Let’s be honest, where you stay on a family holiday can either make everything feel easy, or turn the whole thing into a bit of a mission. We’ve all stayed in places that looked great online but didn’t come close in real life. Since then, we’ve all got a bit of a checklist. Nothing fancy, just a few things we always look out for that tend to make the difference between a good trip and a stressful one.
Here’s what we’ve learned.
1. Activities kids actually want to do
A kids club only works if the kids actually enjoy it. Some places just stick a few colouring books on a table and call it a day. The good ones run proper activities throughout the day. Things like crafts, games, sports and mini competitions that keep them busy and excited to go back the next day.
When the kids wake up asking if they can go to the club again, you know the hotel has got it right.
2. Age groups that make sense
One of the first things to check is how the club splits the ages. A four year old and a ten year old do not want the same activities. The best resorts run different sessions for younger kids, older children and sometimes teens as well.
It means everyone gets something that suits them instead of feeling like they are stuck in the wrong group.
3. Friendly staff who get kids
The people running the kids club make a huge difference. If they are energetic, welcoming and good with children, the whole thing works better.
You can usually tell within five minutes whether the staff genuinely enjoy working with kids or whether they are just counting down the hours. When the team is great, kids feel comfortable straight away.
4. Flexible drop in times
Some kids are happy staying at a club all morning. Others want to pop in for a bit and then head back to the pool with you.
It helps when the club has flexible sessions instead of strict schedules. That way you can work it around the day rather than planning everything around the club timetable.
5. A bit of time for the grown ups
Let’s be honest, kids clubs are not just for the kids. They also give parents a chance to sit down for five minutes without someone asking for snacks.
Whether that means relaxing by the pool, going for a walk along the beach or just enjoying a quiet coffee, it makes the holiday feel like a proper break.
Worth getting right
At the end of the day, a good kids club can transform a family holiday. The kids are entertained, parents get a bit of breathing space, and everyone comes back together at the end of the day in a better mood.
TUI’s got loads of hotels with Free kids spaces already set up for families, so it’s worth having a scroll if that’s something that would make your holiday easier. It just takes one thing off your plate.
