10 Things to do in Jordan with Children - Our Top Picks

Jordan is an incredible destination for a family holiday where a genuinely warm hospitality is guaranteed and people go out of their way to make children feel welcomed. It is a country that is still considered a little off the beaten track but it has so many unique things to see and do you can be sure that you will come back with some amazing memories.

1. Run free on the sand dunes of Wadi Rum

A 4x4 jeep safari is one of the best ways to fully experience the rugged landscape of Wadi Rum. Whilst speeding along the terrain in the back of the jeep is exhilarating in itself, all the family will love running down the sand dunes. We did it with our 2 and 4 year olds and they absolutely loved it.

2. Visit one of the Seven Wonders of the modern world at Petra

Perhaps the most famous site at Petra is the Treasury, which famously comes into view at the end of the Siq. It is one of a number of phenomenal sights at the city, carved entirely from the rock face. If you are feeling energetic at the end of the colonnade you can climb the 855 steps to see the monastery, which is actually bigger than the Treasury. It takes around 5 hours to visit the whole site and is best started early in the morning so that you have finished before the heat of the midday sun (this slightly depends on the time of the year) and ahead of the crowds.

3. Captain a boat and see the amazing coral of the Red Sea

Jordan’s Rea Sea is known for its wreck diving. A glass bottom boat trip gives little ones, who couldn’t otherwise see it through diving or snorkeling the opportunity to see the colourful corals and wrecks. There is often the opportunity for older children or adults to jump off the boat and snorkel, being wary that the current is sometimes a little strong. There are about 25 wrecks in total along the shoreline, 3 of them are near to the harbour in Aqaba and as they were deliberately sunk to provide interesting dives sites and to help the coral grow, they can be easily seen from a boat. There is a Spanish Cargo vessel; a Hercules C-130 aircraft and an M42 anti aircraft tank.

4. Relax with a float in the Dead Sea

This is perhaps one the most touristy things to do when in Jordan, but a photo of you floating in the Dead Sea reading a magazine is surely a must. The positive healing qualities of the Dead Sea and it’s mud are endless. It is fun for the whole family to cover yourself in mud before carefully entering the water. Our advice would be to make sure that little ones keep their mouth closed and have some swimming goggles on, or salt water in the eyes will really sting. The best and safest place to swim in the Dead Sea is at your hotel beach as these are clean and overseen by a lifeguard (who is quick to jump in with a bottle of water to clean eyes and wash out little mouths)

5. Be a Roman Emperor at Jerash

About an hour north of Amman you will find the ancient city of Jerash, considered to be one of the best preserved Roman Cities outside of Italy. You have the opportunity to walk through the ancient city and observe the well-preserved colonnaded streets, the amphitheaters, the public baths and the fountains. In the amphitheater the challenge is to find the exact spot where the acoustics work best - you will feel like a Roman god. A guide is available for the tour and helps to provide the background to the site. They loved playing at being Roman shopkeepers and we kept the little ones entertained as we hunted for the chariot wheel marks in the cobbles and animal figures carved into the columns. Ensure to ask your guide to show you the moving pillars - they are fascinating.

6. Stargaze from your desert Martian Bubble dome tent

Sleeping in your bubble tent provides an experience like no other in Jordan. Without any light pollution, the star constellations that you can see are amazing. Waking up to the backdrop of the mountains and the vast desert terrain is something quite special. Glamping is becoming more popular the world over and as with anywhere I would suggest choosing your bubble tent experience wisely as the experience and facilities can vary greatly.

7. Walk in the footsteps of Moses on Mount Nebo

Just outside of the city of Madaba, the area is well known for its Mosaics and those in the Church at Mount Nebo are spectacularly well preserved. The panorama from the top of the hill and the Moses Memorial show just how close you are to the places that make this biblical land so famous. You can see the River Jordan, the Dead Sea, the city of Jericho, Bethlehem, and if the weather is not too hazy you can also get a glimpse of Jerusalem in the distance

8. Be Lawrence of Arabia for a day

Jordan is full of references to Lawrence of Arabia and his time there, but Qasr al-Azraq is the castle 100km east of Amman that he made his Headquarters during the Arab revolt in 1917-1918. This is also the castle that he references in his book ‘Seven Pillars of Wisdom’. Whilst these Lawrence of Arabia stories might appeal more to the adults in the family, the opportunity to explore the ramparts and play hide and seek in the ruined stone buildings of the castle will certainly appeal to your little adventurers.

9. Explore the natural monuments of Little Petra.

Little Petra is often overlooked in favour of the main site, but we think it is definitely worth visiting if time allows. Although on a much smaller scale you are able to explore the monuments more freely and even climb up to walk inside them. A couple of hours is more than enough to visit and whet your appetite for the main event.

10. Soak up the Jordanian culture in the capital Amman

Amman's citadel lies on one of the historic seven hills of the capital and is a great way to introduce the Little People to a land of ancient treasures. Occupied at different points by many great civilizations, it is a melting pot of well preserved and accessible ruins. This is a place where children are encouraged to get stuck in and explore. We found it best to go at the end of the afternoon just before dusk where the views are great, the city below looks beguiling and the bulk of the tourists have already left for the day.

Before heading off for your traditional Jordanian Mezza dining experience consisting of many small plates of hot and cold favourites such as hummus, fattoush, falafel and kubbeh, a trip round one of the bustling markets or souqs will bring you face to face with local handicrafts and cultural gems and give you a great appetite as you browse the food stalls.

We know that making the most of your time on holiday is so important, to talk to us about designing the holiday that best suits your family you can call us on 0118 336 0363 or email us at info@littlepeoplebigadventures.com and we would be delighted to help you.

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