Taking your children on a trip can be one of the most exciting, educational and memorable experiences you can give them. And traveling with kids continues to get easier as more hotels and resorts offer amenities and programs geared specifically toward the little ones. When you’re planning your summer vacation, consider taking advantage of these charming extras. The Andrew Harper Travel Office can help find family-friendly accommodations wherever you plan to go. Here are a few of our favorite amenities for kids:
For an additional charge, The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe can include a small camping tent in the room, replete with bedding, a teddy bear, an electric lantern and a s'more-making kit.
Read more about all the Ritz Kids programs, including family game night in the Arcade every Friday.
At the Four Seasons Chicago, children can get a visit from The Ice Cream Man, a sundae-making expert with a cart bearing top-quality ice cream and an array of tempting toppings.
Visit the Four Seasons Family Activities page for more information on amenities for kids, including the Kids Clubroom, which offers foosball, arts and crafts and video games from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
On check-in at Paris’ Le Bristol, kids receive a plush toy rabbit named Hippolyte. He’s a mischievous bunny, and he’s hidden his garden tools around the hotel. Guided by hotel staff, children seek out the implements, which they can keep as souvenirs.
Read more about the family offers at Le Bristol.
Kids at Acqualina, in Miami, get to enjoy a marine biology-based educational program where they learn about all the life in the deep blue sea. Through seven themes (Arctic Fish and Friends, the Colorful World of Reefs, Gentle Giants, Pinniped Pals, Predators of the Sea, Save the Sea and Sea Turtles), kids customize their learning experience through iPads and computers. Parents can also keep an eye on them through the "Watch Me Grow" streaming video system.
Check out the entire Acquamarine program, which is available from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends.
The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island, in Charleston, South Carolina, presents children under 3 with a beach bag containing crayons, coloring book and other goodies; children over 4 receive a passbook that they can fill with stamps from different parts of the island and win prizes when they reach new levels. If the kids get tired of the beach, the resort offers a range of activities and guided nature experiences.
Learn more about all children's and teen's activities, including Extreme Laser Tag, 3 on 3 Basketball and more.
The kids' concierge at The Athenaeum makes life easier for parents and more fun for kids. The concierge can arrange a full London itinerary, including booking tickets to shows or events, arranging a bike ride through the Royal Parks or hiring a boat on the Serpentine.
Learn more about kids' itineraries through the Athenaeum kids' concierge.
One of the best children’s museums in the country, the Bay Area Discovery Museum, is right next door to Cavallo Point, just across the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco.
Learn more about the Family Discovery Package, along with other adventures, like hiking, ferry rides and daytrips to Slide Ranch, where kids can pet sheep, milk goats and chase chickens.
At Montana’s Resort at Paws Up, the Kids Corps of Discovery organizes pony rides, crafts and pizza making for kids 3 to 5 and excursions to a nearby ghost town, trips to the river and Go-Kart fun for those ages 7 to 12.
Learn about the full range of traditional ranch activities.
San Diego’s Fairmont Grand Del Mar features daily children's activities. It has its own equestrian center, where younger kids can enjoy pony rides and older kids can go on trail rides and take lessons. At The Explorer’s Club, open until 10 p.m. on weekends, little guests can enjoy craft making, video games and an interactive plasma mural.
Read on to see the full scope of children's activities at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar.
Set on a pristine forested shoreline in British Columbia, Nimmo Bay affords families the opportunity to board a helicopter for a day of fishing in otherwise inaccessible streams or hiking in ordinarily out-of-reach mountain meadows. Kid-friendly activities range from rock climbing and water guns to kids' yoga and survival lessons.
Check out the full list of things for kids to do at this intimate resort.
Andrew Harper members have access to full travel-planning services through Andrew Harper Travel.
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