Best All-Inclusive Resorts with Incredible Kids Clubs (Plus More Resorts with Great Free Kids Clubs)

Moana and other Disney characters often visit the kids club at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa.

The best all-inclusive resorts for families feature more than just great food, fun activities, and beautiful beaches. They also have amazing kids clubs, where parents can drop kids off for supervised fun while they relax by the pool or hit the spa.

But not all kids clubs are created equal. While some have basic toys and games, others offer a full program of arts and crafts, sports, themed parties, and more, as well as cool spaces with playgrounds, video game hubs, and even water parks.

Here are 12 resorts with incredible kids clubs in the US, Mexico, and the Caribbean. While most of them are all-inclusive resorts, we've also added a couple that are not all-inclusive but have spectacular free kids clubs. Check out our Guide to Family-Friendly Resorts and Hotels for even more great places to stay.

Visit the Lovely Lavender Fields at 123 Farm

Who doesn't want to relax in a sea of blooms?

The lavender fields are bursting in Los Angeles! I took my kids on a trip to 123 Farm just as the lavender was in the beginning stages of blossoming, and it's promising to be a bountiful and beautiful summer. 123 Farm is the largest organic lavender farm in California, growing over 90 varieties of lavender; on a visit to the farm you can see, taste, and discover all things lavender. (You can also meet a few adorable farm animals.) While the lavender is not to be picked, it is most certainly to be posed in, so come with a camera in hand because these fields are family photo and Instagram-worthy.

For more flower adventures in the summer in Los Angeles, when the spring wildflower blooms have finished for the year, visit Tanaka Farm's Hana Field for stunning sunflowers.

Berry Picking and Peach Picking at Connecticut Farms

Fill your baskets with delicious treats when berry picking and peach picking at Connecticut farms. Photo courtesy of Belltown Hill Orchards

How much can you bring home when you go berry picking and peach picking in Connecticut? And how many berries will sneak their way into your little ones mouths? There are several types of delicious berries and fruit on farms all over Connecticut. Bring your kids and strap a bucket around their necks so they can "help." Peaches, rasperries, blueberries, and even nectarines and plums are ripening right now. So pull out your favorite recipe and hop in the car!

In, July blueberries and blackberries are ready for eating. Late July and August are perfect for peaches. If you decide to make jam with your pounds of pickin's, try this Homemade Pop Tart Recipe. And for more great summertime ideas, browse out Connecticut Summer Fun Guide.

Note: Due to a freeze, 2023 is not a great year for peaches; some farms lost their pick-your-own crops.

Dinos Alive: An Immersive Experience Featuring Life-Sized Dinosaurs

Dinos Alive is the perfect indoor activity this summer.

While visiting Dinos Alive, I thought about Robert Baaker, a world-renowned paleontologist, who once said “It’s very simple why kids are crazy about dinosaurs - dinosaurs are nature’s Special Effects."

I know my kids are crazy about them. Our family has so many toys and has watched countless dino movies. Every trip to the first floor of the Houston Museum of Natural Science never fails to amaze. So when we heard Dinos Alive: An Immersive Experience had opened in Houston, we headed over to check out what all the up-rawr was about.  

We think you should too, but first, here’s some info on what to expect on your visit. Also, be sure to check out our Houston Children’s Museums and Exhibits Guide for more fun places to explore and beat the summer heat.

Where to Pick Peaches, Plums, Cherries, Corn, and More at Boston Farms

Wrap your hands around some delicious fruit at these family friendly Boston farms. Photo courtesy of Lookout Farm

High temps mean it's high time for picking peaches and more at Boston farms. Kids can pick late-summer produce, like pears, raspberries, plums, cherries, corn, and more—even currants!  Children who enjoyed hunting for strawberries and blueberries on local farms in June and early July will have a blast plucking (and sampling) stone fruits and more at these nearby farms in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

For another fun u-pick experience that will lead to a beautiful centerpiece of sunflowers, snapdragons, and more for your summer table, consider a visit with kids to these flower farms around Boston. Or, pick your favorite flavor at these Boston farms with homemade ice cream. And be sure to bookmark our post on places to pick apples with Boston kids—some varieties are ripe starting late August. Happy harvesting!

30 Ways to Beat the Heat in Orlando: Heat Wave Indoor Activities and Outdoor Cool Fun

Visit Orlando Watersports Complex for heat relief during the summer. Photo courtesy of the venue

Florida is known as the Sunshine State, so there’s no surprise that with all that sun, it can get extremely HOT, especially during an Orlando heat wave. Orlando summer temperatures average around 90 degrees, and with humidity factored in, the heat index is easily over 100 degrees! As temperatures rise, luckily there are plenty of cool things to do in Orlando. From splish-splashing water fun to indoor attractions with refreshing air-conditioning, we’ve put together a list of 30 activities to embrace during a blistering Orlando summer.

Luna Park Guide: New Rides and Tips for Visiting Coney Island with Kids

A ride on Lynn's Trapeze puts a smile on the face of visitors young and old.

Luna Park has lured generations of New Yorkers to Coney Island for summertime fun, and the newest iteration of its famed boardwalk amusement park is celebrating 120 years of fun on Coney Island with a huge expansion that brings a brand new ropes course and adventure zone, plus a family-friendly roller coaster, and wet-and-wild log flume ride to the already action-packed park. That, in addition to classic crowd-pleasers like the iconic Coney Island Cyclone roller coaster, and all the fun along the Coney Island boardwalk and beach make Luna Park a bucket list destination for ultimate summer fun.

Whether you want to make a day of it, or just duck into the amusement park for some carnival games en route to the beach, here are our top things to do at Luna Park, plus some parent-tested tricks to keep you sane during a visit. Find more epic seasonal destinations in our Ultimate NYC Kids Summer Vacation Guide.

Best Sunflower Fields Near DC for Pick-Your-Own Sunflowers

Pick the perfect sunflower at Great Country Farms. Photo by Maryam Shahid for Great Country Farms

Each summer, sunflower fields near DC burst into a spectacular sea of bright yellow, orange, and red. Families can stroll through the fields, take in the gorgeous colors, and pick their own sunflowers to bring home and enjoy. Sunflower fields near DC are also the perfect backdrop for Instagram-worthy photos. And, several of them offer additional fun such as sunflower mazes, playgrounds, farm animals, and more.

Here are eight sunflower fields near DC worth visiting with your kids this summer. Check out our Pick-Your-Own Guide to Farms in Washington, DC for even more farm fun, including our lists of places to go berry picking and great animal farms and petting zoos near DC.

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