Kids on the Costa

As the summer months kick in, thousands of kids the world over are looking forward to a long holiday. Admittedly, kids these days will have a proportion of that time occupied with friends, summer schools and sports courses. It will be up to you, their long suffering parents, however, to occupy the rest of the time for them!We have put together an essential, kids on the Costa guide, in the hope that this summer you will never have to hear the words 'mum, dad - I'm bored!!'.

The wild side of life. Selwo Adventure Park.
Set in 100 acres of beautiful Andalucian countryside lies Selwo, the only park of its kind in Europe. Selwo is somewhere between a safari park where animals wander freely, and a regular zoo. Amongst specially created ecosystems, hundreds of animals from all five continents live in large enclosures giving them ample space and at the same time allowing visitors to observe them without interrupting their daily lives. It's great fun and value for money, the children can spend several hours living amongst, and interacting with animals that they would normally never see.

Fuengirola Zoo.
Fuengirola zoo is an ultra-modern bio park situated in the heart of the town centre. Created by the Madrid company, Rain Forest, at a cost of nearly five million euros, the zoo is cleverly laid out to give the illusion of being much larger than it actually is. At every turn, there is something new to see and every part of the zoo can be viewed from different angles and elevations. You could easily see the entire zoo within an hour, perfect if you have little ones, but it's better to spend a few hours wandering around. In addition to the zoo, there is an adventure playground, a restaurant, caf‚ and also a shop for souvenirs.

Crocodile Park.
It may seem a bit odd, crocks on the Costa del Sol, but head to Torremolinos and this open-air complex will make you feel like you are in fact, in deepest Africa. At the crocodile park kids can get 'up close and personal' with these throw backs to the prehistoric age and supervised hourly tours with the crocks' keepers providing an educational insight into these huge snappers. A crocodile nursery houses the smaller members of the park.
There is also a museum where kids can find out more and view educational videos.

The Wet Side. Selwo Marina.
For lovers of the underwater world, there are several options on the coast. One is Selwo Marina in Benalmadena where you can watch the dolphins and sea lions perform in regular shows. There is also a 'penguinarium' at the marina where arctic conditions are realistically re-produced to make these amusing creatures feel right at home.

Sea life.
Also in Benalmadena is Sea Life, an indoor aquarium with a walk-through glass tunnel where you can watch the sharks swim menacingly above your head. Interactive learning keeps children interested throughout the entire centre and they can even experience what it's like to be a real dolphin in a simulator.
Wild dolphins.
There are plenty of dolphins to see out in the wild too! At Estepona there are pods living a short distance off the coast and also in Gibraltar's and Tarifa's waters. Pilot whales also make a regular appearance and seeing these and the dolphins in their natural habitat is a real treat, and one that kids especially love.

Aqua Parks. Torremolinos & Fuengirola.
During the sweltering summer, where better to keep cool than at one of the coast's aqua parks. There are large aqua parks at Torremolinos and in Fuengirola, both providing hours of fun for the family. Death defying ' kamikazee' slides attract the brave-at-heart while others offer a more graceful descent either solo or with large inner tubes.
There are many additional activities such as mini-golf, games arcades and shows to keep the kids of all ages occupied and entertained.
From a safety point of view, the aqua parks are well tended by qualified lifeguards and lockers to keep your valuables. There is also a range of refreshments on offer throughout both parks.

Sailing. Marbella & Sotogrande.
If sliding down water slides isn't your idea of fun and you yearn for something a little more tranquil to do with your offspring this summer, then head out to sea on a sailing boat. At the Puerto Deportivo in Marbella, the sailing club offers tuition for all ages and at Sotogrande beach the sailing club owns a fleet of 'hobie cats'; small, twin hull boats to potter about under the watchful gaze of their instructors. The Med is perfect for learning to sail, rarely windy, never cold and always crystal clear.

The fast side. Funny Beach.
Located just at the eastern entrance to Marbella, Funny Beach is a combination of beach bar and restaurant and a whole host of activities to keep the most demanding children happy for hours. There are quad excursions, trampolines, a 'bucking bronco' mechanical bull, bumper boats and several bouncy castles for the little ones. During the summer months the space ball operates, flinging its passengers high above 'terra firma' on thick bungy cords. In addition, there is a childrens playground and swimming pool, video games and a Jurassic Park area complete with scary dinosaurs. As the name suggests, a lot of fun is to be found on the beachfront. Jet skis and wet bikes are available to rent and a yacht is moored at Funny Beach for charter by the day or half day - a perfect trip for the whole family. The boats are crewed by fully qualified professionals and like every activity at the park, safety is the main priority. A speedboat can take water skiers and water banana rides. If that leaves you needing a nice lie down, the beach boasts plenty of sun beds and shades.

The go-cart track here is still the biggest draw for young thrill seekers, although go-karts are available for both adults and children. There is something about boys and fast moving things on wheels - watch as fathers and sons alike come screaming round corners, fierce faces glaring out from under safety helmets - anyone would think they were in the Monaco Grand Prix!