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If you’re planning to visit Jordan with a toddler in 2025, you will probably have a lot of questions. We certainly had many questions before we visited Jordan with our toddler, and we also visited with a baby and a 6-year-old.
Traveling to a country like Jordan can be intrepid and challenging, even if you are an adventurous solo traveler. Taking a toddler to Jordan may seem a little intimidating. It is natural to be anxious as a parent, especially if you are planning to travel outside of your comfort zone.
In this article, we want to help alleviate your anxiety and prepare for your trip. If you’re planning to visit Jordan with a toddler, planning and preparation are everything. Please take the time to read this article carefully. A little research now can save a lot of stress and challenges later.
THE KEY TO SUCESS? Preparation! Don’t miss our guide to things you need to prepare before you go to Jordan
What are the best things to do in Jordan with a toddler?
In terms of activities, Jordan is not a great country for younger kids. There are not many play parks, and swimming pools are few and far between. There are also no indoor soft play spaces for toddlers. However, if you are traveling to Jordan with a toddler, you can still have an amazing time, particularly if you plan your itinerary carefully. Here are a few of the best things to do in Jordan with a toddler:
- The Amman Citadel: Nice open space for toddlers to run around, but some supervision is required here.
- Dead Sea Resort: Although the Dead Sea itself is quite a challenging environment for a toddler, the resorts have excellent facilities, including buffet lunches, play parks, and swimming pools. Don’t miss our guide to the BEST dead sea day passes. Or why not splash out and stay overnight at a Dead Sea Resort?
- The Jordan Museum in Amman: This is a nice place for toddlers to explore and enjoy the cool air conditioning.
- Glamping in Wadi Rum: Staying in the desert may sound too intrepid for a toddler. However, if you visit Wadi Rum, there are some very beautiful glamping places in Wadi Rum. Glamping tents and yurts are actually an excellent option for families with a toddler. They are naturally soft and baby-proof, and your toddler will probably be enamored by the unique, beautiful space.
- Amman Waves Water Park: There are not a lot of dedicated activities for kids in Jordan, but there is a small water park in Amman. This is a great option for toddlers.
Find out more FUN things to do in Amman
What are the most challenging activities in Jordan for a toddler?
It is important to be aware that Jordan can be a challenging country to travel with a toddler. We have already mentioned the lack of toddler-friendly activities. We also want to discuss a few popular attractions in Jordan that present unique challenges to families with toddlers. Although each of these attractions presents its own challenge, it is still possible to visit and enjoy exploring these places with toddlers. You just need to be well prepared before you visit.
Swimming in The Dead Sea
In our list of the best things to do with toddlers, we mentioned visiting a Dead Sea Resort. But it is important to recognize that the Dead Sea itself is a very challenging environment for a toddler. During the summer months, it is intensely hot and exposed. You need to be aware of sharp salt crystals on the rocks around the Dead Sea. The water itself is also intensely salty and very unpleasant if you are splashed in the face or if you have any cuts on your body. If you are visiting the Dead Sea with a toddler, we recommend getting a day pass at one of the Dead Sea Resorts and making the most of the facilities. Be aware that you will need to supervise your toddler carefully, as there are often swimming pools. However, we do think that you can have a fun and enjoyable family day at a Dead Sea Resort.
Don’t miss our FULL GUIDE to the Dead Sea with kids
Exploring Petra
Petra is also a challenging activity for a family with a toddler. Firstly, the best journey to Petra takes around 3 or 4 hours, and there is not a lot of space on the bus. We recommend preparing with plenty of snacks, drinks, and entertainment for your little one. Secondly, Petra itself can be quite a challenging environment. During the summer months, it is intensely hot, and during the winter months, it can get very cold here. If you’re traveling during the summer, make sure you bring plenty of sun protection and sunscreen. It is important to keep toddlers well hydrated. If you’re traveling during the winter, bring plenty of layers. The area in front of the treasury is very impressive, but there are lots of animals in this area, and this can present a risk to toddlers. The cliff ledge viewpoints opposite the treasury are not suitable for young kids, especially toddlers. There are no safety rails or fences, and there are some big drops.
Don’t miss our step-by-step guide on How to travel from Amman to Petra
How long should you stay in Jordan with a toddler?
If you are planning to visit Jordan with a toddler, we recommend pacing yourself. For example, if it would take around 3 days to visit Petra without kids, then we recommend taking 5 days with kids. Slowing down a little will allow you to plan rest time and nap times into your day. You will also find that young kids will probably need recovery times after bigger day trips and activities. Traveling at a slower pace will make the experience more restful and enjoyable for the whole family.
Check out our guide How long do should you stay in Jordan? To get a feel for different trip lengths
What are the facilities like in Jordan for toddlers?
Jordan is not very well set up for traveling with younger kids. Some restaurants in Jordan do have baby chairs, although this is not standard. Throughout our time in Jordan, we didn’t see any baby changing facilities. If your toddler is in nappies, we highly recommend bringing a travel changing mat. Also, if your toddler is breastfeeding, it is important to recognize that Jordan has a relatively conservative culture, and you will need to use a scarf to cover up when you feed. If you use a pram, many places in Jordan are pram-friendly. For example, you can get all the way to the treasury (2km) with a pram. Amman has some steep hills, but the footpaths are generally pram-friendly. We prefer to use a sling, as this increases mobility and also enables our kids to nap on the go. A sling can also double up as a feeding scarf.
What things can you buy for toddlers in Jordan?
Jordan is pretty limited in terms of buying things for toddlers. If your toddler is in nappies, we recommend bringing a large supply of nappies. Although it is possible to buy nappies in some supermarkets, they can be hard to find, and you will be unlikely to find your preferred brand. Nappies are also relatively expensive in Jordan, costing around 8JOD – 10JOD for a large bag (£8 – £10 or $10 – $12).
Just like nappies, baby milk is also hard to find in Jordan. Again, you’re very unlikely to find your preferred brand. We recommend traveling with a plentiful supply of your preferred baby milk. Make sure the bag is well sealed to protect it from moisture and insects. We always travel with a spare sealed bag, just in case you spill or loose powder.
What is the food like in Jordan for toddlers?
The food in Jordan is relatively toddler-friendly. We were very impressed by the quality and price of food in Jordan. You can get plenty of Western food, including bread, pasta, fruit, pizzas, and fried chicken. However, if your toddler is a fussy eater, we do recommend planning their food. If you are able to bring packaged treats and snacks for your toddler, this may help, especially if you’re planning to take longer bus journeys or traveling away from Amman. It is very rare to find spicy food in Jordan, and most foods are familiar to a Western palate.
Is accommodation in Jordan family-friendly?
Is accommodation in Jordan family-friendly? The answer to this question very much depends on your budget. If you are planning to stay in some luxury hotels in Jordan, you’ll find plenty of family-friendly accommodation. However, if you are traveling Jordan on a budget, you will need to recognize some of the challenges and adapt.
Luxury hotels in Jordan with kids
If you have the budget go luxury. On the luxury end of accommodation in Jordan, you can get a lot for your money. All of the main cities and tourist attractions have luxury hotel options. Luxury hotels often include a free cot on request for children 0 – 2 years old. If you do need a cot for your little one, we recommend contacting the hotel as early as possible. Some of the luxury hotels also have additional facilities such as baby chairs in the restaurants, kids’ swimming pools, and babysitting services.
Luxury hotels in Jordan also offer baby-friendly rooms with features like carpeted floors, safe locks on the doors and windows, and baby-friendly fittings and fixtures. You can also find some rooms that include bathtubs.
Budget hotels in Jordan with kids
On the budget end, accommodation in Jordan is not particularly family-friendly. For example, budget rooms often have tile or cement floors, and this can be risky if your toddler is still a bit wobbly on their feet. Budget rooms in Jordan may also have broken locks on windows.
Watch out for toddlers who can climb. Many budget hotels in Jordan offer rooms with shared bathrooms. This can also be challenging if you are traveling with a toddler who is potty training, and you need to get to the toilet quickly. In terms of beds, budget hotels in Jordan are unlikely to offer free cots, so you will need to plan your sleeping arrangements. Finally, cheap hotels in Jordan rarely have family-friendly facilities such as baby chairs, kids’ clubs, or swimming pools.
What is the best way to get around in Jordan with a toddler?
If you’re travelling around Jordan with a toddler transport is one of the biggest questions. Don’t miss our FULL GUIDE to travelling around in Jordan to learn more about your options.
Before you visit Jordan with a toddler, we recommend spending some time planning how you will get around.
1 Taxis (good for short journeys)
Taxis are relatively cheap and readily available for short journeys around cities like Amman. You can use the Uber taxi app to book taxis. We were concerned about the safety of taxis in Jordan. Many vehicles are poorly maintained and may not have a working seat belt in the rear. We also found the roads quite crowded and fast. A good way to get a safe taxi is to book the “Comfort option” using the Uber taxi app. This should allow you to book a newer and better-maintained vehicle. If you are not happy with the safety of a vehicle, remember you don’t need to get in; you can just find a different taxi.
Find out more about taxis in Jordan
2 Buses (great for long journeys)
Find out everything you need to know about booking a bus in Jordan
For longer journeys around Jordan, taxis can be quite expensive (100JOD for Amman – Petra which is £100 or $120), and we have already mentioned the safety concerns. Therefore, if you’re taking longer trips around Jordan, we recommend booking a bus. There is only one bus company that operates longer-distance bus journeys around Jordan, so you will need to book your tickets nice and early. The bus company is called Jett, and it links all of the main cities and attractions in Jordan with prices ranging between 10JOD – 30JOD (£10 – £30 or $12 – $35)
TOP TIP: The cheapest way to take a Jett bus is to book a “Day Tour” rather than booking tickets separately. If you book a day tour with Jett, children under 6 years old are not charged for tickets. You can then email and request a seat for your toddler. Both our kids were given seats on Jett, and we didn’t need to pay. You can also book day tours from outside of Jordan.
3 Car rental
Another way to travel around Jordan with a toddler is to rent a car. Car rental in Jordan starts at around 35JOD per day. If you plan to rent a car in Jordan, make sure that you obtain an international driver’s license before you travel. The roads in Jordan can be quite intense and busy, especially around Amman. A reasonable amount of confidence and experience is required to drive in Jordan. If you do plan to rent a car in Jordan, we also recommend that you consider parking space at your hotel, especially if you’re planning to stay in the Amman Old City area where parking is limited.
Is it safe to travel around Jordan with a toddler?
Is Jordan safe to travel? In general, Jordan is a relatively safe country to travel. However, any travel experience comes with inherent risks. We always recommend doing your research carefully before you travel. Make sure you are well prepared with the latest advice, and check that your kids are fully vaccinated and healthy to travel. We have found the information on the UK FCO website great for safe travel advice.
We have already mentioned some of the risks, such as animals in Petra, extreme conditions such as heat and cold, and the risk of poorly maintained taxis without working seat belts. If you are exploring towns and cities in Jordan, we recommend supervising kids carefully, especially by roads.
Packing List for Visiting Jordan with a Toddler
Finally, we wanted to share a packing list if you’re planning to travel to Jordan with a toddler. This is not meant to be a comprehensive packing list. The aim of this list is to get you started and help you think about some of the things you might need on your trip.
- Plenty of nappies and wet wipes
- A travel changing mat
- Drinks and snacks
- A water bottle
- Baby milk or formula (remember to bring a spare)
- Feeding bottles and feeding cups
- Plastic bags for dirty nappies
- Toys, games, and books, especially for long bus journeys
- Clothing that is appropriate for the season
- SPF 50 Sun cream
- Sun hat and umbrellas
- Pram, baby carrier, or sling
- Toiletries and toothbrushes
Summary – travelling Jordan with a toddler
There are limited toddler-friendly activities and amenities, so careful itinerary planning is essential. Some of the best things to do with a toddler include visiting the Amman Citadel, enjoying the facilities of Dead Sea resorts, exploring the Jordan Museum in Amman, experiencing glamping in Wadi Rum, and taking a trip to the Amman Waves Water Park.
However, it’s important to recognize the challenges as well. Some activities, like visiting the Dead Sea and Petra, can be quite demanding for families with toddlers due to extreme weather conditions and safety concerns. It’s crucial to be well-prepared and take necessary precautions when visiting these attractions.
In terms of the duration of your stay, it’s recommended to pace yourself and extend your trip by a couple of days to allow for rest and recovery, particularly for your toddler. Jordan may not be well-equipped for traveling with younger children. While luxury hotels offer family-friendly amenities, budget accommodations may lack essential features. Additionally, the country’s conservative culture may require using a scarf for breastfeeding, and baby-changing facilities are rare.
Transportation in Jordan can be safe, but choosing comfortable and well-maintained vehicles is essential. Taxis are available for shorter journeys, while buses or rental cars are suitable for longer trips. Safety is a priority, and travelers should research and be aware of potential risks. Supervising children, especially near roads and cliffs, is crucial.
