The Insider's Guides to Beaches: Kids Clubs

Keywords: activities, beach, family, games, kids club, vacation

By Susan Finch

Beaches resorts in Jamaica and Turks and Caicos offer a variety of kids club with a focus on age-appropriate activities and fun. Infants to 23-month olds are cared for by certified nannies in a climate-controlled nursery with cribs, strollers, high chairs, rocking chairs, and plenty of toys. Parents can also take a break from the terrible two's on up to five-years without the guilt or worry. Kids Camp entices its youngest guests with toddler pools, face painting, treasure hunts, puppets, magic shows, and fun. Or bring them by for milk and cookies and an Elmo story hour before bedtime.

6 to 7-year-olds are too old for toddler play, but too young for tweens and need their own special attention. Beaches keeps entertains all day with baseball, swimming, arts and crafts, glass bottom boat rides, movies, and plenty of sports to burn off steam. If you have pre-teens ages 8 to 12, they'll head out for a day of sailing, snorkeling, beach volleyball, scavenger hunts, boat rides, reggae jam sessions, and plenty of opportunity for creativity and making new friends.

Don't forget Beaches prides itself on offering Sesame Street activities year-round. The Sesame Street stage shows bring your kids' favorite characters to life with music and dance. Young chefs can also help make cookies with Cookie Monster and music lovers get dancing with Bert and Ernie. Character breakfasts are also popular, but good luck trying to get your young ones to eat when Elmo enters the room. And if your kids have outgrown Sesame Street or are budding artists at heart, try the Crayola Art Camps with opportunity to create and explore.

We all know teens have their own set of unique needs and rules, including time away from Mom and Dad. While there are no formal Kids Club for teens, Beaches offers karaoke, dance parties, organized evening activities, tennis clinics, pool Olympics, dive-in poolside movies, talent shows, and more. Keep an eye out for the new Italian Village in Turks and Caicos complete with a Teen Disco. There's also a special Game Garage for Xbox 360 addicts young and old on all resorts.

Kids Club are open from 9:00am to 6:00pm for infants to 5-year olds, and 6 to 12-year olds from 9:00am to 9:00pm with a break from 5:00 to 6:00pm. Parents looking for a little evening time alone can opt for private babysitting service at an additional charge.

Susan Finch is a freelance writer who has also worked extensively as a film and video editor on advertising, film, and corporate campaigns. As the daughter of a commercial airline pilot, she spent her childhood traveling and enjoying all the free perks while living in Atlanta. Her husband, a graphic designer, also has the travel bug and they use every excuse to hit the open road.