AKV-no Community HAll-are there activties for kids?

[ldo]

Before CH opens in new section, what is there for kids to do? Is Simba's just a drop-off night babysitting place or do they have ceramics, games, coloring, ping-pong, etc. during the day for kids like other CH? IF not, are there enough things to occupy a 7 and 11 yr old on non-park days? thanks, Elaine

 

[bobbiwoz]

We were in the common viewing room and a CM came in and was interacting with kids about musical instruments. I do not have an activity sheet with me, but there were times/activities on a board in the lobby near the bell services/or concierge desk (It was near the front entrance doors). If no one gets back to you before, I'll remember to bring back the information that you get in check in.

The children were younger than 11, and perhaps even younger than 7.

Bobbi

 

[spiceycat]

yes - there are activites. also just watching the animals - lots of kids seem to like that.

plus it has a great swimming pool - with hardily anybody swimming in it (well in Sept anyway)

oh when you are looking for the activities - remember to bring a map with you.

sometimes the activities or viewing is not where you would think it would be.

 

[corinnak]

We were at AKL a few days in January and there were so many fun sounding activities on the schedule. We managed to get to one talking about animals - it was held in a lounge. We went to the storytelling at the firepit - get there early if you want a rocker. The kids' favorite was decorating cookies at Boma around lunchtime, though. For some of the activites, the kids are given a bead to put on a collection string or necklace. My kids got, I think, one, so it wasn't much of a collection. We wished we'd had a day just go to around and do more of the activites, though. I had a 3 and 8 year old with me.

 

[corinnak]

Oh, but I forgot to say that yes, Simba's is just a drop off babysitting place. DS went there one evening and had a fun time playing video games and enjoyed dinner as well. Not a place to just go and hang out though, unfortunately.

 

[rigsby25]

I saw a scrapbooking table today by the pool. Also - you can rent movies in the little grocery store/gift shop free.

 

[Desnik]

When we were there in Nov we spent the whole weekend just at the resort. No parks and no swimming because it was too cold for us. My kids are 4 and 9 and they were occupied the entire time! They never said they were bored and couldn't have cared less about the parks! The resort itself had them in awe. They loved exploring it. The animals kept them busy for a big portion of the time. They loved the playground, arcade, and watching tv in the lobby. They participated in the parade around the resort that starts at the shop one evening. They did a few of the bead activities which is basically different activities they do to receive a bead they put on a string necklace type thing. They did a scavenger hunt, bongo(bingo with pictures of animals), they got to play instruments and so much more. They loved talking with all the CM's and asking questions about Africa and what it is like where they lived and asking questions about the animals. They loved it and didn't want to leave. As adults, DH and I never felt bored and we thought the activities for the kids were great. We didn't miss the community hall at all and we love the CH's at BW and SSR.

 

[LIFERBABE]

When we were there in Nov we spent the whole weekend just at the resort. No parks and no swimming because it was too cold for us. My kids are 4 and 9 and they were occupied the entire time! They never said they were bored and couldn't have cared less about the parks! The resort itself had them in awe. They loved exploring it. The animals kept them busy for a big portion of the time. They loved the playground, arcade, and watching tv in the lobby. They participated in the parade around the resort that starts at the shop one evening. They did a few of the bead activities which is basically different activities they do to receive a bead they put on a string necklace type thing. They did a scavenger hunt, bongo(bingo with pictures of animals), they got to play instruments and so much more. They loved talking with all the CM's and asking questions about Africa and what it is like where they lived and asking questions about the animals. They loved it and didn't want to leave. As adults, DH and I never felt bored and we thought the activities for the kids were great. We didn't miss the community hall at all and we love the CH's at BW and SSR.

This is good to read! Im concerned about our AKV stay because my boys love SSR CH and my youngest is 8 and he wanted nothing to do with Simba's when we were at AKV in July.

 

[starbox]

Here's what I wrote afgter our trip:
Since Kidani is not built and there is no community hall at AKL, I was not expecting anything in terms of activities. Instead, we found AKV to have the best kid/family programing of anywhere we've stayed (a disclaimer that my kids are 8 and 10 - smaller kids would probably not be as interested in everything).

Every day, there are five educational activities that kids can participate in to earn glass African beads. If they complete all the activities, they get a special totem bead. All the activities are run by cultural representatives from different areas of Africa, and they were all so friendly and eager to share the culture with guests. Our kids did the morning activities one day and afternoon activities on a second day. Each activity took between 30-45 minutes and older kids did not need parental supervision.

Additionally, there were numerous other opportunities to meet and interact with cultural representatives and attend learning activities. There's even a food tasting opportunity in the afternoon at the Jiko podium. We did African storytelling at the firepit one night, and the kids also participated in an African music parade through the lobby one evening. The kids also made beaded keychains at the pool one day. From 9:30-11:30, there is a station where you can view the animals on the svanna with night vision goggles, and that was awesome.

Activities:

Completed Bead Necklace (we took a cue from the safari guides and attached ours to a conservation button like a lanyard)

Animal Tracking Activity (this was the kids' favorite)

Cultural Representative

African Folktales:

Primal Parade and Dance Circle:

 

[ldo]

thanks. Elaine