Would you like to play a game with Italy Family Hotels? Do you want to do a puzzle or do you like music? We have though up a few games that you can play for free with us..

(Dear parents, the games that your child can play here are absolutely child-friendly. Even smaller children can take their first steps with the medium computer with these games. They might need a bit of your assistance though, particularly with reading the instructions- Thank you!)

Kids’ food on holiday can be health

A holiday in Italy is an opportunity to find healthy food for children much more easily.

Kids need good nutrition even more than adults: they are still growing, every day. Parents should offer lots of variety in the diet (carb, protein, vitamins etc.). Kids should at least have a taste of all of them. Lots of eating habits are formed during early childhood: so children who try new tastes and get used to them will have a balanced diet as adults without needing to think about it.

New arrivals have many needs; thank goodness for family and friends who long to give the perfect gift. Which gifts make the most sense?

Best for all: The baby gift list
The simplest method for those who wish to give a baby present is a baby gift list similar to a wedding gift list. This way you know you have the perfect present for the baby shower or christening. It is impossible to know what the new parents have already borrowed or received from close relatives or what they have kept from older siblings. Expectant parents should not be shy in telling friends and relatives their exact needs and wishes for their new babies- it is always possible to add a small surprise in the end.

When are the summer holidays this year? What about Easter holiday next year? The answer is here: The most important planning instrument for parents.

School Holiday Date

The following website could be helpful with your holiday planning: www.direct.gov.uk

There are several interesting zoos in Italy; particularly safari parks. Aquariums and dolphin shows also offer insight into the exciting world of underwater creatures. Following are tips that are worth a visit if you are in the neighbourhood with children.

Zoosafari, Apulien
This enourmous zoo is located in southern Italy between Brindisi and Bari. It is one of the largest zoos in Europe: 1,700 animals (200 species) located on 140 hectares. The animals roam in the Mediterranean Macchia landscape in the large safari zone, a dolphin show, an exotarium where snakes and tortoises call their home and the typical zoo with hundreds of song birds among others.

Glorious but dangerous

Finally summer -  the beach holiday is perfect! Hurry, get the kids in their swim costumes, but wait! As nice as it is, the Mediterranean sun is hiding a few hazards for your little ones. Long term negative effects of sun rays during childhood include skin cancer and cataracts. It is especially important to ensure sufficient sun protection for children’s delicate skin. Young children cannot produce the necessary pigmentation quickly enough to protect from the rays from above. However nothing should stand in your way of enjoying your Italian holiday if you follow a few simple sun rules.

A Diferent Water Experience – The Aquafan park in Riccione

The Aquafan Water park in Riccione has been offering water fun for young and old for over 20 years.

Water fun for the small ones too

The Aquafan water park is a water amusement park that has attractions for smaller children:The little ones can splash around in the 50 centimetre deep “Elephant Pool”, slide down the enormous pink elephant slide (child-friendly) and let themselves be sprayed by the elephant’s trunk. 

Beneficial Toys for Children

Children’s playing is not a luxury; it is important, essential for their development. They emulate their environment, process information and develop creativity. A playful child is a healthy child.

Toys for children ages 0 - 3
Tiny babies need no toys. You can create your own simple toys for children aged 3 months to a year: tie balloons to a string that babies can practice reaching and kicking, a plastic bottle filled with small shells as a rattle or colourful newspaper to tear for older babies.

Kinds love to splash about, to dig in the sand, to race against the waves. So many reasons why children love to spend their holidays by the seaside, and preferably the beautiful Mediterranean. Even so, the normally calm Med has risks that parents should be aware of. For a safe and sound seaside holiday, stick to the following rules:

Only swim at supervised beaches
As opposed those in other Mediterranean countries, most beaches in Italy are guarded by a lifeguard, the "bagnino di salvataggio".

Adventure Parks- These parks are also called high wire gardens because the organizers have built obstacle courses of varying difficulties of high wires and climbing apparatus in the outdoors. The ropes and ladders are integrated into the trees and hills of the landscape and wooden platforms are built where needed.

You and your children can climb up and down trees and experience a special adventure in these parks. Exercise in the fresh air while practicing coordination, strength and concentration skills. This offers environmentally friendly fun that enables your children to get to know the outdoors on an entirely new level.

A flight to Italy from Northern Europe and Britain usually takes no more than three hours. Low cost airlines make it possible to reach “Bella Italia” quickly and cheaply.  Here are some tips for a safe and relaxing flight.

 Babies fly safe
Children may fly at minimal charge till their second birthday, although they do not get their own seat. They sit on your lap and - since summer 2008 – they get to wear a special loop belt. This is a child's belt which has to be fastened around baby’s waist and is then fixed on the adult's belt.

They shorten the travel time, keep the mood up for all travelers and are hopefully fun for all. Here are a few tips for travel games for your holiday.

When the small ones can’t read

Finding Car Colours
A great way for small children to learn colours: Whoever sees the red/orange/grey/green car first, wins.

Italy’s second largest amusement park is on Lake Garda, the Gardaland. It offers many attractions for younger and older children and covers 46 hectares with 38 attractions and 4 theme villages.

The many spectacular rides are the highlight of the park. Among these is Europe’s largest Ferris wheel, numerous roller coasters some which drive through water spray, perilous ones with loopings or ones that drive in the dark. Daily attractions include parades and shows like the Police School Stunt Show and the Fairy Tale Shows with the large figures of the park. An example of a new attraction is the Fuga da Atlantide. The illusion of a journey through Atlantis is perfect along the 700 metre long trip in Atlantis boats. Artificial cliffs, pillars, ruins, boulders, dolphins, sea monsters, ocean caves and an eleven metre tall wrathful Neptune complete the picture.

Dear children, here you can colour pictures. Our drawings show gods from Greek and Roman mythology, Celtic heroes – Stories that people were telling long before your great-great-great grandparents were born. Do you want to know more? Continue reading!

On the road... Driving with kids