There are many summer vacation options for kids.
From the white sand beaches of Pebbles, Jamaica, to beds in the trees of southern Oregon, summer vacation options for kids have never been so varied. While an Arizona dude ranch caters to little cowpokes, California's LEGOLAND welcomes little builders-to-be. The important thing is to consider your kids' particular interests when deciding on a summer vacation destination.
Disney Cruises
Disney Wonder and Disney Magic cruise ships sport horizontal rails, round portholes and multiple funnels. While the Goofy Pool is for families, the Mickey Mouse pool is for children only and features a giant water slide. Children three years old and up can enroll in the Ocean Air Club and Ocean Air Lab; for teenagers, the Common Grounds Club is the place to be.
Disney Cruise Line
P.O. Box 10238
Lake Buena Vista, Florida 32830-0238
800-951-3532
disneycruise.disney.go.com/
FDR Pebbles
This all-inclusive Jamaican resort assigns each family with a round-the-clock vacation nanny. Activities include swimming, snorkeling and parasailing, fishing, windsurfing, biking, hiking and teen beach parties. FDR Pebbles has many seasonal offers, including a Families Fly Free deal and Bring the a Grandparents for Free package.
FDR Pebbles
P.O. Box 1933
Falmouth, Trelawny
Jamaica W. I.
888-FDR-KIDS
fdrholidays.com/
LEGOLAND
LEGOLAND, located one hour south of Anaheim, is home to 30 million lego blocks and over 50 rides and attractions. Sea Life Aquarium, one of the park's newest attractions, boasts a seven-foot long lego submarine, in addition to Octopus, Sting Ray and Shark Pup feedings, while the Lost Kingdom Adventure-Land of Adventure is an interactive exhibit that allows children to search ancient ruins for buried treasure.
LEGOLAND
1 LEGOLAND Drive
Carisbad, California 92008
760-918-LEGO
legoland.com/California.htm
Disney's Animal Kindgom Theme Park
Occupying 500 acres of a protected wildlife reserve, Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park is home to 250 animal species, including primates, exotic birds, wild felines and several other animals from the African savanna. The Animal Kingdom Lodge, located within the park, features a Uzima pool and a 67-foot waterslide, in addition to a wading pool, playground, 24-hour gaming room and Simba's Clubhouse.
Animal Kingdom Theme Park
2901 Osceola Parkway
Lake Buena Vista,
Florida 32830
407-824-4321
disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/animal-kingdom/
Out 'n' About Treehouse Treesort
Situated just thirty minutes from the Redwood Forest and 20 minutes from the Oregon Caves, this bed and breakfast consists of twelve treehouse suits, sleeping two to eight people comfortably. Treesort activities include hiking, horseback riding, rafting, swimming and zip-line training. Treehouses are reached by ropes, ladders, bridges, spiral tunnels and staircases. The Tarzan Swing--a fifty-foot pendulum swing--is especially popular with children and daring adults.
Out 'n' About Treehouse Treesort LLC & Treehouse Institute
300 Page Creek Road
Cave Junction,
Oregon 97523
541-592-2208
treehouses.com/
Tanke Verde Ranch
Tanque Verde--meaning Green Pool--lies on 640 acres of the Sonoran Desert in Arizona. Offering guided desert hiking, canyon exploring, western riding lessons, tennis, swimming and arts and crafts, Tanque Verde's Kid's Program is suited for children ages four to 11.
Tanque Verde Ranch
14301 E. Speedway Blvd.
Tucson,
Arizona 85748-7100
520-296-6275
tanqueverderanch.com/
Hilton Waikoloa Village
Located on 62 acres of Hawaii's big island, Hilton Waikoloa Village Resort features the children's Camp Menehune and Kohala Spa. Activities include tennis, mini-golf, swimming, water sports and the interactive Dolphin Quest, in which the whole family can interact with the beautiful Dolphin fish. Dolphin Quest programs range from Wee Tots, suitable for children of two to four years of age, to Trainer for a Day, suitable for children 10 and older.
Hilton Waikoloa Village
69-425 Waikoloa Beach Drive
Waikoloa,
Hawaii 96738
808-886-1234
hiltonwaikoloavillage.com/
Turtle Bay Resort
Turtle Bay Resort, located on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii, offers kayaking, horseback riding, helicopter tours and the Keiki Turtle Club for kids. Turtle Club activities include swimming, reef walks, nightly crab hunts, arts and crafts and Hawaiian games.
Turtle Bay Resort
57-091 Kamehameha Highway
Kahuku, Oahu,
Hawaii 96731
800-203-3650
turtlebayresort.com/
Excalibur Hotel-Casino
When headed to Vegas with the kids, consider the Excalibur Hotel-Casino. Featuring a SpongeBob SquarePants 4-D coaster ride, carnival games, a Wizards Arcade and several pools with waterfalls and slides, Excalibur Hotel-Casino keeps the little ones entertained while the parents game.
Excalubur Hotel-Casino
3850 Las Vegas Blvd.
South Las Vegas,
Nevada 89109
877-750-5464
excalibur.com/
Yosemite National Park
In addition to the hiking, camping, horseback riding and water sports, Yosemite's Wee Wild Ones program caters to children ages six and under. Activities include singing, storytelling, arts and crafts and interactive games all pertaining to the area's indigenous wildlife.
Yosemite National Park
9039 Village Drive
Yosemite National Park,
California
209-372-0200
yosemitepark.com/
Tags: Animal Kingdom, arts crafts, Excalibur Hotel-Casino, Hilton Waikoloa, Hilton Waikoloa Village