Club Med’s latest family program will have you ditching the devices to spend more time together.
The all-inclusive resort brand is rolling out their award-winning Amazing Family holiday program to five new resorts after a successful trial in Kamarina, Sicily.
Club Med Amazing Family aims to break down traditional parent-child barriers and make family time fun and practical.
It comes in light of research that found one-third of families spend more than 40 per cent of their shared time on devices. Holidays are the best time to stop and reconnect again.
Club Med’s unique program was developed in consultation with childhood experts and anthropologists. Amazing Family is designed to ensure all children feel considered on their holiday, just as much as their parents do. It gives kids time with their parents at the same time as allowing them the freedom to develop autonomy, become citizens of the world, and experiment in a fun and safe environment.
The fun program, tailored to each Club Med destination, has five pillars:
Time to Move
Games that encourage families to be energised and active together such as basketball, kite competitions, Olympic games, aqua gym or even Thai Boxing in Phuket.
Time to Play
Disconnect from phones and screens, with sensory activities like giant board games, Twister or Connect Four
Time to Care
Meaningful activities with a local twist, raise environmental awareness and encourage personal wellbeing through family yoga, wildlife walks or local cooking classes
Time to Quest
Flex your sense of discovery in a life-size treasure hunt around the resort grounds to uncover local culture, flora, fauna and wildlife
Time to Celebrate
Designed to remove barriers of roles – there’s no difference between parents and children as everyone enjoys bubble or colour parties and inflatable castles.
Club Med’s Amazing Family holiday program is available at five resorts: Indonesia (Bali), Italy, Morocco and two resorts in China: Sanya and Guilin. The family holiday company plans to have it in place at 21 resorts by the end of 2019.
Families increasingly see holidays as a time to reconnect with their kids after long work days, Rachael Harding, General Manager Australia and New Zealand says,
“Club Med has more than 60 years of experience operating family-focused services, we know how to arm families with the tools they need to switch off the screens, take time to check-in with each other and ensure that holiday feeling lasts once they get home,” Harding says.
Parenting expert Dr Justin Coulson tried Amazing Family holiday program at Club Med Bali recently. He says the active holidays positively transform relationships.
“Holidays mean magic memories, new shared experiences, and deepening family bonds that connect us to what matters most – each other,” Dr Coulson says.
“Play is vital for children’s development of cognitive and social skills, as well as confidence and independence, but family playtime is disappearing.
“Treat a holiday as a digital detox and live in the moment together.”
Amazing Families comes on top of Club Med’s award-winning Kids Clubs and child care services.
The resorts offer child-sized bathrobes, slippers, dental kits, prams, high chairs, bottle warmers and sterilizing kits. Family accommodation is guaranteed in interconnecting rooms, family rooms or suites.
Club Med also has discounts for kids. Children under 4 stay free, kids aged from 4 to 11 stay at 40 per cent of the adult rate and teens from 17-21 are 20 per cent off.
Travel allows you to get outside your bubble. It makes you realise there are other ways to do things, and that’s OK. Plus, I am a huge fan of skiing and for the best powder – you need to head overseas.