Which Canary Island Is Best For Toddlers?

We’ve put together our ultimate guide to the best Canary Island for toddlers. With bright skies and temperatures hovering around 20-25C in every season, it’s little wonder the Canaries’ climate is often named the best in the world. Our ultimate guide will help you decide which island is best for you. If you click on a link in this piece, we may earn affiliate revenue.

#1. Tenerife – Best Canary island for theme parks, water parks and bustling resorts!

Tenerife is the most popular island in the Canaries for plenty of good reasons. It has a real focus on activities and entertainment, with lively resorts like Costa Adeje and Costa Adeje. It’s bound to be the best Canary Island for toddlers who like splash parks, as Siam Park is one of the best water parks in Europe. There’s also the huge Loro Parque zoo in amongst the lush landscapes of the northern coast. Plus, there are plenty of sandcastle-friendly beaches here, with golden sands swept in from the Sahara. All this, and you can expect year-round sunshine with temperatures topping 21C in January.

BEST Tenerife resorts for toddlers

Los Cristianos

Los Cristianos boasts three sandy beaches, so plenty of opportunities to build sandcastles! It also has a vibrant harbour where you can go on glass-bottom boat trips to spot the colourful sea life that surrounds the coastline.

Playa Paraiso

Playa Paraiso is close to Siam Park water park, making it a great choice for family holidays. The resort is also home to the Playa de Ajabo beach, which has a dusky sand-and-shingle coastline leading to calm, sheltered water.

Costa Adeje

Costa Adeje is close to the biggest and best attractions on the island, yet it also has a quieter atmosphere than nearby Costa Adeje. Playa Fanabe is a gently shelving beach with shallow waters that are perfect for paddling.

BEST Tenerife beaches for toddlers

Los Cristianos Beach

This golden sandy bay is sheltered by the local pier, which helps to make the sparkling sea much calmer.

Playa Fanabe

This sandy beach in Costa Adeje has a relaxed atmosphere. The water is shallow and calm here too.

Playa del Camison

This spacious beach at the popular Playa de las Americas resort has soft golden sand and thatched roof parasols. It’s also close to a great selection of shops and restaurants.

BEST Tenerife things to do for toddlers

Siam Park

Siam Park is one of Europe’s biggest and most popular water parks. It has super-fast slides, such as the 28m tall Tower of Power, along with much more sedate slides and a water playground for younger children.

Loro Parque

You can get up close to a huge array of animals at this wildlife zoo on the northern coast. Watch colourful parrots flying above you and see meerkats, red pandas, turtles and more. There’s a botanical garden with beautiful orchids too.

Mount Teide

Discover Spain’s highest point! Mount Teide stands 3,715m tall, and it has fantastic views across Tenerife and beyond. Luckily, you don’t have to hike to the summit. You can get close to the top by a convenient (and fun) cable car instead!

BEST Tenerife hotels for toddlers

Bahia Principe Fantasia Tenerife

This fantastical hotel has a themed play area and splash park along with a fairy-tale castle! The all inclusive programme offers plenty of choice thanks to its four restaurants.

Adrián Hoteles Jardines de Nivaria

This spacious and stylish hotel has lagoon-style saltwater pools, including a children’s pool for little ones. There’s also an evening entertainment programme and lots of sports activities.

Iberostar Selection Anthelia

This supremely luxurious hotel boasts six swimming pools, including three children’s pools. It also has five restaurants and opulent décor throughout.

#2. Lanzarote – BEST for sandy beaches, natural wonders and island hopping

Having a family holiday in Lanzarote is like taking a trip to the moon. This Canary Island is a true volcanic wonder, with lunar-like landscapes carved from magma craters and steaming geysers. You can discover an underground lake, black volcanic sands and luminescent green lagoons. Plus, little ones are sure to be just as amazed by the rich range of activities available here. That includes a Wild West themed ranch and a fantastic water park. Many of the resorts here have a more relaxed pace, so they’re perfect for a quieter break. Plus, you can easily reach the neighbouring Canary Islands. Fuerteventura is just a short boat ride away on the regular ferry service. Wondering which Canary Island is best for toddlers? Lanzarote may be the ideal choice.

BEST Lanzarote resorts for toddlers

Costa Teguise

There are no less than five beaches in Costa Teguise, so it’s a brilliant place for playing in the sand. The resort centre is famed for its fantastic choice of restaurants, while there’s also the Aquapark Costa Teguise with a good mix of slides for different ages.

Playa Blanca

Playa Blanca has a great selection of sandy beaches on the southern tip of the island. Plus, the ferry port here makes this the ideal resort for island-hopping to Fuerteventura. The Aqualava Water Park here has a unique volcanic theme too.

Playa de los Pocillos

Playa de los Pocillos has a quieter and more authentic atmosphere. The spacious and sandy Los Pocillos Beach has shallow waters so it’s great for paddling. Plus, if you want to visit a livelier resort, Puerto del Carmen is not far away.

BEST Lanzarote beaches for toddlers

Playa Jablillo

This sandy bay is sheltered by volcanic rocky headlands that help to make the water much calmer.

Playa Grande

This is the busiest beach in Puerto del Carmen for good reason. Along with the wide expanse of shimmering golden sand, it also has a play area.

Playa Dorada

This stunning beach in Playa Blanca is close to a great range of restaurants and shops. Its calm waves are great for paddling.

BEST Lanzarote things to do for toddlers

Timanfaya National Park

All ages are sure to be wowed by this truly unique national park. Its moon-like landscape was created by more than 100 volcanoes. You can try dishes cooked with the geothermal heat underground!

Aquapark Costa Teguise

Take your pick from a great choice of chutes and slides at this exciting water park in Costa Teguise. There’s a separate section with a water playground and mini slides for younger children too.

Rancho Texas Park

Enjoy the brilliant Wild West theme of Rancho Texas Park. You can see stunning birds of prey up close and see spectacular horse riding and lasso skills.

BEST Lanzarote hotels for toddlers

TUI Blue Flamingo Beach

This low-rise hotel has fantastic facilities for families including a splash park, a children’s pool and a baby pool. There’s also an air-conditioned baby lounge.

Elba Lanzarote Royal Village Resort

The popular Elba Lanzarote Royal Village Resort has a free shuttle service to Playa Dorada Beach. Plus, it has hotel-run kids’ clubs for 4-12 year olds, a playground and a restaurant with a children’s menu.

#3. Gran Canaria – BEST for beach resorts, sand dunes and a sun-soaked climate!

In an archipelago already known for its amazing climate, Gran Canaria measures out to be the best. It has a huge number of sunshine hours across the year, so you’re bound to enjoy blue skies! It’s also an island of unique landscapes, from the desert-like sand dunes of Maspalomas to the lush countryside trails in Tamadaba National Park. It’s also one of the best Canary islands for toddlers as it’s not short of fantastic things to do either, such as the Aqualand Waterpark and the Cocodrilo Park Zoo. The island is also famed for its golden Saharan sand beaches, especially in the popular resorts of Playa del Ingles and Puerto Rico.

BEST Gran Canaria resorts for toddlers

Playa del Ingles

This lively resort is known for its huge commercial centres packed with shops, bars and restaurants. It may have a busy, bustling resort centre but it’s friendly for families too, thanks to the long, sandy beachfront and boat trips out on the Atlantic waves.

Maspalomas

Maspalomas is known for its upmarket atmosphere, with a big selection of gourmet restaurants and designer shops. It’s also home to the Aqualand Waterpark, so it’s a great base for family holidays too.

Puerto Mogan

One of the most idyllic and atmospheric resorts in all of the Canaries, this beautiful town is known as ‘Little Venice’. It’s a place of pastel-coloured townhouses and a peaceful, boat-lined marina.

BEST Gran Canaria beaches for toddlers

Mogan Beach

The main beach in Puerto Mogan is a great choice for families. It’s enclosed by long headlands that keep the sea very calm. The soft white sand is perfect for building sandcastles too.

Puerto Rico Beach

With golden sand imported from the Sahara, this beach is often the focal point of holidays in the resort of Puerto Rico.

Playa de Amadores

The caramel-coloured sand here stretches for 800m. Its popular for its clear waters and central location, close to a selection of top tapas restaurants.

BEST Gran Canaria things to do for toddlers

Aqualand Waterpark

Located in Maspalomas, Aqualand Waterpark is the biggest and best waterpark in Gran Canaria. It has a children’s section with mini chutes and slides and a fun castle theme. For older children and grown-ups, there are faster slides such as the Kamikaze and Water Labyrinth.

Angry Birds Activity Park

This unique theme park boasts some brilliant activities for little ones, including a climbing wall, 4D cinema and mini golf. There’s also the King Pig’s Fortress climbing frame, a scooter ramp and zip lines all with decorated with the friendly characters from Angry Birds.

Cocodrilo Park Zoo

This is your chance to see crocodiles, snakes and lizards up close in this amazing zoo! It also serves as an animal rescue centre, providing a valuable service on the island too.

BEST Gran Canaria hotels for toddlers

Maspalomas & Tabaiba Princess

This ultra-luxurious hotel boasts no less than six swimming pools and 10 bars and restaurants. There’s a children’s splash pool and playground too.

TUI BLUE Playa Feliz

This great value hotel has all the smart facilities you’d expect of TUI BLUE. That includes a shaded baby pool and a brilliant entertainment programme.

TUI BLUE Las Pitas

The TUI BLUE Las Pitas has modern décor and low-rise buildings that fit in beautifully with the local surroundings. There’s a splash park and air-conditioned Baby Lounge too.

Hotel Riu Palace Oasis

This contemporary hotel has a stunning approach to interior design. It also has a children’s pool and hotel-run kids’ club.

#4. Fuerteventura – BEST for beaches, peaceful towns and boat trips!

Fuerteventura is the Canary Island most famed for the quality of its coastline. In the south, there’s a chain of stunning sandy beaches that stretches for more than 30km! The towns and resorts here have a quieter and calmer atmosphere and things don’t even get that lively in the biggest resort, Corralejo, in the north. Wherever you go in Fuerteventura, you won’t be far from the azure waves of the Atlantic. Make the most of it and hop on a boat trip to see the spectacular local marine life (including dolphins and whales) or take the ferry to Lanzarote or the tiny island of Lobos. From natural wonders to exciting activities, there’s a lot to discover in Fuerteventura!

BEST Fuerteventura resorts for toddlers

Corralejo

Fuerteventura’s biggest and most popular resort has a great selection of restaurants, bars and even surfing shops! It’s also home to Acua Waterpark, Corralejo Sand Dunes and lively commercial centres.

Costa Caleta

Holidays at Costa Caleta are focused around the wide and spacious sandy beach, close to a stunning harbourfront. The town centre also has a surprisingly large selection of restaurants too.

Costa Calma

Costa Calma boasts a 1km-long white sandy beach with crystalline, shallow waters. It’s a great base for family holidays as it’s near to Fuerteventura Oasis Park, one of the best attractions on the island.

BEST Fuerteventura beaches for toddlers

Costa Caleta

The arcing beachfront of Costa Caleta is a favourite for its bright golden sand, shipped in from the Sahara. The beach has a suitably relaxed pace, yet it’s also close to the restaurants of the resort centre.

El Cotillo Beach

This beach is a top choice for families if you’re staying in Corralejo. It’s ultra-spacious so you’ve plenty of room to get building sandcastles!

Costa Calma Beach

The white sands here stretch for almost 3km. Like many beaches in the south, you can even enjoy strolling along the coastline to reach the next beach resort!

BEST Fuerteventura things to do for toddlers

Corralejo Sand Dunes

This wow-worthy natural wonder stretches for seven miles along the coastline in the north. Exploring the dunes here is like going on a desert adventure!

Day trip to Lobos Island

Thanks to the regular ferry service, you can easily enjoy a boat trip to discover Lobos Island. It’s an uninhabited island with stunning volcanic terrain and white sand beaches. It’s little wonder it has protected nature reserve status.

Oasis Park Fuerteventura

Discover one of the best zoos in all of the Canary Islands. You can go on a camel safari and even feed giraffes by hand in a treetop tower! Plus, you can also hop on a mini train to explore the park’s unique botanical garden.

BEST Fuerteventura hotels for toddlers

Sheraton Fuerteventura Beach Golf & Spa

This five-star hotel features luxurious décor and fantastic facilities right by the beachfront. There’s a children’s pool, hotel-run kids’ club and four restaurants with children’s menus.

Hotel Club Jandia Princess

This fantastic hotel has a stunning tropical style with a dedicated children’s pool and even an on-site farm!

Now you can decide which is the best Canary Island for toddlers thanks to our ultimate guide, all that’s left to do is choose your ideal holiday!