah party! Check out some of our favorite venues in Atlanta to host the ultimate celebration for these hard-working kids!

Ahhh, Universal Studios Hollywood. Everyone knows that when you drive down the 101, you see LA’s beloved one-eyed Minion peeping at you from across the road. You notice Hogwarts, rising into the sky on a hill, and you may have asked yourself (probably countless times) “Should we take the kids there? Is it worth it?” As a local mom of four, I’m here to tell you, yes, Universal Studios Hollywood is absolutely worth a trip. 

We took our boys and a buddy, ages 5, 7, and 8, for a birthday celebration and had the most memorable day. We want to make your day memorable too, so read on for a local’s tips and tricks to maximize your day at Universal Studios Hollywood. 

 Be prepared to visit any LA-area theme park with this guide to all the best Los Angeles theme parks!

Galena, Illinois, a city rich in history and charming surroundings, is less than three hours away from Chicago, making it a perfect getaway for families. Once a hub for commerce by way of the Mississippi River, its legacy is worth exploring. Grown-ups and kids will love everything from learning about its most famous resident—former U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant—to the abundance of nature, shopping, and more. Here are 22 things you must do in Galena, Illinois with kids.

Looking for other fun adventures near Chicago? Check out everything to do in Napierville, Springfield, and Lake Geneva, WI