Family Friendly Resorts

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Parents and kids will find a wealth of activities - from biking to fishing to kayaking - on and off Amelia Island.

Photo Credit: Contributed Photo

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Surf fishing on Panama City Beach.

Photo Credit: Panama City Beach CVB

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The stunning amenities in ESPA, the spa at Acqualina Resort and Spa.

Photo Credit: ESPA at Acqualina Resort and Spa

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Summer camps at Omni Amelia Island Plantation lead kids on eco-adventures to explore the beach; my boys enjoyed searching the sand for shark's teeth with a certified naturalist.

Photo Credit: Jennifer Michaels

Family-friendly resorts aren’t just all about the kids.

Certainly, they offer value, excitement, unique experiences, learning opportunities and just plain fun for your family. Children can partake in activities like cooking, Wii tournaments, marine explorations, and way-cool arts & crafts.

But these resorts also provide downtime for mom or dad to just read a book, lounge on the beach or relax in the spa. And “Kids’ Night Out” equates to a “Parents’ Night Out,” too. While your child spends the evening watching movies and eating popcorn, you and yours can enjoy dinner or a movie and popcorn, as well.

Kid-Tested, Parent-Approved

Let your kids call the shots at these family-friendly resorts.

Holiday Inn Resort, Panama City Beach

This award-winning Splash the Dolphin’s Kids’ Club is for ages 5-12. Start times vary, and some days includes lunch. Pirate-themed lunches are another option. The best part? A lot of the fun is free: face painting, arts and crafts, carnival day, fun with Splash (the dolphin mascot) and more.

Acqualina Resort & Spa, Sunny Isles Beach

With daily ocean-based themes like Wonderful World of Whales or City under the Sea, and arts and crafts and activities to match, this is like sending your child to marine biology camp for the day.

Omni Amelia Island Plantation

Kids Camp Amelia is for ages 4-10, and it’s available daily with morning, afternoon and evening sessions. Amelia Island Teen Explorers is for ages 11-18, and it offers pre-teens and teens the chance to socialize and have fun at pizza and movies nights, paintball, beach fires and more. Programs range in price from complimentary to $75 per child, per day.

Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress, Orlando

Kids already love Orlando, and here’s another reason: Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress teamed up with National Geographic Kids to offer super-cool, eco-friendly activities, animal adventures and more. Various programs are offered year round for ages 3-12. Events are priced from $40 to $75 per kid, per day.

Holiday Inn Resort, Panama City Beach

It’s a Polynesian paradise on Florida’s Emerald Coast. Sip cocktails poolside by the cascading waterfall, enjoy a breakfast buffet each morning and fine dining at The View each night. Head to the SeaWatch Lounge to watch the big game, master illusionist Noah Wells or take in fiery sunsets.

Acqualina Resort & Spa, Sunny Isles Beach

Spend the day at the luxurious 20,000-square-foot ESPA spa with quiet lounges, Finnish saunas, crystal steam rooms and more. Dine in the acclaimed Il Mulino New York (Zagat-rated best restaurant for 20 years in a row). Enjoy panoramic views from your oceanfront balcony. It’s 4.5 acres on Florida’s Riviera, pure indulgence and worth every penny.

Omni Amelia Island Plantation

Relax in harmony with nature at this 1,350-acre resort that overlooks the blue Atlantic to the east and the green marshlands to the west. Be spoiled by championship golf, renowned tennis, fine oceanfront dining, casual poolside eateries, fine boutiques and The Spa, which unlike anywhere else, offers yoga classes and retreats in tree houses.

Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress, Orlando

Ready for a resort experience? Sitting on 1,500 acres, this place defines luxury. As you sip your welcome champagne, you’ll be awed by manicured grounds, a half-acre lagoon pool with 12 waterfalls, a $1 million art collection, five restaurants, four lounges, a 21-acre lake with a beach, Jack Nicklaus golf and a salon. Wow!