For a holiday to truly be classed as ‘family-friendly,’ you need to make sure there are a wide range of children’s’ activities in place when you get there. Whether they are organised by yourself, or the resort you’re staying at, it’s crucial to your kids’ (and your own!) enjoyment to make sure they are active and entertained throughout the duration of your family’s much anticipated trip away. How do you accomplish this feat? Take note of the availability of the following arenas before you go:
Splashing in the pool
Let’s face it — hours can be spent in the resort swimming pool. Most parents have to tear their kids away from the diving rings and floats for meals and sleep so, as long as the accommodation you’re staying at has a pool, you’re in business. One thing you will want to research before you go is what hours the pool is open. Out of respect for other guests, some hotels won’t open their pool until mid to late morning so you’ll want to make sure there are plenty of other morning activities available as well.
Exploring nature
One of the great things about being on vacation is experiencing new venues and what could be better than getting the family out and about in the great outdoors? The beach is fantastic — you can build sand castles, try your hand at various water sports or simply sunbathe with a good book. However, it’s also worth researching if there are any nature reserves or lookout points to walk up to near the resort. Doing or experiencing something different (bird watching or bug hunting, perhaps?) will help create those lasting holiday memories you all will cherish.
Rainy day crafts
For many summer holiday destinations, it’s very unlikely you’ll encounter a rainy day. However, despite the low odds, your parental instincts are right when they tell you to be prepared to keep the kids entertained indoors. Throw a pad of paper, some markers and stencils in your suitcase just in case. Alternatively, check with the resort to see what they can provide. You can sip a coffee while your kids craft.
‘Kids clubs’
Finally, when deciding which resort to go for, double (and triple!) check to see if they have a ‘kids club’ or something of the sort. Most will have kids-only classes or entertainment nights, giving their parents a few much-needed hours off. While you are having dinner with your other half, you can rest assured the youngsters are being well looked after.
So, it’s worth taking a little time to research children’s’ facilities at any potential holiday destination. You (and the kids) will be glad you did!
Images by Jim Larrison and David, used under the Creative Commons license.
Poppy Jenkins is a mum to two cheeky twins, Harry and Joe. She loves taking her family on annual holidays and writing about their experiences along the way.
