Greece is the ultimate summer holiday destination, with stunning beaches, Mediterranean cuisine, unique shopping, and incredible experiences. No matter what type of holiday you dream of, the perfect island awaits, be it the iconic Mykonos for endless partying or the hippie island of Ikaria for ultimate relaxation. 

But what happens when you're traveling with kids? Is Greece a family-friendly destination? The answer is YES! Greece is a fantastic destination for a family holiday. And, since Greece's unbelievable coastline may make it a bit hard to choose where to go, here's a list of our top 5 islands for the perfect family vacation!

Sifnos


@anna_sarika

This is an island where you can look forward to lazy days watching your kids play on sheltered, shallow-water beaches followed by leisurely strolls along labyrinthine streets or remote pathways overlooking the sea. To eat you’ll find simple, traditional Mediterranean cooking at its finest: crisp chickpea patties, juicy tomato salads, and fresh seafood in familial village squares. 

Indeed, a classic way to holiday here is to rent a small boat and spend days swanning around, stopping off anywhere and everywhere to plunge into the cool depths, getting your land legs back just long enough for a spot of lunch before returning to aquatic adventuring. That’s not to say that there aren’t plenty of child-friendly beaches to kick back on, with sun loungers and umbrellas for rent.

Naxos


@victor_manolito

Naxos, the largest island of the Cyclades, is definitely an ideal destination for families. It majestically combines long, sandy beaches with fertile valleys, stunning gorges, and a bit of history. Not to mention its delicious cuisine based on local products. Last but not least, Naxos incorporates the communities of four additional smaller isles, Donousa, Schoinousa, Iraklia, and Koufonisia, so you’ll get to enjoy a trip to an unspoiled paradise!

Alonnisos


@elaki26

On the edge of the Sporades archipelago lies the island of Alonissos, ready to captivate you with its green landscape and pristine beaches. The ideal destination for a relaxing holiday, there, you’ll find yourselves leisurely walking along scenic paths surrounded by pine forests, olive groves, and orchards. The island’s highlight is definitely its marine park, a refuge for rare seabirds, dolphins, and the Mediterranean monk seal, Monachus Monachus.

 

So close to Athens yet so far away, Andros, the second-largest and the greenest island of the Cyclades, has everything you need for the ultimate vacation. With lush vegetation, deep blue waters, and rushing rivers, Andros’ breathtaking natural beauty makes it the perfect island for a tranquil holiday. If you love spending time as a family, there are numerous experiences awaiting from hiking along the well-marked trails to visiting world-class modern art museums!

 

If you have kids, you know how difficult it is to find a restaurant perfect for the whole family. It's not always easy to combine child-friendly foods with dishes adults will love.

Luckily for you, in Athens, where family meals are an important aspect of daily life, there are numerous options. 



Eleftheriadis


Credit: peinirlieleftheriadis.gr

Restaurants serving peinirli–a boat-shaped pizza dough specialty packed with cheese and other tasty fillings, baked in a wood-fired oven and topped with butter– have always been a popular choice for Sunday lunch with kids. The forested northern suburb of Drosia is famous for its peinirli restaurants, and Elefteriadis is one of our favorites. With a large courtyard shaded with pine trees, this is the perfect place to enjoy a nice meal on a sunny day!

Address: 26 Solomou, Drosia
Telephone: 210 6229003

Ama Lachei Stis Nefelis


Credit: @amalaxeinef

Located in Exarchia, the courtyard of this long-standing taverna used to be a schoolyard. The restaurant serves modern Greek cuisine, offering delicious vegetarian options and kid-friendly dishes, including the delicious meatballs - a kid-friendly best-seller. Don't forget to try the sensational Cretan cheese pies with honey and mint as well as the hand-cut fries! 

Address: 69 Kallidromiou, Exarchia, Athens
Telephone: 210 3845978

Hard Rock Cafe


Credit: Hard Rock Cafe

Located in Monastiraki, just a stone’s throw away from the historic city center with stunning views of the Acropolis, Hard Rock Cafe Athens is a must-see for both kids and adults alike. Except for enjoying fresh, high-quality food which includes delicious burgers, steaks, fajitas, and many more there are a number of events going on that the whole family is going to fall in love with. Right now, the Kids Sunday event is back where little Roxtars are invited for some face-painting, handcrafting, and lots of fun with an amateur.

Address: Adrianou 52, Athens
Telephone: 210 3245170

Cupola


Credit: @cupola_trattoria

Who doesn't love pizza? This authentic trattoria is located on a pedestrian strip with a laid-back neighborhood vibe, near the Panathenaic stadium. Perfectly thin, bubbling pizza is baked in a wood-burning oven and topped with genuine Italian ingredients. The panzerotti, a miniature fried calzone, is a hit with kids while the oven-baked conchiglionni ragu is ideal for pasta-lovers. For dessert, try the hand-made cannoli stuffed with ricotta, chocolate chips, and pistachios, which - both children and adults - are guaranteed to fall in love with. 

Address: 13 Eforionos, Pangrati 
Telephone: 211 411 7444

Agroktima Regoukou


Credit: Agroktima Regoukou

This farm-to-table tavern is definitely worth the 45-minute drive or taxi ride from downtown Athens if you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city for a day. Surrounded by nature, this restaurant in Stamata is situated on the farm where practically all of the ingredients are sourced. Their famous cheese pie, roast goat, and just-picked salads are not to be missed!

Address: Ektoros, Pangrati 
Telephone: 210 621 7898

Oliver Family House
 

Credit: @oliver_family_house

We saved the best for last since Oliver Family House surely is the most child-friendly restaurant on the list. Located in Glyfada, inside a multiplex, the restaurant is specifically designed for kids of all ages to enjoy endless play and for parents to cherish some moments of relaxation. There you can choose from a lot of creative activities to enjoy as a family. In addition, the restaurant offers an extensive healthy menu with freshly prepared meals, snacks, salads, and delicious desserts using organic products from their own garden.

Address: Leof. Dimarchou Aggelou Metaxa 39, Glifada
Telephone: 21 0898 6066

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Greece is one of the best countries in the world to travel with children. Rather than just catering to kids with entertainment parks and special menus, the Greeks will welcome them with true warmth and a natural sense of inclusion in all activities. Expect locals to make a friendly fuss over your kids and try to treat Greek kids the same way, and a good time will be had by all.

With ruins to clamber over and child-geared sights to explore, there is plenty to keep children busy in Athens. From the Acropolis to the Ancient Agora, kids can retrace ancient history. Bring a book of Greek myths to read for bedtime stories, and they will have plenty to enliven the imagination.

Athens’ shady National Gardens has a playground, duck pond and mini zoo, or look for the fountain stocked with swimming turtles in neighbouring Zappeio Gardens. You can escape the heat and entertain the kids with a virtual-reality tour of Ancient Greece at the Hellenic Cosmos or explore the universe at the impressive Planetarium. At the War Museum, kids can climb into the cockpit of a WWII plane and check out other aircraft in the courtyard.

The Museum of Greek Children’s Art has a room set aside where children can let loose their creative energy and learn about Ancient Greece. At the Hellenic Children’s Museum kids can join Greek cooking and craft classes. A bit like a play centre, it has a games room and a number of exhibits for children to explore.

Further afield on the outskirts of the city, the enormous Allou Fun Park and Kidom is Athens' biggest amusement-park complex.

The sugar-cube island villages, glorious beaches and speedy catamarans linking the Cyclades daily make this island group ideal for families. In fact, when you think ‘Greek island holiday’ you’re probably imagining the iconic Cyclades. Many of the islands also offer outdoor activities and beach-side gear rental. For budding teenage kitesurfers, Paros has some world-class sandy beaches with ideal conditions for kitesurfing. Wee coastal explorers will enjoy Milos with its multihued volcanic beaches. Naxos offers both beach life and striking temples, plus interior mountains so you can mix water play with relaxed local culture. You can easily set up on one island for your whole holiday, or jump between several.



From the ancient theatre at Epidavros where you can hear a pin drop a hundred meters away, to Ancient Olympia, the site of the original Olympic Games, the Peloponnese is a playground of splendid kid-friendly historical sites. It also has the wonderful, walkable Venetian city of Nafplio. You could easily spend your whole holiday criss-crossing the villages and ruins of the Peloponnese, where the way of life remains refreshingly non-touristy.

To read more, please visit: Lonely Planet

Athens is a large metropolis that might not seem particularly kid-friendly at first sight. However, despite what most people think there are lots of exciting things to do and see with your children in Athens. Home to numerous museums, parks, and playgrounds, the Greek capital provides endless options for a fun and educational family outing.

Here are some of our favorite children’s activities in and around the center of Athens:

 

To enjoy a great sightseeing tour of the historical center of Athens, all you need to do is hop aboard the Athens Happy Train. This toy-like street train starts from Syntagma Square and will take you and your family around the most famous sight and landmarks of the city. You can even transform the 40-minute tour into a day trip by hopping on and off and exploring your favorite monuments and attractions along the way.

Address: Ermou Street, Syntagma Square

Visiting the Planetarium is a great opportunity to familiarize your children with complex concepts in a fun and interactive way. Kids love the huge domed screen, the amphitheatrical auditorium, and of course the state-of-the-art interactive shows that take place in the Planetarium. It's a fun and educational outing for the whole family.

Address: 387 Syggrou Avenue, 175 64, Palaio Faliro

 

Located inside the Athens Conservatoire, this museum aims to teach children all about the world they live in. Its philosophy is based on the phrase ‘I hear and I forget, I see and I remember, I do and I understand therefore its activities include things like creating with building materials, experimenting with different ingredients in the kitchen, and learning about the concepts of supply and demand in the museum’s marketplace.

Address: 19 Vasileos Georgiou B, 106 75, Athens

Located near the Flisvos Marina, this playground is one of the best in Athens. It covers an area of almost 13 acres and offers various exciting activities. The park is divided into several sections; one for children aged 2 to 5, one for children up to 12 years old, walking and cycling paths, mini soccer, and basketball facilities, and an outdoor gym! Just a step from the sea and full of exciting games and constructions, the Flisvos Park Playground is ideal for a fun family outing.

Address: Flisvos Park, Posidonos Avenue, Palaio Faliro

Focused on the study, conservation, and protection of the natural environment, the Goulandris Natural History Museum will certainly impress children of all ages. The museum's collection is focused on botanology, entomology, minerals, paleontology, and marine biology and includes hundreds of thousands of specimens. Children will be impressed by the life-sized replicas of animals and rare plant species that will help them comprehend the earth’s ever-changing ecosystem. The museum is also home to the Gaia Centre and the unique ‘Geosphere’ monitor, which presents the geological evolution of the planet from its creation, 4.6 billion years ago, until today.

Address: 13 Levidou, 145 62, Kifisia

 

When: Session 1: June 18 - 28 (2 weeks) Session 2: July 1– 5 (1 week)
Time: Monday to Friday (09:00 – 15:30)
Where: ACS Athens
Price: Prices start at € 495 per child
Email: summeryouthcamp@acs.gr / paterakig@acs.gr

Summer Camp at the Museum of Cycladic Art

The Museum of Cycladic Art has arranged six five-day terms in June and July that will fascinate the young friends of the Museum and make the summer in the city a creative adventure full of discovery. Packed with interactive guided tours, screenings, storytelling, painting, construction and sculpture crafts, group games and activities, the Museum of Cycladic Art's 'summer camp' is an alternative summer activity for children 5-9 years old.

When: 6 Terms: June 24 - June 28, July 1 - July 05, July 8 - July 12, July 15 - July 19, July 22 - July 26, July 29 - 2 August
Time: Monday to Friday (10.00-13.00)
Where: The Museum of Cycladic Art
Price: N/A
Email: museum@cycladic.gr

September is almost here, and most families are shifting from holiday mode into back-to-school mode. A variety of stressful parameters, like earlier bedtimes, demanding homework, and tighter schedules are about to impact children and parents alike.

 

Read on to find a few actionable tips on keeping back-to-school stress at bay.

 

Stress can be expressed in a variety of ways, but because it's often internalized, it can be hard to identify in children. Look for warning signals, such as difficulty in sleeping, head and stomach aches, and changes in behavior like irritability and temper tantrums.

 

Michele Kambolis, a Vancouver-based child and family therapist, recommends having your kids externalize their stress. Kambolis uses an activity called a "worry wall," where kids write down their worrisome thoughts on sticky notes and paste them up on a wall. This simple action aids children to gain perspective and compartmentalize their stressors.

 

 

To be able to recognize school-related anxiety in your child, you need to open your ears and pay close attention to their particular grievances. If your child is complaining about not wanting to go to school or having difficulty doing their work, try to figure out the cause of the problem.

Is it a teacher issue? A bully? Are they over-scheduled? You will probably be able to address most of these problems either at home or by contacting school administrators.

 

 

Children need much more sleep than most people realize. Children in kindergarten up to third grade may require up to 12 hours of sleep per night, and high schoolers need a solid 8 to 10 hours. Address factors that may result in sleep loss, such as demanding schedules, anxiety, or using technology and social media platforms late at night.

 

 

'PDF' stands for (unstructured) playtime, downtime, and family time. While technology can occasionally be a part of PDF, the idea is that these are moments when the family is not plugged in. It's these face-to-face moments that will help kids decompress and reconnect with themselves, their family, and friends.

To read this article in full, please visit: Real Simple

Going to the Museum of Cycladic Art with your children will allow you to bond with them. Whether it's reading labels under the artifacts and explaining what they mean, or laughing over a strange ancient object, you will leave the Museum with new knowledge and, most importantly, unforgettable memories. If your children are 2 and 10 years old, this is even more true with the Museum's weekend family activities running from October to May.

By taking part in these weekend programs, both parents and children get the unique opportunity to learn about the Museum's world through activities like storytelling, photography, music, theatre, interactive tours, and even art workshops. To help with finding the most suitable weekend activity for your kids, we've described each program below.

 

 

In this workshop, children are introduced to a book whose story and illustrations will inspire their artistic projects. Here kids will be encouraged to experiment with painting, drawing, impressions, collage, clay, and various construction methods. It will get everyone's creativity flowing by sparking their imaginations and perceptions. As an adult, you may discover creativity, you never knew you had; if you're a creative, you may find a new source of inspiration for your works! The benefits for your children, though, are clear: they will develop motor skills and learn to express themselves through art. Overall, though, you'll get the chance to spend time together while listening to stories and exploring new worlds!

For February, there is a Carnival-themed workshop, based on Jon Klassen's story, 'This is not my hat.' In this workshop, parents and children will make their own hat inspired by Klassen's story.

 

Language: Greek only
Ages: 2-5

Ticket price for both parents and children: €12

Note: Parental presence required.

 

 

Like the “There was a Little Book” activity, your children will listen to music from around the world that will get them dancing, and will inspire them to represent music through different media, like paint, collage, stamps, photographs, and smudging. At the end of these sessions, children will invite their parents to present their works and dance together!

 

For February, the workshop titled “You’re the One that I Want Grease (musical)” will focus on 1950s rock ’n’ roll music. Children will also dress up and dance to music from the musical Grease. Then, kids will get the chance to enter a fairytale, where a princess leaves her castle, goes on escapades, and meets her prince. Using Toulouse-Lautrec’s prints for inspiration, the children will use the love story they participated in to make posters for a musical. Parents will be invited to help decorate the room with their children’s posters, and even help stage the kids’ show!

 

Tip: Make sure that you dress your kid in comfortable, casual clothes that you won’t mind cleaning later.

 

Language: Greek only

Ages: 4-5
Ticket price: €12

 

 

In these workshops, children explore how the self has been portrayed in the visual arts of different cultures and time periods. It will also raise questions about how, as humans, we form our views about the world and people. Using different creative and artistic techniques each time, children will be encouraged to explore and develop aspects of their individual personalities, while learning how to navigate things like conflict, change, and diversity.

 

This February, the “Little Stories of the Self” workshop will allow children to think about true and imaginary selves, and what happens when they meet. To do this, kids will get the opportunity to transform into imaginary heroes in an inclusive story. They will use paints, collage, and cameras to transfer their story on paper and make it come alive!

Tip: Make sure that you dress your kid in comfortable, casual clothes that you won’t mind cleaning later.

 

Languages: Greek and English

Ages: 5-7
Ticket price: €12

 

 

This activity’s concept is exactly like the aforementioned one, but it is geared towards older children.

 

For February, kids between the ages of 8 and 10 can take part in the “Little Stories of the Self” workshop mentioned above, or they can choose to participate in the “Who Am I?” workshop. In this workshop, children discover more about themselves by taking on a different identity. They will be encouraged to describe and transform themselves, while also learning how to improvise in front of the camera. Unlike the other programs, this activity will teach children fundamental video and photography techniques to create mixed media works of art.

 

Languages: Greek and English

Ages: 8-10
Ticket price: €12

Although there are several kid-friendly activities in Athens, the Museum’s emphasis on teaching self-expression through artistic activities at different ages offers a unique experience that should definitely be considered!

 

To learn more about the various activities, please visit: Museum of Cycladic Art

Schools have been closed for a while now, and unfortunately, both kids and parents are finding it rather challenging to discover ways to stay entertained during times of social distancing. Here are some fun activities to tackle boredom and keep kids entertained while schools are closed!

2. Enjoy Your Favorite Board Games & Puzzles
It's challenging to be stuck indoors due to weather (or virus) conditions but with a bunch of snacks, and a stack of games and puzzles staying indoors can be a ton of fun! On the upside, surely you'll stimulate family bonding and create some happy family moments!

3. Make DIY Puffy Paint
Painting is fun, but painting with puffy paint is even better. Young kids love this sensory paint and will spend hours creating their puffy masterpieces! For DIY puffy paint, you will need 3/4 cup shaving cream, 1/4 cup white glue, 1/4 cup flour, food coloring. Mix the ingredients until they are thoroughly combined—Color the paint with food colorings. Use squeeze bottles for delicate artwork or paintbrushes for a thicker texture. Make sure to use thick cardstock instead of plain paper– to avoid sogging–and to let the artwork to air dry for a few hours.

4. Make Rock Candy
Rock candy is a delicious, fun recipe that also doubles as a science experiment because you get to watch the sugar crystals form. Get creative with endless flavor and color combinations that will delight children and grownups alike! One of the best things is that it takes time and patience. It can take up to a week for the rock candy to form, which makes it an ongoing project for the next few days! Learn how to make rock here.

5. Have Fun With A DIY Indoor Bowling Game
This DIY indoor bowling game is fun to have on hand as a great boredom buster. Children can help out with making the pins and use their counting skills to set up the game. Create a simple bowling game with recycled bottles for some stay-at-home fun! The only things you'll need are 10 small water bottles numbered from 1 to 10 with stickers or labels, and a small ball. Place the water bottles in a triangle shape in the garden or at the end of a hall.

6. Make Salt Dough
Use 1 cupful of plain flour (about 250g), half a cup of table salt (about 125g), and half a cup of water (about 125ml). Knead the dough, cut out different shapes, and cook in the oven for 3 hours in low heat. When your creations have completely cooled down, paint them with colors and glitter to create little masterpieces!

7. Make Rainbow Rice
Follow these easy steps to create colored rice without using rubbing alcohol. You will need 1 cup of long-grain white rice, 1/2 tsp vinegar, several drops of liquid food coloring, and a food storage container. Put the rice, food coloring, and vinegar in a food container and shake very well. Open the box and leave the rice to dry for a couple of days. You can make batches of different colored rice. Rainbow rice is excellent for sensory bins and craft projects.

8. Make A Sensory Ice Bucket
Add water in a plastic food container or bucket and toss in small plastic toys such as plastic animals or lego bricks. Let it freeze in the freezer and then ask your children to break the ice and discover what's hidden inside!

9. Make An Indoor Obstacle Course
Use your creativity to put together an obstacle course inside your home. The goal of an obstacle course is to get your child moving. Use any variation of the items below for your toddler's obstacle course. You can use pillows, blankets, sofa, chairs, masking tape, a basketball and hoop, boxes, step stool, a tunnel, and a ball pit. While setting up your obstacle course, include activities such as shooting a ball into a basket, climbing on pillows, crawling under a row of chairs and through a tunnel, and much more. The indoor obstacle course will keep your little ones happy for a long while!

10. Get Reading
Being read to is usually a toddler's favorite time, while older kids also love diving into a good book. Make an effort to read your way through The Book Trust's 100 Best Books– a list of the 100 best children's' books from the last 100 years.

11. Make A Habitat Diorama

Kids love to learn and explore, so help them recreate the habitat of their favorite animal, think of its natural habitat, its food, and its habits. Not everything in a habitat diorama needs to come from nature, leaves can be made out of paper, trees might be made of plaster, and the entire animals can be made from plastic! Use a shoebox, glue, and all your favorite materials to make something truly wonderful.

This content has been sourced and prepared by Codico Lab

Weird as it may seem, YouTube can be an excellent learning resource for children; in fact, the internet is brim-full with videos that teach and enlighten children. There's so much content on YouTube, that it can be difficult to discover the best kid-friendly, educational channels. Luckily, we are here to help you find the right YouTube channel, where children can get homework help, creatively pass the time, or even learn a new skill. Here are some of our favorites:


1. Alphablocks

Alphablocks are a set of 26 animated alphabet blocks that discover the magic that happens whenever they hold hands to make a word. Alphablocks have already helped hundreds of thousands of children learn to read and bring phonics to life for anyone wanting to learn how to spell in English.

Category: Academic Learning
Ages: PreK-K

2. National Geographic Kids

The National Geographic Kids channel is a fun and educational way to explore the world with a long list of weird, wild, and wacky videos! Here, curious kids will discover awesome animals, cool science, funny pets, and more, so pick a topic you love and start watching with your child today! 

Category: Academic Learning
Ages: Grades 1 to 6

3. Cosmic Kids Yoga

The Cosmic Kids Yoga channel teaches yoga and promotes mindfulness and relaxation for kids. Cosmic Kids Yoga is full of interactive video adventures that aim to build strength, balance, confidence, and awareness early.

Category: Fitness & Wellness
Ages: PreK to Grade 6

4. Homeschool Pop

The lead narrator and writer of this YouTube channel is a homeschool dad-thus the name Homeschool Pop (dad). Homeschool Pop's purpose is to make fun, exciting learning videos for elementary students. The channel covers a wide variety of topics, from math to science and gardening to languages.

Category: Academic Learning
Ages: K to about Grade 4

5. Messy Hands - Kids Cooking

If your kids love cooking and are old enough to get into the kitchen, visit Messy Hands – Kids Cooking, a YouTube channel that teaches easy breakfast, lunch, and dinner recipes.

Category: Crafts & Hobbies
Ages: Grades 1 to 6

This content has been sourced and prepared by Codico Lab