By Michelle Payer
Acqua Experiences are always thoughtfully designed with children in mind, yet the latest addition – curated childcare by itavi – puts both children and parents at the forefront. An acronym for “it takes a village,” itavi was born from Miami owner Ayana Rodriguez’s own challenges finding excellent childcare when she and her family traveled internationally. The solution was to create and trademark an innovative childcare service for parents who want anything from a quiet date night to skydiving adventures so their global, well-traveled children are just as entertained while they’re away for a few hours. Carefully selected childcare providers are specially trained in the ivati Method™, meet parents 15-minutes before the scheduled start-time, and lead children through dynamic programming that includes playtime, arts & crafts, movement, learning and reading. With a four-hour minimum and up to three children per $260 session, parents are given plenty of time for their own R&R. To reserve this experience contact our concierge at 305.918.6860.
More Family Friendly Experiences
Acqua Experiences continue outdoors with fan favorited Aquamermaid available to be reserved Friday, Saturday and Sunday between 2 and 4 p.m. The innovative class fuses monofin and synchronized swimming into a memorable one-hour core workout for adults and a real-life Ariel experience for kids ages seven and older who learn under-the-sea moves and techniques famous in the mermaid world. Kids ages two to seven can join the fun with Swim with a Mermaid and participate in games, swim time and photos with a real-life Ariel. Kids can learn to swim in one of the most beautiful places on earth in a safe, professional setting with Oscar and his team from Miami Fitness.
Families who’ve always wanted to learn how to scuba dive can embark on lessons with PADI instructors from Squalo Divers, a PADI Five Star Dive operation. With the Atlantic Ocean as a natural muse, a new generation of Picassos can unleash their imaginations at the Painting Experience where they learn to mix acrylic paints, understand depth and effects and paint their abstract masterpieces on 11×17 canvases.
The resort’s signature red couches, life-sized chess set, palm trees, verdant gardens, hammocks, the Atlantic Ocean – all these and more are some of the resort’s most photogenic backdrops for Photoshoots with Pipe – so finally, you’ll have family photos that capture spontaneous laughter and genuine vacation memories. If that isn’t enough, Acqualina’s oceanfront family activities are designed for multi-generational fun. Play a game of cornhole on the sand or raise your heartrate on two beachside basketball courts. Soccer fans will appreciate the well-tended field on the Great Lawn and can splash through a game of table-top soccer in the Recreational Pool. Chess masters can outwit their opponents on a life-sized chess board, while families can engage in some healthy competition with a lively game of Foosball.
Every day at 1 p.m., the pool and beach team gathers guests for organized daily group activities – either family water relay races, ping pong, kite flying, foosball, cornhole, basketball, soccer, football and more; it changes weekly. Don’t forget the AcquaMarine Kids Club, an innovative and interactive kids camp complimentary for junior guests ages 4-12. With all this action, it’s unlikely you’ll hear any child say, “I’m bored.”