Jordan with a 4 yo kid

Hello,

I am thinking of travelling next spring to Jordan with my then 4 yo boy. I choose Jordan because it is my favourite country and people there are very child-friendly. The problem is I don't really where to bring him and what to do with him. He is not into walking much, nor biking (he thinks bikes are supposed to be pushed on the road not ridden).
He likes animals a lot so a camel ridding in Wadi Rum will do and a visit in Petra because of the goats. Apart from that I don't know.

Any idea ?

Thanks,
Madeleine

Ps: I made some quick research but couldn't find much.

Hi,

How about some sand digging at the beach in Aqaba? :-))
If you tell me when you are coming, I can hide some "treasures" in advance! :-)))

Also there is an Aquarium (Marine Science Station) you can visit to see some fish - I guess he will not be snorkeling at the age of 4.

Or take this this submarine boat: http://www.aqababoat.com/

Wadi Rum is a good idea, you can ask your guide to take you where they keep their animals - sheep, goats, donkeys, camels.

There is also a waterpark at the Dead Sea, I haven't been there only saw their website: http://www.alwadiresort.com/rides.html

Thanks for those info. I also found the shomari reserve which could be quite interesting.

Well there are 2 reasonably good zoos just outside Amman and cheap
to enter about 1JD. Next to one zoo is also a British charity that cares
for animals its called the Humane Centre and you can go and look around
inside and see lots of different animals and how they care for them - schools
do trips there and they always welcome visitors.

There is Amman Waves a massive water park where you can spend the whole
day with waves and slides and boats and special children's sections - cafes
etc.

There is MacMagic a nice outdoor childrens play area for kids from 4-12 years of age.
There Jungle Bungle a nice indoor play area similar to the above - in Amman.

The malls all have childrens play areas and rides and amusements.

There is the Children's museum in King Hussain Park. This is very nice for small
kids and then there are the swings and stuff inside the park itself.

The Dead Sea now has a new entertainment adventure park with buggies and
go karts as well as the horse rides, camel and donkeys available.

There is a nice driving school park where they have small electric cars and
streets made like normal streets with traffic lights and signs and stuff. Its good
for kids his age and up to about 10 years old. This is next to the Holiday Inn.

There is entertainment city a small amusement park in Jubeiha, Amman.

In Jerash you can watch a gladiator fight - nice re-enactment that he might
enjoy all dressed in gladiator clothers and chariots etc.

Petra he can ride a small donkey all the way through after the siq if he likes and
back again.

I think the above will keep him very busy. Have a great time.

Mesha,

Do you have links or addresses to all these places above? I'm interested in them too! :-))

Unfortunately I don't esteh, however if you get a copy of the free tourism books
such as "Jordan Today" and other similar publications - the above usually advertise
in these books which are given free to all hotels and tourism outlets. You can call
and ask to be added to their mailing list on : 00-962-6-5660780 (Abdel Hadi Advertising)

The new adventure centre in the Dead Sea was advertised in last weeks Mumtaz and Waseet free newspapers.

The zoos are in Ghamadan Park + (Humane Centre) and Mughabalein.

Amman Waves is on the airport road near to Cheifat School and across from Ghamadan Park. MacMagic is also on the airport road near Rosary College in Marj al Hammam.
Jungle Bungle is exactly behind the American School in Sweifieh.

Amman Mall and Mecca Mall have the childrens entertainment.
The Children's museum is in King Hussein Park near Medina Tabiya hospital.
The driving school is located about 50 metres from the Holiday Inn, near Waha circle.

I hope this is helpful.

Yes, Mesha, thank you! We will check them out next time we are in Amman. Unfortunately here in Aqaba there aren't such fun places.

Thanks both of you for those answers. That's very interesting to know (even for locals apparently !). I will try to show my son a little bit of local way of life as well, but as it will be his first real trip I don't know how he will react. Hopefully it won't be only amusement parks and zoos.