Family
Soneva unveils summer camp, more activities for half term break family holidays
Soneva has paved the way for family-friendly getaways where there is always something going on to keep children and teenagers curious and entertained.
Soneva is now gearing up for an impressive line-up of activities for August and the October half term periods at Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani in the Maldives, and at Soneva Kiri in Thailand. This includes a Summer Camp at Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani in the Maldives.
Whether it’s a private water slide into a sparkling lagoon, complimentary chocolate and ice cream rooms, cultural trips to local communities or one-on-one tutoring sessions, Soneva makes sure no one is ever bored.
Soneva is known for its resorts’ children’s clubs, which are all called The Den. Every day there are countless activities to take part in, from arts and crafts, recycling, cooking classes and more.
The Den teams organise experiences for children and teenagers around the resort, from joining the marine biologist for a guided snorkelling session to learning about the organic gardens with the resort gardeners.
Tours of the Eco Centro waste management centres allow Soneva’s young guests to learn about sustainability practices and what they can do to give back to the environment and local communities.
Soneva Fushi’s Den is a sprawling playground for the imagination. Children can explore a pirate ship, splash in two swimming pools, go down the spiralling red water slide, play in the Lego and Duplo room, have fun in the dress-up and makeup area, and watch movies in the cinema. There is also a library, learning area, and music room filled with instruments, and more.
During family time, parents can head over to The Den with their little ones to enjoy their very own shallow pool. The Den also has a separate lounge area dedicated to teenagers.
At Soneva Jani, The Den is not just in The Gathering; it also includes the whole island itself. Creative and learning-inspired activities happen all day long, while water sports around the lagoon include kayaking, paddle-boarding, snorkelling, sailing and so much more.
There are plans to build a much larger children’s club on the main island of Soneva Jani in the near future.
In keeping with Soneva’s philosophy that fostering curiosity and continued learning are crucial to living a fulfilled life, all activities and experiences for young Sonevians are geared towards stimulating their minds and imaginations.
Soneva frequently partners with Oppidan Education, a UK-based mentoring programme, to host complimentary group workshops and private one-on-one sessions for an additional charge during half term holidays.
Soneva Fushi – Summer Camp
This year, Summer Camps will be taking place in August, one for children aged 7 to 11, and another for teenagers aged 12 to 17. Each lasts two weeks and has been designed to encourage participants to disconnect from their daily life and learn to live in the moment.
Activities fall under the following categories: Sustainable, Local, Organic, Wellness, Learning, Inspiring, Fun, Experiences.
Camp Starter Packs will be given to each participant, containing: a Soneva Fushi journal, wooden pen, a tote bag, a cap, and a Soneva Fushi metal water bottle.
At the end of each day, they will earn a different Ranger badge.
Children’s activities include: making worm farms, scavenger hunts, Maldivian snack cooking classes, pool parties, surfing lessons, repair and DIY workshops, snorkelling with the marine biologist, movie nights, photography and videography challenges, gardening and compost making, and an Eco Warriors Waste Fashion Show, among others.
Teenagers’ activities include: An educational yacht tour aboard Soneva in Aqua, zero waste workshops, local culture trips to neighbouring islands, yoga, face mask class, pool party, campfire gatherings with s’mores, surfing lessons, snorkelling with manta rays, gardening and permaculture, a disco party, and sailing.
Soneva Fushi – August Calendar
Over the course of August there are a number of exciting and stimulating events, experiences and activities available for Soneva’s younger guests.
Other than the daily activities at The Den, Soneva Fushi has an extensive calendar of experiences, dining events and more; a number of them designed specifically with Soneva’s younger guests in mind.
Glassblowing classes at the Soneva Art & Glass Studio introduce this ancient art form to guests of all ages, while Soneva’s Junior Master Chef cooking competition is an opportunity for young chefs to shine.
Tour the water bottling plant on the island to see how the team filters and mineralises Soneva Water, before tasting the different Soneva waters on offer.
For those who love a good adventure, children can make their own treasure maps with clues, before heading off into the island to hunt for buried treasure.
Water sports like paddle boarding, sailing and kayaking are always available at the Water Sports Champa, while pool parties at The Den provide the perfect opportunity to get to know the other children on the island.
The Island Rangers series of experiences includes the Flora and Fauna Safari, Movie Challenge, and Splash and Sailing. These will appeal to the wildlife lovers and aspiring conservationists, the budding movie or documentary film makers, and the lovers of wind and waves.
Soneva Fushi – October Calendar
Throughout the month, children and teens can get to know the island’s critters and wildlife with the new Conscious Experience: Wildlife Explorers. Learn about the animals, plants and insects that live on and around the island and learn what their names in Dhivehi are.
Pool parties, arts and crafts, learning activities, water sports and pizza making classes fill the daily programme at The Den.
For Halloween, Soneva Fushi takes trick-or-treating out into the high seas and into the depths of the jungle. Everyone is encouraged to dress up in their spooky or creepy costumes to collect sweets and chocolates to enjoy later.
Soneva Jani – Summer Camp
Soneva Jani’s Summer Camp is two weeks long, with awards at the end of each week and the final farewell party on the very last evening.
Activities take participants along the winding paths of the main island, out on the lagoon and beneath its waves. Some of the activities are both child and teenager friendly.
Throughout the two weeks, participants can take part in experiences that inspire a sense of adventure, foster deeper learning, or ones that bring out their artistic side.
They can learn how to fish sustainably with a line and hook, or learn about all the uses of coconut – from food, to oil to building materials. The marine biology team will take them out to the reef to help them do surveys on marine life. They can search the island for sea turtle nests and learn about their unique lifecycles.
Fitness enthusiasts can run the island Jungle Gym, which was built by the hosts at Soneva Jani, or take part in energetic games that get their pulse racing. Friendly football matches and yoga and meditation sessions are also available.
In the evenings, they can sit by the camp fire, hearing traditional Maldivian tales, while making s’mores over flames. They can also spend time with the resident astronomer and learn the secrets of the night sky through the state-of-the-art telescope at the overwater Observatory.
Soneva Jani – August Calendar
Outside of the Summer Camp activities, there are special bonding experiences, like the Mother and Daughter and Father and Son Spa Packages that include soothing massages for a pampering session.
Soneva Jani – October Calendar
In October, on top of the Mother and Daughter and Father and Son Spa Packages is the Children’s Yoga and Nail Art Sessions. Here, Soneva Jani’s young guests can choose to learn new yoga poses with the resident yogi, or learn how to paint bright and colourful nail art with The Den team.
Soneva currently runs two resorts in the Maldives, Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani, and luxury yacht, Soneva in Aqua. The world-leading luxury resort operator also operates Soneva Kiri resort in Thailand.
Soneva Fushi inspires the imagination with 63 spacious beachfront villas, ranging in size from one- to nine-bedrooms, hidden among dense foliage and located within the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Watch classic movies at the resort’s outdoor Cinema Paradiso. Choose from nine different dining options, five hundred wines and 11 types of pillow. Unwind at the on-site Six Senses Spa. Nature’s resources are transformed into art at the Glass Studio, while The Den gives children the freedom to live their island dream. Glorious days are spent star-gazing at the Observatory, sampling organic delicacies and exploring the coral reef.
Inspired by a word that means ‘wisdom’ in Sanskrit, Soneva Jani is located on a collection of five islands, and a beautiful, 5.6km lagoon.
The resort currently comprises 24 overwater villas and three island villas, with additional villas to be built in Chapter 2. Each Water Villa opens to its own stretch of sparkling lagoon and is complete with a private pool and a retractable roof to stargaze from the master bedroom, while many villas also have slides from the top deck into the water below.
Explore the glimmering galaxies from the resort’s state-of-the-art observatory or spend time indulging in a range of activities including water sports, scuba diving, wellness therapies, dolphin cruises and bicycling along the island’s many trails.
Avani+ Fares Maldives Resort has announced the return of former England striker and Ballon d’Or winner Michael Owen for a third Kids’ Football Camp, scheduled from 14 to 17 October 2026.
The four-day programme will be open to children aged five to 13 of all skill levels, with sessions combining football coaching, skills drills and games alongside beach activities and island experiences. The camp will conclude with a Grand Finale on 17 October, when participating children will receive medals and certificates.
Participation in the camp will be complimentary for guests staying at Avani+ Fares Maldives during the event period.
The October programme will mark Owen’s third football camp at the Baa Atoll resort and his second visit to the property this year, following an Easter edition held in late March and early April. The resort first introduced the programme in October 2025.
The inaugural camp ran from 20 to 23 October 2025, followed by a Grand Finale on 24 October. Owen led coaching sessions on the resort’s football pitch, with the programme designed to give young guests opportunities to learn from the former England international while focusing on football skills, teamwork and participation. The first edition was complimentary for eligible children staying at the resort.
Following the response to the first camp, Avani+ Fares brought Owen back for its Easter programme in 2026. More than 30 children and teenagers participated in the second edition, taking part in daily sessions led by Owen and assistant coaches. Training covered areas including dribbling, passing, positioning and teamwork, with sessions adapted for different ages and ability levels.
The second camp also formed part of a wider programme for families, incorporating activities for children and teenagers beyond the football pitch. Participants concluded the programme with certificates and medals, while opportunities were also provided for meet-and-greet sessions, autograph signings and photographs with Owen.
Owen won the Ballon d’Or in 2001 and represented England during an international career that included appearances at three FIFA World Cups. At club level, he played for Liverpool, Real Madrid, Newcastle United, Manchester United and Stoke City. His involvement in the Avani+ Fares programme has been centred on introducing younger players to football through training and activities within a resort holiday setting.
The third edition will retain the programme’s focus on children aged five to 13, combining coaching with recreational activities during the October school holiday period. According to the resort’s announcement, the camp will include expert coaching, drills for different skill levels, beach games and island adventures before the final session and awards ceremony on 17 October.
Avani+ Fares Maldives Resort is located on Fares Island in Baa Atoll, within the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and close to Hanifaru Bay. The property offers 176 rooms, pavilions, beach and overwater villas and residences, together with seven dining and bar venues. Its family facilities include AvaniKids, a Teens Club and Petit Bistro, a restaurant dedicated to younger guests.
The resort also provides access to snorkelling and diving on its house reef, alongside water sports, tennis, fitness and spa facilities. Avani+ Fares was named Best Beach Resort at the Travel Trade Maldives Awards 2025, following its Best Dive Resort recognition in 2024.
The return of Owen for a third camp continues Avani+ Fares Maldives’ use of sports-led programmes as part of its family offering, bringing the former England striker back to Fares Island less than seven months after his previous camp.
This Halloween, Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives invites families to reconnect over a week of island celebrations. From 28 October to 1 November 2026, Friendly Spirits & Ghosts After Dark brings together imaginative children’s activities, Halloween evenings and time shared in the Maldives.
Home to a 150-metre swimming pool—one of the largest in the country —Kuda Villingili is among the best places to stay in the Maldives for families seeking space, privacy and experiences to enjoy together. Spacious one- to four-bedroom private pool villas provide space and privacy for multi-generational stays, complemented by eight restaurants, a dedicated Kids Club, spa and wellness experiences, watersports, surfing, tennis and pickleball. The five-star luxury resort in the Maldives is located just 30 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport.
Designed for young explorers, this year’s celebration introduces Kuda Fiyo & the Friendly Ghosts, an original island story that brings Halloween to life through imagination and discovery. Throughout the week, children can follow Kuda Fiyo on an adventure featuring creative workshops, themed games, arts and crafts, treasure hunts, cookie and cupcake decorating, mocktail experiences and a Halloween Party— giving families a collection of family experiences in the Maldives to enjoy together.
As the sun sets, Ghosts After Dark takes over with Halloween-inspired experiences for families, couples and friends. Guests can enjoy haunted cocktails at sunset, set sail on a themed sunset cruise, explore the house reef during guided night snorkelling, try their hand at Halloween mixology or settle in beneath the stars for an open-air movie night. A Halloween Buffet Dinner with seasonal dishes and live entertainment anchors the celebrations, while themed cocktails and mocktails are served throughout the week.
Beyond Halloween, families have the freedom to shape each day around what they enjoy most. They can discover the marine world together, dine across the resort’s restaurants, retreat to the privacy of their villa or spend an afternoon beside the expansive pool. With experiences for different ages and interests, there is space to come together as well as time to enjoy the island individually.
This Halloween, Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives offers families the chance to reconnect, create new traditions and experience the season differently. Friendly Spirits & Ghosts After Dark brings together children’s adventures, evenings by the sea and the freedom of an island holiday.
Because the best family traditions are not simply celebrated—they are created together.
View Kuda Villingili’s Halloween 2026 brochure here. For more information about Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives, please visit www.kudavillingili.com.
Joy Island Maldives, part of The Cocoon Collection, has expanded its leisure offering with the launch of Joy Arcade, the resort’s first dedicated gaming room.
The new facility has been introduced as an indoor entertainment space where guests can play individually or with friends and family, adding another activity to the resort’s programme beyond the beach, lagoon and outdoor experiences.
Joy Arcade features four gaming stations built around simulation and virtual reality technology. The line-up includes a three-screen racing car simulator, equipped with a force-feedback steering wheel and pedals; VR Moto, a motion-based motorcycle simulator that moves in response to the virtual terrain; a 9D VR Platform, featuring two motion pods and a selection of adventure, horror and flight experiences; and VR Gun Shooting, which combines a headset with a motion-tracked controller and an in-room leaderboard.
The racing simulator accommodates one player at a time and is recommended for guests aged eight and above, while VR Moto is recommended for those aged 10 and above. The 9D VR Platform can accommodate up to two players and is recommended for guests aged six and above, while VR Gun Shooting is designed for one player at a time and recommended for ages eight and above.
The arcade operates daily from 10am to noon, 2pm to 6pm and 9pm to 11pm. Walk-in guests do not need to make an advance booking, with passes available from the arcade desk during operating hours.
Guests can choose from one-, two-, three- and four-hour Play Passes, as well as an Unlimited Day Pass. Each pass provides access to all four gaming stations, with the duration determining the amount of playing time available. The resort advises guests to check with the arcade desk for current pricing and any rates linked to resort or stay packages.
Joy Arcade is open to guests of all ages, although younger players may require a parent or guardian when using motion-based equipment. Headsets, controllers and safety equipment are provided and sanitised between uses. The room can also be booked for birthday parties and other events, with private sessions, party host assistance and refreshments available for groups.
The addition expands the range of recreational facilities at Joy Island, which positions activities as a central part of its guest experience. The resort also offers tennis and padel, fitness and wellness sessions, excursions, diving and water sports, while its Kids’ Club, Kiddie Cove, provides supervised activities for children aged three to 12.
Its Dive & Water Sports Centre offers activities including scuba diving, snorkelling, kayaking, paddleboarding, windsurfing, jet skiing, parasailing, wakeboarding and waterskiing. Other experiences include dolphin cruises, fishing trips and marine excursions.
Joy Island is located in North Malé Atoll, around 40 kilometres from Velana International Airport and approximately 40 minutes away by speedboat. The resort has 151 villas, comprising 91 beach villas and 60 overwater villas, with accommodation options that include villas with private plunge pools. Interiors feature furnishings and design elements by Italian design company LAGO.
The resort also operates Oasis Spa, where treatments combine Eastern and Western wellness approaches, including Balinese massage, hot stone massage, aromatherapy and couples’ treatments. Its fitness programme includes yoga, Pilates, Zumba, aqua fitness, gym sessions, beach volleyball and racquet sports.
Joy Island’s food and beverage offering comprises three restaurants and a bar. The Market serves international cuisine through buffet and live cooking stations, while Il Basilico focuses on Italian dishes, including wood-fired pizza. Palm Beach offers beachfront dining, including seafood and grilled dishes, while Rainbow Bar, located beside the swimming pool, serves drinks throughout the day. The resort also offers destination dining experiences, including sandbank picnics, lagoon dinners, beach dinners and garden dining.
With Joy Arcade, the resort is adding an indoor gaming component to an activity programme that already spans water sports, diving, wellness, excursions, children’s activities and racquet sports, providing guests with an additional option for entertainment throughout their stay.
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