Date of publication 23/06/2026
Discover what’s new for traveling with children
Our family-friendly hotels are designed with understanding at their core. By recognizing what children need, we create rooms and experiences where both adults and younger guests feel welcome and can truly find their place.
The latest travel style trends include the art of learning through play, a new kind of water-based leisure shaped around children’s psychology, more responsible ways of traveling in connection with the environment, and a renewed focus on wellbeing at every age. Below, we explore each of these ideas, along with inspiration on how to bring them to life in some of the best destinations for family travel, with curated accommodation options.
The rise of “edutainment” (learning through play)
Star Camp: much more than a kids’ club
Have you heard of edutainment? This term blends education and entertainment to describe one of the latest trends for children. Star Camp is built on this very philosophy. Learning through play has long been part of the experience at Iberostar family hotels.
In this welcoming space, young guests make friends and enjoy themselves while taking part in musical events, science workshops, ocean-friendly activities, and creative sessions using biodegradable materials. There are three age groups, each guided by professional activity leaders: Monkey, for ages 4 to 7; Dolphin, for ages 8 to 12; and Eagle, for ages 13 to 17.
Science workshops and marine awareness
Learning through play during a vacation has never been so engaging. Protecting the oceans and coastal habitats is at the heart of Star Camp. As the need to connect with nature in a more respectful way becomes increasingly important, children’s leisure activities are evolving with greater environmental awareness.
Supervised experiments help children understand, through science, how marine ecosystems work and how everything is interconnected. Ocean Day is a full day dedicated to the sea at Iberostar hotels, where children actively take part in marine conservation activities. They discover underwater life and the biodiversity of each destination, turning every moment into something far from ordinary.
Innovative water-based fun without leaving the resort
Water parks and islands of fun
What would family hotels be without water parks? From a psychological perspective, children are naturally drawn to water because it offers full sensory stimulation: touch and temperature, sound, movement, and a sense of freshness and joy they associate with vacations. As a natural environment, pools spark curiosity, make movement feel effortless, and encourage exploration.
For this reason, choosing family resorts with water slides for your vacation makes perfect sense. Iberostar’s Aqua Fun areas feature giant inflatable balls for jumping across fun islands, animal figures, circuits, and many other attractions designed just for them.
More responsible vacations in connection with nature
A summer free from single-use plastics
Packing for a trip with children can be a challenge, but like any challenge, it is also an opportunity to involve them in the process and build excitement. Little by little, petroleum-based materials are disappearing from suitcases. In their place, alternatives such as glass and stainless steel bottles, reusable tote bags, refillable containers, and biodegradable or solid-format cosmetics are becoming the norm. Supporting a truly plastic-free summer, all Iberostar hotels have been free of single-use plastics since the end of 2020.
Fresh, natural cuisine
When routines shift, it can sometimes be harder for children to maintain a natural and varied diet. Hotels with children’s menus designed by nutritionists, along with healthier options for vegetarian and vegan families, make it easier to keep meals balanced while traveling. This is especially true in all-inclusive accommodations where fresh, high-quality ingredients and local flavors take priority, reflecting an approach that goes beyond the idea of clean eating as a trend.
Some delicious ideas? Juices and smoothies made with seasonal fruit, sandwiches on sourdough bread with tuna, ham, hummus, avocado, or boiled egg and extra virgin olive oil, lunches and dinners where vegetables, whole grains, and fish take center stage, and ice creams, yogurts, and desserts sweetened with artisanal honey.
Well-being is also for the youngest travelers
Family spa experiences and yoga for kids
At family-friendly hotels, the idea that wellbeing is also for children is gaining ground. The key lies in adapting it to the need for mental calm and physical balance at every stage of life. Visiting spas designed with them in mind, featuring spaces such as heated pools and relaxation areas, can be a wonderful introduction to this kind of lifestyle. Gentle movement outdoors, such as a yoga class by the sea, can be surprisingly effective in helping children unwind. The same applies to mindfulness and meditation techniques, especially at the end of a day filled with adventure and excitement.
The best destinations to embrace these trends
The Caribbean with kids: Riviera Maya
When choosing family hotels in the Caribbean, some destinations never go out of style. Traveling to the Riviera Maya with children means connecting with the surroundings, enjoying active plans that balance body and mind, and discovering a fascinating culture. Iberostar Waves Paraíso del Mar is one of the best family-friendly hotels in Riviera Maya to simply be. The setting? A clear, shallow sea, ideal for snorkeling among coral reefs. An infinity pool surrounded by native tropical plants. A game or evening show inspired by ancestral traditions.
Punta Cana
A family vacation in Punta Cana brings together shared exploration of lush ecosystems where wildlife can be observed in its natural habitat, unique dining moments where new flavors are always tied to the local landscape, and the joy of making friends aboard the pirate ship at the children’s pool at Iberostar Selection Bávaro Suites. This is one of those family-friendly hotels in Punta Cana where everything is thoughtfully designed for multigenerational comfort and enjoyment. Conceived as a Caribbean village surrounded by greenery, each corner feels like a small oasis for reconnecting.
Canary Islands: Tenerife
From the spirit of the Caribbean to the strength of the Atlantic. Recognized as one of Spain’s leading all-inclusive resorts, Iberostar Selection Anthelia stands out among family-friendly hotels in Tenerife thanks to its distinctive concept. Its wide-ranging entertainment, gastronomy, and thoughtfully designed spaces make it a benchmark. Visiting Tenerife as a family and staying in seafront rooms adapted to every need invites a sense of wonder, from its volcanic landscapes to quiet moments watching extraordinary sunsets, and the feeling of discovering a land that is warm and familiar, yet at times almost otherworldly.
Mediterranean escapes: Mallorca
A Mediterranean getaway becomes an easy choice in Mallorca, a destination for every age. A family vacation here is shaped by turquoise coves that invite you to live in the moment, by art, by wetlands where birds and reptiles thrive, by cycling routes, and by resorts with pools that blend into the landscape. Iberostar Selection Albufera Park is a perfect example of those seeking family hotels in Mallorca that reflect this vibrant yet relaxed energy. Surrounded by pine forests and set beside the photogenic Playa de Muro, it offers a complete range of facilities for children.
Andalusia
Málaga stands out as a quintessential family destination. In places such as the natural parks of Andalusia, active tourism and environmental awareness go hand in hand. The contrast between beach and mountains defines a type of trip that feels simple and genuine, best enjoyed outdoors, through family play and shared moments. Thanks to its sunny climate, children can enjoy water slides at beachfront hotels in Málaga, such as Iberostar Waves Málaga Playa, for much of the year. From its studio-style rooms and adapted suites to its cycling station and wellness center, every detail at this seafront resort makes a difference.
Montenegro
Beyond Spain, there are lesser-known Mediterranean destinations that are just as appealing for traveling with children. In Montenegro, historical curiosities and unexpected landscapes unfold among fjords, Venetian-built walls, and a distinct sense of character. At Iberostar Waves Bellevue, a hotel designed especially for families on the Adriatic coast, guests can relax and share quality time just two miles from Budva. Its spa with hammam and its piano bar are as visually striking as they are relaxing, while its spacious family rooms with views are highly appreciated by guests.
Tunisia
A vacation in Tunisia can reshape the way children imagine the world. Follow the trail of the Star Wars universe together as you explore, since many scenes from the iconic saga were filmed here. Salt lakes, dunes, and villages that feel almost otherworldly reveal a landscape that is both real and extraordinary. At Iberostar Selection Kantaoui Bay, an all-inclusive hotel with a family-friendly atmosphere, long days by the Mediterranean blend with sports and culinary discovery.
Brazil
Can you imagine visiting a sea turtle conservation station with your children? The experience at Iberostar Waves Bahía, located in the heart of a natural reserve in Praia do Forte, brings together five-star exclusivity and activities designed to foster a love for wildlife. This family hotel in Brazil encourages a true sense of presence, where the whole family can forget about screens and time. Its design invites connection with the surroundings, while its culinary offering and range of active and relaxation experiences allow everyone to unwind fully.
Book now and discover family-friendly hotels that bring the latest travel trends closer to those who matter most, and start exploring the world together.
