These Hotels Have Kids Clubs That Go Above and Beyond

This story was originally published in 2023, and was updated on July 27, 2026, to include current information.

As with approximately 99 percent of my preconceived notions about parenting, turns out I was wrong about kids clubs, too. I used to think I would never be a parent who just drops off my kids at what I thought were mediocre daycare centers. I grew up going on vacations where my family did everything together all the time. Wasn’t that the whole point of traveling together? To bond as a family?

What I failed to realize was that kids really like spending time with other kids (“vacation friends” as we like to call them in our house). And I’ve also learned that kids clubs really run the gamut. Some are, in fact, pretty mediocre day centers. But there is a wave of hotels and resorts investing heavily, both in terms of resources and passion, to create a space for children that goes way beyond an average caregiving service.

These properties are infusing the agenda with activities that teach kids about sustainability, cultural traditions, and even health and well-being. Kids get a break from their parents (and vice versa), while also learning meaningful lessons about the destination, its culture, language, people, and the environment, all while having some fun and being well cared for.

My first rodeo with kids clubs was in January 2022 at the Kids for all Seasons club at Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea. Our son, who had just turned five, was finally old enough to get in (most kids clubs have a minimum age of four or five), and honestly, my mind was kind of blown.

Not only did he love it so much that he cried tears of sorrow as we were checking out, but the activities also were an impressive mix of good old-fashioned fun (pool time, movies) with outings that shed light on Maui’s fragile natural environment. He explored tide pools and observed small crabs and sea urchins up close, while learning why it’s so important not to harm the delicate creatures. Lei making lessons also introduced him to one of the sacred customs of Native Hawaiians.

Since then, I have handed my kids (my son, now 10, and daughter, 7) over to countless counselors at numerous hotels and resorts and have come to value and appreciate these programs—when done really well—even more over the years.

What to know about hotel kids clubs

How much do kids clubs cost and when are they available?

Kids clubs really run the gamut. The programming might be included in the nightly hotel or resort rate (typical of all-inclusive resorts, for instance) or require an added fee (ranging from reasonable to hefty).

They might be offered all day or for select hours each day. They also might only be offered seasonally—for instance, during school vacation periods such as summer, spring break, and the winter holidays.

How old do kids need to be to participate?

There’s usually a minimum age requirement and an advance reservation is often necessary, although some kids clubs offer walk-ins, space permitting. Younger children can sometimes participate as long as their parents are with them (for some parents this might defeat the purpose), and some properties offer dedicated babysitters to supervise babies and toddlers in the club.

Whether you’re traveling with your own kids, those of friends or family, with your grandchildren, or nieces or nephews, these are some of the best kids clubs around the world that are both fun and enriching, selected by Afar staff and contributors who are parents (and kids clubs users) themselves.

Camp Blackberry at Blackberry Farm

Courtesy of Blackberry Farm

Part of the 4,200-acre Blackberry Farm in Tennessee’s Great Smoky Mountains, Camp Blackberry invites guests ages four and older to participate in activities such as cooking, painting, foraging, farming, fishing, and soap making. Kids ages 10 and up have access to Camp Blackberry’s Youth Discovery program with its wildlife hikes, gardening, and farm animal care. Blackberry Farm also hosts an Adventure Series (priced per experience) for families, with outings designed to build navigation skills, introduce life on a working farm, and encourage time outdoors together.

Camp Coyote at Enchantment

Courtesy of Enchantment

During a recent spring break trip, my kids got to experience Camp Coyote at Sedona’s iconic Enchantment resort—and they loved it, even though they were the only kids in the camp during a four-hour evening session (the ultimate test of a kids club). My husband and I dropped them off in the designated room (tucked underneath the property’s scenic, red rock-lined pool area), and they stayed busy with crafts and educational activities.

They colored their own cloth backpacks, but then also made “safety bracelets” that double as emergency rope, examined moss under a microscope for a bit of STEM immersion, and went stargazing to learn more about the cosmos. Beyond that, a newly received Leave No Trace Gold Standard designation indicates that this kids club is committed to educating youngsters about the critical role they play in protecting the environment—so don’t be surprised if your kids have a whole new appreciation for the planet when you pick them up. Guests are asked to reserve Camp Coyote at least 24 hours in advance to make sure counselors are on hand.

Grow with Six Senses at Six Senses Resorts

Courtesy of Six Senses Resort

The Six Senses Resorts, with sustainable luxury properties throughout the world, aims to give back more than it takes. Its sustainability efforts include restoring ecosystems, supporting local communities, and working toward zero-waste, lower-carbon stays. Its kids club, Grow with Six Senses, incorporates the six dimensions of wellness (social, environmental, physical, spiritual, emotional, and intellectual) and encourages kids to reconnect with nature and one another. The focus is on active experiences (including yoga, cooking, farming, and composting), relaxation (spa treatments and meditation), and creativity with a local element (Vietnamese origami or Portuguese tile painting, for instance). All Six Senses Resorts also offer babysitting services for an added fee.

Some of properties with standout programs:

• Six Senses Laamu, Maldives: The Junior Marine Biology program is for ocean lovers ages 7 to 12, allowing them to engage in science experiments, snorkeling adventures, and video projects alongside marine biologists. (The fee to enroll is $80.)
• Six Senses Ninh Van Bay, Vietnam: The complimentary Grow with Six Senses program at Ninh Van Bay is for guests ages 4 to 12 years old and features dozens of arts, crafts, sports, ecology, and outdoor activities with descriptions like “learn about langurs,” which introduces kids to the local monkey species, and “be a farmer” in which participants visit the resort’s organic farm and help tend the vegetable garden. The program is available daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Six Senses Yao Noi, Thailand: The Junior Eco Warrior program, for kids aged 4 to 12 years old, involves building nests for hornbills and enjoying nature walks. The program is complimentary, though advance reservations are recommended. —Marianne Perez-Fransius, Afar contributor
  

Guidepost Montessori and Green Camp at Ayana Estate

Courtesy of Ayana

Tucked away amid swimming pools, foliage, and water-spouting monkey statues of the 403-room family resort Rimba by Ayana in beachy Jimbaran Bay, Bali, is home to camps for children ages 2 to 12 years old. For those ages 2 to 6, the camps are led by Guidepost Montessori, a Hong Kong–based school. Here, teachers present curious young minds with programming that is typically focused around the Balinese kembali concept of returning to nature, with activities centered on the ocean, farm-to-table agriculture and cooking, and Indonesian culture. Among the weekly themes at Guidepost Montessori is “cultural connections,” for which little ones create a Balinese craft each day (such as lyang-lyang, or “kites"; batik-printed cloths; and damar kurung, or “lanterns”), as well as learning a traditional Balinese dance that is performed for the property’s guests.

Rimba by Ayana is part of the idyllic 242-acre Ayana Estate, where beaches, jungle, and an organic farm serve as the backdrop to a total of four resorts (with rooms and villas available at a variety of price points, plus 26 restaurants). Older kids ages 7 to 12 can drop in for single days or longer stints at Ayana’s Green Camp, with such themes as bamboo design and building, survival skills, and junior scientist activities. —Kathryn Romeyn, Afar contributor

Jungle Jam at the Shore Club

Courtesy of the Shore Club

Housed in a stand-alone cottage surrounded by bougainvillea, the Shore Club‘s Jungle Jam kids club offers children ages 4 to 10 activities that foster a sense of place. Accommodations at this oceanfront property in Providenciales range from guest rooms and suites to 8,800-square-foot private villas with their own saunas and dedicated butlers. The resort sits along a secluded stretch of Long Bay Beach, where kids join guided wildlife walks to look for local reptiles, birds, butterflies, hermit crabs, and parrot fish in the shallows.

“Critter safaris” follow an eco-trail that begins just outside Jungle Jam, where children might see colorful birds, native orchids, curly-tailed lizards, or anoles while learning about bush medicine and the historical island uses of tropical plants. Other activities include “oven-to-tummy” cooking classes, where kids learn the basics of kitchen tools while making “jungle pies” and pizzas, and sand-sculpting lessons on the beach that incorporate seashells into their designs. —Terry Ward, Afar contributor

Kids Club at Marbella Club

Courtesy of Marbella Club

A grande dame on the southern coast of Spain, Marbella Club is a sprawling beachfront paradise that is a world unto itself, including its Kids Club. This massive kid-focused facility is open to both guests and day visitors ages 3 to 12. The program introduces little ones to gardening, cooking, music and dancing, wildlife encounters, and science experiments, among a whole host of additional activities. There’s a focus on movement and exercise classes, as well as activities that teach kids about regional cultures and customs.

Kids clubs at Martinhal Resorts

Courtesy of Martinhal Resorts

The family-friendly Portuguese hotel brand Martinhal Resorts offers complimentary kids clubs at its two Lisbon properties: Martinhal Chiado and Martinhal Lisbon Oriente. Both hotels are a collection of fully serviced apartments that also happen to have a kids club, something that is not always easy to find in a bustling European capital. Martinhal Chiado offers three sessions daily: morning (9 a.m. to 2 p.m), afternoon (2 to 6 p.m.), and evening (6 to 11 p.m.), the latter being ideal for parents’ date night. The focus is on creative fun through arts and crafts, Lego building, and wall climbing. Martinhal Lisbon Oriente has two daily sessions: 2 to 5 p.m., and 6 to 9 p.m., with a different theme to the activities each day.

In Portugal’s Algarve region, Martinhal Sagres divides its programming into age groups: Nursery (6 to 12 months), Crèche (13 to 23 months), Raposinhos (2 to 4 years), Fox Club (5 to 6 years), and Explorers Nature Club (7 to 13 years). This beachside resort offers daily sessions from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 2 to 5 p.m. Activities range from caretaking services for the youngest guests to art projects, puppet shows, and art sessions with recycled materials, before becoming more focused on sports and nature-filled outings for the older kids.

Kids for All Seasons at Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts

Photo by Michelle Baran

Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts is known for its luxury accommodations and impeccable service. For families, many properties also offer the complimentary Kids for All Seasons program. Open to kids ages 4 or 5 up to 12 (depending on the property), the program is tailored to each resort, so activities reflect the destination rather than following a standard template. What sets these kids clubs apart is how naturally they weave lessons about local culture and the environment into the daily schedule.

Some of the properties with standout programs:

• Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea: Younger guests who sign up for the Kids for All Seasons program (which runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily) learn about the origins of food by planting seeds, harvesting produce, and meeting the resort’s chefs. During school breaks, naturalists from the Maui Ocean Center host sea turtle activities and a touch-pool experience, helping to foster the next generation of ocean conservationists.
• Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita: In 2021, this family-friendly property, located 45 minutes north of Puerto Vallarta, infused a KidsWell element into its Kids for All Seasons program that focuses on kids’ mental health and well-being (for kids ages 5 to 12, it’s open between 9:00 a.m. and 4:45 p.m., daily). In addition to doing cultural activities that showcase the region’s Huichol community, such as making spiritual symbols known as ojos de Dios (God’s Eyes) and creating a Mexican Catrina doll, kids participate in stress-reduction practices. That includes breathwork, journaling, meditation, watercolor classes, and nature and wildlife encounters.
• Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay: The plastic-free Umah Rare Kids’ Club—meaning “house of children”—was built with locally sourced materials as a haven for holistic and sustainably minded play. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. for those ages 4 to 12, the club consists of a reading space as well as a kids’ garden with a wooden climbing play area and a splash pad.
• Four Seasons Resort the Nam Hai: A newly launched Young Guardians of the Earth program focuses on sustainability and science at this luxury property in Hoi An, Vietnam. On Tuesdays, younger guests can learn about composting, and on Sundays, gardening is the focus.

KidsOnly at One&Only Mandarina

Courtesy of One&Only Mandarina

Just north of Puerto Vallarta, One&Only Mandarina caters to all generations, including kids, not least because of the KidsOnly club, which spotlights a 42,000-square-foot playground designed by art director Brigitte Broch for children ages 4 to 11. Young travelers can spend hours in this jungle-inspired village comprising tree houses, hanging bridges, slides, climbing walls, and nature trails. Currently, the KidsOnly club is available as a summer camp offered during select periods in July, August, and September. Programming covers a variety of crafts, games, and physical activities and exercises.

Li’l Buckaroos, Li’l Wranglers, and Teen Trailblazers at Brush Creek Ranch

Courtesy of Jack Schroeder/Brush Creek Ranch

Families looking for a dude ranch experience with plenty of educational programming will find it at the all-inclusive Brush Creek Ranch, set on 30,000 acres in Wyoming’s North Platte River Valley. A Li’l Buckaroos program for babies and toddlers is available for an additional fee with fishing, arts and crafts, and lessons about animals that roam the property (Brush Creek Ranch is home to horses, goats, and llamas).

Included in the nightly rate, the Li’l Wranglers program for children ages four to nine introduces young ranchers to horsemanship, ranch ecology, history, and culture. Kids can also tour the on-site creamery, meet the goats, and learn about milking. They’ll also go hiking, pan for gold, ride horseback, and fish in a pond, among other outdoor adventures—not to mention indoor ones like baking classes. For teens and tweens, the Teen Trailblazers program is available from June to October and includes activities such as hiking, mountain biking, paddleboarding, archery, rock climbing, and ropes courses.

Re Play Kids Camp at JW Marriott Jeju Resort & Spa

Courtesy of JW Marriott Jeju Resort & Spa

The Re Play Kids Camp at the ultra-luxe JW Marriot Jeju Resort & Spa is a hidden gem. It would be easy to stay at this coastal property without realizing the breadth of the children’s programming. If the counselors are not suiting up kids in yellow visors, sun hats, or aprons to forage for flowers and herbs in the resort’s gardens, they are in the kids club leading painting, fruit-tart making, and interactive game sessions. Counselors speak both Korean and English, making the program accessible for international families.

Ritz Kids at the Ritz-Carlton Hotels & Resorts

Courtesy of The Ritz-Carlton, Naples

Like other major luxury hotel brands (i.e., Four Seasons and Six Senses), Marriott Bonvoy’s Ritz-Carlton collection of global properties often has an on-site Ritz Kids program. The programming varies from one property to the next, ranging from an activity center stocked with crafts and games that families can access at their leisure (with no added supervision) to full-service camps and kids clubs.

Ritz-Carlton properties with standout Ritz Kids programs:

• Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island: One of the Sunshine State’s most spectacular stretches of barrier island beachfront serves as a natural playground for families who stay at Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, just south of the Georgia border, in northeast Florida. The on-site Ritz Kids program focuses on environmental responsibility on this barrier island, which protects a diverse range of wildlife and culture, including Amelia Island’s Indigenous Timucua history. The Ritz Kids program is open daily, with a full-day program option, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., for $175 per child (including snacks and lunch), as well as a half-day program, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. or from 1 to 4 p.m., for $100 per child (including snacks). —T.W.
• Ritz-Carlton, Naples: Down at the southwestern end of Florida along the Paradise Coast is another great Ritz Kids experience available for kids ages 5 to 12, for both half-day (9 a.m. to noon or 1 to 4 p.m.) and full-day (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.) reservations. Ritz-Carlton, Naples, partnered with the Conservancy of Southwest Florida to develop programming focused on marine and coastal animals and ecosystems. The pricing is $85 for a half day or $175 for a full day.

Tortuguitas at Esperanza, Auberge Collection

Courtesy of Auberge Resorts

Esperanza, Auberge Collection offers an elevated kids club experience for children of all ages (plus one-on-one babysitting services for the really young). At Tortuguitas, children can make piñatas, learn to stand-up paddleboard, and work on arts and crafts in the well-stocked clubhouse, while teens are kept occupied with games and bikes in a separate area.

But Esperanza’s family offerings go much further, allowing kids to fully explore the saguaro-meets-the-sea landscapes of the southern Baja peninsula. One day they could be releasing baby turtles into the Pacific with conservation group Tortuguero Pescadero AC, the next taking an outdoor painting class or working on clay masterpieces under the guidance of a local artist. Days end with stargazing and s’mores. Similar options await at Auberge’s sister property, Chileno Bay Resort & Residences, a short drive away. But here, a recording studio allows kids to create their own songs, while private movie nights are available on the beach or at the in-house theater. —Tim Chester, Afar contributor

Tree House at Boschendal

Courtesy of Boschendal

In addition to a tree-house–themed playground, Boschendal, one of the oldest wine estates in South Africa’s Western Cape, offers hourly and full-day programs as part of its Tree House kids club. At the working farm, parents can enjoy the organic farm-to-table cuisine, wines, and surrounding landscape, while kids learn about upcycling, composting, waste management, foraging, harvesting, animal welfare, and worm farming at the Tree House.