Best Kids Vacations
Best Kids Vacations. Maybe you want to take a vacation with your kids but haven’t got a clue where to go or what would be fun. Have you been thinking about a Disneyland/Disneyworld vacation but wonder how young is too young? Perhaps, Hawaii and the beautiful beaches is where you were thinking of going. You’ve been thinking about Florida but not sure if it’s for kids. You need ideas for your best kids vacations destinations.
Does this sound like you? Then let us help you find the best kids vacations place for you. We can help you with driving or flying destinations. Long vacations, short vacations, traveling on a budget and even provide some valuable Do’s and Don’ts for your consideration when traveling with kids.
Best Vacations with Kids
Diapers? Check. Endless supply of Goldfish crackers and juice boxes? Check. Puzzles, Barbie dolls and tiny plastic dinosaurs? Check, check, check.
Any parent knows that traveling with kids is an exercise in logistical planning. The good news is many all-inclusive vacation spots now exist that strive to understand what families need — and provide it.
Tops on parents’ wish list are activities to keep Junior occupied, a plentiful and always available supply of kid-friendly food (think buffet), family-friendly sleeping arrangements and even an extra set of hands to ensure Mom and Dad get a break too.
Catering to these needs — and offering the bonus of a vacation tab that’s nailed down in advance — are all-inclusive family-oriented resorts. These establishments often feature fantastic pools, water sports and supervised kiddie clubs for the young ones, plus spas, fine dining and adult entertainment for their parents.
Deals vary, but your bill at most all-inclusive resorts includes lodging, food and drink (including alcoholic beverages), transportation to and from the resort, taxes, gratuities, non-motorized water sports, organized games and activities, kiddie clubs (though some resorts add a fee for this) and evening entertainment.
Taking advantage of these resorts lets parents spend less time thinking about where to eat and what their kids will do, and more time relaxing.
Below we’ve selected our top picks for resorts and resort companies that make time off with the kids as good as time off should feel.
Family Fun Vacations
Your fabulous family vacation begins just steps away from your hotel. Loll in the sun on dazzling white sand beaches, swim in clear Caribbean waters, play some beach tennis, pamper yourself with a beach massage or spa treatment, or get ready for some wet ‘n wild adventure offered by a multitude of water sports ranging from banana boats to jet-skis.
On and In the Water
For a glorious day out on the sea, hop aboard a luxury catamaran. Sparkling Caribbean waters, refreshing trade winds, warm tropical sun and a magnificent ever-changing island panorama complement your cruise. Relax on-deck or discover the spectacular underwater fantasy that lies beneath. Snorkel around coral reefs blazing with the bold colors of amazing marine life or explore the secrets of sunken wrecks.
A jaunt to De Palm Island, an Aruba all-inclusive getaway with a spectacular water park, is the perfect family adventure. SEA TREK is a safe once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Behold a brilliant world of sea life as you walk twenty feet below the surface in zero gravity along a 375-foot-long path. Snorkelers will love SNUBA, a fusion of snorkeling and scuba; descend to a depth of 20 feet as air is delivered through a long hose from tanks on the surface.
Creature Features
Turn your children’s Aruba vacation into a fun and learning experience with countless adventures and activities that will stimulate them, peak their curiosity and teach them about Aruba’s unique natural habitat, heritage and language. Though it may be challenging to pull them away from the beach, they will delight in the island’s “creature features.”
The Butterfly Farm is a wondrous tropical oasis inhabited by hundreds of fluttering brightly-hued specimens whirling by in their timeless dance. Kids can witness their fascinating metamorphosis from cocoons. Somewhat curious to find on a Caribbean island is the Aruba Ostrich Farm. Kids can stroke their feathers, hand-feed them, and visit the hatcheries of the world’s largest birds. Some reach a weight of 300 pounds, a height of ten feet, and a lifespan of 80 years! Maintained by donations and volunteers, the rustic nearby Donkey Sanctuary maintains, feeds and provides medical care to over fifty adorable and endangered animals; you can even adopt one!
Explore the Culture
Most resorts have special kids’ programs and some have all-day camps. Sand castle building, shell hunting tours, art classes, Papiamento language classes, and merengue dancing are just some of the activities. Nature walks are the perfect way to learn about unique flora and fauna including tropical plants, lizards, iguanas, and birds such as the twittering chuchubi and the bashful barica geel. The observation deck at the nearby Bubali Bird Sanctuary is the perfect spot to view the lush oasis that is home to eighty species of migratory birds.
Desert landscape, untamed coastline, sandy coves and interesting historical and cultural sites provide exciting off-road safari adventure. Explore the unique beauty of Aruba’s outback and natural wonders such as the secluded Natural Pool. The daring will opt for a wild drive through Arikok National Park, perhaps ending with a calm swim at Baby Beach.
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