Sample itinerary · 7 nights

The Family Trip

This is the Aruba trip that keeps the kids happy without wearing you out. Six days of shallow beaches, animal encounters they'll actually remember, and one big excursion per day—the rest is pool time and easy dinners. You'll stay on Palm Beach where the resorts have kids' clubs and the water stays calm, and you'll pace it like a real family vacation: one anchor activity, then coast.

Day 1
Arrival & Beach Settling
Afternoon
Check into your Palm Beach resort—Hyatt Regency, Marriott, or Holiday Inn all have solid kids' clubs and pools with slides. Unpack, slather sunscreen, and let the kids test the pool while you figure out where the swim-up bar is.
Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort Spa and Casino →Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino →Holiday Inn Resort Aruba-beach Resort & Casino →
Evening
Walk the beach, let them chase waves, then grab an early dinner at the resort or nearby—nothing fancy, just whatever keeps the meltdowns at bay. Bedtime comes early after travel.
Day 2
Baby Beach & Calm Water
Morning
Drive south to Baby Beach, the island's shallowest lagoon and the safest spot for younger kids. The water's ankle-deep for 30 yards, warm as bathwater, and protected by a natural rock barrier. Bring snorkel masks—even four-year-olds can float face-down here and spot parrotfish.
Snorkeling in Aruba: compare the ways →
Afternoon
Head back to the resort for lunch and pool time. Let the kids hit the waterslide or sign up for the kids' club activity while you grab a poolside chair and decompress.
Evening
Early dinner on-site or at a casual spot on the strip. Keep it simple—pizza, pasta, nothing that requires them to sit still for an hour.
Day 3
De Palm Island Adventure
Morning
Take the ferry to De Palm Island for the all-inclusive water park package. This is the big excursion day: waterslides, a zipline over the lagoon, snorkeling in calm water, and a buffet lunch. The kids will burn energy for hours while you rotate between snorkeling and shade.
Private Island Day Trips: compare the ways →
Afternoon
Still on the island—let them go back for another slide lap while you claim a beach chair. The ferry runs every hour, so leave when the energy crashes, usually mid-afternoon.
Evening
Low-key resort night. Room service or the buffet—whatever's easiest. Everyone will be sun-tired.
Day 4
Animal Encounters Circuit
Morning
Start at the Butterfly Farm in Palm Beach—it's climate-controlled, which matters when it's 90 degrees by 10 a.m. Butterflies land on the kids, guides explain the life cycle, and you're done in 45 minutes. Then drive to the Donkey Sanctuary where rescue donkeys roam free and kids can feed and pet them. It's dusty and low-key, and the donkeys are shockingly gentle.
Animal Encounters: compare the ways →
Afternoon
Swing by the Ostrich Farm if you're not fried yet—hand-feeding an ostrich is a solid photo op and the tour's only 30 minutes. Then head back to the resort for lunch and pool recovery.
Animal Encounters: compare the ways →
Evening
Casual dinner, maybe venture off-property to a nearby family spot if the kids are up for it. Nothing that requires a reservation or dress code.
Day 5
Eagle Beach & Resort Day
Morning
Walk or drive to Eagle Beach, the wide, soft-sand stretch just south of Palm Beach. The water's calm, the beach is less crowded, and there's space for sandcastles and boogie boarding. Rent a palapa if you want shade that doesn't involve hauling an umbrella.
Afternoon
Back to the resort. Let the kids hit the pool or kids' club while you take a real break—spa, gym, nap, whatever you've been putting off. This is the catch-your-breath day.
Evening
Sunset walk on Palm Beach, then dinner at the resort or a nearby spot. Keep it easy—no one needs a scene on day five.
Day 6
Last Beach Morning & Departure Prep
Morning
One last pool or beach session, depending on your flight time. Let the kids squeeze in a final waterslide lap or shell hunt. Pack slowly, bribe with snacks, and check out without drama.
Afternoon
Head to the airport. If you have time to kill, grab lunch near the terminal or let the kids burn off energy in the departure hall. Aruba's airport is small, so don't show up three hours early unless you enjoy sitting in hard chairs.

Know before you go

Baby Beach is a 30-minute drive south—go early before it heats up, and bring your own snacks since the on-site shack has limited options.
De Palm Island's all-inclusive ticket covers the ferry, waterslides, snorkeling, and lunch. Book ahead online to skip the dock kiosk line.
Most Palm Beach resorts have kids' clubs, but they fill up during peak season. Ask about sign-up when you check in, not the morning you want to use it.
Eagle Beach is walking distance from Palm Beach if you're staying mid-strip, but the walk back in full sun with tired kids is rough—drive or grab a taxi.
The Butterfly Farm gives you a return pass, so if your kids love it (or if someone melts down halfway through), you can come back the next morning for free.
Sunscreen goes on every 90 minutes here, especially with kids in and out of the water. Aruba's 12 degrees off the equator—the sun does not mess around.
Most resort restaurants have kids' menus, but 'kid-friendly' in Aruba still means waiting 30 minutes for chicken fingers during high season. Pack snacks for the in-between times.
If you're renting a car, get the smallest SUV that fits your crew. Parking at Baby Beach and the animal spots is dirt lots, not valet—don't bring the Suburban.