Advice for families

Hi, it’s been several years since we’ve visited SXM and we are finally returning this March. We have two families with kids aged 2-4. What would be some recommended activities? We’ll have rental cars and will be staying at Dawn Beach.

Does anyone rent sand toys or wagons? TIA!

I've never seen those items for rent, but you can definitely purchase them on the island, and donate them when you leave.

As far as activities, I definitely suggest Parroteville.

We've been a few times with our son when he was 3, 4, and 6. He really enjoyed Loterie Farm on our last visit in December. There's a kids area that has a little pool, some slides, and a small zipline. Kids have to pay to go, but adults are free. Aside from that, during past trips we've gone to Maho Beach, spent time along the boardwalk in Phillipsburg, and just played on the beaches near Orient. We've only stayed on the French side, so I'm sure there are more kid-friendly activities on the Dutch side I don't know about.

For sand toys, you may want to check with the place you're staying. We've mainly rented through Airbnb, and some apartments have had toys for kids and other beach supplies. We also brought our own car seat, and the bag we used for that was big enough for us to fit a few toys and floaties. I think most airlines allow you to check car seats for free, and no one has ever cared that we added a couple of extra things to the bag.

This is a list sent to me by Deepti at DKGems when I posed a similar question re kids' activities on a Facebook forum.

Kidszone indoor play area
Bird park
Sunset cruise - aquamania
Pinel
Horse riding - sea side nature park
Puerto Cupecoy - restaurants with big courtyard.
Movie theater game room
Pineapple Pete’s game room
Rainbow - any grandcase beach is a great beach for kids
Lotterie farm
Sandbar restaurant with small play area
Coffee lounge if they are older
So Benedict’s great crepes
Reveil matin great crepes
Simba French side play area for kids
And new ice cream spot in town Luciano

Good advice from an island mom!

There’s also a small playground on the beach in Philipsburg at Gelateria Milano.

As for sand toys, we usually pack a few in the luggage but you can easily find them for purchase. We stay at Divi and there’s usually a chain of families “passing down” beach toys from week to week.

I would suggest a trip to Parrotville. It’s not far from dawn beach and it’s a lot of fun.
You are given a cup to feed the birds from while they sit on your arms and shoulders. There’s plenty of staff to help if the children get anxious. We had a great time last fall and watched 3&4 year olds interacting with the birds.
I would recommend an early morning visit. Their website has all the information you need.

Also, they might like the view from the Fort up in Marigot.


We LOVED Galion beach at those ages b/c it is SO CALM. But there are still no facilities there since Irma. But if you bring your own food, blankets. towels, coolers, chairs, its a private paradise where the locals go.

Thank you all for the suggestions!