Schools are out this week and holidays are well under way, for the children at least.
From the best family hotels to keep kids entertained (possibly even more than at school), to travel-worthy bottle warmers and plenty of thrills throughout the summer period, summer 2024 is set to be a scorcher and we guarantee that the whole family will have plenty to talk about come September. This is what we’re planning in our Citizen Enfants’ July hotlist.
STAY HERE Lujo Hotel Bodrum, Turkey
Some hotels are completely reinventing the all-inclusive. Bodrum in Turkey is certainly leading when it comes to spectacular properties, doing it all, and in quite the chic way. Lujo is somewhat of a colossal all-inclusive, with hundreds of rooms, three private beaches, nine restaurants, plenty of bars and a head-spinning list of sports, clubs and family-friendly things to do — in particular, an epic splash park, kids’ pools and a laser tag area. The hotel is well equipped to supply everything a parent needs, including special toiletries, bottle warmers and babysitting services. But the jewel in the crown is the extensive kids’ club, including entertaining and educational workshops, music rooms, a theatre, science lab, Lego room, games centre, including PlayStation and Laser Tag, and outdoor play areas. Possibly too good to be true, kids can explore the world of robotics and coding, experiment in the art room, or discover the joy of movement at the dance academy. Oh, plus an on-site aqua park with six slides. For those seeking some zen, there’s an incredible spa with Turkish hammam, salt room, sauna and wellness zone for reflexology. Looks like we’ll be spending the entire summer there.
INVEST IN THIS Ember Baby Bottle System
There are plenty of baby products which seem overpriced (prams and cots primarily), but when you begin to use them and have the chance to see how it makes your life easier, these products are most often completely worth the spend. Let’s take bottle warmers. If you’re unfamiliar with the Ember smart mug, it’s found in the kitchen of every coffee snob and next to the laptop of pretty much every tech bro. The mug keeps whatever is in it (most usually coffee) at the exact temperature you’ve programmed it to, so that you never end up with an iced coffee that you didn’t pick on purpose. These clever clogs have moved to baby bottles. The bottle system consists of a small puck and two self-warming bottles. Rather than mess around with kettles and boiling water, the little puck uses electricity to warm breastmilk or formula in the bottles to the perfect temperature for baby consumption, simply with the touch of a button. The bottle system also comes with an insulator, so you can warm up your bottle and then keep it at your bedside or in a travel bag. And the warming puck itself can be detached from the outlet and carried around with you for a day out, particularly useful for travelling. The Ember baby bottle system is expensive, but it will be the most used item in your baby kit. No more crying over spilt (or cold) milk.
TAKE KIDS TO THIS CBeebies Rainbow Adventure
A brand-new and unmissable immersive theatrical experience CBeebies Rainbow Adventure is coming to Westfield London, Shepherd’s Bush this summer. Designed with children aged 0-6 in mind, CBeebies Rainbow Adventure brings together some of the well-loved CBeebies favourites and takes visitors on a fun-packed journey that features roleplay, live storytelling, music and lots of surprises along the way. Children are invited to explore the colourful CBeebies Rainbow Garden to find the colours that have vanished from the CBeebies Rainbow. Following their own dedicated Rainbow Gardener, enter the wonderfully immersive rooms from Hey Duggee, Bluey, JoJo & Gran Gran and Mr Tumble and friends as they work together to find the rainbow’s lost colours. Perhaps the most exciting is Hey Duggee’s Clubhouse for kids to have fun at Duggee’s Disco, and play Magic Xylophone in Bluey’s Bedroom. At the end of the experience, you will have the opportunity to meet one of their favourite costume characters from the adventure for your own take home photo.
WEAR THIS If Only If Nightwear
Once the preserve of old ladies and little girls, nighties are once again en vogue for adults too. When it comes to hot weather, the nightie really is the ideal sleepwear solution, particularly for keeping children cool (the fact that little girls look utterly cute in them is only a bonus). Consciously sourced and sustainably made nightwear brand, If Only If, do some of the prettiest white nighties you could find. A particular favourite is the Annabel, a vintage blue gingham, made from the softest organic cotton voile. A delicate shape with a wide hem and acres of buttery soft voile, easy to slip over busy heads with sweet cropped sleeves. And now matching moments aren’t just left for mum and daughter, but also son. Match with the Leonore for mama and Max for brother.
GO TO THIS Chessington World Of Adventures
Chessington World of Adventures Resort may seem like a long distant memory. But with kids in tow, get ready to gasp, giggle, shriek and scream from wild rides to adventures encountering endangered animals. This summer its getting bigger and better with lots in store for families. Their Summer Festival (kicking off on 20 July and running right through the summer), brings a non-stop programme of special events, shows and entertainment including live musical shows, and the CoComelon show with JJ and Cody from the popular YouTube series. Little ones will have the chance to meet their favourite characters including the Gruffalo and CoComelon’s JJ and Cody. And of course, all the usual thrills and adventures you’d expect from Britain’s wildest adventure, including 40 wild rides and attractions, and over 1,000 animals spread across 128 acres.
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