If you want a good example of a resort that knows how to cater to kids, you needn't look any further than Disney.
Between their cruise lines, amusement park resorts and hotel packages, they understand how to keep kids occupied so parents want to keep coming back - and spending.
But how exactly do places like this accomplish this seemingly impossible feat? When parents are hard-pressed to keep kids busy at home, what do kid-friendly travel destinations know that we don't?
Here's what they're doing right when it comes to the world of marketing.
Freedom to Explore
Resorts that allow kids to roam freely in a safe environment are the most popular with children and parents alike.
Take The Breakers in sunny South Florida, for example.
While parents enjoy adult conversation and cocktails poolside, kids are free to explore the family-friendly entertainment center, which features toys and jungle gyms for kids of all ages and even a full-fledged movie theatre showing PG movies continuously.
This is the kind of freedom that every kid deserves, but they don't always get at home for one reason or another. Freedom within safe boundaries makes everyone happy.
Taste of Another Life
Kids love to play dress-up and pretend they are someone else. It's all part of the natural growing process as they figure out who they are and how they want to live when they grow up.
Places like the Winnetu Oceanside Resort in Martha's Vineyard offer kids the chance to be a farmer for a day. The experience includes real sheep shearing, goat cheese making and interacting with actual farm animals.
At home, some parents don't even let their kids see what's happening on the kitchen counter when mom cooks, let alone allow them to give the family dog a haircut. You can see the allure of being allowed to play farmer on a real farm.
Chance to Grow
Contrary to popular belief, kids love to learn new things. They just want to learn them on their terms.
According to the article “Navigating holiday travel with kids” is easier when families find ways to incorporate fun learning experiences into the mix.
One resort that understands this is the Loews Coronado Bay Resort & Spa in San Diego, California.
While parents enjoy relaxing spa treatments or tennis lessons, kids get to attend their choice of kickboxing lessons, yoga and more. It's a way for kids to experiment with different activities that they may like to continue pursuing at home.
When kids and parents have to drive around all over town to get to various lessons at home, it's relaxing to experience the joy of participating in lessons within feet of this spa's comfortable accommodations.
Kid-friendly resorts know that the secret to attracting more visitors isn't providing babysitters and separating the family members from one another.
It's more about bringing families together and providing activities and accommodations where everyone gets to do what they want to do - together.