Free entertainment, powered entirely by wind

Aruba's trade winds blow hard and blow constantly, reliably enough that the island is on the world circuit for kitesurfing and windsurfing. The windy season runs roughly from January through August, and on most days the wind builds through the afternoon, so the show peaks somewhere between two and six.

Hadicurari, better known as Fisherman's Huts, is the main launch beach, just north of the high-rise hotels, an easy walk or a two-minute drive from Palm Beach. There is sand to sit on, shallow water for small kids to paddle in, and a constant procession of riders rigging up and launching a short distance away.

Boca Grandi, on the southeast coast, is the other famous spot and it is a completely different proposition: strong wind, big swell, strong current, and a beach that is genuinely not safe for swimming. It is spectacular to watch from the sand and it is not a place to let children into the water.

Two things to teach before you go: stay well clear of the launch and landing area, and never walk over the lines laid out on the sand. A kite line under tension is dangerous and a rider setting up cannot always see a small person behind them. Watch from the side, and everyone has a good afternoon.

If your kids are old enough to want a go, schools operate at Hadicurari. Minimum ages vary but tend to start around ten to twelve.