Now that many students have gone back to school, we've decided to look ahead and check out a few places kids might want to visit during spring break.
Mexico City, Mexico
What does your kid want to be when she grows up? A doctor? Maybe a soccer pro? At KidZania, a 150,000-square-foot indoor theme park, ages 4-12 can participate in real-world jobs and activities in a built-to-scale city and learn how to function in a thriving economy, just like adults. Many of 100-plus roles require teamwork, such as a chef and restauranteur, who cook and serve food to guests; pilots who navigate airplanes and work with the flight attendants; or cub reporters who writ estories for the local newspaper. For their role-playing efforts, the kids are paid in the local currency, the Kidzo, which they can then use for a trip to the pizzeria, the ball park or for shopping in the supermarket, which they get to by driving their own little miniature car.
There are 11 KidZania's worldwide, including three Mexico City locations: Cuicuilco, Santa Fe and Monterrey, which is handy because AeroMexico now has direct flights from Atlanta to Mexico City.For details, visit www.kidszania.com
Paradise Island, Bahamas
For 13- to 17-year-olds vacationing in the Bahamas, the Atlantis resort has built a 14,000-square-foot nightclub called Crush. It's part dance club, part Internet lounge filled with iPads and gaming consoles, and a bar serving non-alcoholic drinks and snacks. There are even computers that are interfaced with photo-editing software and Facebook so the kids don't have to return to their rooms to update their statuses. Very special teen dancers will want a seat in the VIP section or play video games in one of the private cabanas. Kids younger than 12 are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult.
For more info, visit www.atlantis.com/kids/kidactivities/crush.aspx
Amelia Island, Fla.
The Ritz Carlton resort offers programs designed for children ages 5 to 12 who want to learn more about the island and its swashbuckling history. Ritz Kids activities include treasure hunts, bird-watching, sand dune building and other supervised crafts, along with meet-and-greets with the hotel's Macaw mascot. For smaller kids, a princess and pirate can visit their room, share cookies and milk, read them a bedtime story, and tuck them in.
For reservations, visit www.ritzcarlton.com/ameliaisland
Know of more kid-friendly places? Tell us about them on Twitter @ajctravel.
About the Author
