KIDS FIRST Kids Krew puts

Movies, costume parties and tons of beach fun await youngsters during their stay at Kids Krew.

PLAYING BY KIDS RULES

Kids Krew Provides a Menu of Fun and Adventure

BY ZANDRA WOLFGRAM

It’s all fun and games for adults and children visiting Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa, where everyone’s a kid at heart. As the area’s largest fullservice resort hotel fronting the Gulf Coast’s famous sugar-white sand beaches, Hilton Sandestin Beach is a virtual family-friendly playground with endless ways to maximize fun in the sun.

As director of recreation Tiffany Howell says, “If you can’t relax at the beach, we have an issue.” But with an array of activities and programs to choose from every day of your stay, the only issue is deciding which fun activity to do first.

“Kids are always king here,” says recreation manager Caidan Cryar.

Not sure where to start mapping out your time? With 17 years of experience running the resort’s recreation program, Howell has plenty of helpful suggestions for your visit to the Sunshine State, beginning simply with … “get outside and play!”

For children ages 5 to 12, Hilton Sandestin Beach’s seasonal Kids Krew program provides an exciting daily schedule of energetic and creative activities under the watchful eyes of the resort’s 20-member recreation staff. From 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., kids rule the roost, whether it’s a Wild West Showdown with pony express races to mateys “walking the plank” during Pirate Pandemonium, “These kids love taking over during our themed parties,” Cryar says. “The main rule is to have as much fun as possible.” The program includes lunch and a Kids Krew keepsake T-shirt.

When kids want to keep being kids, but mom and dad are looking to reconnect on their own, Kids Night Out gives everyone the best

of all worlds. Parents can enjoy some oneon-one time while their children enjoy dinner, a souvenir T-shirt and their own party activities. Some other highlights include mask-making during the notso-scary Monster Mondays, Rumble in the Jungle Thursdays complete with an animal parade, and — perhaps the most popular — Under the Sea Fridays filled with nautical games and a crab-hunting excursion on the beach.

“We have a ball with group events featuring themes like Casino Night, Carnival, Toy Story, Super Heroes Kids will discover their own version of summer camp with mornings, afternoons and nights devoted to them at Kids Krew. And parents will appreciate some time to themselves.

— we even brought in Build a Bear creation station so kids could make their very own plush toys,” Howell says. “We really get into the themes and wear costumes, it’s a lot of fun for everyone.” This year, families can look forward to the Kids Krew Fourth of July fair, free to hotel guests. As Kids Krew’s biggest bash of the year, this extravaganza boasts a kickball tournament on the beach, stiltwalking balloon artists and traditional carnival games, before an al fresco feast and patriotic glow-stick pool party capped with a booming fireworks finale. But before you set out, Howell suggests a pit stop at the Beach Hut to gear up. “We have everything you need for a day of fun in the sun, including complimentary beach towels for use during your stay,” she says.

With three sparkling swimming pools, two whirlpools and a kiddie pool, plus eight private poolside cabanas, it’s easy to relax, unwind and feel like the VIP that you are.

“When we see big smiles on those little faces, we know we’ve succeeded,” Cryar says.

OUR MEMORIES • “I had the pleasure of meeting the sweetest little boy in our Kids Krew program this past year. He was visually impaired and had never truly been able to attend a program like ours before. He was unsure at first but quickly became the life of our program that day. It was special to see children of all different ages band together to make his time here at Hilton Sandestin Beach more than memorable for him. It is a memory I will always cherish.” Caidan Cryar, Recreation Manager

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Menu ALWAYS ON

Whether it’s a quiet dinner for two, a decadent treat for yourself or a family night out with your favorite meal, nothing quite hits the spot like dining out. And Hilton Sandestin Beach has a menu that caters to everyone’s taste.

No matter the time of day, Sandcastles has you covered when you need a meal, from a breakfast buffet to a light lunch to a coastal cuisine dinner. For kids, a large children’s menu has something for most finicky eaters. When you’re out on the deck or in the sand and craving a quick bite, Barefoot’s Beachside Bar & Grill is your one-stop shop for raw oysters or peeland-eat shrimp. For family-friendly fare or a snack on your way to the surf, Picnix Poolside Market has personal pizzas, hearthealthy wraps or your favorite cold treat.

As evening takes hold, Hadashi Sushi Bar has a collection of nigiri, sashimi and specialty rolls to tempt any palate, including options perfect for our young guests. If a more intimate setting beckons, be sure to highlight your stay with a visit to Seagar’s, the resort’s AAA Four-Diamond steakhouse. Enjoy indulgent Prime USDA steaks and delicious seafood dishes that deliver only the best to your table.

From family dining to fine dining, Hilton Sandestin Beach has your menu.