Best Free Activities for Kids in Costa Blanca

Introduction

Anyone with children to look after will know that it can be hard to keep them entertained. While there are no shortage of things to do with kids in Spain’s Costa Blanca region, many of them will inevitably cost money to do.

As the cost of living continues to rise and people are feeling more squeezed than ever, sometimes there is a need for some form of entertainment that comes for free. Luckily, being a very child-friendly country, Spain is never short of free activities and events for all the family. The Costa Blanca is no exception to this.

If, however, you are able to mix some of these free activities with some other paid for things to do, also take a look at our best theme parks for kids in Costa Blanca, best water parks for kids in Costa Blanca, or our best adventure activities for kids in Costa Blanca.

Here though, we are looking at some of the best free activities for kids in Costa Blanca. We hope you find some inspiration for fun things to do with your kids, all of which are perfect for anyone on a tight budget.

#1 Beaches

Blessed with some of the finest, golden sand beaches in all of Spain and beyond, it should come as no surprise that perhaps the best free activity for kids in Costa Blanca is to hit the beach. After all, the beaches remain a major draw for why millions of tourists keep coming back every year.

All along this fabulous stretch of mediterranean coastline you will find countless options for places to visit for a family beach day. All of the major resort towns, such as Calpe, Benidorm, Alicante and Torrevieja have surprisingly nice urban beaches that can be easily enjoyed without the need for transport or driving. Many feature children’s playgrounds or climbing nets that are perfect to distract the kids once they’ve had enough of swimming or building sandcastles.

For anyone with private transport, a short drive out of any of these towns will bring you to a whole range of alternative beaches, many of which are more natural and less crowded (if that is more your thing). For anyone not so keen on sand, it is also possible to find pebble and stone beaches.

Regular beach bars for refreshments (some of which stay open all year round) and beach toilets complete the offering, providing added convenience for a family beach visit. Alternatively of course, the beach always makes a great place for a picnic.

#2 Parks & Playgrounds

Another great family activity for a free day out is to visit one of Costa Blanca’s great parks or children’s playgrounds.

It always feels rewarding to be able to get outside and enjoy some of the area’s famously sunny weather. If you’d rather keep out of the sun though, don’t panic, as many of the parks have been deliberately designed with shade in mind, so they can be enjoyed in all seasons.

Costa Blanca has everything from a UNESCO World Heritage palm grove, to landscaped gardens with interesting wildlife, or to purpose built playgrounds designed specifically for children of all ages.

For more info, see our roundup of the best parks and playgrounds for kids in Costa Blanca.

#3 Skate Parks / Pump Track

Aside from the standard children’s play areas on offer, Costa Blanca also has several skate parks for kids to enjoy. Sculpted from concrete and consisting of a range of ramps and obstacles, these are fun places for adventurous children to explore.

You don’t need to be a professional standard skate boarder to use these parks. The mood is usually very friendly and non-serious. Kids with scooters or roller skates can also have a go at riding on the ramps. Even just running or sliding on the ramps can be fun for little ones.

Nearly all of the major towns along this stretch of coast have their own skate park that is free to use.

As well as skate parks, Torrevieja is also home to Europe’s largest BMX pumptrack. Newly opened in 2024, the bumps and twists of the pumptrack are perfect for riding around on a BMX, or on a scooter if you prefer. The park also has a children’s playground, padel courts, climbing boulder and picnic areas, making it a perfect destination for a great and free family day out in Costa Blanca.

#4 Family Walks

What I have learned from my kids is that they never want to go an ‘a walk’. However, dress it up as an ‘adventure’ or a ‘secret spy mission’ and miraculously the idea becomes more attractive to them! Try thinking up some games to play or take some toys or walkie-talkies with you for added fun.

There are easily accessible walks for all the family to enjoy throughout Costa Blanca, many of which are suitable for prams or pushchairs. From coastal walks to venturing more towards the nature found inland, a walk through some of this beautiful scenery is a great free way to spend some time.

For ideas for some specific walks to try, take a look at our great family walks for kids in Costa Blanca South.

#5 Fiestas and Local Events

The Spanish love an outdoor get-together. Every municipal council in Costa Blanca will organise their own calendar of events that take place throughout the year. Expect extravagent street parades, live music stages, local food and fireworks, alongside children’s events and workshops. The best part is, the majority of all of this will usually be provided completely for free!

For fiestas (parties), carnival time (in February around mardi gras) and religious holidays tend to be when most will take place. Many towns host events based around the stories of the historical struggle between the Moors and the Christians in Spain. Each individual town will often also celebrate its own week of local fiestas once a year.

For fiestas or free children’s events happening near you, keep an eye on local listings and also on our events calendar.

#6 Flamingos

As one of the most iconic and well known species of birds on the planet, pink flamingos are always favourites of children. You only need to look at the recent explosion in kids products that feature flamingo images to see their enduring popularity.

While many people may have seen flamingos on the TV, or in a zoo or wildlife park, nothing beats the chance to see these majestic birds in the wild. Luckily, the salt lagoons along Spain’s Costa Blanca are some of the best places in Europe to see them, all year round.

Some of the best spots to view them are in the salt lake at Calpe, the salt lakes just outside Santa Pola, or, in the south of the region (just over the border into Murcia), at the San Pedro salt lakes.

#7 Cave Houses

Dating back to a time of nomad shepherds roaming these lands, Costa Blanca has several locations where it is possible to see historic cave houses up close. These provide a fascinating insight into how people lived in days gone by, as well as providing a good adventure for kids to explore.

Perhaps the best place to view these houses is at the town of Rojales in the south of Costa Blanca. Here, the cave houses have been lovingly restored and repurposed into a community of artists and galleries. Every Sunday it is possible to visit these houses, take a look inside some of the galleries and admire the views. There is also a stage with live music for entertainment, playing during the afternoons in winter and evenings in summer.

Once a month on the 1st Sunday of the month, the Rojales cave houses also host a craft market, selling a nice selection of relatively inexpensive art, jewellery, souvenirs and gifts. On these days the music plays all day and the event is very popular.