Did you know that some family-friendly all-inclusive resorts offer a children’s spa menu???  Since I no longer travel with small children (both of mine are grown) and I’m not a spa person, I haven’t paid much attention to the matter.  Now that I have a grandson I am becoming more aware of what resorts in general offer children.  Offering a children’s spa menu was an eye opener for myself, but it could be something families may want to experience and make it a family vacation activity…wellness isn’t merely delegated to being vegan or visiting doctors anymore.

Naturally, there are limitations to children’s spa menus due to obvious factors–differences in overall body size which affects standard spa services like massages, the concern over possible abusive behaviors since many spa services involve touch, more extreme water temperature affecting younger children whose smaller frames are not fully prepared to regulate body temperature (the American Academy of Pediatrics has advised that children aged 0-5 years shouldn’t ever use a hot tub/hot Jacuzzi), smaller children not being able to swim in hydrotherapy circuit offerings/spa pools, and so on.

There are many resort spas which solve these problems by not allowing children under the age of 16 to enjoy spa services.  However, there is a growing trend towards allowing younger children to enjoy select spa services.  Be sure to check with the resort you plan on booking to see what the exact age cutoff is for spa services.

Here is an example of a children’s spa menu at Finest Playa Mujeres.  Finest is a member of the Excellence resort family which, in my opinion, is one of the best when it comes to all-inclusive resorts.  I already posted a blog article highlighting the child care/baby amenities at this resort available for ages 0-3 years, and if you want to know more about the resort in general you can read my resort review from when I stayed here during 2015 after the resort first opened.   I don’t know the age cutoff for the spa; there is no mention of it in the resort’s website or corporate blog, so you’ll have to find out that piece of information.  However, it is quite extensive for a children’s spa menu–I was surprised at the number of offerings including massages.  Here’s the list of offerings:

• Sharing Massage:  50-min. massage for one parent plus one child–it’s supposed to be a lavender oil massage so it’s using aromatherapy as part of the healing process.  (Lavender=promotes relaxation, adds to mood improvement in regards to lessening anxiety and depression, and is even supposed to lower blood pressure).
• Mommy and Me:  50-min. treatment where mom gets a pedicure while the child receives a pedicure and a manicure.
• Finest Fairies:  This one’s interesting in that it’s supposed to start with a “holding hands ritual” (I imagine that’s an attempt to create a bonding experience) followed by a rose oil massage followed by a mini-facial for both mom and child.
• Queen and Princess:  25-min. lavender oil massage followed by a pedicure for mom and a manicure and pedicure for daughter.
• Super Spa Star:  Massage plus a mini-facial, 50-min. treatment.
• Caribbean Princess:  75-min. treatment of various scrubs and masks for both face and feet, plus finger polish and two braids.
• Jungle Mini Facial:  This is a group spa treatment (2-4 children) teaching them about the importance of taking care of their skin and letting them be part of the administration of scrubs and masks.
• I Love Fruits Pedicure:  25-min. treatment allowing children to “play” with fruit-scented foot scrubs followed by a pedicure.
• I Love Fruits Manicure:  Same as above only focusing on the hands and fingers.
• Princess Hairstyle:  Includes ribbons and gems added to the hairstyle.
• Pretty Me:  Mini-facial and pedicure.
• Happy Essential Mini-Massage:  25-min. treatment where kids help prepare their own massage balm.
• Make Me Sleep Massage:  25-min. lavender oil treatment focusing on light touch and soft tones to increase relaxation.  A parent is welcome to observe and try the technique on their child to replicate it in other settings.

See what I mean by the children’s spa menu being extensive??  My next blog post will list the resorts that I know of which offer this type of spa service for children.

What do you think of kids receiving spa treatments?