How to Find the Best Kids Club for Your family holiday

Sometimes when you’re on holiday, quality time alone is needed. Kids clubs are a great option to keep children entertained, allowing them to make new memories, holiday friends, and let you sit back and enjoy a moments peace.

Many hotels abroad offer childcare services, but finding one you can trust can be a daunting task. In this blog, we will share what to look out for when choosing a kids club for your family holiday.

So, what exactly is a ‘kids club’?

Some hotels abroad offer childcare so that you can enjoy time alone and the kids can make new friends and take part in fun activities. You can find clubs that offer arts and crafts, swimming lessons, ball pit fun, evening childcare and even clubs for older teens.  There are also some resorts that offer free clubs, while others may charge a fee, for different age groups. Some popular holiday destinations with kid’s clubs include Spain, Cyprus, the Maldives, Greece and Croatia – all great options for families, especially during the school holidays. For some destination inspiration, take a look at our blog on the best beach holidays in Europe for families.

However, if you plan on using these types of childcare services while abroad, it’s a good idea to research ahead of time to find the most suitable childcare for you and your family. For more information and help with finding accommodation that offers kids’ clubs, check official websites or trusted travel resources.

Other things to look out for include:

• Staff Qualifications & Checks: Do the staff at the club have the right qualifications? While DBS checks apply here in the UK, kids clubs abroad should still carry out local background checks and ensure staff have basic childcare or first aid training. Many resorts provide their own training in health, safety and safeguarding, so staff know how to keep children safe and happy. It’s also common for kids’ clubs to have English-speaking staff, which can help everyone feel more comfortable. Most of the time, you can find this information on the hotel’s website before you book — and there’s no harm in asking the resort or tour operator directly to confirm. This way, you can relax knowing your children are in good hands.
• The Club’s Facilities – Does the club offer the right facilities for your child’s needs? For example, your child may require additional measures to be in place if they need extra support. Can the kids’ club cater to these needs and provide a safe, suitable environment? Knowing ahead of time can help avoid issues (or tears!) when you arrive.
• Activities List – Do they offer age-appropriate activities for your children? Researching before arriving will help find the most suitable club and activities for your children to enjoy. It can also give the children something else to look forward to when going on holiday.
• Availability – Do they have availability during the time of your visit? To be extra prepared, it might be useful to book a holiday with access to kid’s clubs or even phone up before arriving to reserve your child’s place.
• Ratings – Booking in advance means you can also check out their service ratings and help you to feel more secure and looked after during your visits. The hotels Trip Advisor page may be a good place to look to get a feel for what previous guests have said about the service and whether previous travellers have any pieces of advice.
• Bonus tip: Let your kids get involved – Once you’ve narrowed down a few resorts, involve your children in the decision-making. Show them pictures or videos of the club, talk about the activities, and let them get excited. Knowing what to expect can make them feel more confident – and excited – about what’s to come.

Water Play, Activities & Travel Insurance – What’s Covered?

Many kids’ clubs include water-based fun like splash zones, pool games, and beachside activities – and for lots of children, these are the holiday highlights. At Holidaysafe, we’re happy to say that our travel insurance policies cover common water activities for kids abroad, including swimming (inshore only), snorkelling (inshore only), and beach games.

As always, activities must be carried out safely and within the policy guidelines. If your child is likely to take part in water-based activities, it’s a good idea to double-check your chosen cover level. You can view a full list of covered activity packs to make sure you’ve got the right protection in place.

Of course, every child is different and you know better than anyone whether your child will feel comfortable participating in such activities. But by taking the above points on-board, doing your own research, and remaining vigilant, you can rest easy while away from your children knowing they are safe and having a good time.

Plus, if a kids club is something you know you’d like to explore while you’re on holiday, it also ensures that the clubs of your choice have availability during the time of your visit – making it easier when it comes to finding trusted childcare.

Our award-winning* travel insurance offers different levels of cover on single trip and annual multi trip policies, meaning you can choose the best cover for your family’s needs and budget!

You can find out more about the cover that we offer by taking a look at our cover levels, our benefits of travel insurance or by getting a free quote.