The benefits of family recreation have long been documented. Parents in Malta, however, are often unaware of what recreational activities are available for them and their children.

To this end, the website www.familytimemalta.com has been launched, aimed at providing families a comprehensive list of organisations, activities, and businesses who cater for their recreational needs.

The website was officially inaugurated at Fort St Elmo, under the patronage of President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, who emphasised that children have the right to play in a safe and fun environment, and also the importance of quality family time in their development as future good citizens.

Anna Gallo, founder of Family Time Malta, said: “The idea behind this initiative is to provide a platform for families with children from birth to 12 years of age, including children differently abled, to plan quality time together. Although there are many options available to families in Malta, until now it’s been very hard to find this information quickly and easily.”

More than just a directory, www.familytimemalta.com is a guide and resource for parents thanks to its interactive section. Among its many features, the website includes a section listing what activities are happening complete with customisable filters and geo-location making the user-experience easier and personalised.

“This platform is also an opportunity for anyone who runs a family-friendly business or organisation to promote themselves and in fact registration for the site is currently free,” Gallo added.

Family Time Malta is also supported by the Office of the Commissioner for Children, Heritage Malta, Visit Malta, the Ministry for the Family, Children’s Rights and Social Solidarity, Nature Trust Malta, Esplora, Aquarium, the Italian Institute of Culture and Marsa Sports Club.