At Anantara, we believe life is a journey, one of thrilling adventures, breathtaking discoveries and quiet encounters that fill us with satisfaction and a renewed appreciation for life. And there’s no reason why these journeys shouldn’t begin from a young age.

We also know that when they’re happy, you’re happy and we do our utmost to keep them engaged and entertained from the moment they arrive. Welcoming touches in guest rooms include bedtime stories, milk and cookies, teepee tents, and board and video games. And Anantara’s Kids’ Club is renowned for its all-day, all-encompassing fun, with arts and crafts, cooking, junior kickboxing classes, and outdoor adventures like kite flying and turtle hunts.

With so much on offer around the world for little travellers to enjoy, here are just some of our favourites: 

Pizza Making at Anantara Palazzo Naiadi Rome Hotel – Italy

When in Rome…eat, of course! And it all begins with a private family cooking class. Your workspace is one of the most beautiful settings in the city, perched over an elegant piazza. The class begins with an adventure to the local market to buy fresh ingredients with the chef, taking in the sights, sounds and aromas of bustling Roman life. Back in the kitchen, there’s dough kneading, pizza twirling, and an experimentation with all the toppings you could possibly want. Then, fresh from the wood-fired oven, your creation can be enjoyed for lunch.

Thai Kickboxing and Mini-massage at Anantara Layan Phuket Resort – Thailand

At Anantara, we immerse even our smallest guests in local culture. Kickboxing classes in the resort’s muay Thai ring are not only fun, but teach kids agility, balance, discipline and mental fortitude. Our instructors are all certified professionals, with great stories to tell of their time in the ring. Kids can then recover with a Mini Me Massage at Anantara Spa, while parents indulge in pure relaxation with a signature Thai herbal compress treatment.

Rock Climbing at Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort – Oman

Two hours’ drive from the Omani capital, a world of adventure awaits. The setting is breathtaking, with daily activities in the surrounding desert including treks to abandoned villages, archery and dune bashing. But the most spectacular adventure of all takes place at the Jabal Activity Wall, a sheer cliff face with 200 metres of via ferrata. Strapped into a harness, climbers use steel cables and rungs to ascend, then zipline across the canyon for a grand finale. Kids are of course supervised at all times by experienced mountaineers, with routes of varying difficulty available.

Marine encounters at Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas – Maldives

The Maldives is unmatched in beauty, 1,200 islands strung like pearls across an ocean of brilliant turquoise and sapphire. It also offers some of the best snorkelling and diving in the world – the beginning of a lifelong love of the ocean, and one that can certainly begin in childhood. Our resident marine biologist holds classes for kids that teach them about the different species that inhabit our waters, then take them to the pristine house reef to explore. Five species of sea turtle feed and rest here, spinner dolphins play just offshore, and the nearby Hanifaru Bay is world famous for its dozens of manta rays. 

All-day thrills at Banana Island Resort Doha by Anantara – Qatar

At Banana Island, every minute of every day is exciting for little ones. The resort is designed with playtime in mind, with 800 metres of golden beach encircling multiple swimming pools, a waterpark, surf pool and dive centre. And the ocean itself of course offers adrenaline in the forms of wakeboarding and banana boating. Dry fun takes place at the bowling alley, putting green, and VIP cinema complete with soft drinks and popcorn. Book Ted’s Diner for birthday parties, with Americana on the menu in the form of burgers, milkshakes, apple pie and ice-cream sundaes.