You always put your little munchkins first, because that’s what being a parent is all about. Still, it can’t put a real crimp in your vacation when your darling 2-year-old throws pasta at a stranger at the hotel restaurant or screams like a banshee when her “Frozen” Elsa doll is dropped from the top level of your double-decker tour bus. Avoid tears and tantrums from your precious bundles of energy by distracting them with magical and fun things to do. Parents can get a much-needed break by staying at one of these top kid-friendly hotels and resorts, which offer built-in entertainment for the whole fam:
LEGOLAND® Hotel, Carlsbad, CA
Every little kid loves to dash into LEGOLAND® park and fire the water cannons, but the lines to the rides can quickly drain adult energy. Compromise with your eagerly bouncing youngster by heading back to the nearby LEGOLAND® Hotel at the end of a long day. The facilities include a pirate ship made of colorful LEGO® blocks, the big green Ogre, a kid-friendly pool, and enough interactivity to satisfy any wide-eyed little boy or girl. Remember to keep an eye on Dad in case he wanders toward the cool pirate ship in search of pieces of eight.
Four Seasons Resort Lanai, Manele Bay, HI
Built on 30 acres of tropical gardens and with a stunning oceanfront location, the Four Season Lanai is an exotic escape…with a year-round, complimentary children’s camp. The Kids for All Seasons program is suitable for ages 5-12 and includes making leis, hunting for chameleons, playing traditional Hawaiian games, and more. Kids older than 12 can sign up for a scuba clinic, and babysitting is also available if booked in advance. Parents can lounge on the white-sand beach with his-and-hers towels while the kids are happily engaged all day long. We’ll say aloha to this uber kid-friendly hotel!
Atlantis, Paradise Island, Bahamas
Waterslides and kid-focused activities are dotted throughout this near-legendary resort. Mom and Dad can work on their tans while little Johnny and Jane run buck wild. There are supervised swimming pools designed for humans under 4’ tall, race tracks where kids can pit their reflexes against remote-controlled vehicles, and marine habitats where youngsters can learn to scuba dive. For the very young, a pottery studio and the opportunity to learn about and touch sea life is an option. Those moody teens may even be forced to smile for a rare minute as they see the disco facility and crush on new friends.
Loews Coronado Bay Resort, Coronado, CA
Time to split the family unit for the day because bonding time is being suspended for a couple of hours. Don’t worry, your youngsters will have so much fun at the Kid’s Club, the arcade room, and the junior kickboxing classes, they won’t even miss you. You and your hubby can even book a Loews babysitter so you can sail around the San Diego Bay or get a treatment at the Sea Spa without worrying about diapers or diatribes. Located right on the gorgeous beach in Coronado, the days will be warm and the whole family will be entertained.
Great Wolf Lodge, Grand Mound, WA
This remarkable lodge occupies beautiful country on the southern fringes of Seattle, Washington, but you may never venture beyond the boundaries of the property simply because of the wealth of kid-friendly and adult amenities within the lodge. A massive waterpark with wild slides, a small-scale kids spa, and the MagiQuest Scavenger Hunt all ensure your child’s attention span is held for the entirety of your visit.
You don’t need to sacrifice your relaxation to keep the kids entertained on your next vacation. Let the nice people at these hotels and resorts help you out—they know what they’re doing!
