Know the red flags to keep an eye out for and the little-known tricks that make all the difference.
Family vacations aren’t just meant for the kids. Contrary to what you may see on TikTok and Instagram, parents also deserve a little rest time when they travel. Between poolside snack runs, early wake-up calls, restless nights, and endless games of “Marco Polo,” it can be nearly impossible for parents to find time to recharge. Don’t even think about reconnecting as a couple, either.
Enter the hotel kids’ club, which is part playroom, part classroom, and part endless activity hub. For kids ages 4 and up, these spaces offer a mix of crafts, games, outdoor adventures, and cultural discoveries designed to engage kids on all levels, all while giving parents the rare luxury of actual uninterrupted downtime. What once felt like a novelty has become an essential perk for most parents, making kids’ clubs some of the unsung heroes of family travel.
However, as a mother myself, I’d be remiss not to say the drop-off experience isn’t completely nerve-wracking (especially the first few times). At my daughter’s first kids’ club, I literally camped out on a lounger steps away from the door, just in case something happened, she needed me, or got scared. News flash? She didn’t. And we had to pull her out of there, kicking and screaming.
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I know I’m not the only parent to feel like this either, so I spoke with another mom (and fellow travel writer) as well as a kid’s childcare programmer to help demystify the experience and bring you the insider intel, the red flags, and the little-known tricks that make all the difference.
Drop-Off Jitters Are Totally Normal
If your first kids’ club experience involved you sobbing, hyperventilating, or, like me, camping out right near the entrance, you’re not alone.
“When we first get to a resort or hotel or ship with the club, we usually wander by first to check it out,” says Jamie Davis Smith, mother of four and author. “I normally go in with my kids just to do a vibe check. I want to ensure the space appears safe and that the staff are being kind to the kids. I haven’t had a bad experience while traveling, but I did have a bad experience at a kids’ club at a gym once, so I like to get a good sense of where I’m sending my kids before I drop them off.”
That initial walk-through isn’t just for the kids; it’s just as important for the parents, too. And the experts agree: the drop-off is a two-way street.
“A smooth drop-off begins with a clear, safe, and seamless process,” says Ayana Rodriguez, mother of three and founder of the travel childcare company Itavi Kids. “We greet each child by name, engage them in conversation, and introduce them to the space in a way that feels exciting rather than intimidating. For parents, seeing that level of attentiveness creates confidence. For children, it sets the tone for fun and discovery.”
Research supports this approach too. A study in the Early Childhood Education Journal found that parents interviewed experienced strong emotions on the first day, including uncertainty, worry, and overwhelming stress. However, they found that with adequate preparation, transparent communication, and familiarity (for both children and parents), anxiety often went away.
Here’s a pro tip: check if your resort has photos or videos of the club online and show them to your kids before you even pack. “We usually look at pictures or watch videos of the kids’ club before we arrive,” Davis Smith adds. “I also tell my kids they can call if they want to be picked up early, but that’s never happened.”
You Need to Do a Vibe Check
Not all kids’ clubs are created equal, and knowing how to gauge them is imperative. Just as you wouldn’t leave your kid with untrusted strangers at home, you shouldn’t on vacation either. Davis Smith’s go-to move is to scan the schedule and observe the staff.
“I look for a variety of activities because I’m not very interested in just having the kids sit down in front of video games or a TV for hours,” she says. “I also check age ranges; there shouldn’t be a huge gap. I don’t love the idea of dropping a toddler off with teenagers.”
The professionals are just as particular. “There are three main red flags,” Rodriguez says. “A lack of engagement from staff, activities that feel outdated or uninspired, and insufficient safety measures. If adults are not fully present and enthusiastic, children immediately sense it.”
So what should you look for? To start, thoughtful programming and a trusted staff.
“I always start by understanding the brand and ethos of our partner,” Rodriguez explains. “Then we combine best practices with creativity, designing experiences that are not only safe but inspiring. A strong program doesn’t just fill time, it creates meaningful moments that children carry with them long beyond their vacation.”
Programming and Activities Matter
And it’s not screen time. Despite my daughter’s occasional appetite for cartoons and YouTube kids on the iPad, the last thing she actually wants to do on vacation is rot in front of a screen.
“My kids like to climb and run around,” Davis Smith says. “I like to see that there’s a schedule of activities in a play area where they can move. I’m not really interested in kids’ clubs that just have a TV playing movies all day.”
Research supports this preference too, and finds that active, hands-on programming is what keeps kids engaged and wanting to return to a resort club. And hotels know it, too. A recent story in the Wall Street Journal on luxury resort kids’ clubs highlighted how the most successful ones build days around active play, STEM, cultural experiences — not screen time. Similarly, a piece in Business Insider showcased that many parents now only book properties that boast robust and educational kids’ clubs, since engaging activities can make or break the whole family’s vacation.
The experts agree too.
“STEM activities are especially popular,” Rodriguez says. “They foster curiosity and problem-solving. Additionally, outdoor adventures and active play appeal across ages, and incorporating local cultural experiences makes the program unique and memorable.”
Sometimes, it’s other kids who seal the deal, too. “One time we met other kids by the pool who were going, and my children agreed to go with their new friends,” Davis Smith laughs. “Another time I convinced them by saying we could start by going for 30 minutes—and then they wanted to stay.”
This was my exact experience on a recent trip to Mexico. My daughter found a friend she ended up seeing every day at the kids’ club. Even on tired days, if she knew he was going, she’d bolt out the door before me. As an only child, the kids’ club is her vacation. It’s her time to socialize and play, with us getting a much-needed respite as well.
Letting Go Is Part of the Process
Even though we’ve done multiple kids’ clubs (on cruise ships and at resorts), the first drop-off is always nerve-wracking. And from conversations with other parents, even the most confident can feel that pang of guilt at the playroom door. Davis Smith’s advice? Feel it and then let it go.
“At first I felt a little guilty sending my kids to the kids’ club,” she says. “But it turns out they love it, and it’s a really nice break for me.”
Before guilt eats you alive, remember: you deserve that break, too, and it’s not selfish. Kids get independence and socialization; parents get to eat lunch that isn’t just chicken nuggets and mac & cheese. It’s a win-win. Plus, it fosters independence in kids, regardless of age.
“The key is personal connection,” Rodriguez says. “We take time to understand each child’s personality and interests, then create small, approachable moments of engagement. This personalized approach reassures shy or anxious children and encourages them to return.”
At day’s end, it’s not just about giving you a few kid-free hours; it’s about your kids having their own mini vacation. It’s a chance to build memories and make friends from all over the world. In the end, you both end up with a vacation you’ll never forget (and hopefully a little more well rested to boot).
