The 10 Most Amazing Holidays with Kids Clubs

A great run kids’ club can be the magic ingredient for that perfect family holiday. I give you our top picks

As a parent we all know the saying: “You’re only as happy as your unhappiest child”. A family holiday is one of those times when you really want to see big, smiley faces all round.

While it’s all about spending quality time together, it’s also about having much-needed ‘me-time’ too – guilt free. This is when well-run kids’ clubs come into their own. For a few hours each day, mums and dads can chill out in peace knowing that their children are having a whale of a time, busy playing, learning new skills and making friends.  

But where do you start? Our Not Just Travel consultants have put their heads together and curated a list of their favourite travel suppliers that offer fantastic kids’ clubs. So let’s go play…

This is the sister to the well-known, adults-only Caribbean king that is Sandals. 

Beaches is the group’s family-friendly offering. 

And just like at Sandals, everything’s included in a holiday at a Beaches resort – all activities included, let alone all the ice creams the kids can eat, no quibbles.

Beaches takes its clubs seriously with certified nannies and staff looking after babies and then tots to teens. For the babies, even all the nappies are included and bottles of formula milk. 

Five to seven-year-olds join Navigators; the Adventurers programme is open to eight to 10-year-olds; 11 to 14-year-olds hang out with the Tweens and 15 to 17-year-olds get together for boat cruises, karaoke and beach olympics. 

Raising the bar even further, we love that Beaches is the first resort company in the world to complete the rigorous International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards training and Autism Certification. This enables the resorts to offer a specialised programme of engaging activities and appropriate care and attention for children with autism and those with special needs.

You’ve got three properties to choose from: two in Jamaica and one in Turks and Caicos.

Why not try: Beaches Turks & Caicos 
Not only has this resort got 10 swimming pools, all the water sports you can wish for and a kids’ club complete with characters from Sesame Street, it also has an adrenaline-fuelled waterpark with three enormous waterslides, a surf simulator and lazy river. 

Choose from a long list of land activities from tennis and basketball to an X-box lounge and Club Liquid – the tweens’ night spot. And, having 24 restaurants to choose from, there’s always something on the menu to appeal to even the fussiest of eaters. 

Club Med is probably best known as the name behind those activity holidays in which everything is included. 

They’re as prevalent on the ski slopes as they are in sunny beach resorts – which ever, the kids live their best lives with Club Med. 

Let’s face it, ski holidays are not easy for families. By the time parents have lugged their skis (and their children’s) to the lifts wearing those notoriously clunky ski boots, they’re exhausted. 

Club Med has negated this issue by placing its ski villages right at the base of the slopes, in France, Switzerland, Italy and even Japan. Boots are stored in the heated locker rooms just a few yards from the lifts. And once on the slopes the kids join their mates from their ski school while mum and dad are free to whizz off in the other direction knowing their budding skiers are in safe hands. 

All group ski lessons are included, along with the accommodation and meals, lift passes and equipment rental. 

And when not on skis, Club Med’s GOs (Gentle Organisers) are on hand to look out for the kids in the kids’ clubs.

Same goes for families who opt for a holiday in the sun. Water sports, inflatable water courses, beach games, arts and crafts and talent shows are all part of the programme in the clubs. What’s more, tennis lessons, sailing sessions, football tuition, pony riding and the like are all included in the family package.

Babies from four to 24 months enrol in the Baby Club before graduating to the Petit Club until they’re four. Then the Mini Club is segregated into age appropriate groups until the children are 14 years old by which time they’re old enough to hang out at the Teens Club. 

Why not try: Gregolimano, Evia, Greece
From wakeboarding and sailing in the Aegean Sea to tennis and archery, kids can be active all day long at this all-inclusive family resort. When they’re not on the beach or in the pools, the kids’ clubs offer a packed programme of activities. Adults love this resort just as much as their offspring as it’s got something for all ages. 

 OR

Why not try: Club Med Grand Massif Samoëns Morillon, France
This resort is perched on the edge of the Saix plateau at 1,600 metres, enjoying ski-in ski-out access to the Grand Massif domain, the fourth largest ski area in France. Inspired by the slopes, this all-inclusive family ski resort blends into the mountains with panoramic views across the Giffre valley. This is a luxurious resort with a gourmet restaurants and a fabulous heated pool.

This high-street name (whose logo happens to be a smiley face) is a perfect starting point for families wanting a mainstream holiday. 

If you search its inventory of TUI BLUE properties then look out for the ones that come with the Family Fun tag. These hotels all come with kids’ clubs, big activity rosters and exciting child-friendly evening shows.

Drilling down into TUI’s other brands, parents should also consider Holiday Villages. These properties are designed specifically with families in mind. Kids’ clubs cater to toddlers right up to 15-year-olds with each property boasting its very own high ropes course. They also offer professionally-run swim, football and theatre academies.

Why not try: Holiday Village Atlantica, Rhodes, Greece
Complete with its own waterpark, seven pools, aerial adventure course. The waterpark has four slides and a lazy river. In true Holiday Village style, there are lots of food and drink options, including an American diner, a snack corner, a swim-up bar and an ice-cream parlour. In all there are four restaurants and five bars. 

Or

Why not try: TUI BLUE Ephesus in Kusadasi, Turkey
No wonder this hotel is a family favourite. It’s got four restaurants, five pools, is located right on the beach and guests get free access to Aqua Fantasy Waterpark, which is just next door and is jam-packed with slides, chutes and flumes.

This is a name to remember if you’re after Luxury with a capital L. 

Boasting a portfolio made up of seven all-inclusive resorts, Ikos serves up exceptional luxury across five destinations in Spain and Greece. Just like its award-winning signature service, its menus designed by Michelin-starred chefs and the exquisite beachside settings, the childcare and kids’ clubs are equally impressive.

From stand-up paddle board lessons, science experiments and sing-alongs to tennis and football academies, arts and crafts, the Ikos kids’ clubs welcome from six-month-old babies up to 12-year olds, in its Heroes Kids Club, while teens are well and truly welcome at Just4Teens.

Few resorts match the attention to detail like Ikos. If mum and dad need a break, they can take advantage of the complimentary childcare on the beach or by the pool; professional babysitting is on tap virtually around the clock, and even baby bathtubs and prams are available on request.

And if parents fancy a meal for two without the kids in tow, then they simply need to drop their little ones off at the Heroes Supper Club where they can dig into a buffet dinner with their friends followed by supervised fun activities.

Why not try: Ikos Porto Petro, Mallorca, Spain
This 319-room hotel sits on a prime location overlooking the coast of Porto Petro, Majorca, with the beach just a stone’s throw away. It has five a la carte restaurants, plus The Market with its international buffet; three tennis courts and five swimming pools – three outdoors, a designated kids’ pool and a heated indoor pool.

Canoes, pedalos and paddleboards are available to hire from the watersports centre – which no doubt the kids will love when they’re not doing football training or playing in the fun-filled children’s playground. 

Off to Mauritius with the kids? Then check out the kids’ clubs at the eight Beachcomber properties. All have dedicated clubs for children aged three to 11, keeping them busy with a packed programme of games, arts and crafts, tournaments and treasure hunts. 

Three of the resorts – namely Trou aux Biches Beachcomber, Victoria Beachcomber and Canonnier Beachcomber – have also created a specific facility dedicated to teenagers. 

Being open from nine in the morning until late at night, don’t be surprised if your kids don’t drop you off at the spa while they take a glass-bottom boat ride over the coral reef.  

What’s more, depending on the hotel, complimentary activities and services include water-skiing, glass-bottom boats, pedalos, kayaks, snorkelling, tennis and mountain biking.

For families with very young children, cots and highchairs, bottle sterilisers, baby monitor, bed rails and pretty much all the baby paraphernalia required is on hand. 

Why not try: Trou aux Biches Beachcomber, Mauritius
This luxurious, beachside resort has been designed specifically with families in mind. Among its 306 rooms it’s got a number of family suites with spacious bedrooms and private pools, but also, maybe you’d prefer your own villa? You’ve got the option of 27 two or three-bedroom villas, each with a private pool and barbeque area. 

How about stepping on board a floating theme park? This is pretty much what the mega ships belonging to Royal Caribbean International are. Among its fleet are some of the biggest ships at sea boasting some mind-blowing facilities. We’re talking ice rinks, rock climbing walls, surf simulators, skydiving simulators, zip lines, carousels, mini-golf courses, bumper car pavilions and full-on water parks. 

Alongside this, expect a line up of fantastic Broadway-style theatre shows; mesmerising spins by the professional skaters on the ice rinks, and dare devil acrobatics and captivating high-dives at the open-air AquaTheater. 

And if that wasn’t enough for the kids, any spare time can be spent at Royal Caribbean’s Adventure Ocean kids’ clubs. Whether your child is six-months-old or 17-years-old, they’re welcome to join one of the most extensive kids’ clubs at sea. 

For parents and babies there’s a timetable of classes. When they reach 18 months they can join the Royal Tots playground sessions. 

Three to five-year-olds graduate to Aquanauts; Explorers are six to eight year olds and kids from nine to 12-year-olds are part of the Voyagers club. 

Meanwhile, teens and tweens have their own dedicated space called The Living Room, ideal for gaming and watching movies and generally chilling out with their new mates. They also have their own nightclub called Fuel. Plus, YSpa is a spa designed exclusively for young passengers with a menu of treatments like manicures and facials for young skin. 

In the Adventure Science Lad budding scientists and curious kids can take part in fossil digs. junior chemistry or space mud making.

For those stars in the making, they can take to the stage at the Adventure Ocean Theatre to take the lead role in a circus show or demonstrate their dance moves in a talent contest.

The clubs are accessible from early in the morning well into the late hours, giving parents and kids complete flexibility 

Why not try? Icon of the Seas
As you’d expect on board the world’s largest cruise ship (as at the time of writing this in November 2024) you’ll find some record-breakers. For one there’s the largest waterpark at sea with six jaw-droppingly awesome slides. Like the Frightening Bolt, the tallest waterslide to sail. And the Pressure Drop, the first open freefall waterslide on a cruise. 

For more pint-sized cruisers there’s Splashaway Bay and Baby Bay, two fabulous water parks teeming with mini water slides, interactive water cannon, a drench bucket and more.

With seven pools, swimmers can make a different splash every day of the week, including in Royal Bay — the largest pool at sea.

Families have a whole area of the ship bursting with family attractions, including the family-friendly Water's Edge Pool, a buzzing arcade filled with both classic and modern games, a beach-themed carousel and a climbable ‘Playscape’.

For bigger and braver passengers, head to Crown's Edge, part ropes course, part skywalk and part aerial adventure challenge. Guests that meet the 49-inch height requirement can strap into a harness and step onto a walkway that hangs over the edge of the ship. They'll have to keep their wits about them as they test their balance while putting one foot in front of the other, dangling over the waves below. 

Alternatively take on the ship's rock-climbing wall, Adrenaline Peak, or glide over to Absolute Zero the largest ice-skating arena in the Royal Caribbean fleet.

As this wasn’t enough, Adventure Ocean has an open-door policy for all kids from morning until 10pm where there’s friends just waiting to play. 

This is another behemoth of a cruise line that attracts families in droves – and for good reason. 

Jaw-dropping waterslides, laser tag parks, bowling alleys, escape rooms, climbing walls, golf courses, zip lines – there’s loads of options for kids (big and small). 

In particular, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) is the line renowned for having the ridiculously big go-kart tracks. 

On Viva and Prima these tracks are nearly 1,400 feet long and sprawl over three decks. The cars that Norwegian uses can hit speeds up to 32 miles per hour.

And talking of speed, don’t miss The Drop, a 10-story dry slide that NCL claims is the world's first free-fall dry slide at sea with a gravitational force "faster than an accelerating F1 race car”.

More slides await within the ships’ waterparks snaking down multiple decks, with tubes twisting and turning before spewing out their prey in the pools at the end. On Norwegian Encore you’ll find the tandem Aqua Racer and Ocean Loops that whoosh you over the side of the ship on a hair-raising double loop. 

Thrills and spills of a virtual kind await in Galaxy Pavilion, where you can step onto a race car or hand gliding simulator, lose yourself in a virtual maze or brave the Jurassic Park ride. 

Alternatively hunt down your opponent in the open-air laser tag arenas. The one on Norwegian Encore, which is the largest laser tag arena ever on a ship, is themed around the lost city of Atlantis.

More entertainment comes in the form of bowling allies, rope courses, climbing walls and basketball courts.

As you’d expect, NCL has an extensive children's programme with a packed timetable of activities for children as young as six months right through to 17 years old.

The Splash Academy is the place for children aged three up to 12 years old where they are then split into three age groups: Turtles (ages three to five), Seals (ages six to nine) and Dolphins (ages 10 to 12). Each group is entertained and kept busy with age-appropriate activities, ranging from treasure hunts to video game competitions. 

While the free programming ends at 10.30 pm, you can pay extra to leave your kids at Splash Academy way past this time until 1:30 am, when it's billed as the Late Night Fun Zone.

For babies and toddlers, parents need just turn to Guppies, a place to play with occasional staff-led activities and games.

For teens who are too cool for school, they can chill out in Entourage, the teen zone to play video games, listen to music and make friends.  And after dark, it’s College Night, White Hot Party or Glow time when the music is turned up a notch. 

Why not try: Norwegian Viva 

This ship is a sure-fired hit with families who have teens in tow, as opposed to toddlers. The thrills and spills of the speedway three-level race track; the tidal wave water slide; the interactive and tech-immersive mini golf course and the virtual reality Galaxy Pavilion keep the adrenaline pumping. And don’t forget ‘that’ slide: The Drop or the 10-stories tall dry slide, The Rush. 

The other thing we love about NCL is its more relaxed approach to cruising, which is ideal for families. They call it Freestyle cruising allowing passengers to dress up or dress down; eat when, where and with who they choose, with no pre-assigned seating or fixed dining times. In other words, you call the shots.

And just for good measure, here are a handful of individual hotels that we think deserve a mention: 

Located directly on the beach near Playa Blanca this colonial-style hotel has a fantastic kids’ area called Kikoland, headed up by the mascots Hooky, Cooky and Kiko.

The complex offers a family pool, two toddler kids’ pools, a snack bar restaurant for children and a playground. The amphitheatre features live animation shows, plus there is a tennis court, basketball, football and beach volleyball for kids and adults.

The age-appropriate kids’ clubs are also found in Kikoland, entertaining children from three years old right up to 16. Meanwhile, Baby Kikoland offers a creche facility for babies and toddlers from four months to three years. 

Family rooms and interconnecting rooms are available with the family suites located in a dedicated area with a swimming pool, snack bar and aquarium walk.

Princesa Yaiza has five a la carte restaurants along with three buffet options, and parents are bound to appreciate the resort’s own Thalasso and Spa Centre.

Families have it made at this hotel.

This hotel has no less than five pools, one with a huge spiral waterslide and a large shallow area for children, and one for kids exclusively. There's also a big family pool in the middle of it all.

Plus, in the hotel’s adventure playground, Springly World, there are up to 95 activities with a huge range of play equipment for children aged four to 12 years old. The park features a climbing wall, zip line, basketball pitch and playground. 

Meanwhile, in the games room try your luck at air hockey and table tennis to arcade and video games. 

During the day, children from four to 12 years old can hang out in the Miniclub until 6pm, giving them enough time to get ready for the evening disco which kicks off at 8.30pm. 

This is an enormous, luxury resort, ram-packed with facilities – including an awesome, parent-pleasing kids’ club. 

Open from 9am until 2am (yes), little ‘uns from one-years old have a choice of rooms for every hobby from music sessions, lego building, science experiences and art classes. To boot there’s also a slide-filled playground, laser tag arena, plus, the resort has its very own aquapark for mini merpeople. 

Alongside three private beaches, guests have a selection of infinity and seaside pools. And the list of restaurants cooks up from Italian, Asian, Turkish and international options – so fussy eaters can take their pick. And in between bites there’s a chocolate bar and patisserie which no doubt will go down well with the kids.

This hotel ticks so many boxes and is a firm family favourite. 

Planning a family holiday doesn’t need to be stressful—I are here to help make it as smooth as possible. 

Whether you’re looking for the perfect kids’ club, a resort that ticks all the boxes, or insider tips on how to make your trip unforgettable, I have got you covered.

With access to over 450 trusted travel suppliers with first-hand knowledge of family-friendly destinations, I can save you time, effort and stress. 

I'll do all the research, find the best options for your family, and handle the logistics — from flights and transfers to family rooms and special requests.

And here’s the best part: this service is completely free. I are paid by the travel companies, so you get expert advice and tailored recommendations without any extra cost.

If you’d like to chat about your family’s next adventure, just give me a call or click 'Enquire Now.' There’s no obligation to book — just plenty of possibilities to explore!

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