Marco Island Marriott Resort Golf Club & Spa Family Activities

Pools
Favored by families, the tropically landscaped Tiki Pool features gradual entry, a water slide and a giant waterfall. Hours are 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Nearby, there's a small circular wading pool, open until 6 p.m., for little ones. It's gated and surrounded by lounge chairs. Poolside food and beverage delivery is available from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. On the Tiki Terrace, there's a kiosk offering hair braiding and beads. Check the resort schedule for hours. Upscale restrooms with changing areas are also nearby.

Located near Quinn's on the Beach restaurant and convenient to the Lanai suites, the Quinn free-form pool is generally less populated by little ones. Hours are 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Lounge chairs are sometimes hard to come by during peak periods. Arrive early if you want to claim a choice spot. Six luxury cabanas are available for reservation.

Swim diapers are required for children who are not potty-trained. You can purchase them, along with sunscreen, sand toys, swimwear and baby and toddler supplies at "Surf and Sand." Towels are available on the pool decks. Keep in mind that no lifeguards are on duty at the pools.

Beaches
Headquartered at the South Beach Hut, Marco Island Watersports offers a host of aquatic adventures. Tour Ten Thousand Island by waverunner or passenger pontoon boat, or get a birds-eye view on a parasailing adventure. On these tours, guests can learn about native shells and plant species. There are plenty of creatures to see like dolphins, manatees, sea turtles and exotic birds. Be sure to bring sunscreen.

If you're considering just one tour, one-hour guided waverunner eco-tours are a definite highlight for any adventurer. Parasailing adventures and waverunner rentals are also available. Children as young as infants can ride aboard the 49-passenger Calusa Spirit on a sightseeing and shelling cruise.

At North Beach Hut located in front of the Islands Tower, guests can rent beach huts, beach umbrellas, and non-motorized gear like kayaks, pedal boats, Hobie Waves and water hammocks. Guided Hobie sailing excursions and lessons with a trained Captain are available by reservation.

Kids' Club
Open to kids between ages five and twelve, Tiki Tribe, the resort's children's program, operates daily. Typical activities include beach and pool games, scavenger hunts, movies and arts and crafts. The cost is $70 per child per day, with a $10 discount for an additional child from the same family. Half-day reservations are also available at a reduced rate. Hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and lunch is included with the full-day option. A playground is also located between the beach and the North Tower, and next to the Tiki Pool, a small playground entertains the kids.

Each day, the resort offers a number of scheduled activities for kids and families. Options range from arts and crafts projects like "Sand Art" and "Stuff a Buddy" to activities like "Family Bingo" and "Wacky Beach Games."

Arcade
With entrances from the Tiki Pool and Quinn's Pool, a small game room provides a welcome escape from the sun. Games range from classic pinball and air hockey to modern video and novelty prize machines. Buy tokens onsite. Just outside the arcade near the pool deck, there's a ping pong table under a canopy. Arcade hours are 8 a.m. to midnight.

Golf
Kids under age 16 play for free after 3 p.m. with a paying adult at the Rookery at Marco. The par 72 resort golf course was redesigned by Robert Cupp, Jr. in 2006 and is a member of the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program.

Excursions
Small group sightseeing, sailing and shelling adventures aboard a six-person catamaran are open to children above age 4. The trip stops at a sand bar or barrier island for treasure-seeking. Arrangements for this cruise and other local tours, including fishing, kayaking, and island bike excursions, can be made through the resort Concierge.