Enjoy a family holiday on Ærø

With a wide selection of things for children to see and do, Ærø is the perfect destination for holidays with all the family – no matter whether you prefer to come here in the busy summer season or in one of the more “sparsely populated” months, when you can have the wide-open spaces, beautiful beaches, inviting slopes, secret paths, wonderful playgrounds and cosy cafés (almost) all to yourself .

ÆRØSKØBING GRAND PRIX

Come along on the Island Treasure Hunt and get to know Ærø (a little better) while you’re here . The route takes you to some of the more unusual places on the island, each with a story to tell . For example, you will visit the ancient lighthouse and the giant earthworks that were used to defend Ærø against the Wends . Visit all the checkpoints to win a wonderful medal .

Build ships and cross the Equator at Marstal Maritime Museum, crawl down into the cabin of a “real” sailing ship, or try climbing all the way up a ship’s mast! Children can also get an “authentic” sailor’s tattoo .

Make your own soaps at the little smallholding in Bregninge that houses the Ærø Soap Company. Susanna & John grow flowers and herbs in their own garden, which they then use in the soaps . From spring until autumn, you can carve funny shaped soaps using the leftovers from the main soap production process .

Come and Kys Frøen (Kiss the Frog) at Søbygaard. Bring a packed lunch with you and enjoy a whole day under the open sky at Søbygaard, where you can also visit the whittling workshop, try shooting a bow and arrow, bake pancakes over an open fire and make your own kiln-fired beads of clay .

Have a go at some authentic seafaring crafts at Det Gamle Værft. Experience the authentic shipyard hall with its own smithy, where young and old alike can have a go at shaping a hook over a genuine forge under the skilled eye of the shipyard blacksmith . You can also knot your own cool keyrings and decorate them with beads, or print your own design on fabrics and t-shirts .

Ærø's nature is open for business, every day of the year . And it offers various options for you to enjoy long, sandy beaches, beautiful landscapes, wonderful views and historical sites . Building sandcastles and digging water tunnels are allyear activities on Ærø .

Let the little ones run free at one of Ærø’s well-equipped playgrounds. For an overview, see page 46 .

In the summer, you can challenge friends and family to a round of minigolf in the three largest towns on Ærø. For an overview, see page 46 .

If you come to Ærø in the autumn holidays, you can be sure of an adrenaline rush! If your children are aged between 8 and 16, they can test their driving skills in the Ærøskøbing Grand Prix Soapbox-car Derby .

Plan a trip to the newly opened aqua park, Skipper Park in Marstal. There are water-based activities for children in the summer, as well as a coffee area for parents who would like to take a little breather . If you’re looking for a child-friendly outdoor experience, book a night’s stay at one of the numerous shelters on Ærø . There is nothing quite like falling asleep under the stars, and in the morning you and your family can wake up with the beautiful natural surroundings all to yourselves .

If you have a budding angler in your family (or even if you’d just like to give fishing a try), you can book a guided fishing trip for the whole family . The focus here is on children enjoying themselves, and the trip includes a solid introduction to angling before you cast your lines from the coasts of Ærø .

At the smallholding known as Solbo Grønt on the outskirts of Søby, you can pit your wits against the magical corn maze, where children and the young at heart can quiz their way around – and maybe even lose their way for a while . You can also meet Bubba the boar and the other woolly pigs who live on the farm .

The cycling and hiking routes on Ærø can easily be divided up, shortened or ridden/walked in short stages to suit small legs that tire a little quicker . Plan a route that the whole family can manage, and remember to include plenty of breaks . There are more than enough beautiful views to stop at and zone out .

SHEEP ON SØBY VOLDE