Combine education and entertainment with the experience of a lifetime. The Mediterraneo Marine Park at Bahar ic-Caghaq is home not only to the cutest bottlenose dolphins, some very cheeky sea lions and clever parrots but also macaws, amazons, snakes, tortoises, turtles, scorpions, and lizards. You can buy a bag of bird seed or food pellets to feed the birds or water turtles or watch the dolphins, parrots and sea lions show off their skills. But the highlight has got to be the swim experience with the dolphins. If your kids are eight years or older, this will be one memory they will treasure forever. Children aged six and over can have a 15-minute 'dry' encounter with the dolphins within a small group. FUN in capital letters.  

Good for: all ages but must be 8+ for swim experience

Can water get any more fun than this? There’s something for children of all ages at Splash & Fun, including the grown up ones. There are plenty of winding slides to whoosh down at various speeds and heights, and there is also a children’s pool for the littlest ones. The name says it all. There is only one problem: you’ll never get the kids out of there. 

Good for: all ages, including mum and dad

School may be out for summer, but there’s never any harm in doing some revision. Just don’t tell the kids. Esplora Interactive Science Centre puts fun into science. It’s fully hands on and entirely geared for children to explore, learn, discover, muck about, and above all, have fun doing it. Even toddlers can join in the fun, with plenty of colours, lights and sounds to fuel their imagination. My daughter’s favourite was the piano carpet. I guarantee they won’t miss the beach for one minute. 

Good for: best for school age kids but toddlers can join in the fun too

This is my personal favourite summer activity to do with the kids and for purely selfish reasons: I get to take a nap in air-conditioned bliss without the kids disturbing me, even though they'd be sitting right next to me. Of course that’s not what you’re there for: you’re there for the great films. Of course you are. Here’s a tip: Sundays are always the busiest beach days. Bypass the crowds, go to the cinema instead where you are quite likely to have the entire hall to yourself, then take the children swimming after 5pm when the sun and the crowds begin to ease off and finish with dinner by the water’s edge. A perfect summer day in my book. You’re welcome! 

Good for: all ages

My nine-year old daughter has fallen in love with horses (like most girls her age I presume) so this is on my list of things to do with her this summer. She won’t exactly be galloping on the beach, not yet at least, but she’ll learn the basics of horse-riding and enjoy getting to know these wonderful creatures. Who knows? Maybe we’ll all join in and have a family lesson together. 

Good for: age 8+

A perennial favourite with the little ones. This is the headquarters of toy-land where the little plastic men, women and their infinitesimal tiny accessories are created. Especially geared towards toddlers, this is paradise on earth, with toys galore to play with. Good luck getting out of there without one of their blue boxes. Admit it, they are cute though! Look out for the Knight of Malta Playmobil man. You won’t find that in any other country. 

Good for: toddlers and younger children

If your children are 10 years or older, this is the perfect time to introduce them to Malta’s wonderful underwater world. There are numerous qualified and certified dive centres on the island that can give children their first diving experience.

Good for: age 10+

Too young for diving? Children of all ages can still experience underwater wonders and meet the mysterious creatures that inhabit our seas. Beautifully located by the water’s edge, the aquarium features uniquely Maltese backdrops that put the exhibits in context. My favourite is the mini statue of Kristu tal-Bahhara which is one of Malta’s most famous diving attractions. The aquarium version is now home to sea urchins. As a bonus, there’s an excellent restaurant on site too, and a great play area outside.

Good for: all ages

Millennials won’t know who Popeye is or that the 1980 film starring Robin Williams was made here, but that’s not to say they won’t love visiting the old film set. Yes the entire film set is still there, a fully-fledged village of wooden houses and shacks built in Anchor Bay specifically for the movie. Mum and dad’s much-loved cartoon character comes alive for the children with various activities they can participate in, including dressing up and making their own movie. And, as a bonus, it’s perched on a delightful rocky beach from where you can take boat rides and enjoy kid-friendly water games. Fun for all generations.

Good for: all ages

Make sight-seeing even more appealing to children by turning it into a treasure hunt. There are over 300 geocaches hidden all around the Maltese Islands, both on land and underwater (although the latter would require PADI certification to find and are not suitable for children). Log on to the geocaching website to follow the clues on where to find them.

Good for: all ages