12/05/2021
Want to give your kids the best holiday experience? We got it all covered for you. Crete is home to some of the best theme parks that you can find in an island and offer an array of child-friendly activities that you can choose from. Some of these activities will not be only enjoyed by your kids but also you. So, you’re up for a good family fun if you try out one of our recommendations.
Labyrinth Park
Hersonissos 700 14, Greece
https://www.labyrinthpark.gr/en
A joyful labyrinth-themed park, a family destination with numerous activities. This is a brilliant day out for kids and even for adults. The entry fee of 10 euros is reasonable, but does not cover all the activities. You get the maze included, but the other activities cost 3 euros each. Kids can get the chance to enjoy riding quad bikes, pottery, archery, horseback riding, and a laser obstacle course. There is also a mini golf with 18-holes that comes for free if you finish the maze. Not only will your kids get to have fun, but the theme park is also educational as it tackles the Minoan Culture of Crete. A certificate and gold medals are being given once you complete an activity in the park. Not to mention, there is an eco-garden that houses Cretan aromatic herbs, local fruits and vegetables, and flowering plants. A café inspired by ancient Knossos is available for refreshing drinks and snacks after a day at the park. You could easily pay by card at any point so there is no need to bring cash.
Dinosauria Park
DEKK, Gournes 715 00, Greece
https://www.dinosauriapark.com/
If your kids love dinosaurs, then you can’t skip this amusement park. Dinosauria Park is a great adventure for children that makes you travel in time and explore various types of dinosaurs. Some dinosaurs are interactive with realistic sounds and movements. Through interactive displays onsite, children will have the opportunity to learn about the lives of dinosaurs and become little explorers while making their first fossil excavations. The theme park features the first 5D Cinema in Greece that takes kids for a wild ride that combines fantasy and a bit of reality. There is also a Dino Museum with a rare collection of bones and fossils. A Dino Hospital exhibits specialized care of sick and injured dinosaur replicas. You can also watch how dinosaurs hatch eggs and how newborns are being taken care off. In addition, there is also a children’s playground in the facility and a Dino restaurant for refreshments and light snacks.
Cretaquarium
Heraklion 710 03, Greece
https://www.cretaquarium.gr/
Fancy a visit into the underwater world? You and your kids can enjoy a day of exploration at Cretaquarium where you can get to interact with underwater creatures. This aquarium has an abundance of Mediterranean Sea life, and it is a great place for children to learn about sea life. The experience is not only impressive for kids but also for adults since the aquariums give a therapeutic scenery. We recommend getting an audio guide if you really want to get an insight into marine life as there is minimal written information in the facility. This will let you have a demonstration of how shellfish and fish are grown in Greece. The entry ticket is 10 euros for general admission and kids under 5 have a free entrance. As a fun fact, there is a marine biology institute right next to it.
AgrecoFarms
Adelianos Kampos, Adele Village, Rethymno 74100 Greece
https://www.agreco.gr/
Ever imagine spending a day at a farm? Crete is not only known for its beautiful beaches but also its agricultural activities. At Agrecofarm, you can get a glimpse of how things are done in a traditional farm as you get to ‘play farmer for the day.’ It lets you experience how to make and eat homemade traditional Cretan food. The activity involves preparing stuffed vegetables, baking bread in a wood-burning oven, getting an actual demonstration of how wines are being pressed by foot, preparing vine leaves to make the famous dolmadakia, and picking organically grown vegetables to be enjoyed later. You also get to collect eggs, milk the goats, help shear the sheeps, and see how local cheese is being made. At the end, you get to enjoy the results of all the hands-on work preparing all the food through a farmhouse lunch under a pergola with views over the olive groves down to the sea. While you do all these activities, your kids can enjoy their own farm experience. At Agreco, kids experience getting to make dough, bake pastries, pick vegetables, and prepare their own healthy Cretan lunch supervised by the children’s club staff. It doesn’t end there, if you’re not keen to do the Farmer for a day experience, you can also opt to just tour the farm with your family which lasts for 50mins. This gives you the opportunity to see all the interesting facilities of the farm including olive oil press, silk production, beehives, water mill, wine and raki distillery, farmyard with local animals, and the workshop studio.
Zoraida Horse Riding
Kavros, Crete, Greece
https://www.zoraidas-horseriding.com/
Perfect for nature lovers who want to explore Crete’s wonders while riding a horse. Zoraida offers various trail excursions for all levels from beginner to advanced. The horses are well trained, healthy and happy to be taken out for a ride. The staff know their horses well and you will be matched to a horse based on your level. They give all the instructions you need before riding so you can go enjoy yourself with confidence. This is such a lovely experience and one of the best ways to appreciate your surroundings. You get to pick which trail to join, and there is even one where you can get to swim with horses. Whether you’ve never been on a horse before or you’re a pro, this is definitely a must try. Children are not left out since Zoraida also offers a guided walk for children that lets them experience the kind nature of a horse. We recommend doing this over sunset to get the most scenic view and to avoid the scorching heat.
Sissi Mini Golf
Epar.Od. Seisiou, Ag. Nikolaos 724 00, Greece
https://sissiminigolf.business.site/
If you prefer a more relaxed family activity away from all the theme parks, then you can never go wrong with mini golf. Sissi Mini golf is the largest mini golf course in Crete with 18 holes, and has one of the best locations as it is right next to the beach. If your child is still too young to enjoy mini golf, they have a kids play area which will surely keep them entertained. If you happen to have enough of golf, a pool table and air hockey is also available at the facility. They also have a bar where you can sip a cocktail, and a sitting area by the sea which is a perfect spot to unwind after an hour or two of playing.