FAMILY HOLIDAYS KIDS’ CLUBS DESTINATIONS Child’s

Find out about the fun on offer at family playresort kids’ clubs with Laura French’s guide @laurafrench121

amily holidays might have and pirate-themed play for the Fparent-child bonding at little ’uns, to raft building and their heart, but everyone needs high-ropes courses for older some alone time now and again children. – which is where creches and Nine to 15-year-olds can try kids’ clubs come in. the likes of archery and beach But with so many resorts games at the HV Crew, with daily to choose from, it’s hard to sessions plus evening options know which really offer the throughout the week. All are free best programmes for your of charge. clients. We’ve waded through Chocolate parties and other the paperwork and whittled it themed events are also available down to the best offerings at at extra cost, with party games, key family brands in Europe and dancing and plenty more on the beyond. agenda to keep those with itchy feet entertained. ◗ FIRST CHOICE Book it: A week’s all-inclusive Everyone from newborn baby to at Holiday Village Montenegro Kevin the teenager is catered for costs from £723 per person at First Choice’s Holiday Villages. based on a family of four The HV Creche is suitable for sharing, including flights from infants aged up to 35 months Manchester on July 31. and open every day, with firstchoice.co.uk twice‑weekly evening sessions for parents wanting a bit more ◗ TUI quiet time (extra cost). Tui’s Family Life resorts have For those in the three-to-eight activities for under-11s, with age bracket, there’s the HV Club, a BabyClub creche offering offering daily activities that two‑hour sessions for those aged range from teddy bear picnics up to three (extra cost).

2 May 2019 travelweekly.co.uk 47 DESTINATIONS KIDS’ CLUBS FAMILY HOLIDAYS

Three to five-year-olds are kept busy ◗ THOMAS COOK Sunwing Resort Fanabe in Tenerife with the Bamse Club, whose mascot is Lollo the Giraffe and Bernie the Bear are costs from £2,414, based on two adults a big, cuddly bear, while for older kids the stars of the kids’ clubs at Thomas and two children sharing, with flights there’s @611, offering outdoor games Cook’s SunConnect and Sunwing from Manchester in July. and water-based activities. Family Resorts, with five and six‑day thomascook.com There are also combined sessions programmes (depending on the offering everyone from three to 11 season) for those aged three and up. ◗ CLUB MED the chance to play together, and all At Sunwing they comprise a Mini For a full-on, action-packed schedule, sessions are two hours long, six days a Land for kids between three and look to Club Med. You’ll find everything week (free of charge). seven, offering mini Olympics, aqua from windsurfing to trampolining at Higher-end brand Tui Sensatori, discos, evening shows and more with the brand’s various resorts, while kids’ meanwhile, has a Play House at every parents getting involved. clubs cater to everyone from four resort, and a Sensory Nursery in short Eight to 11-year-olds (and 12-15s in months to 17 years. and mid-haul destinations, where high season) will find plenty to do They include Baby Club Med morning and afternoon activities take with the likes of movie nights, water (suitable for those up to two years), place throughout the day, seven days games, a Beach Boot Camp and Teen Petit Club Med (two to three), Mini a week. Idol talent competition, plus a teen Club Med (four to 10) and Junior Club The Sensory Nurseries offer full-day lounge complete with consoles and Med (11 to 17), with activities running care for parents wanting a whole day other games. Most activities are free, from 9am to 5.30pm every day, and off, and there are also evening sessions and split into morning, afternoon and select activities in the evenings too. two to three times a week in summer, BELOW: evening sessions. They’re all free apart from the Baby First Choice and once a week in winter. It’s a similar deal at SunConnect, and Petit programmes, and babysitting Holiday Village Book it: Seven nights’ all-inclusive at with a Lollo & Bernie Kids’ Club for services are available 24 hours a day. the 4T-rated Tui Family Life Atlantica BOTTOM: three to 11-year-olds and a Teen Chill- Book it: Seven nights’ all-inclusive at Marmari Beach in Kos, , costs Tui Sensatori out Area for 12-17s (some activities are Club Med Punta Cana costs from £1,198 from £799 per person, based on a payable). There are also open-house per adult and £967 per child, including RIGHT: family of four sharing, with flights from family sessions twice a week, where flights from Gatwick on May 26. Lollo the Giraffe, Stansted on July 31. Sunwing Family parents can take newborns. Under‑fours stay free. tui.co.uk Resorts Book it: Seven nights’ all-inclusive at clubmed.co.uk

48 travelweekly.co.uk 2 May 2019 DESTINATIONS KIDS’ CLUBS FAMILY HOLIDAYS

◗ MARK WARNER Beachclub in Sivota, Greece, starts at Just as bountiful on the activity scene £3,834 for two adults and two children is Mark Warner, where kids’ clubs cover FAST FACT aged two to 14, departing on May 26. children from four months to 17 years, Half-term starts on The price includes flights from Stansted, and operate from 9am to 12.30pm and May 27 and summer transfers, club-board accommodation, 2.30pm to 5.30pm. holidays about July 24 access to the kids’ club, plus water All clubs are free apart from those in most areas of sports, activities and group tuition. for the under-twos (which cost £180 and neilson.co.uk for six days), with arts and crafts, Wales singing, face-painting, swimming and ◗ BEACHES sandcastle-building on the agenda For families looking to go long‑haul for the youngest ones, and sailing, suggest Beaches, whose free Kids windsurfing, water polo, beach nature walks and baking classes, plus Camps in the Caribbean cover all ages volleyball and tennis for the older crew. evenings out for the older ones. from newborns to teens, with certified Evenings see the arrival of the There are morning and afternoon nannies as well as specialised services ‘snuggle club’ – a giant sleepover from sessions four days a week, for children with autism and other needs. 7.30pm to 10.30pm – and babysitters later sessions two days a week Most operate from 9am to 9pm, with can also be booked for parents wishing (2.30pm‑11pm), and thrice-weekly an infant programme offering climate- to get out and explore the local area. evening ‘socials’ for those aged six and controlled nurseries, plus programmes Book it: Seven nights at San Lucianu up – all at no extra charge. for toddlers, pre-teens and teenagers. Beach Resort in Corsica costs from Babysitting and sleep clubs for tots Activities range from treasure hunts £4,072 in total, based on a family of are available for a supplement, and and magic shows to glass-bottom boat four in a Superior Interconnecting there’s also the Starfish creche for rides, reggae jam sessions and karaoke Room with transfers, meals, wine and babies aged four months and over. nights. Private childcare services are flights from Gatwick on July 21. Those serious about water sports also available for an extra cost. markwarner.co.uk can try the Hot Shots club, suitable for Book it: Seven nights at Beaches eight to 13-year-olds wanting to master Turks & Caicos starts at £7,675 for a ◗ NEILSON windsurfing and dinghy sailing, with an family of four travelling on October 25, At Neilson, kids’ clubs are split into intensive six-day programme taught by 2020. The price includes BA flights BELOW: eight groups, catering for ages two to Royal Yachting Association instructors Dinghy sailing from Gatwick, resort transfers and 17. Activities range from kayaking and and priced from £195 per week. at Neilson’s all‑inclusive accommodation. sailing to pool games, beach Olympics, Book it: A week at Neilson Retreat Beachclubs sellingsandals.co.uk

Best of the rest Hard Rock Hotels, Caribbean Hard Rock’s Roxity Kids Club offers children aged four to 12 a host of music-themed experiences, from live concerts to dance lessons, plus the likes of kids’ yoga, glow parties and gardening sessions. Every resort also has a Cavern Club space for teens, a Music Lab and more.

Eftalia Village, recommends this lively beach resort, complete with on-site water park and a kids’ club for four to 12s with arts and crafts, film nights, water-based games and mini discos on the agenda.

Atlantis the Palm, Dubai A kids’ club for three to 12s, Club Rush for teens aged 13 to 18, and free access to Aquaventure Waterpark make this spot Gold Medal’s top family recommendation in the region. PICTURES: ROSS WOODHALL; JONAS CARLSON; PIKI.RS; MORIS MORENO; CAN ARBAK; MEENO;

50 travelweekly.co.uk 2 May 2019