A holiday should mean a holiday. The aim is for everyone to have a wonderful time away when travelling as a family – relaxed, perhaps even enriched. And that’s where a fantastic kids’ club comes in.
As much as we all love hanging out together as a family on holiday, it can also be a great idea to factor in some time for children to enjoy themselves at a kids’ club while parents take the opportunity to relax. From water sports and crafts, to tennis coaching and even learning to ski, these amazing, state-of-the art spaces offer so much more than just childcare – though they do that very well too. With a focus on wellness, education, developing confidence and teaching life skills, the best kids’ clubs are both engaging and incredibly fun for their young guests, possibly even a highlight of the holiday.
Citizen Enfants asks the experts from Scott Dunn what makes a great kids’ club experience for both children and parents, how they create their kids’ clubs, why they are a priority when family holiday planning, and about how to make the most of your child’s time at one of these inspiring and exciting spaces.
Kids’ Clubs: A Focus On Wellness For Children
What do snorkelling, pizza making, tennis lessons and face painting all have in common? The answer: a kids’ club. Far from being basic day care offering a bit of colouring in and cartoons on TV, kids’ clubs have evolved into state-of-the art, creative hubs that not only look after children impeccably well, but also teach them a vast variety of skills, ensuring they have plenty of fun in the process.
The name ‘Kids’ Club’ almost doesn’t do justice when describing these centres that are now more focused on wellness – in its many forms – than ever before. Inspiring, educational and promoting healthy choices in everything from nutrition and exercise to meditation and mindfulness, kids’ clubs can be hugely beneficial to little globetrotters mentally, physically and emotionally.
Located in almost all exceptional family-friendly luxury hotels and resorts around the world, these child-focused sanctuaries offer a dazzling array of fun for kids in the most awesome environments. Think water parks, adventure playgrounds, art studios and of course, stunning natural settings such as picture-perfect beaches and scenic mountain ranges. No dingy rooms and old bean bags to see here. From every conceivable sport and extensive arts and crafts to multimedia games rooms and conservation programmes, these places really are a fun, exciting part of any holiday for children.
So valued is the concept that many parents are now planning their family holidays around locations that are home to an amazing kids’ club, looking for properties that can meet their children’s needs as much as their own. Great childcare is now as sought after as a blissful spa, championship golf course or Michelin star restaurant.
Scott Dunn Explorer’s Clubs: Leading The Way
Scott Dunn, the award-winning luxury travel tour operator, has long led the way in creating impressive spaces that both children and their parents love. Their outstanding Explorers Clubs welcome thousands of young guests every year to some of the finest destinations around the world. Interestingly, the company started out in 1995 as a private nanny concept which, due to phenomenal demand, grew into private kids’ clubs within select hotels within their portfolio. And so, the Explorers Kids Clubs concept was born and has become a household name among luxury travellers.
These are now dotted in the most stylish five-star spots around Europe and beyond, from Pine Cliffs in the Algarve, Niyama Islands in the Maldives and The Portetta in Courchevel 1650, and in the last two years alone the company have expanded to clubs at Parklane in Cyprus and Saadiyat Rotana, Abu Dhabi. The latest will be at Eagles Resort, one of Greece’s finest family hotels. Welcoming little guests from May this year, the stunning beach-front property boasts enormous family suits and the club will be located in the middle of the resort making it an easy drop-off point, taking children from four months upwards. The good news is there are even more in the pipeline, though no announcements just yet.
“With our Explorers Clubs operating in beach destinations in the Med, Indian Ocean and UAE, as well as in the French Alps, we offer our guests choice, whether they are looking to ski or relax on the beach. We know that happy children = happy parents and that’s exactly what our Explorers Kids Club holidays deliver, a holiday for everyone,” explains Andre Rickerby, UK Executive Vice-President of Scott Dunn.
Indeed, it seems Scott Dunn has managed to come up with a winning formula, recreating it in an authentic and personal way that makes each club equally fabulous.
But what exactly makes a great kids club? Firstly, focusing on each individual age range and their specific needs. Split into five distinct groups, Globetrotters (age 0 to two); Adventurers (three to four); Voyagers (five to seven), Pioneers (eight to 11) and Crew (11+), each age group has a specially tailored programme of activities and events that is appropriate to their developmental stage and ability. All manned by qualified, experienced, dedicated staff with small ratios. “Having operated kids’ clubs for over 20 years, we also understand the importance of ensuring that activities are age-appropriate, so we separate children into different age groups and create activities that are both fun but also make the most of the holiday destination,” Rickerby points out. “From perfecting your golf swing, to trying out diving or surfing, learning to cook a local dish to simply splashing around the pool, the sessions are carefully planned and guarantee plenty of fun.”
Sleep rooms are available for babies and toddlers, with sustainable sensory toys, freshly made purées, and baby equipment to support your child’s routine, while older children can enjoy bright and airy playrooms filled with creative pursuits, outdoor shaded playgrounds and swimming pools to splash in under the watchful eye of team members. Add to that, you’ll find an action packed schedule of activities from pizza making and shell collecting to scuba diving, tennis coaching and ski lessons. Crucially they not only cater for different ages, but also personalities and preferences. While one child might love running around playing sport, another would rather do something creative like painting, LEGO building or flower pressing. They’ve thought of the needs of all sorts of children, so their creative wellbeing is fulfilled whilst away and in a new environment.
Well-run kids’ clubs such as these offer a safe and supervised environment where children can explore and learn within clear boundaries, burning off energy, making new friends and most importantly having the time of their lives. There is also Stargazers evening childcare, giving parents the chance to enjoy a date night on holiday knowing their children are safe and looked after. Wellbeing for the parents and some healthy downtime? We all know how essential that can be.
The Educational Benefits For Children
And while fun is absolutely the most important factor on holiday, (it’s not school after all!) there are also significant developmental and educational benefits that kids’ clubs provide.
“Children learn through play, that’s a well researched, established fact,” explains Dr Sheila Redfern, clinical child and adolescent psychologist, and author of Reflective Parenting. “They learn cognitive skills, discover the world around them and how to navigate it. From toddlers crawling to older kids playing hide and seek in a team, kids are constantly learning how to behave in social situations. These fun activities don’t just give an endorphin rush, they also teach children how to regulate emotions and problem solve.”
“A kids’ club is a new environment where all of that is taking place. They are mixing with other children most likely from other countries, learning about new cultures, trying out unfamiliar activities and pushing their own boundaries. In doing all of this they are absolutely learning new skills. Even if it’s a little bit out of their comfort zone at first, this will ultimately help them to better understand social settings. Participating in activities and mastering new skills can boost a child’s self-esteem and confidence too.”
“For example there is a great deal of research to show that younger siblings develop quicker because of the influence of having older children around them. So if your child is in a kids’ club with someone who is a year or two ahead of them, they will pick up on the emotional skills, humour and empathy that a slightly older child may well display.”
The Benefits For Parents: Why You Shouldn’t Feel Guilty
Clearly able to have a positive impact on a child’s wellbeing, there are many benefits kids’ clubs bring for parents too. Family holidays are wonderful, full of memories, but travelling with small children can be – let’s be honest – hard work. Any parent who has ever waited that little bit too long for their buggy to arrive at the gate after a long haul flight, tried patiently to get a baby to sleep in their car seat at a beach side restaurant, or run out of wet wipes on a day sightseeing can testify to the fact that ‘holiday’ is often a pretty loose term – especially when it involves a toddler who is having a tantrum.
Kids’ clubs offer mum and dad a bit of a break – even if just for an hour a day – and that’s not something to feel guilty about, Dr Redfern points out. “Everyone needs time to themselves, especially on holiday. It’s a time for everyone in the family to have fun and recharge, but that doesn’t always look the same for every family member. It’s OK to want to read your book on a lounger or go to the spa or play a round of golf, in the same way that it’s perfectly normal for kids to want to splash in a pool all day or build sandcastles for hours. Using a great kids’ club to allow that to happen and ensure everyone gets to enjoy their own thing – whatever that may be – is a really good idea. And definitely not one to feel guilty about.”
“Of course you also want time all together, but it’s far better to have a little bit of time out than to all feel frustrated doing things that naturally you don’t want to do or want to have a break from – that’s when tensions can rise and arguments start. Rarely have I met a parent who wants to play games for hours solidly or a child who wants to sit quietly and read for that length of time, and that’s totally acceptable. It’s ok for mum and dad to have needs too and for children to recognise and understand that,” says Dr Redfern whose second book How Do You Hug a Cactus focuses has teenagers in mind.
How To Make Things Easy
It can, of course, be hard for some children to arrive in a new country and have the confidence to walk straight into a completely unknown environment with lots of people they have never met before, no matter how much fun is on offer. Often, however, it’s possible for parents to make the process much easier for their little ones by taking a few simple steps.
“The key is to create a feeling of security when you are leaving your child at a kids’ club, just as you would with school, nursery or a playdate,” explains Dr Redfern. “Managing separation can be difficult for kids, but if you frame the experience in a positive way it will help them feel more confident. Tell them you know they are going to have a great time, that you can’t wait to hear all about the fun they have had when you see them afterwards, and reassure them that you are close by and that you will be back to collect them very soon. Even if you feel a bit anxious about leaving them – which is a totally natural emotion – don’t let children see that. Stay upbeat and enthusiastic. Also explain to them that if they need you they can ask someone to contact you so they don’t feel abandoned in any way,” she advises.
Offering flexible sessions to best suit your individual family needs, the Explorers Clubs let you dip in and out and the team will happily take your number and keep you updated on how your child is settling in. So if they really aren’t happy for whatever reason you can feel reassured that you’ll be kept up to date and can always collect them when you need to.
Enjoy Time Together As A Family And On Your Own
Ultimately the aim of a kids’ club is to enhance your experience and leave everyone feeling that they got the most out of their break. “When it comes to holidays, family time has never been more important. It’s the opportunity to discover new places, share experiences and create memories to last a lifetime,” says Rickerby. “At Scott Dunn, we understand how precious this time away together is and recognise that it’s all about getting the right balance between spending time together but also having time to reconnect as a couple, hang out with friends or having some precious time on your own. Our aim is always to make sure that every member of the family is having the very best time.”
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