Florida Resorts That Are Kid (and Parent) Friendly

By VISIT FLORIDA staff, Published October 24, 2007

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Family Resorts Destin Amelia Island Naples Captiva Island Longboat Key St Pete Beach Islamorada

Resorts with family friendly kids' programs

Many Florida resorts are more than kid friendly - they actually have separate programs for their pint-sized guests. Here is a list of several resorts with details regarding their kids' clubs.


AMELIA ISLAND PLANTATION, AMELIA ISLAND

The Resort: Situated in a quiet coastal setting with high dunes and great views of the Atlantic, this resort offers golf, tennis, dining, swimming, a spa and shops. There's a nature center on site. Complimentary games, contests and crafts are offered daily.
Kids' Program Details: Kids' Camp Amelia includes swimming, nature tours, games and arts & crafts (plus golf and tennis in the summer). Evening parties feature buffet dinners and themes such as circus stars.
Ages: 3-10
Time Outdoors vs. In: 80 percent out/20 percent in
Cost: $40 for morning session with lunch; $45 for afternoon session; $70 full day (includes lunch); $55 for evening program.
For Older Kids: The Teen Explorers program, for kids ages 11 to 19, includes excursions for mini-golf or pizza and a movie, or on-site basketball and beach soccer. Prices range from free to $100.

This oceanfront luxury resort is known its service, fine dining and location near world-class shopping. Here, kids are VIKs (Very Important Kids) - and they even get their own check-in desk.

CHEECA LODGE & SPA, ISLAMORADA

The Resort: The accommodations are luxurious, the restaurants outstanding, but the real treat is outdoors here in the fabulous Florida Keys. There's an oceanfront pool, a playground and tennis.
Kids' Program Details: Camp Cheeca features swimming and snorkeling, fishing tournaments, sand-sculpture building and more. Kids Night Out (ages 4 and up) includes pizza, movies, games or themed activities.
Ages: 5-12
Time Outdoors vs. In: 90 percent out/10 percent in
Cost: $75 per day (includes lunch); $45 for evening program.
For Older Kids: The resort's Kids Spa at Avanyu Spa offers Teen Terrific Facials and in-room massages for kids ages 10-17.


LONGBOAT KEY CLUB & RESORT

The Resort: This luxury resort features a soft, white sand beach, 45 holes of championship golf, a spa, a deep water marina and one of the largest tennis facilities in Florida. Go sailing, rafting, kayaking, biking or boogie boarding.
Kids' Program Details: The Kids Klub includes viewing turtle nests during nesting season, educational activities, nature walks and more. It also includes field trips to nearby Attractions such as Mote Aquarium.
Ages: 5-12
Time Outdoors vs. In: 50 percent out/50 percent in
Cost $60 (includes activities costs and lunch).
For Older Kids: No program.


THE NAPLES BEACH HOTEL & GOLF CLUB, NAPLES

The Resort: This Gulf-front resort is known for its pristine, white sand beach, world-class spa, championship golf course and golf instruction and award-winning tennis center.
Kids' Program Details: The Beach Klub for Kids offers swimming and games in the beachside pool, shelling, boating and theme days such as Pirates Day. There's also games, movies and crafts.
Ages: 5-12
Time Outdoors vs. In:50 percent out/50 percent in
Cost: Free, with a $7 charge for afternoon crafts, and a $15 charge for lunch and afternoon crafts.
For Older Kids: No organized programs, but teen- and 'tween-friendly activities include volleyball tournaments and golf and tennis clinics.


SANDESTIN GOLF AND BEACH RESORT, DESTIN

The Resort: This 2,400-acre resort is more like a world unto itself, with four golf courses, 20 restaurants and 50 shops. There are complimentary trams and rental bikes, and more than 20 miles of bike paths.
Kids' Program Details: The KidZone program offers activities such as arts and crafts, games and swimming.
Ages:3-10
Time Outdoors vs. In:65 percent out/35 percent in
Cost $55 per day (multiple days and sibling discounts available) 
For Older Kids: No organized program, but teen- and 'tween-friendly activities include outdoor concerts and movies, shopping and an on-site miniature golf course.


SOUTH SEAS ISLAND RESORT, CAPTIVA ISLAND

The Resort: Newly renovated, this resort offers two lagoon-style pools overlooking Pine Island Sound, including an additional pool, a family waterpark and two waterslides. There's tennis, golf and much more.
Kids' Program Details:South Seas' introduces Skully's Family Interactive Center, where kids' programs take an "educational discovery" approach - so rather than gluing seashells to picture frames, kids go on shell safaris or photo-scavenger hunts. The resort's Turtle Tots program is for little ones aged 12 months - four years.
Ages:1-11
Time Outdoors vs. In:80 percent out/20 percent in
Cost: $45 per child for morning (lunch included)
For Older Kids:The separate teen program, for kids ages 12 to 17, offers kayak trips, theme nights at Redfish Lounge, beach volleyball, and sailing and fishing instruction programs.Cost varies per program. 

TRADEWINDS ISLAND GRAND, ST. PETE BEACH

The Resort: This Gulf-front resort offers fully- supervised programs for all ages of kids like a pirate show, water slide, arts and crafts, games of skill, bungee trampoline, “Breaker” the resort mascot and more.
Kids' Program Details: The KONK (Kids Only, No Kidding) Club program incorporates crafts, games and activities in both day and night programs.
Ages:4-11
Time Outdoors vs. In:70 percent out/30 percent in
Cost Nominal charge for day/evening session (includes crafts, meal, snacks and drinks)
For Older Kids: No formal program, but teen and 'tween-friendly activities include T.A.Z. (Tradewinds Action Zone) with fun activities for every age, beach activities – parasailing and waverunners, waterslide and games of skill.

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