Family vacations are all about disconnecting from the stresses of daily life and rejoicing in new experiences. But sometimes, parents and kids need a little alone time when traveling together, and many fun hotels for kids have dedicated spaces to meet this need. The unique kids’ clubs at the best family resorts combine fun interactive programming with educational activities designed to entertain, socialize, teach, and inspire young minds. Some kids enjoy them so much they never want to leave!
Hotels for Kids with Unique Kids’ Clubs
The next time you plan a getaway with the kids, don’t just consider the most popular family vacation spots. Add one of these destination hotels with unique kids’ clubs to the mix and take advantage of their kid-favored, parent-approved sanctuaries.
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1. Wild Dunes Resort
Isle of Palms, South Carolina
A stone’s throw from Charleston, South Carolina, the kids club at Wild Dunes Resort makes educational programming fun. Treasure hunts for ancient artifacts, indigo dyeing with a lesson on its importance to Gullah Geechee culture, and aquarium visits that teach kids (generally five and up) about the Lowcountry’s eco-conservation efforts stimulate little minds in creative, interactive ways.
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“Mad Scientist” experiments, fort building, and space exploration further add to the extensive list of activities for kids, many of which are made possible by the resort’s close relationships with local organizations.
2. The Nantucket Hotel and Resort
Nantucket, Massachusetts
Vintage fire truck rides, pirate-led beach hikes, crab netting, and Whaling Museum trips are some of the many kids’ club activities offered by The Nantucket Hotel and Resort during the prime summer vacation months.
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While much of the programming is centered around exploring the 50-square-mile island’s storied past, little ones ages three (potty trained) to preteen have plenty to keep them occupied at the property. Additional highlights of the kids’ club include karaoke talent shows, scavenger hunts, ocean-inspired crafts, and s’more nights.
3. Blackberry Farm
Walland, Tennessee
What sets Blackberry Farm’s youth club apart from other hotels with kids clubs and resorts for kids is its farmstead experiences, which teach kids responsibility and reinforce their appreciation for nature, without sacrificing fun.
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Picking veggies from the property’s garden, gathering eggs from the chicken house, and caring for the animals allow kids to get their hands dirty at this fun hotel, while crafts such as jewelry and soap making inspire creativity. Separate programming for four- to 10-year-olds and 10-plus-year-olds ensure kids and tweens get the most out of their experience.
4. Eau Palm Beach Resort and Spa
Palm Beach, Florida
One of the world’s most densely nested sea turtle beaches serves as the backdrop for Eau Palm Beach Resort and Spa, as well as an educational “playground” for three- to 11-year-olds at the AquaNuts kids club, and 12- to 17-year-olds in their own program geared to tweens and teens.
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Through a partnership with local sea turtle hospital Loggerhead Marinelife Center, kids can enjoy activities centered around the facility’s rehabilitation and conservation efforts. Inside the resort, a virtual playground awaits. An interactive Lite Zilla wall, virtual-reality aquarium, and other visual marvels provide imaginative ways for little ones to interact. Movie nights and other performances are hosted at a whimsical cinema shaped like sand dunes.
5. Horseshoe Bay Resort
Horseshoe Bay, Texas
Calling all thrill-seeking kiddos: The Jungle Kids Club at Horseshoe Bay Resort keeps little ones’ adrenaline pumping with a two-story jungle gym, tall tunnel slide, and rock-climbing wall. And when it’s time to unwind, children (potty-trained through age 12) can enjoy other activities such as arts and crafts, scavenger hunts, and a putting course. More adventures await on Turtle Beach, a perfect family beach vacation spot along the lake that offers an array of water sports.
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6. Tanque Verde Ranch
Tucson, Arizona
If any kid-friendly hotel can entice youngsters to leave technology behind and relish nature, it’s Tanque Verde Ranch. One of the most breathtaking dude ranches for families with history dating back to the 1600s, Tanque Verde Ranch packs in the fun with an array of activities for kids four to 12.
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This kid-friendly resort offers team-building games like Zorb ball, a water balloon competition, Western cookie decorating led by the property’s pastry chef, and a myriad of outdoor excursions. And if parents wish to spend a romantic night out while on vacation, the kids’ club also hosts dinner and a movie in a private dining room.
7. Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort
Koloa, Hawaii
Kids staying at Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort have their own slice of paradise at Camp Hyatt. With an emphasis on the outdoors, the club immerses kids and tweens ages three to 12 in Hawaiian culture, with activities such as lei making, koi fish feeding, and shell combing on the property’s private beach.
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Even rainy days are enjoyable at kid-friendly hotels like the Grand Hyatt Kauai, where activities include unique arts and crafts, board games, and Kinect tournaments. Camp Hyatt also takes kids around the resort, which has a playground and pools galore, including a lazy river with a waterfall and a “mountaintop” waterslide.
8. Woodloch Pines Resort
Hawley, Pennsylvania
No, it’s not a theme park—it’s the kids’ club at Woodloch Pines Resort, widely considered one of the best all-inclusive resorts in the U.S. for families. Complete with bumper cars, bumper boats (same concept, except in the water), junior go-karts, a jungle gym, splash pools, and more, the youth amenities at this family-run resort take kids’ clubs to a whole new level.
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Dedicated activities are available for ages six and under and seven- to 10-year-olds, and parents can also join in on the fun with hayrides, pony rides, bowling, and other family-friendly experiences.
9. Suncadia Resort
Cle Elum, Washington
Perched high up in the Cascade Mountains only a little more than one hour from Seattle, the Suncadia Resort combines fun-filled experiences for kids and the entire family. Four- to 12-year-olds at CampCadia will love wilderness survival games, tending to the property’s garden, outdoor camping, and other programming that takes advantage of the rugged surroundings.
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When it’s time to unwind, the Pacific Northwest-inspired kids’ club room sets the stage for games and crafts. Additional activities ignite family bonding, like axe throwing, golfing, a vibrant Festival of Colors, and miles of scenic hiking.
