Amid the growing uncertainties of life, more people are taking dream vacations sooner rather than later. Modern travelers include young couples with small children. They keep their hesitation on the back burner to embrace the present and enjoy memorable times together.
A new McKinsey travel market analysis notes that multigenerational luxury travel is rising. People are traveling with grandparents, parents, and children. This dynamic has made play zones very popular in resorts. These custom play areas can help your children access entertainment and play with other kids in far-flung, not conventionally child-friendly destinations.
Here are some checks you must perform to ensure these play areas are safe for your kids. They will give you the mental peace to enjoy all the adventurous activities you have planned for your long-awaited holiday.
1. Check Analysis Before You Travel
The play area might be a pivotal feature when traveling with small children. For example, if you go on an adventurous seaside holiday to the Maldives, the kids may be unable to join in whale watching. But they can have their adventure making origami whales in a play area with attentive attendants.
Read through reviews submitted by other parents to get reliable information on the play area. Verified user reviews will give you more relevant details than the hotel’s official website or social media handles. Other parents can tell you if the play area has relevant toys and activities for children under five. They can also share honest opinions on the staff and their behavior toward children.
Beware of paid reviews when researching kids’ play areas. The market for soft play centers is booming, but not all may be safe and trustworthy. Many resorts open these centers to tick a checklist item and conform to an industry staple without persevering to attain a quality standard.
It can be tricky to detect a fake review in this age of AI. The Guardian advises being cautious of stereotypes as a possible flag against AI-generated, fake analysis. To elucidate, the media outlet ran a test asking AI to generate positive reviews from gay travelers. The generated reviews described how the travelers loved scatter pillows and veganism.
2. Inspect the Facilities
Carefully check the play equipment and toys before you let the children use them. Adults can spot issues that excited children will be oblivious to, like sharp edges and broken slides.
Cleanliness is a leading concern if the play area has few visitors. Dusty surfaces and toys may sour the holiday experience through airborne illnesses. The Sun reports that some dirty soft play centers in the UK have soiled nappies and uncleaned vomit on mats. Ball pits are a ripe area for infestation and bugs, primarily because the balls remain unwashed.
Besides hygiene, physical safety is also of utmost importance in play areas. Some seaside resorts install loft nets to let kids jump around and play in an imaginative setting. They create a light and airy vibe even when children are indoors. Parents should check that the netting is stable and strong, without any visibly frayed regions.
Many hotel play areas also have outdoor spaces for kids to enjoy playing in natural surroundings. For example, the resort may offer hammocks and outdoor netting to let kids feel the sunshine and soak in the holiday destination’s natural treats. However, such additions may be prone to UV damage. Sunrise Yacht Products notes that UV protection is essential to avoid a catastrophic failure in such netting.
Similarly, if the play area has a swimming pool, check its depth and condition. Anything over 2-3 feet may be unsafe for kids who cannot swim yet. Ask for floaters if your children want to play in the water but are hesitant. The pool should have a dedicated lifeguard (or more, depending on the size).
3. Have an Open Discussion With the Staff
Upon arriving, parents should engage with the staff to understand how they keep the space safe for children.
For example, how many attendants will be present at a time? Can children leave the space to play outdoors, and will an attendant accompany them? These questions demand satisfactory answers if you wish to leave the kids for a few hours to participate in an adult-only activity like scuba diving.
Likewise, the staff should be well-versed with basic safety protocols like first aid for choking and allergic reactions. Additionally, they should be comfortable with children and know how to break up fights or aggression. They should also have access to phones to contact you in an emergency.
During the discussion, communicate any special requirements regarding your child to the staff. It should include a list of foods they are allergic to (if the play area provides snacks or allows eating). For toddlers, discuss toilet habits to prevent any messy accidents.
Note that the staff is unlikely to administer medicines in the parents’ absence. Recently, NBC reported that some schools in Idaho now need parental consent even for Band-aids or medicines for complaints like headaches.
Play areas in hotels provide a fun avenue to bond with children and keep them entertained away from home. They can also be a lifesaver for couples trying to find some me-time on a family trip. Follow these tips to guarantee that the play area is safe for your children to create wonderful vacation memories.
