Best Family Beach Vacations
Q and A

Are you not sure about something in regards to your trip and you would like to know before you leave.

Having trouble finding information that you need.

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We have more family beach vacations and family travel questions and answers on our Family Travel - Q and A Blog

Q - Do I need to take our car seat on the plane when traveling with our 3 year old?
Jim - Canada

No you do not, airlines do not require it so the choice is up to you. Most airlines do not charge or have discounted prices for children under two but in these instances they will not have their own seat and will need to sit on your lap. If you do bring a car seat, check with the airline to make sure your child's car seat is allowed.

Children over two years of age will be required to sit in their own seat with the seat belt fastened for take off and landing and it is recommend that aircraft seatbelts be used for children 40 lbs and more. No booster seats are allowed..

Car seats are big, bulky and if you and if you need one for your destination, you can also check it in with your baggage. And don’t forget, if you are renting a car at your destination, most car companies can supply you with one but you will need to order it prior to your trip.

Jolana
Best Family Beach Vacations

Q - What kind of family vacation would you recommend for a family of five with kids aged 4, 9, and 14?
Quinton - Arizona

A family cruise! Cruising is a great family vacation. There is so much variety to keep everyone of all ages happy. Most cruise lines have kids camps that will entertain kids of a wide range of ages. Great for the kids and a great break for Mom and Dad too.

There are kid menus to keep even picky eaters happy and some ships even have ice cream parlor and 24 hour pizza available. From pools and activities to shore excursions and exciting ports of call, you will not hear, “I’m bored”!

Also check with the cruise line for adjoining rooms to accommodate you.

For more information, have look at our kid cruise page and Explore the Cruise lines - Find the Best Kid Cruises!

Jolana
Best Family Beach Vacations

Q - I am looking for an all inclusive resort in the US that is suitable for families, any suggestions?
Jenny - Texas

All inclusive resorts in the US are few and far between, the majority of all inslusive resorts are located in the Caribbean or Mexico. To learn more about these, visit our Top Ten Family All Inclusives page.

The most well known all inclusive in the US that we would recommend in the Club Med Sandpiper in Florida. The Club Med Sandpiper is a beautifully landscaped, county club-style resort village of fountains and fauna.

It offers a lot of variety and relaxation for a great family vacation. The Club Med Sandpiper is ideal for tennis and golf lovers, and offers kid programs for all ages. They have : Baby Club Med (4-23 months), Petit Club Med (2-3 years), Mini Club Med (4-10 years) and Junior Club for 11-13 years and teenagers during school holidays.

The Club Med Sandpiper has a central bar, theater, disco, two restaurants with riverviews, four swimming pools and a children's wading pool. There is also a free shuttle bus to the Atlantic Ocean, which is only 20 minutes away.

It is located about a 2 hour drive to Miami or Orlando and 45 minutes to Palm Beach.To learn more, visit the Club Med Sandpiper website.

Jolana
Best Family Beach Vacations

Q - My family and I are going to drive to Florida and spend a couple of weeks. We want to spend a few days at Disney World and tour the area. Do we try to book hotels before or can we just book hotels as we go?
Jim - Utah

If you know your exact date of arrival and where you plan to go first, defiantly book that ahead of time. You will be tired from your drive and it will be refreshing to not have the stress of looking for accommodations.

I would also book your hotels in Orlando because depending when you go, hotels can get very busy.

Do some research into the surrounding areas, Daytona, Clearwater, St. Pete's, Tampa etc and get a feel of where you want to visit. You can get some great discounts for Florida hotels online and it may be worth your while to at least book some hotels before you go to save time and money once you arrive!

Jolana
Best Family Beach Vacations

Q - My family is traveling to Tampa this summer and they are crazy about dolphins. Are there any "swim with dolphin" attractions in this area?
Mark, Virginia

The only one I am aware of is in the Key Largo in the Florida Keys. Bush Gardens in Tampa however does have a great dolphin show where I think your kids could get their dolphin "fix".

Jolana
Best Family Beach Vacations

Congratulations on your new addition! Babies must be at least 7 days old to fly but check with the Airline directly as each Airline will have specific requirements and they do change.

Most airlines offer special discounts when booking a seat for children under 2. Children under the age of 2 years travel usually free on most airlines, but this means that they will have to sit on your lap if the plane is full. If you do book a seat for the baby, he/she will be able to sleep in a car seat.

Other tips:
- ask for pre-boarding
- bring a knapsack for your diaper bag so you have less to carry
- give the baby a bottle or breast feed during landing and take-off to ease ear pressure
- try to put a clean diaper on before you board the flight, bring a waterproof change pad in case of mid-flight diaper changes. (Which can be a challenge on an airplane!)

Best Family Beach Vacations

Q - How do I baby proof a hotel room?
Nancy - Washington

First of all, find out when you book your hotel whether baby proofing equipment is available at your hotel. Many hotels and resorts offer childproofing supplies along with cribs and highchairs. For example, Four Seasons Hotels will baby proof any room for free if you tell them in advance.

If the hotel does not have the service or supplies, bring your own. This might include electrical outlet covers, a safety gate, netting or other protective screening for hotel balconies, a toilet lid latch, doorknob covers, table corner covers for blunting sharp edges, and twist ties to secure any electrical cords or blinds.

Check your living area at home and see what you use and need. If you don't want to be loaded down, bring a few basics and a roll of duct tape. It's amazing what you can do with duct tape! You will be able to tape over electrical covers, tape drawers shut etc.

Once done, get down to your child's level, on your hands and knees and check the floor of your room to find any dangers. Don't forget to check in drawers and the bathroom. And also, don't forget to remove all supplies and tape before you go. The next guest may not appreciate their cabinet taped shut!

Jolana
Best Family Beach Vacations

Q - Does Mexican food tend to have a lot of peanut products in them? My daughter is allergic to peanuts and I was wondering if they display warnings regarding this allergy?
Denise - Ontario

Mexican food in general does not use peanuts as much as Asian food but it is not peanut free. I have heard they sometimes use peanut derivatives to thicken brown sauces.

If you do travel to Mexico, an option for you may be to stay in a condo or hotel with kitchen facilities so you can prepare most meals yourself. All inclusives may not be a good option because many of them have buffets and they make it very difficult to avoid cross-contamination.

Some general tips for eating out while travelling with a food allergy include:

- be prepared, always carry required medication with you

- get laminated cards (translated if necessary) to carry with you explaining the allergy

- your Doctor can best tell you what should be on them

- try to order simple foods, usually broiled or baked with no sauces etc

Travel is possible with a food allergy but the key is planning and preparation. Here is some more information on traveling with anaphylaxis and traveling with an allergic child.

Jolana
Best Family Beach Vacations

Q - We have a 3 year old and are interested in a Hawaii vacation that is both kid friendly for toddlers and offers luxury amenities?
S.N. - USA

The favourite Hawaiian Island for family vacations appears to be Maui but all the Islands have something to offer. We recommend the following luxury resorts as family friendly for toddlers:

Fairmont Kea Lani - Maui

The Kea Lani Hotel Suites and Villas sits on nine hectares (22 acres) on Polo Beach oceanfront at Wailea, with panoramic views of the islands of Molokini, Lanai and Kahoolawe. Surrounded by lush tropical landscaping, accented with brilliant fuchsia bougainvillea, the resort tastefully recreates Old World, Mediterranean elegance in a Hawaiian paradise. The landscaping features the Royal Fountain Terrace - a combination of seven waterfalls and four fountains cascading nearly 100 metres from the ballroom reception area The resort is very kid friendly and has a toddler pool.

Find more information and reservation info for the Fairmont Kea Lani

Grand Wailea Resort Hotel and Spa - Maui

Overlooking the southern shores of Maui, the Grand Wailea Resort's 40-acre property provides open spaces and fun for the whole family. The resort is situated on one of America's top beaches, featuring luxury accommodations, the action-packed 2,000-foot long Wailea Canyon Activity Pool, the unparalleled Spa Grande. The kids camp, offers two new rooms - the Rainbow Room features Tunnels of Fun, Climb and Slide Play Center and a 21-piece block set, which are all made of "soft play" material in bright colors. The Imaginary Room includes Lego's, building blocks, a play kitchen and a puppet show stand with friendly puppets. All children 4-and-under must be accompanied by an adult, or counselors can assist parents in finding a Nanny for a few hours or the duration of the day.

Find more information and reservation info for the Grand Wailea Resort Hotel and Spa

The Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii - The Big Island

The Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii offers 540 guestrooms, a full-service spa and fitness center, an award-winning tennis facility, five restaurants, and five lounges. The family-friendly beach is a crescent of light-colored sand facing a small, round cove that remains calm except in the strongest winter storms. The waters right outside the cove are home to a colony of resident sea turtles as well as schools of neon-colored fish. During their winter migration season, humpback whales cavort barely 100 yards off the beach at the deep-water line. A 10,000-square-foot free-form pool is surrounded by 20,000 square feet of sundeck. There is also a sand-bottom toddler pool, and two roomy lava-rock hot tubs.

Find more information and reservation info for The Fairmont Orchid

Ritz Carleton Kapalua - Maui

Everything is world-class, including the golf courses and nearby golf academy, the professional croquet lawn, the three-tiered pool terrace, the covelike beach with its prime snorkeling areas, the Waihua health and beauty spa, the tennis center, the smart shops, the food, and the tropical drinks.

Find more information and reservation info for the Ritz Carleton Kapalua

The Princeville Resort - Kauai

Luxurious yet intimate in scale, with just 252 guest rooms and suites, the Princeville blends continental design and Hawaiian hospitality. Guest rooms feature custom-designed furnishings, lavish bathrooms with oversized tubs, plus a magic window that brings the outdoors in, then switches to opaque, for privacy. The Princeville Hotel offers a gorgeous setting and kids love it.

Find more information and reservation info for The Princeville Resort

For more information on Hawaii, activities in Hawaii and to book a Hotel/Air package. Please visit our Family Hawaii Vacation page!

Best Family Beach Vacations
Q - Where's the best place to go on vacation, for one week with an 18 month old? He's well behaved and loves animals. We live in MD and would like to avoid flying. (We've been to Orlando)
Name Withheld

We have some suggestions for you that I hope you find useful:

South Carolina is a good choice for a family vacation. Some popular family areas include:

Myrtle Beach - Here you can enoy miniature golf courses, theme parks and museums which the whole family will enjoy. Cruise down the beautiful waterway or tour one of the area's historic plantations. Watch countless species of animals roam in their natural setting along over 500 acres on the Waccamaw River and Intracoastal Waterway.

See more family activities in Myrtle Beach

Find Popular Hotels in Myrtle Beach

Charleston - Charleston is known for its beauty and its easygoing pace, as well as for its priceless historic treasures. Travel & Leisure, Conde Nast Traveler, and Family Fun have rated the city a Top Destination in the United States for value, #1 in friendliness, and #2 in the South for families.

See more family activities in Charleston

Greenville -Within the City of Greenville are 39 parks, playgrounds and recreation centers which include bike/jogging trails, miniature golf course, shuffleboard courts, tennis courts, playground structures, picnic shelters and ball fields. There are also two zoo's in the area.

See more family activities in Greenville

See our recommended Family Friendly hotels in Greenville

Virginia Beach is a great family destination

Basically Virginia Beach offers a change of pace and plenty of options to make getting away with a toddler very reasonable. Safe, clean and child friendly, the area offers both fun and relax time.

See more family fun activities in Virginia Beach

Find popular hotels in Virginia Beach

Another good destination for you to consider is Hershey, Pennsylvania.

For chocolate lovers, and the young at heart, a visit to Hershey is unforgettable and it is a vacation destination that is filled with family fun. Apart from Chocolate World, an amusement park and a zoo, there are still other family attractions.

What is there to do in Hersey?

Recommended family hotels:

Hotel Hershey

Best Western Inn Hershey

Some tips for car travel with a Toddler

When travelling with kids, the most important tip is to anticipate your child's needs. First off, try to stay as close as possible to your normal routine in terms of meal times and sleeping times.

Time in the car can get boring for them, but again, the secret is to anticipate your child's needs. . At this age, most kids take one long afternoon nap. If this is true of your child, plan on leaving just after lunch (so that no one is hungry), which will probably be about an hour before normal nap time.

Try to plan your travel itinerary so that you have as much freeway driving as possible during the first part of the trip and have more stops available at about the halfway point. If possible, plan to have time to let your toddler run! Bring along a ball and play catch. Have a picnic. Again, advanced planning will allow everyone to have what they need.

Bring along lots of toys and plan on giving your toddler one each time the previous one gets boring. When toys no longer seem to keeping his interest try some tapes, then go back to toys. As much as possible, get involved with your child and get your child involved with the activities. And don't forget to bring along plenty of fun snacks and drinks, crackers, fruit, and cheese.

Q - We are looking for a 3 or 4 star resort in Hawaii with kids age 10 and 14. Something with a waterpark, beachfront property with spa facilities. Accomodations that included one or two bedrooms and two baths.
Kenneth, Dallas

Hawaii makes an excellent family vacation for kids and teens. Here are some resorts we recommend that meet your requirements:

J W Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa at Ko Olina - Kapolei, Hawaii

The JW Marriott Ihilani Resort and Spa at Ko Olina is located in the Ko Olina resort community thirty miles west of Honolulu on the sunny western shore of Oahu. Beachfront on one of the finest white sand beaches in Hawaii, this remarkable resort offers deluxe accommodations and superior facilities including boutique shopping, eighteen holes of championship golf, full-service spa, a teens program, tennis and two swimming pools.

Six spa rooms feature a private garden lanai with an outdoor whirlpool. Nearby you will find many family related activities including the Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park.

For more information and best rates for JW Marriott Ihilani Resort and Spa at Ko Olina

Grand Wailea Resort - Wailea, Maui

The Grand Wailea Resort Hotel & Spa is another great choice for a great Hawaii family vacation. This Hawaii resort is located on 40 acres in Maui and the Grand Wailea Resort Hotel & Spa opens onto Maui’s beautiful Wailea Beach, considered one of the best beaches in Hawaii.

In addition to its alluring location, the resort offers a variety of activities. You can indulge in Spa Grande, golf, tennis, snorkeling or spend a day at the pools. The kids will love the pools.

The Wailea Canyon Activity Pool is a 2,000 foot long, 25,700 total square foot, 770,000 gallon pool and consists of nine free-form pools at six levels, beginning at 40 feet and dropping to sea level. The pools are connected by a river that carries swimmers along at varying speeds, from white water rapids to lazy currents. Wailea Canyon includes four jungle pools, four tile slides, a white water rapids slide, a Tarzan pool with rope swing, the world's only water elevator, a sand beach, six waterfalls, caves, three Jacuzzis, a sauna, an infant pool, and a swim-up bar.

For more information and best rates for Grand Wailea Resort

Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa - Big Island

The Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa has lots of activities for every age. This oceanfront resort offers everything from rejuvenating spa treatments in their open-air facilities to their authentic luau that offers expansive views of the dramatic Kona coastline. The Manta Ray Super Pool & Slide has multi-level pools with waterfalls, hidden grottoes, bridges, bubbling whirlpool spas, interactive children's fountains and a 200-foot-long lava tube waterslide.

The Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa is a great choice for your family vacation with Hawaii Volcanoes National Park within a day's drive.

For more information on what to do once you are there visit Hawaii Family Vacations

For Hawaii travel tips once you are there, visit Travel Smart Hawaii