17 Best things to do in Cancun with kids

Don't know what to do in Cancun with kids?, discover these 17 activities and places for kids in Cancun, ideal for all families and budgets.

Planning a family trip can be daunting, especially when you want everyone, from the youngest to the oldest, to enjoy themselves to the fullest. If you're wondering what to do in Cancun with kids, you're in the right place. With its dreamy beaches and vibrant culture, Cancun offers many activities for all family members to enjoy an unforgettable vacation. From exploring theme parks and swimming in crystal-clear, fresh, and salty waters to discovering natural wonders, the activities for kids in Cancun are varied and fascinating. In this post, we will take you through some of the best options so that everyone can create memories that will last forever when visiting this Caribbean paradise. Get ready to immerse yourself in adventures and fun without limits.

Family activities in Cancun

1. Interactive aquarium Cancun 🐠 

Visit the interactive aquarium in Cancun! One of the favorite places for children in Cancun for families since, in this space, they can have fun, play, and even interact and learn about the daily life and habits of the marine animals that live in the aquarium. This is also an educational activity where the family's youngest members can learn about the ecosystem in which dolphins live, see tricks, and even swim with and pet them.

Take a souvenir photo at the aquarium's educational activities!

Get to the Interactive Aquarium in Cancun with Google Maps

2. Cancun beaches 🐚

Beaches are a favorite place for visitors who want to visit Cancun with their kids. Children can have fun at the beach with sand castles, beach sports, swimming, and relaxing while they tan under the Caribbean sun.

It is important that as a parent or tutor of the children, you keep an eye on them while they are doing any activity in or out of the water.

If you visit Cancun's beaches, it is also important that you do not leave any garbage. This will help keep the beach looking good and prevent pollution of these beautiful spaces.

3. Mayan Museum of Cancun🌿📜

Explore the permanent exhibition halls and discover more than 350 archaeological pieces that represent the history and Mayan culture. Also, learn all about Mayan statuary, ceramics, jewelry, and other objects dating from pre-Hispanic times.

With the younger children, you can do manual activities, such as making pottery and drawings related to the Mayan theme, and even walk among the ruins of San Miguelito, once a small Mayan settlement located behind the museum.

Get to the Cancun Mayan Museum with Google Maps

4. Ventura Park 🤽

One of the favorite destinations for hundreds of travelers who visit Cancun is Ventura Park, a water park popular for its water slides, food included, and recreational activities for children and adults. Have fun on the zip lines, dance, relax in the lazy river, and stroll through the park with the little ones in your family.

There is a pass called Ventura Plus; with this pass, you can enjoy swimming with dolphins, Go-karts, bungee jumping, and many other activities for kids. Guaranteed fun for everyone.

Get to Ventura Park with Google Maps

5. Xcaret 🤿

We have no doubt, the Xcaret group parks are guaranteed fun for young and old alike.

Xcaret is the most popular of this group's parks and is recognized worldwide for having beautiful, naturally preserved attractions such as cenotes, aquariums, and even museums. During the day, you can enjoy the park, and during the night, an exciting night show where you can learn about different areas of the Mayan culture that will give you goosebumps.

Also, if you plan to stay in a wonderful and unique resort, you will love Hotel Xcaret Arte. Staying here allows you to visit any of the Xcaret group's parks at no extra cost.

Get to Xcaret Park with Google Maps

6. Xel-Há 👙

Xel-Ha has a meaning as beautiful as its views, "place where water is born," due to its connection with the sea and the beautiful water currents and cenotes inside. This park has the peculiarity of enchanting everyone who visits it. You can perform various activities with young and old. From taking a dip in the water with a life jacket to snorkeling.

This park also has a special feature. All food is included! Drinks, ice cream, international food, juices for the little ones, EVERYTHING is included. Undoubtedly, it is a great option for those who are just looking to relax and enjoy a nice time in the Caribbean.

Get to Xel-Ha Park with Google Maps

7. Boat-trip ⛵👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

In Cancun, the fun doesn't end. Enjoy a boat trip suitable for all ages! Admire the idyllic Caribbean Sea and don't miss out on the interesting activities on a boat trip from Cancun to Isla Mujeres, where the youngest and oldest members of the family have fun while learning about the sea, its ecosystem, and how to take care of it.

This activity is ideal for those who want to explore Cancun's sea and at the same time enjoy in a different way the beauty of the crystal clear waters that surround Cancun and Isla Mujeres.

Discover more about this experience at Cancun Sailing

Get to Cancun Sailing Marina with Google Maps

8. Visit Isla Mujeres 🏝️

Isla Mujeres is a captivating tourist destination close to Cancun, Mexico, where you can find different activities and places of interest that you can enjoy on this beautiful island, such as Playa Norte, considered one of the best beaches in the world. Ideal for relaxing under the sun, swimming, and enjoying a refreshing drink. It is also recommended to visit Punta Sur, the highest point of the island, where tourists love to go to take pictures.

And, of course, you can't miss MUSA; this underwater museum exhibits more than 500 life-size sculptures and is accessible to divers and snorkelers.

9. Garrafon Natural Reef Park 🌊

Garrafon Park is conveniently located in Isla Mujeres, a natural paradise known for its beauty and the diverse activities that can be done here. Enjoy the Caribbean Sea while snorkeling in the crystal clear waters full of marine life and coral reefs. For adventure lovers, Garrafon Park has zip lines that offer unparalleled panoramic views of the island and the sea. If you like to relax, you can lounge in the panoramic pools or explore the tranquil trails and hammock areas. In addition, kayaking and swimming in the refreshing waters are not to be missed. In short, Garrafón Park is a compendium of nature, adventure, and relaxation, making it a unique experience on Isla Mujeres.

10. Xplor tour🔥

This adrenaline park is ideal for family rides, with friends, and even as a couple. The park has exciting activities such as seven zip line circuits, 4×4 vehicle tours, a stalactite swimming circuit, a buffet, Hammock diving, and a subway expedition.

Xplor and Xplor Fuego offer adventures designed to delight the youngest with an adventurous spirit. During the day, at Xplor, children can slide down zip lines adapted to their size, and explore subway rivers, and at nightfall, Xplor Fuego transforms these activities into a mystical adventure, illuminating the jungle and caverns with torches and lights, creating a magical and exciting experience. Xplor is a fun and safe adventure for the little ones in a breathtaking natural environment

Get to Xplor Park with Google Maps

11. Swim with dolphins 🐬

No child, teenager, or adult doesn't dream of swimming or meeting dolphins. These are considered the most intelligent and friendly aquatic mammals in the world. Don't miss this experience and visit any of the swims with Dolphins centers that exist between Cancun and Isla Mujeres. 

Most water parks offer swimming with dolphins or interactive activities with dolphins with an extra package of souvenir pictures, ideal for keeping these family moments forever.

12. Shopping malls 🛍️

Cancun is a small city, but you will find many activities to do, one of them is to visit the shopping malls. The most popular in Cancun are:

Plaza Las Americas | Google Maps 📍

At Plaza Las Americas, you can do activities with the little ones, such as going to the movies, taking them to Sky Zone, Malecon Kids, shopping, and more.

Puerto Cancun Marina Town Center | Google Maps 📍

Find interesting activities such as a zip line in the middle of the plaza, a playground for children, and upscale restaurants with children's menus.

Plaza La Isla | Google Maps 📍

In Plaza La Isla, you will find restaurants, clothing stores, an interactive aquarium, and many activities for children, such as Sky Wheel, Believe it or Not!, Luchatitlán, museums, and a cinema. In addition, this plaza has a view of the lagoon and a river that crosses through the middle of it, making this an unforgettable ride.

Plaza Kukulcan | Google Maps 📍

Plaza Kukulcan is one of the smallest. However, you will find stores like Cartier, Carolina Herrera, and more here in the Luxury Shopping Mall.

Plazas Outlet | Google Maps 📍

This is one of the favorite shopping malls for travelers, as adults can take advantage of a visit to the world-class stores with unbeatable discounts, and the little ones can take mini train rides, play in the recreational area of the plaza, and take a trip to the movies.

Grand Outlet Riviera Maya | Google Maps 📍

At Grand Outlet, you can find fun and activities for the whole family. Despite being one of the newest plazas in Cancun, this is the largest in Latin America and has a wide variety of activities, stores, and attractions you can not refuse to visit. Find activities such as mini golf, go-karts, ice rinks, and exclusive stores.

Get to Plaza la Isla with Google Maps

13. Xenses 🤸🏽

A visit to Xenses theme park with children promises a unique and fulfilling experience. By exploring its multiple attractions, it is possible to stimulate the imagination, awaken the senses, and encourage the curiosity of the little ones. Children can learn, play, and discover in a safe and magical environment by touring fantastic scenarios and facing perceptual challenges. In addition, interacting with nature and the park's wonders promotes a deep connection with the environment. Without a doubt, Xenses is the ideal place to live adventures and create unforgettable memories as a family.

Get to Xenses with Google Maps

14. Swimming with whale sharks 🐋

A whale shark swim tour with the family's youngest members is an unforgettable and educational experience. By diving into the crystal clear waters of the Caribbean Sea, the little ones can marvel at swimming with these gentle giants of the sea. Getting up close and personal with these impressive animals encourages respect and admiration for nature. In addition, learning about whale sharks and their environment contributes to children's ecological awareness. Undoubtedly, an exciting and educational activity that can not be missed on your visit to Cancun or the Riviera Maya.

15. Selvatica 🍃

To tour this natural park is to immerse yourself in an authentic jungle adventure. By exploring this park, children can connect with nature, experience the adrenaline rush of zip lines, and learn about the local flora and fauna. Participating in water activities, such as swimming in cenotes, they can also cool off and discover the subway wonders of the region. By hiking trails and facing challenges on suspension bridges, teamwork and self-improvement allow them to maximize their interaction and adventure skills. Selvática is, without a doubt, the perfect setting for families to live exciting and educational experiences in the heart of the Mayan jungle.

Get to Selvatica with Google Maps

16. Nickelodeon Hotel ⛱️

Are you looking for hotels in Cancun with activities for kids? You found the perfect hotel! Visiting Nickelodeon Hotel means immersing yourself in a world where fantasy and fun are the protagonists. When you stay at this hotel, the family's youngest members can interact with their favorite characters and live-themed experiences and join activities and games designed especially for them. Enjoying the pools and slides themed after Nickelodeon's most popular series allows them to relive moments from their favorite shows in a life-size, tangible environment, which makes it even more exciting. In addition, by offering spaces and services designed for families, the hotel guarantees comfort and entertainment for all its members. Without a doubt, Nickelodeon Hotel is the perfect destination for an unforgettable family vacation in Cancun.

Get to the Nickelodeon Hotel with Google Maps

Pro-tips ℹ👩🏼‍💻👨🏽‍💻

1. Arrive early for activities so you can make the most of them.
2. Pack optimal clothing for your activities and the climate of the Riviera Maya (it is humid and tropical).
3. Look for comfortable accommodations and activities that allow you to enjoy and have fun simultaneously.
4. Always check your documentation and that of your companions.
5. Stay hydrated. 🫗
6. Always respect the rest times of the little ones; sometimes, they need to recharge their energy with a nap.

With this guide on Things to do in Cancun with kids, we hope you can enjoy your vacation with the little ones, creating moments of fun and connection!

Let us know in the comments if you have already done some of the activities described in the post and describe your experience.