The Spread:
Situated on Fort Lauderdale's famed beach, and just off well-traveled Route A1A, Marriott Harbor Beach Resort is a clear family favorite. The recreation staff organizes such family-friendly activities as beach volleyball games, treasure hunts, and ping pong tournaments. You can set your family up in an oceanfront cabana ($60 a day) and let

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the kids run along the beach, or take them for a dip in the lagoon waterfall pool. For indoor entertainment, the property's 15 floors hold 637 rooms and suites outfitted with video game and movie access.

Why Families Love It:
Getting active on the land or at sea is the perfect way to create some family bonding-play tennis, go sailing, ride a wave runner, or go biking, surfing (lessons available), boogie boarding, kayaking, and scuba diving. The resort has the rental equipment you need. If parents want time to relax in the top-rated spa or go shopping along Fort Lauderdale's Las Olas Boulevard, then it's Beachside Buddies to the rescue.

Beachside Buddies' supervised program keeps kids aged five to 12 happily entertained with a variety of activities, including nature walks, swimming, sandcastle building, scavenger hunts, and organized games. The full-day program runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and costs $75 per day with lunch. Morning or afternoon sessions are also available at $40.

Special Activities & Events:
Kids can find their inner artist by signing up for the resort's T-shirt painting, picture-frame, or candle-making craft projects. A small charge covers materials. If your stay lasts a few days, then there's time for your little rascal to paint a ceramic mug or tropical figurine and have it kiln-fired before you leave for home. Cost is $37 to $60.

Kids ages five and older can learn snorkeling and scuba diving in the pool. Prices start at $45.