Amman.. Beyond the ruins

Amman.. Beyond the ruins

Embark on an enriching family journey to Jordan during the summer, where the allure of ancient wonders is complemented by warm Arab hospitality. Jordan is renowned as a very kid-friendly destination, reflecting the Jordanians' genuine affection for children—you might encounter families with four or five kids of their own! As you stroll through cities, you'll notice strangers often approach you and your children with welcoming smiles, willingly offer their seats, and encourage playful interactions among kids, creating a sense of community and warmth wherever you go.

As market experts, we frequently receive inquiries and requests for kid-friendly activities, recognizing the importance for families to ensure their children have a memorable experience. While iconic sites such as Petra and Wadi Rum offer awe-inspiring adventures for children, exploring Amman provides opportunities to customize activities based on their unique interests.

Here are selected sites we'd like to highlight to assist you with your planning:

Alia Al Assaf Academy (horseback riding)

The Alia Alassaf Academy is the only Dutch-owned equestrian center in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, accredited by the Dutch government cooperation organisation SBB for education and training. We are located in the heart of the Jordanian country-side in Manja, Amman, next to Kings Academy. The property sits on 3 hectares and is surrounded by some of Jordan’s finest natural landscape.

With internationally educated instructors and over 35 school horses, both local and imported, The Alia Alassaf Academy is a world-class destination for children and adults of all levels and ages. 

Arabian Horse Club 

The Arabian Horse Club was established in 1982, making it one of Jordan’s longest-standing equestrian clubs. The Arabian Horse Club boasts over two outdoor arenas, two indoor arenas, a fun ride arena and a pony club arena and offers training for beginner and medium level riders with professional trainers at each level. For the advanced riders, it hosts annual show jumping competitions. It is host to international show jumping events and championships, and has trained many of Jordan’s riders – one of which was a three-time Olympic qualifier. The Club has more than 160 horses living in its stables, seven stables with a full capacity of 200 horses, and a resident vet. It is a family-friendly environment for horse lovers and enthusiasts to spend time watching riders train and being nearby horses.

The Children’s museum 

The Children’s Museum in Amman is arguably the most well-known activity for kids of all ages, and it definitely deserves a spot on your itinerary. For younger children, there's a small but adequate enclosed play area. However, for kids aged 3 and above, there's a wealth of interactive exhibits to explore. They can experiment with weight, engage with sand and water activities, pretend to shop, peer into a mini-prison, create music, and much more. The museum also boasts a spacious outdoor area, perfect for enjoying during the spring and summer months. Unfortunately, like many facilities in Jordan, maintenance can be an issue, with several activities currently in need of repair. Regular upkeep would greatly enhance the experience, potentially elevating the Children’s Museum to one of the top attractions for kids in Amman.

Climbat Amman

The largest climbing wall in the Middle East! With 200+ routes to climb, Climbat Jo. offers a world class climbing facility.

Climbat is a highly popular indoor climbing facility known for its expansive space. While I am not an experienced climber myself and view it primarily as a kids' activity, I'm certain that both advanced and possibly professional climbers would find Climbat equally enjoyable. The venue offers a variety of walls and climbing routes to suit different skill levels. Children as young as 4 years old can participate, with those under 5 limited to smaller walls around 2.5 meters high. Safety is paramount, with large soft mattresses lining the floor to prevent any accidents. Some walls are slightly inclined, making them easier to navigate than those set at a 90-degree angle.

Galina Art Class 

Galina offers private art classes for children of all ages in Amman, starting from 4 years old. In her cozy home studio, she patiently teaches kids the fundamentals of using pencils and brushes. Galina guides them through painting various subjects, from abstract art to famous artists' works, fostering creativity and a deeper understanding of colors and shapes. Whether in group sessions or one-on-one, children have the opportunity to explore their artistic talents and develop their skills under her expert guidance.

Gravity Trampoline park   

Gravity Amman is Amman’s first indoor trampoline park with over 1400 square meters of jumping fun! Bounce around on over 100 interconnected trampolines in our free jump zone, jump into our foam pit, jump high and slam dunk on the trampoline basketball court, jump high and land on our giant air bag, navigate through the extreme rope challenge or have a game of dodgeball with your friends, the choice is yours.

Escape The Room!

Al Ma’wa Wildlife Sanctuary (Jerash)

Through a partnership between the Princess Alia Foundation and Four Paws in 2011, Al Ma’wa for Nature and Wildlife was established in order to provide a regional solution for rescued wildlife. There are two entities under this project, namely the New Hope Centre, located in Amman, and the Al Ma’wa Wildlife Reserve, in Jerash.

The New Hope Centre serves as the main veterinary clinic, quarantine and rehabilitation facility for all confiscated and rescued wildlife. Animals admitted to the New Hope Centre receive immediate medical care and undergo the rehabilitation programme. Where animals who cannot be sent to their country of origin or released into the wild, they find a permanent home in Al Ma’wa for Nature and Wildlife, which is a space of 110 hectares. Species-specific enclosure ensure the animals have enough space and appropriate conditions which best suit their natural needs.