Water parks or aquatic areas in campsites, hotels and resorts and other leisure and tourism establishments must attract a broad public, usually the whole family and people of all ages. This requires the design of spaces that meet the expectations and tastes of all users. Children’s aquatic areas form an important part of these spaces, since the kids come with the whole family, so that the visit of a significant part of the target public is guaranteed.
The design of children’s aquatic areas should create spaces that are fun, comfortable and safe. In order to do so, the following aspects need to be taken into account:
-Comfort and safety: children’s areas should ensure that parents and other family members can easily supervise children at all times.
-Attractive theming: The visual narrative and children’s experience should be aligned with the overall theme of the water park, campsite, hotel or resort or leisure and tourism facility, and should be adapted to their size and needs, whilst remaining fun and attractive.
-Easy access to toilets and changing facilities: changing and breastfeeding areas should be incorporated into the design and toilets needed to be located nearby and be easily accessed.
-Food and drink areas: locating restaurants and kiosks close to play areas, so that parents can enjoy the services they provide without losing sight of their children, is a requirement for appropriate design.
-Family relaxation areas: like the restaurants and kiosks mentioned above, cabanas, hammocks and shaded areas should be located around children’s play areas, with the idea that they serve as gathering points where the family can relax and unwind.
-Attractions adapted to different ages and heights: The design should consider games and experiences for the different ages and heights of young users. And not just for safety, but to support the work of lifeguards and monitors.
-Shared family experiences: integrating attractions that allow for simultaneous participation of parents and children, and therefore memorable moments together, will be an added value of the design of children’s areas.
One of the advantages of the careful approach to the design of the children’s aquatic areas, as we have proposed, is that the stay of families inside the park will be longer. Because of this, and also because of the proximity and ease of access mentioned above, consumption of services such as restaurants and shops will be higher. As an ancillary consequence, visitors will become loyal and their visits will become recurrent.
In short, attention to detail and to the specific needs of children and their families not only improves the visitor experience, but also contributes decisively to the success and profitability of the water park, campsite, hotel or resort or leisure and tourism attraction in question.
By Raúl Soriano, Senior Modeller in Amusement Logic’s Architecture Department
