Lisbon Activity Recommendations

[shaddupayouface]

Hi
Wondered if anyone had travelled to Lisbon with their children and had any recommendations for places to visit. We already have tours of Sintra and Lisbon itself sorted but any recommendations for non touristy, quirky things to do would be great. My kids are 12 and 8 (boy and girl).

Thanks

Go-karts, bikes, in-line skates, and skateboards can be rented and ridden along the riverfront bike lane from Fun Track. A small café serves easy eats such as toasted sandwiches, ice cream, and veggie burgers.
Kids can goggle at jellyfish as they cross the bridge over the River Tagus to enter the Torre de Belem. which juts right out of the water. A stroll around the interior takes in cannons, gargoyles, dungeons, and former royal quarters, and children can hear the tale of the rhino whose image is carved in stone on the tower’s ramparts. Visitors climbing to the top of the stairs can peep out of the domed turrets to admire views out across the river in one direction and over the scenic Belém neighborhood in the other.
The Aquarium is a better trip than the zoo. Apparently it's Europe's largest and has a giant squid, sea otters, penguins etc...
The Arco da Rua Augusta—Lisbon’s imposing Triumphal Arch—is surrounded by eateries serving kid-friendly snacks like ice cream and toasted sandwiches. A lift whisks visitors to the top of the arch for stunning panoramic views of boats bobbing on the river.
The Lisbon Story Centre is an interactive museum which tells the dramatic story of the city. You can get a 60-minute audio guide which talks through the story, which is divided into child-friendly chapters that invoke the sights, sounds, and even smells of the history.
Jardim da Estrala is one of Lisbon’s loveliest green spaces and has an impressive playground. The café has a miniature tram and an area with coloring materials and board games.
The Science Museum is fully interactive and situated at Parque das Nacões, where the Telecabine cable car also operates.
The wooden war ship D. Fernando II e Glória counts among Lisbon's least-known visitor attractions, partly because of its location at Cacilhas, on the opposite bank of the River Tagus. With several decks to explore, this is a great way to keep youngsters occupied with a tour offering a fascinating glimpse into life on board. visitors are free to roam the various levels. The ship is located near the ferry terminal and
there's a shuttle.
The most easily accessible beaches are on the stretch of coastline between Lisbon and Cascais and are served by regional railway that departs from Cais do Soder train station. You can reach some decent ones in just 30mins out of the city.

We went to Lisbon in Feb half term with a 12 and 8 year old. Had a fantastic time. If you have a tour to Sinatra make sure you do the Quinta da Regaleira, the kids will love it as there are loads of underground tunnels and an inverted well. On the way back we stopped at Cascais and bought some gelato from Santini, the best I've ever tasted. The Santa Justa life was a bit disappointing, we queued for ages and it is just basically a lift to the top, it's easier to walk up or take the Elevador de Bica, which is much more fun. You also need to try the pastel de Nata which are amazing (there's a theme here isn't there 😋). The Time Out Market is also great although very busy and not ideal if you all want something different to eat as the stalls are set out around the perimeter of the seating area and can be quite far apart. The Oceanarium is really good and highly recommended. Rossio Square is also great to stop and watch the world go by. There are plenty of places to eat and drink around the perimeter. You can also catch the bus here to take you up to Sao Jorge Castle, otherwise it's a bloody steep walk! Have a great time.