Plan your family holiday in Malta

The Mediterranean island of Malta is the perfect holiday destination for families looking for activities to please a range of ages. Want to relax by the pool? Want to swim with dolphins? Want to keep your kids amused at a fun park? Then take inspiration from our list of family friendly options for your holiday in Malta. Mediterraneo Marine Park If your kids love animals then the Mediterraneo Marine Park is a must for your holiday itinerary. With animal welfare and conservation firmly at the heart of its ethos this fun park hopes to educate as well as engage. The park offers the chance to swim with dolphins and showcases a number of different species including sea lions, parrots, snakes, tortoises, turtles, frogs and lizards. If you've always dreamed of getting up close to dolphins in the water then you'll need to be over 8 years old – so manage younger children's expectations – and able to swim confidently in deep water. You'll be given instructions and support by the park's animal carers so you have fun and the animals are protected from stress. If you'd rather keep your feet on dry land, or have children under 8 years of age, then don't worry; there are also animal showcases held throughout the day where you can marvel at the intelligence and charm of these beautiful creatures. Learn the difference between sea lions and seals, enjoy the bright tropical colours of an orange winged amazon and gasp at the agility of dolphins. The park is open seven days a week all year round and you should book in advance to swim with dolphins and for many of the interactive programmes. Playmobil Funpark A great idea for a few hours of fun that won't break the family budget is a visit to the Playmobil Funpark. Located close to Malta International Airport and the capital city, Valetta, the Playmobil Funpark is within easy access of most hotels and resorts on the main island of Malta. The park is open all year round from 10am-6pm and admission is only €1.20 for adults before 1pm (and free after 1pm!) and for kids up to 12 years old the price is €2.40. You can also visit the on-site shop without entering the park if you just want to stock up on some toys. However, it is worth visiting the park where the kids can let their imaginations run wild in the themed play zones filled with Playmobil toy sets. Outdoors there is also a sand-pit, water activities and life-size Playmobil animals. There is an on-site cafeteria and daily craft workshops with pottery, face-painting and similar activities. Splash 'n' Fun Water Park Sometimes the beach can be a little, well, sandy for youngest ones and the waves a little overwhelming. The Splash 'n' Fun Water Park is the perfect family-friendly alternative to the beach with plenty of safe water slides and sand-free sun loungers. This park is a great choice for families with kids of all ages. Older kids and teens will love the diving pool; the black hole slide and topping up their tan while younger siblings explore Splash Land and the family slides. Entrance to the park is reasonable with half day, full day and two day passes ranging in price from €8 for a child half day to €25 for an adult 2 day pass. The two day pass is a great option for guests of the Radisson Blu Resort St Julian's, which is just a 10 minute drive along the coast. Popeye Village If you grew up with Popeye, Olive and Bluto you'll love this walk down memory lane, but even for the younger ones who might not know that spinach is the secret to super strength, this is a fun way to spend a day on Malta. This one-time film set for the Popeye film starring Robin Williams has grown into one of the island's most popular tourist attractions. At Popeye Village you can meet the cartoon characters (okay, park staff in costumes, but it's all in fun) and even get involved in making a film with the park's animation crew. There are boat rides, trampolines and a kiddie's fun park for the little ones. Adults will love Tipsy and Son's winery located on the shore with free tasting experiences and beautiful view of the bay. Entrance is a little more than some of the other attractions listed in this post, but make sure you read the special offers and take advantage of things like the free jump around in the play area in the evenings. Which cartoon character would you like to meet?