Jordan with children is genuinely rewarding. The country’s combination of dramatic landscapes, ancient ruins to explore, Bedouin camps under the stars, and the surreal experience of floating in the Dead Sea creates the kind of family travel memories that endure long after the trip ends. Jordanians are famously warm to children — a family travelling with kids will find themselves welcomed into conversations, shops, and restaurants with a generosity that is part of the local culture.
The planning requirements are real: heat in summer is a serious issue with children, Petra is physically demanding, and some of the best experiences require advance booking. This guide gives you the family-specific picture.
Best age for Jordan
Under 5: Jordan is possible but challenging. Petra requires significant walking on uneven terrain. Wadi Rum’s heat and limited facilities in camps make it taxing for toddlers. The Dead Sea and Aqaba swimming are feasible.
Ages 5–8: Manageable with good planning. The Dead Sea floating is endlessly entertaining for this age group. Short Petra visits (Treasury and main valley) are doable. Wadi Rum’s Jeep tour is exciting — nothing about a 4×4 bounding across red dunes requires a minimum age.
Ages 9–14: Ideal. Old enough to manage Petra’s distances, appreciate the history, and enjoy the Wadi Rum desert experience fully. Young enough to be genuinely awed by the scale of it all.
Ages 15+: Jordan works like a standard adult trip.
When to go with children
Spring (April–May) and autumn (October–November) are the best seasons for family travel. Temperatures across the main sites are 15–28°C — warm enough for the Dead Sea and Aqaba, comfortable enough for extended Petra walking.
Avoid July–August with young children. Daytime temperatures in Petra and Wadi Rum exceed 40°C. Children are more vulnerable to heat exhaustion than adults. Early morning starts (before 8 AM into Petra) can reduce exposure, but the midday and afternoon period is genuinely dangerous for young children without significant shade and water management.
December–February: Cold nights in Wadi Rum (-5°C possible). Not the right season for camp experiences with young children. Petra can be cold but is manageable with layers. Aqaba and Dead Sea are pleasant.
Recommended family itinerary: 8–10 days
Day 1: Arrive Amman. Rest. Explore Amman downtown — Hashem Restaurant for falafel is a perfect simple first-night dinner that children enjoy. Roman Theatre for a quick visit.
Day 2: Day trip to Jerash with children (50 min from Amman). The Roman ruins are excellent for children who like running between ancient columns. Afternoon return to Amman.
Day 3: Dead Sea and Madaba. Madaba mosaic map (impressive even for younger children), Mount Nebo viewpoint, Dead Sea float in the afternoon — children’s first encounter with the buoyancy is always spectacular. Return to Amman or stay at a Dead Sea resort.
Day 4: Transfer to Petra (Wadi Musa). 3 hours by car or 3.5 hours by JETT bus. Afternoon rest in Wadi Musa. The town has a swimming pool at several hotels — consider the Rocky Mountain Hotel (family-friendly, pool).
Day 5: First full Petra day. Walk the Siq, reach the Treasury, explore the main valley. The horse carriage (negotiate the price firmly before getting in) can help with smaller children on the long entrance road before the Siq. Pack 3–4 litres of water minimum.
Day 6: Second Petra day. The Monastery (Ad Deir) hike is long (850 steps) but do-able for children 8+ — and the reward at the top is remarkable. Little Petra (free, 5 km north) is excellent for a lower-energy half-day.
Day 7: Wadi Rum. Drive or transfer from Wadi Musa (1h45). Afternoon jeep tour — children typically love the sand dunes, the natural rock formations, and the experience of camel riding. Overnight in camp.
Day 8: Wadi Rum sunrise, then Aqaba. Red Sea snorkelling (glass-bottom boat trips are perfect for children who cannot yet scuba dive). Beach afternoon.
Day 9: Aqaba morning. Return to Amman by JETT bus (4.5 hours) or fly Aqaba–Amman with Royal Jordanian (1 hour, bookable from 50 JOD).
Day 10: Amman, afternoon city exploration, evening flight home.
Petra with children: practical tips
- Start as early as possible — 7 AM opening means the Siq is cool and empty
- The horse carriages at the entrance run 5–25 JOD depending on negotiation — settle the price before you get on
- Electric carts from the visitor centre toward the Siq entrance are available (50 JOD range)
- Carry significantly more water than you think you need: 500 ml per hour per person in hot weather
- The Siq (1.2 km walk to the Treasury) is the most magical portion — save energy for it
- Donkey rides available for steep sections — small children can ride with a parent
- Food inside Petra: the Basin Restaurant (lunch buffet, approximately 20 JOD/adult, less for children) is the main option inside the site. Bring snacks.
Wadi Rum with children
The desert is one of the best family experiences in Jordan. Children are often more captivated by Wadi Rum than by Petra — the scale of the red sand mountains, the Bedouin camp experience, and the extraordinary stargazing are naturally engaging for young minds.
Jeep tours are perfectly safe for children of all ages — drivers are experienced and move at comfortable speeds. Sand dunes are a natural playground.
Camp selection: Look for camps with private family tent options and proper bathroom facilities. Communal bathrooms in budget camps can be challenging at 2 AM with a young child. Mid-range and above camps have private en-suite tents — worth the upgrade for family comfort.
Stargazing: Wadi Rum has among the best stargazing in the Middle East. Even young children are amazed. Binoculars are a worthwhile addition to your family pack.
From Amman: private driver and car service for 1–8 daysA private driver for the family — particularly for the Petra and Wadi Rum segments — removes the stress of navigating independently with children, negotiating taxis, and managing luggage across multiple transport types. For families of 4+, the per-person cost is comparable to JETT plus local taxis, with far greater comfort.
Jordan: 3-day highlights tour to Petra, Wadi Rum & Dead SeaFamily-friendly hotels
Amman:
- Fairmont Amman: excellent pool, family rooms, central location
- Grand Hyatt Amman: large pool, kids’ club, central
- Kempinski Hotel Ishtar (Dead Sea): premium family resort on the Dead Sea, with multiple pools and children’s facilities
Petra/Wadi Musa:
- Mövenpick Resort Petra: only 5-star in Wadi Musa, large pool, good family rooms
- Petra Moon Hotel: solid mid-range with family rooms, easy walking to the visitor centre
- La Maison Hotel: newer property, family-friendly
Wadi Rum:
- Wadi Rum Night Luxury Camp: luxury bubble tents with proper facilities — best for families wanting comfort with the desert experience
- Memories Aicha: well-organised camp with good facilities
Aqaba:
- Kempinski Hotel Aqaba Red Sea: beachfront, pools, watersports, kids’ club — one of the best family hotels in Jordan
- Mövenpick Resort Aqaba: good pool, beach access, central
Vaccinations and health
No vaccinations are specifically required for Jordan entry. Standard routine vaccinations (MMR, tetanus/diphtheria, hepatitis A) are recommended by most travel health clinics. Hepatitis B vaccination is advisable.
Traveller’s diarrhoea: Most common health issue for families in Jordan. Prevention: stick to bottled water, avoid salads at roadside stalls, choose hotels and restaurants with visible hygiene standards. Treatment: oral rehydration salts (available at Amman pharmacies) and rest. Most cases resolve in 1–2 days.
Sun protection: Children’s skin is particularly vulnerable. Reef-safe SPF 50+ sunscreen (obligatory at Aqaba marine areas), hats, and rash vests for water activities are essential in spring and autumn, critical in summer.
Pharmacy access: Pharmacies in Amman, Petra town, and Aqaba are well-stocked with standard medications. Bring your child’s specific prescription medications with sufficient supply — do not rely on finding exact medications in Jordan.
Transport with children
Car rental: A family SUV or minivan gives the most flexibility and comfort with children. Pull over for breaks, stop at viewpoints, adjust the day to the children’s energy. See our Jordan car rental guide.
JETT bus: Fine for children old enough to sit for 3–5 hours. The Amman–Petra and Amman–Aqaba services are comfortable. Bring snacks, activities for children, and accept that the schedule is fixed.
Private driver: The least stressful option for families. Your driver handles navigation, parking, and taxi negotiations while you focus on the children.
Frequently asked questions
Is Petra safe for children?
Yes, with appropriate supervision and preparation. The main paths are manageable for children 5+. The terrain is uneven stone and sandy paths — closed-toe shoes are essential. Keep children hydrated and out of direct midday sun. Avoid the back-route cliff hikes (like the back route from the Monastery to Little Petra) with small children.
What is there for teenagers in Jordan?
Teenagers often enjoy Jordan more than younger children: the history of Petra is interesting enough for curious minds, Wadi Rum’s Dune activities (sandboarding, camel riding) are genuinely fun for teens, Aqaba offers Red Sea snorkelling and beach time, and Amman has a growing food and café culture that feels accessible and interesting to young adults.
Is the Dead Sea appropriate for children?
Yes, with supervision. The extreme salt concentration (10x saltier than the ocean) means any water contact with eyes or mouth is intensely uncomfortable. Keep young children from splashing, ensure they do not put their hands to their faces before rinsing, and have fresh water immediately available for rinsing. The buoyancy itself is completely safe and is usually a source of delight for children — they cannot sink, which is fascinating at any age.
Where can I find baby supplies in Jordan?
Amman’s major supermarkets (Carrefour, Cozmo, Safeway) stock nappies, formula, and baby food. Outside Amman, selection is more limited. Bring a generous supply of any specific formula or specialist baby food your child requires.