Kids clubs – for or against?

So, have your kids been to one of the resorts kids clubs? Now I know this is a topic that can get parents all hot and bothered, but here goes.

Some friends say adamantly that they would NEVER send their kids to a kids club because holidays are all about family time. I get that, I really do.

I also get camping and being outdoors all the time on holidays…. but……. My life is just not like that… and neither are my kids.

We have just got back from a couple of nights at the Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley. It has an actual proper kids club. Why wasn’t I told before now? My twins, who are eight, spent two very happy sessions at the Water Dragon kids club. I got to take all the photos I needed, send a few emails and even enjoy a 30 minute facial – hooray!

Why I never expected to use a Kids Club before I had kids – I had never ever been on a resort holiday.

As a child in Scotland we went camping, cycling or sailing every year. As a teenager I’d taken trains all over Europe and then started wandering the world with my backpack. I’d scuba dived off Zanzibar and seen slave forts in Ghana. When our eldest son was three months old we moved to Karachi for a year. I was looking at brochures for yak treks in the Himalayas… kids clubs were NOT on my mind at all!

But it’s amazing how parenthood can change your deepest held beliefs preconceptions and, dare I admit, prejudices.

I’ve ended up with four children, two have ADHD and one also has autism spectrum disorder. I had the twins when I was aged 42. I have been so worn out and exhausted, I can barely believe we’ve all survived. I can’t tell you how much I have LOVED staying in resorts and how very GRATEFUL I have been when the kids have gone off joyfully to a kids club.

Ah, heaven… I remember the first time I lay down by a pool and read my book, there were tears of emotion I can tell you. My tip for Kids Clubs I always tell the kids that it’s 100% their choice whether they go or not. My Mr8 is still initially sceptical, and I genuinely would never force him to go.

On this last trip, we went to visit the Water Dragons Kids Club and had a good look round. My daughter immediately sat down at the craft table and she insisted I book her into the rest of that afternoon’s session then and there. Mr8 zoomed out to the playground and then heard there were chickens to visit and also insisted on staying. They demanded to go back next day, who was I to say no?

Those three hours of time alone were gold for me. I was a better mum for the other 21 hours a day. I played for hours in the pool with them and we carved up the ping pong tables too.

A little break goes a long way in motherhood, especially a fairly cheap one. The Crowne Plaza charges just $15 per 3 hour session per child.

Kids clubs – are you for or against? And what do your kids say? Can you recommend a kids club to others?

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55 Comments

- - Forgetful Mumma said
  - 17 Oct 2021
    12:10 am
I’ve never stayed anywhere with a kids club so have never used them!
Before COVID hit my family was supposed to be going on a cruise and I did entertain the idea of one as a once off for a few hours, but I don’t like to leave my kids with strangers, especially if they aren’t used to working with children with disabilities… so basically, it’s a case of each to their own! I’d definitely love a break, but I don’t think they are for me.

- - mom81879 said
  - 21 Nov 2015
    3:38 pm
I thought this was about kids clubs in general! Not kids clubs for those who can afford to go away. Alas, we are of the too poor for holidays clubs so my kids have never experienced them

- - dannsbuild said
  - 08 Sep 2015
    8:28 pm
Very interesting article! Really good tips!

- - merlin2012 said
  - 28 Jun 2015
    5:31 pm
I havn’t heard of kids clubs before, but will keep that in mind from now on. we usually make sure to ask for a room that is away from other cabins so that we don’t disturb anybody else
- mom94125 replied
  
  18 Oct 2015 , 5:31 pm
  yeah there are heaps of kids clubs for various things
- - mom60450 said
  - 20 Jun 2015
    4:16 pm
Kids club for grandparents is the best thing out. I love travelling with grandkids and appreciate the opportunity to sit and have a coffee quietly while the kids enjoy activities or watch movies. Then you enjoy the time walking along the beach or having tea when everyone is refreshed and enjoyed their day.

- - nickyedmonds said
  - 14 Jun 2015
    11:40 pm
My son loved kids club in Fiji, he had a ball! He went 2 hours a day max so we could go snorkelling etc as we wanted to do things with him not have him there all day.

- - smiles said
  - 30 Apr 2015
    9:10 pm
I have never used a kids club because we have never been away with one. Would I use one. Well depending on where it is. Overseas? Well depends on how confident I am with their qualifications. They may not be as pedantic as Australia is and that would probably worry me a little. In Australia? I’d be happy for the kids to enjoy them selves and if that meant its more fun in a kids club well I would let them. It would not be the whole time as part of being away is to spend time with the family.

- - mom94378 said
  - 29 Apr 2015
    10:15 pm
As long as you research the place and are happpy with it, I am pro it, in moderation of course.

- - kellstar said
  - 30 Mar 2015
    9:24 pm
Nope never but if my child asked to go then I would let her. If she began to ask everyday then I would have to say no as we do things outside out the resort most times.

- - mom113177 said
  - 21 Mar 2015
    12:02 am
Totally for it, every parent needs a little break from their children, otherwise it’s not a holiday!

- - mom113055 said
  - 10 Mar 2015
    5:24 pm
i will never send my son no where alone

- - bubble6369 said
  - 04 Mar 2015
    4:16 pm
My best friend takes her son to one every year and they have a blast together I will be seriously looking at one!

- - K13 said
  - 01 Mar 2015
    9:42 pm
our local kids club is fantatsic, its at the local church

- - Kelz81 said
  - 27 Feb 2015
    5:47 pm
My husband and i are thinking of going to Bali in May with our 1 & 4 year old kids so would be looking at the kids club so we get some ‘us’ time too. They do worry me being in another country and all but i think if it’s through your resort it is pretty safe!

- - christial said
  - 23 Feb 2015
    8:45 pm
I like the idea of having the kids club there as an option, but I have not used one myself.

- - Moonberry said
  - 23 Feb 2015
    10:48 am
IF my children wanted to join the kids club, I would allow them to go. I just wouldn’t choose a family vacation with the ‘kids club’ in mind, it wouldn’t be my top priority to ensure there was a kids club wherever we were staying… However, if it was there, and the children wanted to join, I would be happy to let them. If where we were staying didn’t have a kids club, we’d still have fun together anyhow..

I don’t need a massage or facial, or time alone.. I can do that with friends at home by going to a day spa..

- - kazon said
  - 31 Jan 2015
    11:59 pm
I have mixed feelings about kids clubs too. There’s something about leaving my kid with a stranger on my holiday that doesn’t sit right with me.

- - priyachirag said
  - 31 Jan 2015
    11:11 pm
Kids clubs are great if you find the right one as the right cost I suppose.

- - mom67623 said
  - 30 Jan 2015
    10:56 am
excellent idea for kids and adults too
having fun,learning and sharing great thing to do
making friends and interact too I consider a magical brew

- - Flackstar said
  - 28 Jan 2015
    7:19 pm
I think its up to the child. If able, its good if they can take one of their own friends long with them. Have seen sad kids playing buy themselves as they don’t fit in with groups. That’s the only thing that I don’t like about kids clubs. Other than that, I think they are a great idea.