Accra with Kids
Family travel guide for parents planning with children
Top Family Activities
The best things to do with kids in Accra.
Labadi Beach
Accra's most accessible beach offers horseback riding, drumming performances, and shallow swimming areas. Weekends bring local families, food vendors, and live music. The eastern end has calmer waters for younger children. Arrive early morning to avoid crowds and afternoon heat.
Kakum National Park Canopy Walkway
Located 90 minutes from Accra, this elevated rainforest walkway reaches 40 meters above ground. Seven bridges span 330 meters through primary forest. Guides explain medicinal plants and wildlife. The adrenaline factor thrills children while remaining secure for cautious kids.
Makola Market Experience
Ghana's largest open-air market delivers sensory education—colorful textiles, exotic produce, and energetic commerce. Hire a guide through your hotel to navigate efficiently and explain cultural context. Children observe traditional bargaining and diverse livelihoods in action.
W.E.B. Du Bois Memorial Centre
This quiet museum and mausoleum honors the African-American scholar who became a Ghanaian citizen. Beautiful gardens provide space to run, while exhibits introduce Pan-African history accessibly. The on-site library hosts children's storytelling sessions on Saturdays.
Tetteh Quashie Cocoa Farm Tour
Visit Ghana's first commercial cocoa farm, 45 minutes north of Accra. Children participate in harvesting, fermentation, and drying processes, then sample fresh cocoa. The rural setting contrasts dramatically with urban Accra, showing agricultural foundations of Ghana's economy.
Accra Mall & Game Arcade
West Africa's first modern shopping mall provides air-conditioned relief on rainy days or extreme heat. The Game store offers international-standard arcade games, bowling, and indoor play structures. South African cinema shows English-language children's films with afternoon showtimes.
Shai Hills Resource Reserve
Just 50 minutes from Accra, this compact reserve offers guaranteed baboon sightings, ostriches, and antelope. Guided drives or walking safaris accommodate different energy levels. Ancient cave dwellings of the Shai people add archaeological interest with manageable hiking.
Jamestown Fishing Community & Lighthouse
Accra's oldest district has authentic harbor life, colonial architecture, and panoramic lighthouse views. Local boxing gyms train young athletes visible during afternoon sessions. The compact area rewards walking exploration with photo opportunities and spontaneous drumming.
Best Areas for Families
Where to base yourselves for the smoothest family trip.
Airport Residential Area
Quiet, green, and closest to Kotoka International Airport, this neighborhood minimizes transit stress for arriving families. Wide streets and lower density create safer walking conditions than central Accra. Multiple international schools indicate family-friendly infrastructure.
Highlights: Proximity to airport, spacious accommodations, diplomatic compound security, nearby Accra Mall
East Legon
Affluent suburb with the city's most reliable infrastructure for families. Paved sidewalks appear on major roads, and A&C Mall provides western-style shopping. The area hosts numerous expatriate families, creating informal playmate opportunities for visiting children.
Highlights: A&C Mall (supermarket, pharmacy, medical clinic), Legon Botanical Gardens nearby, quieter atmosphere
Osu
Central entertainment district with highest concentration of accra restaurants and nightlife, yet family-viable during daytime. Oxford Street offers people-watching and ice cream shops. Proximity to Osu Castle and Independence Square enables sightseeing without long transfers.
Highlights: Walking distance to multiple attractions, diverse accra food options, evening energy safe for supervised teens
Cantonments
Established residential area combining diplomatic security with local character. Tree-lined streets and colonial architecture create pleasant strolling. The area borders Labadi Beach for spontaneous seaside visits without highway driving.
Highlights: Labadi Beach access, quieter than Osu, mix of local and international residents, good security presence
Family Dining
Where and how to eat with children.
Accra restaurants range from street-side chop bars to upscale international establishments, with increasing family accommodation. High chairs appear at mid-range and above; casual spots expect children on laps. Ghanaian cuisine suits adventurous eaters—mild stews, rice dishes, and grilled proteins—while picky eaters find refuge at Lebanese, Chinese, and South African chain restaurants. Meal timing runs later than North American norms (lunch 1-2 PM, dinner 7-9 PM), so plan snacks accordingly.
Dining Tips for Families
- Request 'not spicy' (no pepper) explicitly—Ghanaian mild still contains chili
- Bottled water is essential; specify 'still' as sparkling is common
- Sunday buffet lunches at hotels offer reliable variety for mixed-age groups
- Local fruit juices (pineapple, mango) are safe and universally appealing to children
Hotel Restaurants (Golden Tulip, Mövenpick, Labadi Beach Hotel)
Reliable international menus, high chairs, air conditioning, and pool access for post-meal energy burning. Buffets allow children to sample safely.
Lebanese Restaurants (Bosphorus, Marwako)
Grilled meats, hummus, and flatbreads suit conservative eaters. Casual atmosphere tolerates noise and movement. Multiple locations across Accra.
Chop Bars (Local Ghanaian)
Open-air local eateries serving banku, fufu, and grilled tilapia. real feel for adventurous families; choose busy establishments with high turnover for freshness.
Malls (Accra Mall, A&C Mall, Marina Mall)
Food courts offer Pizza Inn, Chicken Inn, and local chains with predictable standards. Air conditioning and clean restrooms provide practical relief.
Tips by Age Group
Tailored advice for every stage of childhood.
Visiting Accra with toddlers (0-4) demands significant adaptation but rewards with warm cultural reception. Ghanaians embrace young children, offering assistance and patience in public spaces. However, infrastructure challenges—uneven walking surfaces, limited changing facilities, and heat—require strategic planning.
Challenges: Stroller navigation on broken sidewalks, limited high chairs at local restaurants, heat exhaustion risk, nap schedule disruption from traffic delays
- Schedule one major morning activity only, returning to accommodation by noon
- Book ground-floor rooms for immediate outdoor access
- Bring a portable crib as hotel provision is inconsistent
- Pack familiar snacks—toddler food options are limited outside hotels
School-age children (5-12) represent the ideal age for Accra—old enough to walk reasonable distances, engage with cultural explanations, and retain meaningful memories. This age group benefits maximally from the educational dimensions of Ghanaian history, from slavery heritage to independence movements.
Learning: Living history of the transatlantic slave trade at Cape Coast and Elmina castles, Pan-Africanism at Du Bois Centre, environmental science at Kakum's rainforest ecosystem, agricultural economics through cocoa production, marine biology at coastal wetlands
- Pre-trip reading about Ghana's independence (1957) builds context for Kwame Nkrumah Memorial
- Encourage journal-keeping with specific observation prompts
- Arrange school visits through educational tour operators for peer interaction
- Balance heavy historical sites with active outdoor time
Teenagers (13-17) can engage deeply with Accra's complex social and historical narratives. The city's emerging creative economy—music, fashion, and digital culture—resonates with adolescent interests. Teens old enough to appreciate context will find Ghana's role in Pan-Africanism and global diaspora connections relevant.
Independence: Teens 15+ with travel experience can navigate Osu or Airport Residential areas in pairs during daylight hours. Evening independence requires adult accompaniment. Establish clear check-in protocols and emergency contacts. Malls and hotel pools offer supervised social space.
- Engage teens in pre-trip research on contemporary Ghanaian music and film
- Photography permits meaningful documentation and observation practice
- Discuss appropriate responses to poverty visibility before arrival
- Arrange conversations with Ghanaian teens through school or youth program connections
Practical Logistics
The nuts and bolts of family travel.
Getting Around
Private car with driver is optimal for families—organized through hotels ($80-120/day) or Uber (widely available, car seats not provided). Public trotros (minibuses) are overcrowded and unsafe for children. Roads lack consistent sidewalks; strollers require all-terrain wheels and are impractical in many neighborhoods. Car seats are legally required but rarely enforced—bring your own for infants. Traffic congestion means 5 km journeys routinely take 45 minutes; plan activities geographically clustered.
Healthcare
Quality private hospitals: Nyaho Medical Centre (Airport Residential), Lister Hospital (East Legon), and Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (public, emergency only). Pharmacies are abundant; bring prescriptions in original packaging. Formula (Nestlé, Cow & Gate) available at Shoprite and MaxMart supermarkets in Accra Mall and A&C Mall. Pampers and Molfix diapers widely stocked. Oral rehydration salts essential for travel kit.
Accommodation
Prioritize properties with swimming pools—essential for afternoon heat management and children's entertainment. Verify generator backup for air conditioning during frequent power fluctuations. Ground-floor rooms eliminate elevator dependence and provide quick pool access. Kitchenettes enable breakfast preparation and snack storage. Confirm mosquito nets or sealed air-conditioned rooms for malaria prevention.
Packing Essentials
- Broad-spectrum sunscreen (limited local availability)
- Insect repellent with DEET or picaridin
- Reusable water bottles with filters
- Lightweight long sleeves for sun/mosquito protection
- Sturdy closed-toe shoes for uneven terrain
- Basic first aid kit including oral rehydration salts
- Universal power adapter (Ghana uses UK-style 230V plugs)
- Copies of vaccination records (yellow fever certificate required)
Budget Tips
- Book accommodations with kitchens to reduce restaurant dependency
- Use Uber instead of hotel car services for short trips
- Visit attractions Tuesday-Thursday for potential weekday discounts
- Carry cedi cash—many local attractions don't accept cards
- Combine multiple sites in single day trips to maximize driver costs
- Shop at Makola Market for souvenirs instead of hotel gift shops
Family Safety
Keeping your family safe and healthy.
- Malaria prophylaxis is essential for children—consult pediatrician 6 weeks pre-departure for age-appropriate options; combine with strict evening mosquito bite prevention
- Road safety is paramount—use seatbelts in all vehicles, avoid motorcycle taxis entirely with children, and hold hands firmly when crossing streets due to unpredictable traffic flow
- Swim only at established beaches with lifeguards (Labadi, Kokrobite on weekends); strong currents and limited rescue infrastructure make unsupervised coastal swimming dangerous
- Sun protection requires aggressive measures—UV index reaches extreme levels year-round; reapply SPF 50+ every 90 minutes, during water activities, and prioritize shade 11 AM - 3 PM
- Food safety means avoiding raw vegetables, unpeeled fruits, and street vendor ice; choose busy restaurants with high turnover, and ensure children's beverages are bottled and opened at the table
- Hydration monitoring is critical in tropical humidity—children dehydrate faster than adults; schedule fluid breaks every 30 minutes during outdoor activity and recognize early fatigue signs
- Emergency preparedness requires knowing your accommodation's nearest quality hospital location and keeping a written list of local emergency contacts, as smartphone battery dependence is risky