The Caribbean is not only for grown-ups, and St. Thomas proves it with a great range of fun activities for kids. Obviously the beaches are St. Thomas's most kid-friendly attractions, and the island has plenty of them. But there are many other things to keep kids occupied while on the island – even if you're only there for a day.
The cable car to Paradise Point — Photo courtesy of Paradise Point TramwayThe cruise ship dock area at Havensight has two great kid-centric activities which cater heavily to cruise ship passengers. The Skyride to Paradise Point is a cable car that makes a 7-minute, 700-foot trip up the side of Flag Hill, giving riders a bird's eye view of Havensight Mall and the adjacent areas on the way up. Once you're at the top you get panoramic views of the entire harbor and town while you eat lunch, shop in the gift shop, hike the nature trails or watch a bird show.
A butterfly at the Butterfly Farm — Photo courtesy of JoyosityIf your kids are into animals you're in luck. You have two choices for critter viewing on St. Thomas. Right at the cruise ship dock is the Butterfly Farm, where kids will delight in the 1,000 brilliantly colored butterflies inhabiting the 10,000-square-foot, mesh-enclosed, walk-through garden. Breeding boxes teach children about the process of metamorphosis from egg to caterpillar to butterfly. Or you can try Solberg Farms, a small family farm about a mile northwest of Charlotte Amalie where you'll find 24 different animal and bird species (including emus) for kids to pet and admire.
A lionfish at Coral World — Photo courtesy of Karen ElowittIn the afternoon head over to Coral World, a 4.5-acre marine park and aquarium. Kids love the shark tank, the sea lions, the turtle pool, and the touch pool, where they can feel starfish and stingrays. The underwater observatory gives visitors a stay-dry chance to view local marine life such as sea lions, stingrays and sharks. The recently added "semi-submarine" is another way to explore the surrounding Coki Point reef without getting wet – you watch from the air-conditioned comfort of a submersible craft.But if your kids DO want to get wet, they can do "SNUBA" at Coral World – a cross between snorkeling and scuba diving, which allows you to breathe via a 20-foot hose connected to a tank on the surface.
If Coral World is not your kind of activity, you can always check out Winners Miniature Golf and Amusements inside Sugar Bay resort. This recreation center offers not only a 9-hole mini golf course, but also bumper boats, an arcade, tennis courts, a food concession stand and an activities room with television. There's plenty to keep kiddies of all ages occupied.
