Pixie
Planning your next holiday to Sri Lanka, but uncertain of how to keep your kids occupied? Don’t worry! Sri Lanka is a destination that has something for every age group, and you can bet that your kids are in for the time of their lives! Here are some fun things that you can do with your family during your stay on the island.
As an island nation, Sri Lanka offers plenty of beach experiences that the kids can enjoy along with the adults. From water sports such as surfing to jet skiing, the pristine white sandy beaches and clear blue waters are almost always inviting you to take a dip! Practice common sense (such as ensuring your child stays close to the shore if they are not strong swimmers), and you’re in for a great adventure! If you’d rather move away from the more popular tourist spots, there are plenty of private beaches around Sri Lanka that you can take advantage of and, better yet, there are stunning beachfront properties for you to stay at during your visit! For example, Calamansi Cove Villas offers a private beach experience, with their villas hidden behind their namesake calamansi trees while being just a few steps away from the waves. Your kids are likely to think of living on the beach as a massive adventure that they’re never going to forget – and they’re right!
In addition to the stunning views that Sri Lanka has on offer, it also hosts a plethora of wildlife that you would be hard pressed to find elsewhere! So why not embark on a wildlife safari with the kids? Elephants, leopards, monkeys and hundreds of other species are known to move through the island, so head to one of Sri Lanka’s many national parks to try and catch a glimpse! If you’re hoping to spot the elusive leopard, your best bet is to head to Yala National Park; however if Sri Lanka’s wild elephants are more your thing, head over to Udawalawe National Park. Your kids are never going to forget their first glimpse of Sri Lanka’s wildlife, and neither are you. Those looking for an extra bit of adventure can choose to stay at Jetwing Safari Camp where wildlife is your neighbour!
It might be a hard sell to some of the little ones, but tea is one of Sri Lanka’s major exports and holds a special place in the hearts of its people. The tea plantations of Sri Lanka take up more than 450,000 acres of land, and while most are based in the mountains, several plantations are also grown in the lowlands. Book a guided tour of a tea estate and learn all about the tea-making process with your family. You can follow tea workers as they wind their way between plants and skillfully pinch leaves from their stems, and then head to a tea factory where the leaves are turned into tea before letting your kids taste the final brew.
If you’d rather take some time for yourself during your holiday, you can always make sure that you book a stay at a hotel with a dedicated kids’ area. For example, Club Hotel Dolphin in the west coast city of Negombo provides a fantastic Kidz Club that encourages the children in its care to explore and learn about their exotic surroundings, offering bird watching excursions and traditional Sri Lankan dance lessons. It keeps your kids busy and supervised by professional caretakers, while you get the space to take a breather and maybe explore some of the less kid-friendly activities that Sri Lanka can offer.
