kid-friendly activities

4 Tips For Family Fun Vacations

Planning Your Summer Vacation With The Whole Family In Mind

Moms, get out your summer planners now… we know you’re headed to the beach and we want to make sure you’re uber prepared for the fun that lies ahead.

It’s so hard to find that one special place that’s right for everyone. Are you the one who gets to relax? Or do the kids get to run wild? You just have to know what to look for when you’re researching your Caribbean summer vacay. We’ve put together a list of features to consider while you’re checking out the resorts to make sure everyone’s happy.

Dreams Puerto Aventuras, Riviera Maya

Kids 12 and under stay and eat for free at the Dreams Puerto Aventuras, Riviera Maya, where they can join the Explorer's Club and meet real lion cubs!

Kids Stay and Eat Free
Most families we know have a picky eater or two. Likes green beans, but doesn’t like it when they touch the mashed potatoes. Chicken nuggets? Yes, please. Why pay for your little one to take two bites of a piece of bread and declare that he’s ready to head back to the beach?! (Consider the savings if EVERY restaurant carried this philosophy!) Grab a resort that includes the kiddos for free and you’ll save quite a few pretty pennies!

Sunset Jamaica Grand, Jamaica

Pirate's Paradise Water Park boasts over 300 feet of water slide at the Sunset Jamaica Grand, Jamaica. This resort has two separate clubs for the younger kids and for tweens and teens.

Kids Club
You’ve been whisked away to paradise… but how will you keep the kids entertained AND do some relaxing yourself? The Kids Club is the solution, indeed. Resorts offer all kinds of fun activities – Sand Castle competitions, snorkeling, arts and crafts, giant water trampolines, mini explorations, swimming, fun games galore… and some even offer shows with well-known characters parading around. Best of all, the cleanup is left to the people running the place and that means zero mommy duty for you. Don’t be insulted if your kids are more interested in Kids Club than your ‘SO boring’ cabana lounging down by the beach. ;)

Atlantis Paradise Island, Bahamas

With 20 dedicated swimming areas and 141 acres of water park, coupled with the Atlantis Experience Pass, Atlantis Paradise Island, Bahamas, is a fantastic place for the whole family!

Water Park
Yes, two words that make up the place you spend lots of time every summer in your hometown so they can go on thrilling water rides and have a summer to remember. Running, laughing, jumping up and down… swimming in the lazy river, splashing in the waterfall! The place should really be named Kid’s Water Paradise, because they’ve literally just stepped into the epitome of what makes them happy. You relax, they play… what’s not to love?

Kids Activity Center - Holiday Inn Sunspree, Jamaica

The Kids Activity Center at the Holiday Inn Sunspree, Jamaica, is sure to keep the kids busy for hours on end!

Relaxation for the Parents
Even though you love ‘em, you might just have to leave ‘em for a few to have a moment for yourself! Get a couples massage on the beach, play a round of golf, go shopping in town, or relax in the water at the swim up bar. If even for just a cat nap in the hotel because you’re tired of waking up at 5 am for the weekday grind. Go ahead and sleep in, we won’t judge!

Knowing what to look for is half the battle. Use these tips to plan your summer getaway with the family, and you’ll be good to go!

Sun, Surf and the Super Bowl

This year’s winter has been an especially hard one and this week alone has been extremely nuts! While we’re all making predictions about the Super Bowl, I’m hoping Punxsutawney Phil's early spring prediction is right! If you’re dealing with the constant barrage of snowstorms and bitter cold, now is a great time for you to escape to a tropical getaway. One of my favorite escapes is none other than St. Lucia, which is actually featuring its own Super Bowl event!

The beautiful island of St. Lucia is one of the best-kept secrets in the Caribbean. With miles of beaches, acres of lush rainforests and incredibly scenic mountains, there’s something for
everyone to enjoy. And, in honor of this year’s Super Bowl, the new Smuggler’s Cove Resort and Spa is celebrating their recent Grand Opening with a Big Game Weekend. Participants can watch the game on the beach and enjoy VIP receptions, boat cruises and special workout sessions with NFL alumni!
Here are some other great reasons to visit St. Lucia:

Relaxation: If you’re looking for the perfect tropical getaway, you can’t do any better than St. Lucia. You can relax on the pristine beaches, or visit one of the many mud and mineral baths on the island.
Romance: There’s a reason why ABC picked St. Lucia to film portions of its hit show, “The Bachelor.” Whether you’re rekindling that old spark or starting a new romance, St. Lucia is the ideal setting for couples.
Family: St. Lucia is a great place to “Go Bananas” with your family. There are a number of kid-friendly activities for children of any age, including skyrides, whale watching and horseback riding.
Adventure: Want to climb a mountain? Hike in a rainforest? Go scuba diving? You can do it all in St. Lucia. There are plenty of adventures suitable for any activity level.
Entertainment: Who doesn’t love music? The 20th anniversary of Saint Lucia Jazz will be held April 30 –May 8, and will feature six time Grammy winner, John Legend, as this year’s headliner. This is the leading and longest running Jazz event in the Caribbean!
Food: What better way to enjoy the beautiful tropical scenery than on the patio of a world-famous restaurant? Enjoy some of the amazing cuisine, including fresh seafood, Creole dishes, and authentic Caribbean food.

So, this Super Bowl Sunday you can imagine yourself on the shores of St. Lucia instead of suffering through the interminable winter up North, or fighting the Super Bowl crowds in Dallas. Leave us a comment about how you are spending your Super Bowl Sunday!