Things to Do in Davao with Kids

When people think of things to do in Davao with kid, they usually think of wildlife parks, mountain hikes, or island hopping adventures. That’s all great, but for this trip, we decided to slow it down. Davao has always been on our travel list. It sits on the southeastern coast of Mindanao and includes Davao de Oro, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental, and Davao Occidental. We finally went for a short trip; just three days. Not a lot of time, but we wanted to see as much as we could.

We weren’t aiming for a jam-packed itinerary. Instead, we focused on just a few places, took long breaks, and spent most of our time just relaxing by the water. If you’re looking for a laid-back family trip without a long list of touristy stops, this might give you some ideas.

Disclaimer Quick heads up. When I say "with kids," I actually mean Audrey came along. We don’t plan our trips around playgrounds or theme parks. She just tags along to wherever we want to go. Museums, food spots, historical sites, even shopping. If you’re looking for a list full of kiddie attractions, this might not be it (though we do stumble into a few here and there).

Day 1 – City Tour and Food Stops

We left from NAIA early in the morning and landed in Davao before lunch. Our first stop was People’s Park Davao, a public park with big open spaces, sculptures, and shaded areas. Audrey liked running around and checking out the dinosaur statues.

We had lunch at Sagay Restaurant, known for their seafood. The food was fresh and well-cooked. They had simple dishes that even kids can enjoy.

After lunch, we headed to the Upside Down Museum. It’s not huge, but it’s fun if you like quirky photos. Audrey couldn’t stop laughing seeing us “floating” on ceilings.

We also dropped by Life is Here Park—a small stop but nice to walk through if you have time before dinner.

For dinner, we went to Roxas Night Market. There’s a lot to try here, from grilled meat to street snacks. It’s busy, but manageable with a kid if you go early.

1. People’s Park Davao

It’s a peaceful city park where kids can run freely and spot colorful sculptures. Audrey loved the big durian-inspired dome and the dinosaur figures scattered around.

2. Upside Down Museum

A quick and fun stop for silly photos. The rooms are flipped so it looks like you’re walking on the ceiling. It made Audrey laugh nonstop.

3. Life is Here Park

This was more of a quick stroll than a major stop. It’s a nice area to walk off a big lunch. Quiet, open, and shaded, perfect for a short break.

4. Dinner at Roxas Night Market

It’s a go-to for local street food. We went early to avoid the crowd and ended up snacking on grilled skewers and fruit shakes. Audrey had fun pointing out the stalls she wanted to try.

Day 2 – Off to Samal Island

We checked out of our hotel after breakfast and had our morning meal at Garden Bay Restaurant and Resort, which also provides free boat transfers to Samal. The boat ride takes about 30 minutes. It was quick and smooth.

We booked a Club Samal day tour. It’s beachfront, and the vibe is really easy. Nothing over the top. Audrey played by the pool, and we just sat back. Their lunch buffet had a mix of Filipino dishes—nothing fancy, but enough variety.

We stayed here until late afternoon before heading back to our place. Not much else on the agenda—just slow island time.

5. Club Samal Day Tour

This was our slow day by the beach and pool. The setup was simple and the day tour came with a buffet that had enough options even for picky eaters.

Day 3 – Waterpark Day

We saved the most fun activity for last. We spent the whole day at Aqua Waterpark Samal. There are slides and pools, and it’s great for kids who love being in the water. Audrey diadn’t want to leave. There are also shaded spots where we lounged while she played.

It wasn’t too crowded when we visited, which helped a lot. The staff were around to assist, and there were enough safety reminders around the water areas.

6. Aqua Waterpark Samal Day Tour

This was Audrey’s favorite with waterslides, splash zones, and pools she didn’t want to leave. It felt like a full day of play with just enough space for us parents to relax on the side.

This version of our Davao itinerary with kid won’t tick off all the major tourist boxes, but it was exactly what we needed, a trip that let us enjoy slow mornings, early nights, and lots of time by the sea. Sometimes that’s more than enough.

If you’re planning your own trip, feel free to tweak the stops. But don’t skip Samal. The boat ride alone felt like part of the vacation.

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Things to Do in Davao with Kids