Tenerife family guide
Tenerife is Europe's easy answer to a grey winter: about 20-24 °C by day from November to March, a four-hour flight from much of the continent, and a volcano to ride up. Families split their time between the sunny south coast around Los Cristianos and Costa Adeje, the green north with Loro Parque, and the moon-like crater around Mount Teide. Whales and dolphins live offshore all year.
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Best ages
Beaches and Loro Parque suit all ages; Siam Park's big slides need about 1.25 m or more, and the Teide cable car to 3,555 m is better for children who are well and not too small.
Stroller
Seafront promenades in Los Cristianos, Costa Adeje and Puerto de la Cruz are flat and smooth, but villages, lava trails and the Teide upper station are rough, so bring a carrier.
Take this guide on the trip
Signal and roaming are not guaranteed abroad. Print this guide or save it as a PDF, then add a Tenerife travel journal and packing list. All three are free and are made in your browser.
Travel journal for Tenerife Packing list for TenerifeTop things to do in Tenerife with kids
Teide cable car Ages 4+
An eight-minute ride climbs to 3,555 m among lava and craters; return tickets are about €42 for adults and €21 for ages 3-13, and wind or snow can stop it.
Loro Parque Ages all ages
Large zoo in Puerto de la Cruz with a real-ice penguin house, gorillas, parrots and sea lion shows; plan a full day and book online.
Siam Park Ages 3+
A Thai-themed water park in Costa Adeje with a wave pool, a lazy river and a separate kids' area; the water is heated, so it works in winter too.
Whale and dolphin trip Ages 4+
Pilot whales live between Tenerife and La Gomera all year; two- to three-hour boat trips from Los Cristianos or Puerto Colón cost roughly €30-60 per person.
Playa de Las Teresitas Ages all ages
A wide golden-sand beach near Santa Cruz protected by a breakwater, so the water stays calm for small swimmers.
Rainy-day and cold-day options
Museo de la Naturaleza y Arqueología
Guanche mummies, volcano rocks and island animals in Santa Cruz.
Museo de la Ciencia y el Cosmos
Hands-on science and a planetarium in La Laguna, with low entry prices.
Cueva del Viento
Guided walk inside a long lava tube near Icod de los Vinos; book ahead and wear trainers.
A simple first day
- Morning
- Walk the promenade from Los Cristianos to Playa de las Américas and swim at a sheltered beach.
- Afternoon
- Take a two-hour whale and dolphin boat trip from the harbour.
- Evening
- Eat papas arrugadas by the sea and watch La Gomera's outline at sunset.
Getting around
A hire car is the simplest way to reach Teide and the north; TITSA buses link the main towns cheaply with a Ten+ travel card, and the south coast resorts are walkable.
Food kids like
Kids usually like papas arrugadas (wrinkly salted potatoes) with mild green mojo, grilled fish, Canary bananas and churros; dinner starts around 19:30 in resorts and later in local towns.
What Tenerife costs for a family
About €140-220 a day for a family of four, excluding lodging and car hire.
| Item | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Teide cable car return (adult / child 3-13) | €42 / €21 |
| Loro Parque (adult / child) | €40-46 / €27-32 |
| Siam Park (adult / child) | €40-46 / €27-32 |
| Whale and dolphin boat trip (per person) | €30-60 |
The Twin Ticket combines Loro Parque and Siam Park at a discount, and supermarket picnics are much cheaper than resort restaurants. Prices are typical ranges checked for 2025–2026; confirm current prices before you book.
Safety notes
- The sun is strong even in January and stronger still at Teide, so use high-factor sunscreen, hats and sunglasses all day.
- Atlantic waves and currents are powerful on open beaches, so swim at guarded, sheltered beaches and follow the flags.
- Teide is cold, windy and high, so bring warm layers, water and snacks, and come down if anyone feels dizzy or sick.
What's inside the Tenerife activity book
A personalized printable book for one child (or up to three with Family), built around Tenerife: landmark spotting, a 12-item scavenger hunt, a local food tasting page, local phrases and a quiz. Print it at home before you leave and bring a pencil.
Missions
- Volcano explorer
- Whale and dolphin spotter
Landmarks to find
- Mount Teide
- Loro Parque
- Siam Park
- Playa de Las Teresitas
Foods to spot or taste
- papas arrugadas
- Canary bananas
- churros
- grilled fish
Words to try
- Hola Hello
- Gracias Thank you
- Por favor Please
- Sí Yes
Mini €5.90 (10 pages), Adventure €9.90 (25–28 pages) or Family €14.90 (up to three children). One-time purchase, no subscription; the book is printed at home in English.
Create a Tenerife activity bookQuestions parents ask
Is Tenerife good for young children?
Beaches and Loro Parque suit all ages; Siam Park's big slides need about 1.25 m or more, and the Teide cable car to 3,555 m is better for children who are well and not too small.
Can you use a stroller in Tenerife?
Seafront promenades in Los Cristianos, Costa Adeje and Puerto de la Cruz are flat and smooth, but villages, lava trails and the Teide upper station are rough, so bring a carrier.
How much does a family day in Tenerife cost?
About €140-220 a day for a family of four, excluding lodging and car hire. The Twin Ticket combines Loro Parque and Siam Park at a discount, and supermarket picnics are much cheaper than resort restaurants.
When is the best time to visit Tenerife with kids?
Best months: November, December, January, February, March, April, October.