Aruba with Kids: Our Family-Friendly Trip & Tips

Traveling with a toddler means your schedule revolves around naps, snacks, and bedtime routines. We recently spent four nights in Aruba with our toddler, and it was the perfect mix of relaxation and adventure. Here’s how we structured our days, where we stayed, and our best tips for planning your own trip to Aruba with kids.

Where We Stayed: Holiday Inn Resort Aruba

We stayed at the Holiday Inn Resort Aruba, one of the few all-inclusive options on the island. Having meals included made life easier with a toddler. The only downside was most of the restaurants at the resort didn’t allow for takeout. Which meant we couldn’t grab food to-go and bring it back to the room or save it for later, which was a slight bummer.

That said, there were so many things we loved about this resort:

Location: Right on Palm Beach. You can walk to shops and restaurants, but most days you won’t want to leave because the beach is right there.
Rooms: Ask for the Sea Tower first floor, it’s quieter, shaded, and right next to the pool that feels almost private in the mornings. Perfect for families who want less noise. The rooms come with a fridge, microwave and small sink.
Pools: There are two main pool areas. The main pool is lively with music and activities, while the Sea Tower pool is shaded and peaceful. We loved having both options.
Beach: Closest direct beach access on Palm Beach, literally steps from the pool. You’ll want water shoes for kids since the sand can get hot.
Cabanas & Beach Huts: Must reserve ahead (they book fast!). Cost depends on location, but worth it to have guaranteed shade, chairs, and a base for the day.
Dining:
- Pros: All-inclusive is a lifesaver with kids. Variety of food options, breakfast buffets, and snacks available throughout the day.
- Con: No takeout allowed.
Kid-Friendly Amenities: Kiddie pool, cribs, kids’ activities, and family-friendly entertainment in the evenings.

Downtown Aruba with Kids

One of the best surprises about staying at the Holiday Inn Resort Aruba was how close we were to all the kid-friendly fun at the Paseo Herencia Shopping & Entertainment Center in Palm Beach. We didn’t need to plan a special outing or drive anywhere; it was just steps away from the hotel.

Here’s what made it such a win for toddlers:

The Train Ride: It loops around a few times and for a two-year-old, that’s basically the best thing ever. Rides are about $3 each and they start running in the evenings around 6 p.m.
Carousel: Classic, colorful, and the kind of simple joy that never fails. Tickets are also about $3 per ride, and it also opens at 6 p.m.
Nightly Water Show: The “Waltzing Waters” show starts at 7:30 p.m. every night and is totally free. It’s a choreographed performance with music, lights, and fountains right in the central plaza. You can watch it from the plaza itself or grab a table at one of the surrounding restaurants for dinner + a show.

Where We Ate in Aruba

Food in Aruba was a mix of wins and misses, but each spot had its own vibe. Here’s how I’d break it down:

On-Resort Dining (Holiday Inn Aruba)

Best for Easy Meals with Kids

Sea Breeze Restaurant & Bar – Casual, beachfront, and convenient. We had dinner here with Aydin and it was low-stress—exactly what you want after a pool day.
Da Vinci Ristorante – Italian spot at the resort. The food was fine, and it worked for a family dinner when we didn’t want to leave the property.
Corals Restaurant – Buffet-style, great for breakfast and quick bites. Not fancy, but easy with kids.

Note: The only downside of the resort dining was that they don’t allow takeout. If your toddler melts down at mealtime, you can’t just grab food and head back to the room.

Off-Resort Dining

Best with Kids

Madame Janette’s – Fun, casual, and super kid-friendly.
Bohemian – Lively but not overwhelming. Felt like a “grown-up” night out without excluding toddlers.

Best for a Special Night Out

Papiamento – Gorgeous courtyard setting, great food. Felt like a treat and totally worth it.

Best for the Experience

Barefoot – Dinner with your toes in the sand while the sun sets. The food was just okay, but the atmosphere made it memorable.

Tip

Book your dinner reservations in advance, especially if you want to catch Aruba’s golden-hour sunsets.

Toddler Travel Tips for Aruba

Keep it simple. Pool + beach + one outing per day was the sweet spot.
Pack the right gear. The two MVPs of our trip was this beach toy set and inflatable car float from Amazon. My son was entertained for hours, which meant we actually got to relax.

Book cabanas early. Worth it for shade and sanity.
Ask for the Sea Tower. Shaded pool + peace and quiet
Don’t stress about missing things. We heard great things about the animal sanctuary but skipped it to keep our days manageable. Next time!

Amazon Link

Amazon Link

Other Aruba Hotel Options

Every family has different needs (and budgets), so here are a few others worth looking at:

Budget-Friendly: Amsterdam Manor, Eagle Aruba Resort
Mid-Tier: Divi Aruba Phoenix, Hyatt Regency
Luxury: Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis

If you want the absolute easiest beach access, Holiday Inn still wins for convenience.

Would We Go Back?

Yes, our son enjoyed every minute and we got real downtime as parents, and those sunsets… they’ll stay with me forever. Aruba is an easy, family-friendly island that doesn’t feel overwhelming, and we’d absolutely go back.