Creating lasting memories with family friendly fun

Families with children are the biggest group of visitors to caravan parks, making up around thirty percent of all caravan and camping trips. This mean family friendly activities that cater to different age groups, interests and abilities can be important drawcards.

There are many ways for parks to provide leisure opportunities, from thrill-seeking waterslides to e-bike hire and even arcade machines. Family friendly equipment and activities are an opportunity to introduce new revenue streams, improve the guest experience, and help families create a holiday they will remember, and want to recreate year after year.

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Fun transport and exercise options

Many holiday parks are increasingly turning to eco-friendly transport options that offer fun and fitness opportunities.

E-mobility has reshaped how Australians and international tourists move, said Monica Zarafu, Managing Director of BYKKO. “Travellers increasingly expect the freedom to explore wherever they stay. For holiday and caravan park operators, that shift is an opportunity for additional revenues: more than half of Australian holidaymakers actively want to ride a bike on their trip, and cycling now ranks among the country’s top three holiday activities.

“Importantly, modern e-bike infrastructure is no longer limited to bike hire. Today’s systems combine secure docking, smart charging, automated access, and fleet management technology to create a seamless guest amenity. Modern solutions allow guests to self-serve, while ensuring bikes remain secure, charged, and available when needed.”

Providing modern e-mobility infrastructure changes how guests experience their whole stay, said Ms Zarafu. “E-bikes flatten the hills and age gaps, so mums and dads, kids, friends and grandparents can all ride. Whether it’s riding to a local café, visiting nearby attractions, discovering scenic coastal paths, or simply enjoying a family outing together, e-bikes help guests experience the region in a way that feels free, active, sustainable, and fun.

“That’s the real appeal—a genuinely shared activity, used in every season, that turns an ordinary stay into the day guests write a five-star review about.”

Related AccomNews story: E-Bikes a hit with guests at West Beach Parks

Operators weighing their options should look beyond the bikes, Ms Zarafu said. “Battery safety is the big one: choose e-bikes compliant to EN15194 standards, batteries with smart BMS (battery management system) and systems that charge securely at a station not inside the cabin.

“Ask who runs it day to day—best setup is self-serve, fully automated that won’t burden an already-stretched team. Think about where bikes end up (returned and locked at the station, not dumped everywhere), how maintenance is handled, and which commercial model best fits your cash flow. Any amenity should be integrated with your property’s brand, sustainability goals, and local tourism offerings.”

Water fun, water safety

Without a doubt, pools are a cornerstone feature of the Australian holiday park as a place where many a hot afternoon is spent and memories are made. The options for water play setups are almost endless, with configurations to suit every demographic. Specialised hoists, ramps and handrails can help every guest to enjoy a dip without barriers to entry.

For younger guests, splash pads and water play areas offer a safer way to cool off; whilst they still require close supervision, they’re easier for families to enjoy than a full pool. For the bigger kids, and big kids at heart, water slides can make a statement and add a point of difference that can set a holiday park apart. With many options to suit different budgets, spaces and visions, adding slides is more achievable than it might seem. Whatever the setup, safety is naturally the top priority.

Kylie Hadid, Managing Director of Splash About, said that pools and splash parks are major drawcards for families staying at caravan and holiday parks, but they also come with significant responsibility. “Accommodation providers can demonstrate their commitment to water safety by creating environments that are both fun and carefully managed. Clear pool signage, secure fencing, CPR-trained staff, rescue equipment and designated shallow play areas all help reassure parents that safety is a priority.”

Water hygiene is another essential part of pool safety, Ms Hadid said, particularly in busy holiday pools used by young children. “Ensuring guests use high quality, reusable swim nappies helps to reduce the risk of faecal contamination entering the pool, supporting cleaner and healthier swimming environments for guests.

“Visibility is also a key safety factor that is often overlooked,” said Ms Hadid. “Bright neon rash tops and swimwear help children stand out more clearly underwater and in crowded pools, making it easier for parents, carers and lifeguards to keep track of them. We believe visibility plays an important role in improving water safety, particularly during busy holiday periods.”

Developing water confidence is an important life skill for Aussie kids, said Ms Hadid, and caravan parks can support this through safe and engaging pool environments. “Swim vests, which are available to fit children from 12 months to 14 years, help young swimmers build confidence while giving parents added peace of mind. Non-slip swim shoes can also help reduce accidents around slippery pool surrounds, while brightly coloured pool toys encourage active and supervised water play,” Ms Hadid said.

“When choosing swimming and water safety products, accommodation providers should focus on safety, hygiene, visibility, durability, and guest experience. Importantly, products should comply with Australian Standards and provide SPF 50+ sun protection wherever possible. High-quality products not only improve guest confidence but also demonstrate a strong commitment to family safety and wellbeing.”

Related AccomNews story: More than shade: Turning outdoor spaces into guest destinations

Fun and games whatever the weather

Indoor opportunities are not to be overlooked, both as a way to keep the kids occupied on a rainy afternoon, and to offer some respite from the heat of the day.

Jamie Cant from Arcade Trader Pty Ltd said that operators are constantly looking for ways to entertain guests and create memorable experiences. “It’s a competitive market, and we’re seeing more parks invest in activities that give guests another reason to stay onsite and enjoy the facilities. Arcade machines appeal across a broad range of ages, from young kids through to teenagers and even parents who enjoy a bit of nostalgia.

“Parents like the fact that it can be an independent activity for the kids, or something the whole family can get involved in together. Importantly, it’s also an activity guests can enjoy regardless of the weather, which is a major benefit for holiday parks.

“Beyond the guest experience, amusement machines can help increase dwell time around communal areas, support food and beverage outlets, and provide an additional revenue stream without creating a lot of extra work for park teams.”

As for types of amusement and arcade machines, prize and redemption games are always popular, said Mr Cant. “Particularly claw machines and skill-based games where guests can win something. Racing games, basketball games, air hockey and interactive family games also tend to perform well because they encourage a bit of friendly competition and group participation.

“For parks just getting started, you don’t need a large dedicated arcade. We’ve seen many successful locations begin with a small selection of carefully chosen machines in a games room, reception area or bistro. The key is selecting equipment that complements the guest experience rather than simply filling a room with machines.”

Mr Cant said his biggest piece of advice would be to think about the guest experience first and the machines second. “Operators should consider factors such as service support, machine reliability, prize management and reporting. A well-maintained arcade space with a strong mix of games will almost always outperform a larger space that isn’t actively managed.

“We’re also seeing increasing demand for cashless payment options, which remove barriers to play and make the experience more convenient for guests,” Mr Cant said. “For many operators, the biggest benefit is being able to offer another guest amenity without taking on the day-to-day management. With the right partner, the equipment, servicing, prizes and reporting can all be managed externally, allowing park teams to stay focused on the guest experience.”

Making the most of every opportunity

A fun and modern solution can be found for any outdoor space, whether its rejuvenating or replacing existing play equipment or making the most of an underutilised area.

For large spaces, pump tracks appeal to active kids and parents alike, and have the benefit of families bringing mostly their own equipment. Ideally, a track would be fenced off, and with appropriate safety signage.

Another larger footprint option with less of a thrill-seeking angle are mini golf courses. Simple setups are straightforward to build and maintain, but they can be as themed and elaborate as wanted. They do come with considerations around staffing and equipment rental, but provide a leisure opportunity for the whole family to enjoy.

Playgrounds are, of course, a perennial favourite, with so many options from a traditional slide and swing set to a full adventure playground with managed ‘risky play’ opportunities. A fun variant on this is inflatables, from obstacle courses to jumping castles.

A substantial safety and maintenance consideration for any outdoor activities is appropriate surfacing. Modern material science has made it easier than ever to create attractive, hardwearing surfaces that help keep areas presentable and guests safe. Poured rubber, rubber mulch and engineered wooden surfaces all have different applications, and artificial turf and coloured sports surfaces can add attractiveness and durability.

Whatever the right fit for your holiday park, there are near-endless opportunities to take stock of what is being offered to guests, and elevate it for new generations to enjoy and make memories.

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