Browse the full family events calendar for everything currently listed.
Esplora Interactive Science Centre
Esplora in Kalkara is the most reliably good option for a family day out on the island. Built inside a historic fort overlooking the Grand Harbour, it houses interactive science exhibits, a planetarium and extensive outdoor play areas. The exhibits are hands-on in a way that actually works: children engage with them rather than walk past them. Suitable for a wide age range and genuinely interesting enough for accompanying adults.
Playmobil FunPark
A dedicated play space built around the Playmobil toy world, best suited to younger children. Worth checking ahead for seasonal opening hours and any special events, which tend to run during school holidays. A reliable wet-weather option if the beach is not on.
Malta National Aquarium
The National Aquarium in Qawra is a solid all-weather option, particularly useful on a hot afternoon when the beach has become too much. The tunnel tank holds attention well and the variety of Mediterranean and tropical species is broader than you might expect.
Summer cooking clubs for kids
The Mediterranean Culinary Academy in Naxxar runs dedicated summer cooking clubs for children through July and August. Groups run on morning and afternoon sessions, giving families flexibility. Children learn proper kitchen skills in a supervised setting, working with fresh local ingredients. The price covers the full multi-week programme enrolment rather than a single session, making it a genuine alternative to other summer activity programmes. Book well in advance as sessions fill quickly.
Malta Jazz Festival Children's Concert
One of the more underrated family events of the summer. Mariele Zammit and Kris Spiteri play an hour of jazz for younger listeners at the Malta Society of Arts on 11 July, guiding them through waltz, swing, blues and bossa nova with songs that tell stories. Tickets from EUR 4.55. An unusual and genuinely lovely option for a Saturday morning.
Science in the City
Running each September, this free festival turns Valletta into an open-air science experience for one evening. Interactive experiments, talks and installations set up across the capital's streets and squares. Free, built for all ages, and one of the few events that works equally well for a seven-year-old and a seventy-year-old. Browse our full Valletta guide for more on what to do in the capital.
Village festas
Do not underestimate a village festa as a family evening. The atmosphere, the lights, the marching band music and the fireworks make for a memorable experience for children old enough to enjoy the crowd. Festas are free and run almost every weekend from May to September. The GoGather festa calendar lists confirmed dates so you can plan ahead.
Family-friendly festivals
The Farsons Beer Festival at Ta' Qali from 23 July to 2 August is primarily an adults event, but the format (open air, live music, food stalls, long warm evenings) works well for families with older children. Entry is free. Read more in our Malta food festivals guide.
Heritage Malta family days
Heritage Malta regularly runs family days and activity sessions at sites across the island during school holidays, including interactive Museums by Candlelight events in Valletta and Birgu. The candlelight events in particular are genuinely magical for older children. Browse the full arts and culture calendar for upcoming Heritage Malta sessions.
Practical planning
GoGather's family section tags every listing as suitable for children or adults-only, so you can filter out the nightlife and see what is actually relevant at a glance. New activities and seasonal programming are added regularly through the summer break.