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friendly resorts across the globe

When it comes to planning a family vacation, choosing the right resort can make all the difference. The best resorts for kids offer a mix of entertainment, activities, and amenities that cater to families, ensuring a memorable experience for everyone. Here’s a list of some of the best family-friendly resorts across the globe:

1. Disney’s Aulani Resort, Hawaii, USA

Location: Ko Olina, Oahu, Hawaii
Highlights:

  • Disney Magic: A blend of Hawaiian culture and Disney fun.
  • Pools and Water Play: Multiple pools, lazy river, and waterslides.
  • Aunty’s Beach House: A complimentary kids club offering activities like Hawaiian storytelling and crafts.
  • Character Meet & Greets: Opportunities to meet Disney characters in Hawaiian attire.
  • Family Activities: Movie nights under the stars, beach activities, and cultural excursions.

2. Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages & Spa, Turks & Caicos

Location: Providenciales, Turks & Caicos
Highlights:

  • Waterpark: Pirates Island Waterpark with slides, lazy river, and surf simulator.
  • Kids’ Camp: Supervised activities for all ages, including Sesame Street-themed events.
  • Teen Activities: Xbox Play Lounge, Scratch DJ Academy, and nightclub for teens.
  • Diverse Dining: 21 restaurants offering a variety of cuisines.
  • All-Inclusive: Everything from meals to water sports is included.

3. Club Med Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Location: Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Highlights:

  • Creactive by Cirque du Soleil: Unique activities like acrobatics, juggling, and trampoline workshops.
  • Kids’ Clubs: Tailored activities for different age groups, from babies to teenagers.
  • Water and Land Sports: Sailing, snorkeling, tennis, and archery.
  • Spa and Relaxation: Spa treatments for parents while kids enjoy their clubs.
  • Family Suites: Spacious accommodations designed for families.

4. Great Wolf Lodge, Various Locations, USA

Locations: Multiple across the USA (e.g., Wisconsin Dells, Poconos, Anaheim)
Highlights:

  • Indoor Waterpark: Year-round fun with slides, wave pools, and interactive water play.
  • MagiQuest: An interactive adventure game for kids throughout the resort.
  • Kids Activities: Craft sessions, storytime, and character appearances.
  • Dining Options: Family-friendly restaurants and buffets.
  • Themed Suites: Rooms with wolf dens and cabin themes.

5. Atlantis Paradise Island, Bahamas

Location: Paradise Island, Bahamas
Highlights:

  • Aquaventure Water Park: Features slides, river rides, and pools.
  • Marine Habitat: Home to over 50,000 marine animals in lagoons and exhibits.
  • Atlantis Kids Adventures: Activities like cooking lessons, theater performances, and art.
  • Teen Club: CRUSH nightclub for teens with video games, dance floor, and more.
  • Dolphin Cay: Interactions with dolphins and sea lions.

6. Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Location: Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Highlights:

  • Aqua Nick: A water park featuring slides, splash pads, and a lazy river.
  • Character Breakfasts: Meet SpongeBob, Paw Patrol, and other Nickelodeon characters.
  • Kids Club: Supervised play and activities themed around favorite Nickelodeon shows.
  • Slime Time: Family-friendly slime experiences.
  • Gourmet Inclusive Dining: Quality dining with options for all ages.

7. LEGOLAND Resort, Florida, USA

Location: Winter Haven, Florida
Highlights:

  • LEGOLAND Theme Park: Rides and attractions themed around LEGO.
  • Water Park: Wave pool, build-a-raft river, and water slides.
  • Themed Rooms: Pirate, adventure, and kingdom-themed accommodations.
  • Creative Workshops: Opportunities for kids to build and play with LEGO bricks.
  • Character Meet & Greets: Interactions with LEGO characters.

8. Soneva Fushi, Maldives

Location: Kunfunadhoo Island, Maldives
Highlights:

  • The Den: One of the largest kids’ clubs in the world with a pirate ship, pools, and a cinema.
  • Marine Life Exploration: Snorkeling with manta rays and exploring coral reefs.
  • Family Villas: Spacious accommodations with private pools.
  • Eco-Friendly Activities: Gardening, recycling workshops, and nature walks.
  • Private Beaches: Safe and serene beaches for family relaxation.

9. The Ranch at Rock Creek, Montana, USA

Location: Philipsburg, Montana
Highlights:

  • Outdoor Adventures: Horseback riding, archery, and fishing.
  • Little Grizzlies Kids Club: Nature-inspired activities for children.
  • Family Rodeo: Weekly rodeo events for all ages.
  • Luxury Glamping: Family-friendly glamping tents and cabins.
  • Winter Activities: Skiing, snowshoeing, and sleigh rides.

10. The Westin Resort Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia

Location: Nusa Dua, Bali
Highlights:

  • Westin Family Kids Club: Indoor and outdoor play areas, movie nights, and Balinese dance classes.
  • Beach Activities: Safe swimming areas and beach games.
  • Wellness Programs: Yoga classes for families and kids’ spa treatments.
  • Cultural Experiences: Balinese cooking classes and temple visits.
  • Family Suites: Accommodations designed for comfort and convenience.

Tips for Choosing the Right Resort:

  • Consider Ages: Ensure the resort offers activities suitable for your children’s ages.
  • Check Safety Measures: Look for resorts with good safety records and child-friendly facilities.
  • Evaluate All-Inclusive Options: This can simplify budgeting and include more activities.
  • Look for Special Offers: Many resorts offer family packages or discounts for extended stays.
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Travel Gear Essentials

1. Luggage and Bags

Suitcase or Backpack

  • Wheeled Suitcase: Ideal for smooth travel on paved surfaces. Opt for lightweight, durable materials, and consider a carry-on size for shorter trips.
    • Recommendations:
      • Samsonite Winfield 3 DLX Hardside Luggage: Known for its durability and sleek design. Available in carry-on and checked sizes, this suitcase is great for any trip.
      • Travelpro Maxlite 5 Lightweight Expandable Suitcase: Lightweight and easy to maneuver, perfect for frequent travelers.
  • Travel Backpack: Ideal for adventure travel, backpacking, or places with rough terrain. Look for ergonomic designs with padded straps and multiple compartments.
    • Recommendations:
      • Osprey Farpoint 40: This is perfect for international travel with its comfortable design and multiple compartments.
      • Tortuga Setout Backpack: Excellent for carry-on travelers, offering great organization and easy access.

Daypack or Tote Bag

  • Daypack: A small backpack for daily excursions to hold essentials like water, snacks, and a camera.
    • Recommendations:
      • Osprey Daylite Plus Daypack: Compact, lightweight, and versatile for any day trip.
      • Fjällräven Kånken Backpack: Stylish and functional, suitable for urban or outdoor use.
  • Tote Bag: Perfect for beach days, city walks, or shopping trips. Look for one with secure closures and durable fabric.
    • Recommendations:
      • Longchamp Le Pliage Tote: A classic choice, known for its foldability and spacious design.
      • Everlane The ReNew Transit Tote: A sustainable option with multiple pockets for organization.

Packing Cubes

  • Benefits: Keep clothes organized and maximize luggage space. Helps with separating clean and dirty clothes or dividing items by type.
    • Recommendations:
      • Eagle Creek Pack-It Cubes: Durable and available in various sizes to fit any packing need.
      • Bagail Packing Cubes: Budget-friendly and effective at keeping luggage organized.

2. Clothing and Accessories

Travel Clothing

  • Comfortable Basics: Pack versatile, quick-drying clothes suitable for layering. Think neutral colors for easy mixing and matching.
  • Weather-Specific Gear:
    • Warm Destinations: Lightweight fabrics, breathable tops, and sun hats.
    • Cold Destinations: Thermal layers, insulated jackets, and beanies.
  • Recommendations:
    • Icebreaker Merino Wool Clothing: Excellent for temperature regulation and odor resistance.
    • Columbia PFG Tamiami Shirt: Breathable, moisture-wicking, and perfect for hot climates.

Shoes

  • Comfortable Walking Shoes: Essential for exploring cities and outdoor trails.
    • Recommendations:
      • Allbirds Wool Runners: Comfortable, lightweight, and eco-friendly.
      • Merrell Moab 2 Waterproof Hiking Shoes: Durable and supportive for hiking adventures.
  • Sandals or Flip-Flops: Handy for beach days or relaxing at your accommodation.
    • Recommendations:
      • Teva Original Universal Sandal: Durable and versatile for various terrains.
      • Reef Fanning Flip Flop: Comfortable with an EVA footbed and a built-in bottle opener.
  • Dress Shoes (optional): For formal occasions or dining out.
    • Recommendations:
      • Cole Haan Zerogrand Wingtip Oxford: Stylish yet comfortable dress shoes.
      • Rothy’s The Point Flats: Sustainable, chic flats perfect for dressing up.

Travel Accessories

  • Travel Pillow: Neck pillows for long flights or bus rides.
    • Recommendations:
      • Trtl Pillow: Scientifically designed to provide neck support.
      • Cabeau Evolution S3 Pillow: Offers 360-degree head and neck support.
  • Eye Mask and Earplugs: For better sleep on planes or in noisy hotels.
    • Recommendations:
      • Mack’s Pillow Soft Silicone Earplugs: Comfortable and effective noise-blocking.
      • Alaska Bear Natural Silk Sleep Mask: Soft and adjustable for total blackout.
  • Compression Socks: To improve circulation on long flights.
    • Recommendations:
      • Physix Gear Sport Compression Socks: Provide excellent support and comfort.
      • Sockwell Circulator Compression Socks: Stylish and effective for long travel days.

3. Electronics

Smartphone and Accessories

  • Smartphone: For communication, navigation, and entertainment.
  • Power Bank: Keep devices charged on the go.
    • Recommendations:
      • Anker PowerCore 20100: High capacity with multiple charges.
      • RAVPower Portable Charger 20000mAh: Fast charging and reliable performance.
  • Travel Adapter: Universal adapter for different plug types and voltages.
    • Recommendations:
      • BESTEK Universal Travel Adapter: Compatible with plugs worldwide and includes USB ports.
      • Epicka Universal Travel Adapter: Compact with multiple ports for charging multiple devices.

Camera and Accessories

  • Camera: For capturing travel memories. Consider a compact camera if you want something lightweight, or a DSLR for high-quality photos.
    • Recommendations:
      • Sony RX100 VII: A powerful compact camera with excellent image quality.
      • Canon EOS Rebel T7i: Great entry-level DSLR for quality photography.
  • Extra Batteries and Memory Cards: To ensure you never miss a shot.
    • Recommendations:
      • SanDisk Extreme Pro SD Card: Fast and reliable for high-quality images and videos.
      • Ansmann Energy 8 Plus Battery Charger: Ideal for keeping AA/AAA batteries charged.

Laptop/Tablet and Accessories

  • Laptop/Tablet: For work or entertainment, with protective sleeves.
    • Recommendations:
      • Apple iPad Pro: Versatile tablet with excellent performance for entertainment and work.
      • MacBook Air: Lightweight and powerful for on-the-go productivity.
  • Portable Keyboard: If using a tablet for work, consider a compact keyboard.
    • Recommendations:
      • Logitech K380 Multi-Device Bluetooth Keyboard: Lightweight and easy to use.
      • Apple Magic Keyboard: Sleek design with excellent key response.

Noise-Canceling Headphones

  • Headphones: For listening to music, podcasts, or movies without disturbance.
    • Recommendations:
      • Sony WH-1000XM4: Top-rated noise-canceling headphones with excellent sound quality.
      • Bose QuietComfort 35 II: Reliable noise cancellation and comfortable for long wear.

4. Health and Hygiene

Toiletries

  • Travel Toiletry Kit: Compact set with essentials like toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and deodorant.
    • Recommendations:
      • Sea to Summit Travelling Light Hanging Toiletry Bag: Compact and organized for all your toiletries.
      • Muji Travel Bottles: Refillable and TSA-compliant for carrying your favorite products.
  • Travel-Sized Products: Bring travel-sized containers of essential toiletries to save space.

Medications and First Aid Kit

  • Prescription Medications: Bring enough for the trip duration, plus extra for emergencies.
  • Over-the-Counter Medications: Include pain relievers, antihistamines, and motion sickness pills.
  • First Aid Kit: Pack basics like band-aids, antiseptic wipes, and medical tape.
    • Recommendations:
      • Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight/Watertight .5 Medical Kit: Compact and comprehensive for most needs.

Sanitization Products

  • Hand Sanitizer: For hygiene on the go.
  • Disinfectant Wipes: Clean surfaces on planes, trains, or in accommodations.
    • Recommendations:
      • Purell Advanced Hand Sanitizer Gel: Kills germs effectively with a portable design.
      • Clorox Disinfecting Wipes: Convenient for cleaning surfaces and hands.

5. Safety and Security

Travel Wallet

  • RFID-Blocking Wallet: Protects against electronic pickpocketing and keeps essentials organized.
    • Recommendations:
      • Bellroy Travel Wallet: Elegant design with RFID protection and multiple compartments.
      • Zoppen Multi-purpose RFID Blocking Passport Holder: Affordable and versatile with room for cards and documents.

Money Belt

  • Concealed Money Belt: For securing cash, credit cards, and travel documents.
    • Recommendations:
      • Peak Gear Travel Money Belt: Comfortable and discreet with RFID protection.
      • Alpha Keeper Money Belt: Includes RFID-blocking sleeves for extra security.

Locks

  • TSA-Approved Locks: For securing luggage.
    • Recommendations:
      • Forge TSA-Approved Luggage Locks: Durable and easy to use.
      • Master Lock TSA-Approved Combination Lock: Reliable with a combination for keyless security.

Portable Safe

  • Portable Safe: For storing valuables in your hotel room or rental.
    • Recommendations:
      • Pacsafe Travelsafe X15 Anti-Theft Portable Safe: Secure your belongings with ease.
      • SAFEGO Portable Safe: Lightweight and easy to carry, perfect for securing items on the go.
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Family resort activities

Planning a family vacation at a resort is a great way to ensure everyone has a fun and relaxing time. Here’s a list of family-friendly resort activities that cater to different age groups and interests:

Outdoor Activities

  1. Swimming Pools & Water Parks:
    • Multiple pools with slides and splash zones.
    • Lazy rivers and wave pools.
    • Dive-in movies (outdoor movie screening by the pool).
  2. Beach Activities:
    • Sandcastle building contests.
    • Beach volleyball.
    • Snorkeling and scuba diving lessons.
    • Paddleboarding and kayaking.
  3. Adventure Parks:
    • Zip-lining and rope courses.
    • Rock climbing walls.
    • Mini-golf courses.
    • Trampoline parks.
  4. Sports and Fitness:
    • Tennis and basketball courts.
    • Golf courses and golf lessons.
    • Yoga and fitness classes for all ages.
    • Archery or bocce ball.
  5. Nature and Wildlife:
    • Guided nature hikes and bird watching.
    • Horseback riding.
    • Animal encounters and petting zoos.
    • Eco-tours and wildlife safaris.

Indoor Activities

  1. Games and Entertainment:
    • Bowling alleys and arcade centers.
    • Virtual reality experiences.
    • Board game rooms and puzzle challenges.
  2. Creative Workshops:
    • Arts and crafts classes.
    • Cooking or baking workshops.
    • Music and dance classes.
    • Pottery or painting sessions.
  3. Cultural Experiences:
    • Local history and cultural exhibits.
    • Storytelling and folklore sessions.
    • Traditional music and dance performances.
  4. Kids’ and Teens’ Clubs:
    • Supervised activities for different age groups.
    • Movie nights and talent shows.
    • Science and discovery workshops.

Wellness and Relaxation

  1. Spa and Wellness:
    • Family spa packages with kid-friendly treatments.
    • Meditation and relaxation sessions.
    • Sauna and steam rooms.
  2. Relaxation Areas:
    • Hammock gardens.
    • Quiet zones with books and magazines.
    • Family picnic spots.

Evening Entertainment

  1. Live Shows and Performances:
    • Magic shows and comedy acts.
    • Live music and dance performances.
    • Themed dinner nights with entertainment.
  2. Bonfire and Barbecue Nights:
    • S’mores making and storytelling around the fire.
    • Outdoor barbecues with music.
  3. Stargazing Events:
    • Guided stargazing with telescopes.
    • Astronomy talks and skywatching.

Seasonal and Special Events

  1. Holiday Celebrations:
    • Easter egg hunts and Halloween parties.
    • Christmas and New Year festivities.
    • Fireworks displays on special occasions.
  2. Themed Weeks:
    • Pirate week with treasure hunts.
    • Superhero week with costume parties.
    • Science week with interactive experiments.

Water Sports and Activities

  1. Boating Excursions:
    • Catamaran and yacht trips.
    • Fishing trips and lessons.
    • Sunset cruises.
  2. Exciting Water Sports:
    • Jet skiing and windsurfing.
    • Parasailing and kite surfing.
  3. Water Fitness Classes:
    • Aqua aerobics and water yoga.
    • Swim classes for all ages.

Day Trips and Excursions

  1. Local Attractions:
    • Visits to nearby amusement parks.
    • Guided tours of historical sites.
    • Cultural and shopping excursions.
  2. Nature Explorations:
    • Guided tours to natural landmarks.
    • Birdwatching and wildlife spotting trips.

Tips for a Memorable Family Resort Vacation:

  • Plan Ahead: Look for resorts with activities that match your family’s interests and age groups.
  • Pack Accordingly: Bring appropriate gear for outdoor activities and swimwear.
  • Consider All-Inclusive Options: This can help manage costs and provide easy access to activities.
  • Take Advantage of Kids’ Clubs: Allow some adult relaxation time while kids enjoy supervised fun.
  • Capture the Moments: Don’t forget to take photos to remember the experiences!