By Nikki Bayley
With its warm sea and sandy beaches, the Caribbean's perfect for families and you're guaranteed a friendly welcome no matter which island you choose. Here are a few favourites that are cool for kids!
Best for Babies
The famous Swalings international swimming school holds courses at Jolly Beach and takes tots from the age of two months - so where better to introduce your water baby to the fun of swimming than under the warmth of the Caribbean sun?
Somewhere to stay: The Jolly
Beach Resort and Spa in Antigua
At just 35 minutes transfer from the airport, you'll be relaxing by the pool
before you know it! It's an all-inclusive hotel so you can leave your money
worries at home and let the chilled pace of Antigua work its magic. There's
a reliable baby sitting service on site so you can have a bit of free time to
try some of the wide range of games and water sports - or just have a much-needed
snooze in the hammock lounge!
Top tip: Splash out and treat her - the brand new Palms Wellness centre offers a range of soothing therapies guaranteed to help a new mum feel like her old self again.
Top for Toddlers
Most toddlers couldn't be happier if they have a beach to play on and plenty of water to splash around in. The Coconut Bay Beach Resort boasts a perfect white sand beach and St Lucia's only water park - which hasn't left out the little ones. It has a water playground just for them, complete with spilling buckets, fountains and squirty water hoses!
Somewhere to stay: The Coconut
Bay Beach Resort and Spa in St
Lucia CoCoLand goes beyond the usual crayons and cartoons of many Kids'
Clubs and has a complete curriculum, designed to let your child learn as they
play with supervised arts and crafts, games, nature trails and much more. CocoKidz
is available for children aged 3-9 along with CocoAdventure for ages 10-14.
Top tip: Visit the Soufrière region to see some of the natural marvels on the island including a drive-in volcano, therapeutic Sulphur Springs and the black sand beach of Anse Chastanet.
Cool for Schoolkids
The Barbados Sports camp is running again this year between August 4th to 28th, for kids aged between 9-15 and it's completely free to families staying for seven nights or more on the island. It's a great chance to meet local kids and get expert coaching in cricket, rugby, football and netball. With last year's coaches including Mike Gatting and Alan Hansen, big names are guaranteed! Sorry dads, it's kids only! To book places visit www.barbados-sports-camp.com.
Somewhere to stay: Almond
Beach Village in Barbados
This fantastically family-friendly all-inclusive resort has superb facilities
and splits its crèche and kids' clubs into four different age groups from newborns
to 15 years old. There's plenty for parents too including a child-free section
which has its own restaurant for when you want a bit of 'grown up' time.
Top tip: Take a day trip to Malibu or Turtle Beach to go swimming with the turtles!
Pleasing for Teens
Prepare to be stunned by this resort's perfect location, set over 20 acres on the widest stretch of Negril's Seven Mile Beach, which has been voted one of the best in the world. This is a 'luxury included' all-inclusive resort with superb service and facilities including free scuba for PADI qualified divers and a wide range of water sports and an on-site Pirate's Island waterpark.
Somewhere to stay: Beaches
Negril Resort and Spa in Jamaica
At last, a holiday that caters for teens with cool activities they'll really
want to sign up to! Unlimited play from all the latest Xbox 360® releases in
the Games Garage, a free introductory session at DJ Academy and even the under
21s Liquid nightclub - no parents allowed!
Top tip: With five world-class restaurants serving everything
from fusion and Jamaican cuisine to pizzas and burgers, ring the changes and
try them all!
Fancy a Caribbean family holiday? Check
out our latest Caribbean
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Nikki Bayley is a freelance travel writer. She writes regularly for the
Daily Express and Sunday Mirror. Her favourite cities are San Sebastian, Mexico
City and San Francisco.