The arrival of warmer days means that summer is just around the corner, and many parents are eagerly looking for places to leave their children during the big vacations. ATLs (Free Time Activities) are often the best solutions, and we’ve created a list of the most fun and educational ones.
These places are often designed to stimulate development, creativity and fun during school breaks, and the proposals in Lisbon can range from simple themed summer camps, with cultural and scientific activities, to outdoor experiences, or even more intense sports programs.
Since every child is unique and you know your “offspring” better than anyone, this list will help you find the perfect ATL for this summer vacation, which can also be spent with the family in one of these theme parks or, why not, on one of these routes in Lisbon.
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“Holidays Underwater” at the Lisbon Oceanarium
The person writing these lines has already had his little one there, who loved it, especially because he loves everything to do with the sea, from playing in it on the beach to meeting the oceanarium‘s most captivating “animals”.
Once registered, the children will have the opportunity to meet the Oceanário de Lisboa mascot, Vasco, who will introduce them to his friends the sharks, clownfish and otters, as well as taking part in activities with lots to teach them about climate change, ocean pollution and biodiversity.
Who it’s for: children aged 4 to 12
Address: Esplanade D. Carlos I (Parque das Nações)
Opening times: from 8.30 a.m. to 6.30 p.m.
Prices: 1 day for 55€; 4 days for 200€; 5 days for 225€
Gil Emotions Camp
Promoted by the Gil Foundation, this is an ATL dedicated to children from 6 to 10 years old. It stands out for its focus on developing emotional, social and personal skills through various activities throughout the weeks, with cooperative games, group dynamics and body expression.
These activities are designed to activate and discover each child’s so-called “inner superpowers”, helping them to develop emotional management skills without ever losing sight of the fun.
Who it’s for: children aged 6 to 10
Address: José Gomes Ferreira Park, Gil Foundation (Alvalade)
Opening hours: 9am to 6pm
Prices: €190 per week
Skoola Summer Sessions
If your children love banging on pots and pans, or humming around the house, then perhaps this is the right ATL for them, as it offers an innovative vacation program for young people aged 6 to 17, with and without experience, where music is at the heart of all the planned activities.
Divided into four intensive weeks of exploring the world of music (creation, composition and production), the final week brings the final challenge, culminating in a show created entirely by the children enrolled.
Who it’s for: children aged 6 to 17
Address: Manuel da Maia School (Campo de Ourique)
Schedule: from June 23 to July 25
Prices: €230 per week (includes lunch, water and fruit during the day, insurance, Skoola t-shirt and video summary with photos)
Zoo ATL
The motto of the Lisbon Zoo’s leisure activities is “Learning by exploring”, through a program designed for children who love animals and wildlife, always with an educational aim – without ever lacking in fun – to make our planet a better place to live.
ATL do Zoo promises to provide a unique experience of contact with nature and animals, through fun, educational and animated activities, perfect for children who are curious about the animal world, in one of the capital’s most emblematic spaces.
Who it’s for: children aged 6 to 16
Address: Manuel da Maia School (Campo de Ourique)
Hours: from June 30 to September 5 (in 10 weeks), between 09:00 and 17:45
Prices: 4 days from €193.60; 5 days from €242; daily for €62
OTL at Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa
The Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa’s Free Time Occupation (OTL) programs offer a broader approach, with various cultural, didactic, pedagogical and sporting initiatives , making great use of visits to museums and outdoor activities.
So, whether you have a curious child or one who never sits still at home, perhaps this proposal is what you’ve been looking for, with trips to the beach, workshops, picnics and visits to adventure parks also on the menu. However, this program is only available to children of employees of Lisbon’s municipalities (Câmara, Juntas, Empresas Municipais and the SSCML).
Who it’s for: children aged 6 to 16
Address: Largo Trindade Coelho (Bairro Alto)
Hours: from June 30 to August 29, between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Prices: week for 110€; fortnight for 200€
University Stadium Holidays
This is the perfect ATL for children who value sporting activities as a form of entertainment, and it stands out for offering lots of fun activities, from Padel to Football, of course.
There are around 20 sporting activities for your little one to enjoy, always spread over the various weeks of the summer camp, as well as the ages of those enrolled.
Who it’s for: children aged 6 to 12
Address: Avenida Professor Egas Moniz (Estádio Universitário de Lisboa)
Hours: from June 23 to August 1 (in six weeks), between 8:30 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Prices: between 110€ and 145€ per week (includes lunch)
Pedagogical farms
As a final suggestion, we leave you with the educational farms, which are a favorite of many parents, capable of “connecting” children to nature and country life through activities with farm animals.
In Lisbon and around the city there are at least six educational farms, which we invite you to contact to find out what they have to offer this summer.
Who it’s for: children of all ages
Address: various
Opening times: consult each farm
Prices: consult each farm
