Hello,

Apologies in advance, i'm sure this question has been done to death

I am planning on visiting the island next June, there is me and him and the 2 mini monsters. Aged 8 and 4 (or they will be then!).

I dont want to be somewhere too busy, but at the same time i dont want to be so remote i have nothing but a cactus and a dust bunny for company!

From what friends have told me, i dont think we can go far wrong wherever we end up, but just wanted some first hand opinions from people who know the island.

And apart from the Timanfaya park, what other "must do's" do i put on my list?

Many thanks!
DD x

Will help you out nearer the time with ideas - you certainly plan well ahead!!

Rancho Texas for the minis and perhaps the Waterpark.

Beach beach and beach?! Certainly was when I was that age!

Jameos del Agua and Cuevos de los verdes in the north.
Jameos primarily but the green caves as an after thought. Both stunning.
Mirador del Rio, view of the "river" at the top of the Island with 1000ft drops and wonderful views.......

Sorry to disagree Cymmon - but when I was dragged round those when I was 8 bored me stupid - enjoyed them much more in my late teens and as an adult! Ditto Manrique's house. How many 8 year olds are going to be impressed with modern art?!!

Guinate Park.

And while you're there go round the corner and you will see almost exactly the same view as from the Mirador del Rio, only for free.

Hire a car and take the kids to all the different beaches, all the small ones up the north east coast on the way up to Orzola, my favourite is of course Famara on the mid-west coast. Kids will love Papagayo too (I find it overly windy). Cueva de los verdes is good for kids if the little ugly betty look-a-like girl gives the tour, she is really sweet and great with the kids, she makes it a great adventure for them, if you don't get her, then they'll be bored. El Hervideros on south-west coast is great for kids when it's a really windy day with all the Atlantic waves crashing up the cliffs and rocks, it's very exciting for kids. All activities I've listed are free except Cueva de los verdes which is about E8 per adult. Car hire is about E120 for economy car for a week.

We love Playa Blanca. It's not as busy as the other resorts, it has 3 lovely beaches and a decent number of shops, bars and restaurants. Perfect for families with children.

I would stay somewhere between the Playa Flamingo and Playa Dorado Beaches otherwise you could have quite a long walk to get to the centre where the shops etc are.

Are you looking at hotels or self catering?

Thanks for the replies!

I have to plan ahead (money etc!), and for the same reason we were thinking of staying AI somewhere, with having the mini's with us we thought it might save pennies on the ice creams and soft drinks (and the obv drinks for us grown ups )

I know that can be a bit limiting, and i believe that there is a good choice of food places, but overall it'll take some of the stress of eating out with the mini's (and i dont want to be cooking and my OH cant cook toast ) and we will try a couple of restaurants before we come home!

Cheers xx

On the seafront the Iberostar Lanzarote Park and The Hesperia Playa Dorada are good value all inclusive, are great for kids and are right next to the beach.

If you don't mind being 600metres from the frontline the Cay Beach do some excellent deals. We've not been there but have heard good reports.

If you are going package it's best to check all the tour operators - the difference in price for the same holiday between the main operators (i.e. Thomas Cook, Thompson and First Choice) can be quite significant.

Although as a resident, I'm not pro AI because less money gets into the local economy, I can see the attractions if you're on a budget, especially with children. I wouldn't underestimate the money you'll save on drinks for the kids and adults, it won't be pennies, it could easily be £100 a week.

Thanks again!

I totally understand what you mean about the AI and money going into local trade, if it was just us grown ups we'd probably go SC or BB somewhere, but endless rounds of ice creams, soft drinks and other nibbleys would soon mount up like Walker says.

We will eat out a couple of days, it'd be rude not too!!!