There is no excuse for bored children on holiday in the Costa del Sol, as there is enough to cater for all age groups, even on the rare occasion when the sun doesn't shine!
For younger children who still need to sit in a pushchair, the Zoo in Fuengirola is ideal. If you don't hire a car, it is conveniently located just a two minutes walk away from the bus and train station. It is easy to get around and split into different areas of the world. The restaurant food is pretty good and reasonably priced too. For older children, I would recommend Selwo Adventure Park, on the Autovia Costa del Sol Km 162,5, Estepona. It is much bigger and spread out with a real safari feel to it, but involves a lot of walking.
If it's animals you're after then you might also want to check out Selwo Marina, the Sea Life Centre, Benalmadena and the Crocodile Park in Torremolinos. If you're visiting Gibraltar, there's more to the Rock than apes, there's dolphins too! Dolphin World does a cruise around the bay, which gives you the chance to get close to dolphins, flying fish and occasional whales.
For thrill seekers there is Tivoli World amusement park, Arroyo de la Miel, Benalmadena. You might fancy squeezing a trip to Seville during your stay, in which case, you could visit Isla Magica amusement park.
You can't visit the Costa del Sol during the summer without a day at one of the water parks. There's 'Parque Acuatico' in Mijas, 'Aquapark' in Torremolinos and 'Bahia Park Acuatico' in Algeciras.
If you are still bored after all that, try a trip in the 'Telecabina' in Arroyo de la Miel, Benalmadena or see the city of Malaga from one of the big open top buses, which picks up at the bus station or outside the station at El Corte Ingles.
You don't need to spend a lot of money to show the kids a good time. As well as the obvious day at the beach (the best ones located towards and beyond Gibraltar), there are many impressive playgrounds located along the coast. Estepona has an enormous one along the promenade. Hunt around where you are staying, as good quality playgrounds are in abundance.
If you are unfortunate enough to be affected by bad weather during your stay, you don't need to lock yourself up in your apartment with cable television. Estepona has a fantastic garden centre, Agro Jardin, which boasts a huge pets corner, a few farmyard animals outside and a great coffee shop with an infant's soft play area.
For older children, you might want to try one of the 'Centro Comerciales' such as Miramar, Fuengirola, La Canada, Marbella or Marina Banus in Puerto Banus. The shopping centres have multi screen cinemas often showing films in English. La Canada has an amusement arcade with video games and a ten-pin bowling alley. Marina Banus is a small shopping centre with a fantastic indoor park, Camelot Park catering for both younger and older children. All the shopping centres have a vast selection of restaurants ranging from fast food to traditional tapas bars.
If you are into watersports, you can't holiday in Andalucia without a trip to Tarifa, the surf capital of Europe. Everyone is currently going mad over kite surfing there, with loads of schools and 'surfy' shops on offer. Even if you're not into water sports, you'll be 'blown away' by Tarifa's beaches; in fact you'll think you've landed in heaven. It is the closes that you can get to beach paradise in Europe and the sea is crystal clear. However, it does get pretty windy, so be prepared. Although, it will feel a lot cooler than the Costa del Sol, you can burn very quickly.
If its night life you're after but you haven't brought your babysitter don't think you're doomed to stay in every night with little ones. During the summer, every town has a feria with a funfair, music, market, local food and a fantastic family atmosphere. They don't really take off until very late and you see Spaniards arriving with their babies at midnight!
Weather permitting, (which it generally does) and with a little imagination and motivation to get up early whilst on your hols you can never get bored on the Costa del Sol.
Written by
Susan Pedalino