Lagos is not laid out for children, with few pavements and little public green space. But there is more to do with them than it first appears, if you plan around the heat and the traffic.
Outdoors
- Nature: Lekki Conservation Centre, with its canopy walkway and monkeys, and LUFASI Nature Park are the best green days out.
- Parks: the city’s managed parks on the Island and the mainland have space to run, and some have playgrounds.
- Beaches: sand and picnics, but do not let children swim in the open sea.
Beaches in Lagos Day trips from Lagos
Indoors
- Play centres and trampoline parks in the malls and on the Island.
- Cinemas in the malls, with children’s films.
- Museums and galleries: the National Museum on Lagos Island, and the galleries and art centres, especially during the art season.
- Swimming lessons at hotel and club pools.
- Libraries and bookshops with children’s corners and reading sessions.
Planning
- Go early, before the heat, and come home before the evening traffic.
- Carry water, snacks and a hat.
- Keep children close in crowds and car parks, and agree what they do if they get lost.
- Mosquito repellent for anything outdoors, especially near water and at dusk.