The Kids Will LOVE These 7 Spring Break Ideas for Families

“Fun-loving” is the motto of life down in the Keys, where the pace of the day slows and time on the beach is time well spent. Far from the buzz of Old Town lies Parrot Key, a waterfront retreat overlooking the Gulf of Mexico known for its pastel-hued clapboard cottages, multiple pools lined with colorful loungers, and picket-fence–lined paths that lead to the beach. Villas, which contain as many as three bedrooms, are perfect for families looking for a little extra space. This season, book their “Family Island Fun” package and be treated to beach towels for the gang, sand buckets, a round of cocktails for mom and dad, and late check-out (based on availability).

Can the kids not wait for summer sleepaway camp? Give them what they want early with a stay at Carmel Valley Ranch, which puts a luxe spin on the nostalgic experience. To say this 500-acre property is an outdoor playground isn’t an exaggeration: older kids can participate in falconry and candle-making workshops, mom and dad will find their niche at the pinot noir vineyard or on guided foraging hikes, and younger ones can go on naturalist-led hikes or take crafts or tennis lessons. When the sun sets, the Kids’ Night Out program ensures the fun doesn’t stop with storytelling and movies while parents can enjoy time at the spa and farm-to-table restaurant. Prefer to stick together? S'mores by the nightly campfire is the perfect segue to reliving the day’s adventures.

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A trip to Hawaii tops family getaway lists for a reason. The islands’ inviting surf, beautiful beaches, stellar hotels, and sheer number of warm-weather activities ensure that boredom is never within reach. One of Oahu’s best stays for families is Aulani, a 21-acre oceanfront property owned by Disney where nearly all activities and amenities are included in the rate. That means character meet-and-greets and breakfasts, access to water parks and pools, planned scavenger hunts, ukulele lessons, and nightly story-telling…not to mention two spas (one for adults, one for teens), yoga, and, of course, signature Hawaiian sunsets.

It may be spring break, but over in Colorado, winter hasn’t said its goodbyes yet. Round up the gang and hit the slopes at this classic mountain lodge, whose location right at the base of Golden Peak means you’re just across the street from the lifts, the ski school, and the village. (Not to mention the hotel’s Ski Butlers, who are available for transportation and rentals and make gearing up that much more seamless.) When your legs call it quits, a wood-burning fireplace and private balcony with grill beckons in every guest room—though you might not make it straight there, what with hot cocoa in the lounge and two outdoor heated pools and hot tubs there for the taking. Heads up: book now for travel through April 21, 2019 and you’ll score 25% off your stay including daily breakfast and a complimentary ski valet and locker.

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Gelato parlors, horse-drawn carriages, ghost tours, fantastic food, windswept beaches dotted with roaming crabs and historic forts... As far as American cities go, it doesn’t get more charming than Charleston. Wild Dunes Resort, A Destination Hotel, a 1,600-acre playground sandwiched between the Atlantic and the Intracoastal Waterway on the Isle of Palms, might do the family experience best. The resort is home to multiple pools and tennis courts, two golf courses, an excellent selection of restaurants, and miles of trails. What’s more, spring is one of the best times to go, when the Carolinas are at their loveliest. This year, book their Spring Break Island Adventure package and stay for three or more nights and you’ll be treated to a welcome amenity, daily breakfast, an eco-tour excursion, and full-day family bike rentals for exploring the grounds.

Newport has for years remained one of the more classic New England escapes to bring the family. From the gilded mansions open to the public to its aquariums, museums, vineyards, and state parks, there’s something to see and do here for any age group in every season. Gurney’s Newport Resort & Marina is a much more pared-back version of its Montauk counterpart, with 360-degree water views, a heated indoor pool, and an attractive restaurant overlooking the harbor. They have a kid’s club for younger travelers (think sandcastle building and fireside s’mores) but the “director of fun” is arguably a better resource for planning out your stay—so consider whether the group would enjoy biking, wine tasting and mixology lessons (if the kids are older), movie nights, or weekend yoga more.

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Sick of competing with the Orlando and Miami crowds? This year, skip those scenes for something more low-key like Amelia Island—a quiet, charming isle lined with palm trees, bike paths, dune beaches, and lots of room to roam, whether that’s during horseback rides, seashell walks, or visiting Fort Clinch State Park to spot turtles and birds. Base yourselves at the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, which hosts daily activities like coral reef visits and nightly bonfires in addition to a whole slew of add-ons like pirate tuck-ins (where a pirate, a princess, and a real-life macaw deliver cookies to your room and read a bedtime story) and in-room campouts that include a treasure map and a mechanical lantern.