Family-Friendly Hotel Features

I’m going to be a dad soon, and I’m not getting my kid a smartphone / iPad till they’re 13. I’ve already decided this for a simple reason - Constant content consumption is frying your kid's dopamine receptors. Studies suggest most kids cartoons (like Cocomelon) are overstimulating and lead to low attention span, learning difficulties, and even ADHD (inattentive type). Why? Fast-paced shows bombard children with rapid scene changes, bright colours, and quick jokes. This is what makes the show interesting to them - and parents use it a an easy distraction. But this can overwhelm young brains, which are still developing the ability to filter information and focus. To identify problematic content like this, look for these signs: - Fast cuts: Scenes change every 3-4 seconds, with new visuals. - Oversaturated colours: All colours are exceedingly bright. - Busy sounds: Lots of things happening at once like — music, sound effects, laughter, and talking. There are many slower-paced shows with clear narratives and educational elements that can actually be beneficial for developing cognitive skills. So as parents, what can you do? 1. Look for signs of excessive consumption: - A constant need for immediate gratification. - Irritability when not engaged with screens. - Difficulty focusing on tasks. - Sleep problems. 2. Consider steps to reduce it by: - Setting time limits. - Encouraging non-digital activities. - Engaging with content together to discuss and learn. - Choosing high-quality content with educational value. While screen time matters, what your child watches is just as important. So help them make the right choice! Which shows does your kid watch more often? #healthandwellness #children #shows

Let’s talk about the kind of disabilities you can’t always see—like ADHD, dyslexia, anxiety. Just because they’re invisible doesn’t mean they’re not real. Yet too often, students with these conditions are left to figure it out on their own. Its like telling someone in a wheelchair to use the stairs because you can’t see what they need. Sounds wrong, right? That’s exactly what happens when we ignore the needs of students with hidden disabilities. Things like extra time, quiet rooms, or clearer instructions aren’t a favor. They’re the basics. They give these students a fighting chance to show what they’re capable of. Without them, we’re setting them up to fail. I’ve seen what one small change can do. It can mean the difference between falling behind and finally keeping up. Between giving up and showing up. What if we built our classrooms to work for all kinds of minds? What if we stopped treating accommodations like bonuses, and started treating them like rights? Have you ever seen a simple change make a huge difference for someone? Or do you think schools are truly doing enough? Let’s talk about it. And let’s do better, together. Image Courtesy: No Nonsense Neurodivergent #Disability #Accessibility #SDGs #Equity #HumanRights #WeAreBillionStrong #HumanInclusion ID: Allowing a student with a hidden disability (ADHD, Anxiety, Dyslexia) to struggle academically or socially when all that is needed for success are appropriate accommodations and explicit instruction, is no different than failing to provide a ramp for a person in a wheelchair.

Reimagining Family Entertainment: Wayne Hickey's Interactive Adventure   In Episode 62 of Heather Ewing: The CRE RUNdown Wayne Hickey shares his vision for Hickey's Interactive Adventures, a 30-40,000 square foot Disney-like family entertainment center with interactive games, animatronics, and themed rooms designed to reconnect families through shared play experiences. Here are his goals as he continues to expand his entrepreneurial journey from publishing a fishing magazine to creating innovative family entertainment: • Designed to combat the digital disconnect between family members by creating collaborative experiences • Focus on creating affordable family memories comparable to Disneyland experiences • Vision for a 16-room walkthrough attraction featuring 250 laser targets and 100+ animatronics • Will feature ever-changing sets and themes so no two visits are the same • Incorporates AI technology, STEM elements, and educational components throughout the experience • Food service will utilize automated vending with fresh options from local vendors • Aiming for an opening date in early 2027, with 9-12 months needed for buildout after securing funding • Plans for expansion to 6-8 unique locations after the flagship opens in Myrtle Beach Connect with Wayne Hickey on LinkedIn to follow updates on Hickey's Interactive Adventures. Tune in here: https://lnkd.in/gHtWyFrE Watch here: https://lnkd.in/gF8FZini ABSTRACT Commercial Real Estate #businesspodcast #commercialrealestatepodcast #CREpodcast

When it comes to accessibility, there’s no one size fits all. Fully accessible is a unicorn. And that’s ok. I often see the phrase ‘fully accessible’ used to describe a building, service, or feature. Every time, it makes me uncomfortable. The idea with it is that every access need has been anticipated and met. But in reality, ‘fully accessible’ is a myth – a unicorn we’d all love to believe in, but one that simply doesn’t exist. Why? Because access needs are diverse, and they can often conflict. A feature that improves access for one person can actually create a barrier for someone else. Take accessible toilets with automatic doors as an example – fantastic for some wheelchair users, yet challenging for many blind people who may struggle to locate the button. Or consider tactile paving: essential for blind people navigating road crossings, but uncomfortable or even painful for some wheelchair users. The true key to accessibility isn’t about checking every box in a standard. It’s about good communication, adaptability, and being responsive to requests. Accessibility is about getting basic principles right, then having a system where people can share their needs openly and a commitment to discussing adjustments that will make an actual difference. Good accessibility isn’t about creating a mythical “one size fits all” solution; it’s about having real conversations, understanding individual needs, and adapting where possible. Good communication is the keystone to meaningful accessibility. #DisabilityInclusion #Disability #DisabilityEmployment #Adjustments #DiversityAndInclusion #Content

Women were turned away from conferences this week… for showing up with their babies. Yes, that's unfair, inequitable, and inaccessible. But it's also avoidable! Before we scream into the void (I already did, don’t worry), let’s take a look at some of the issues behind the scenes. Because, unfortunately, many Event Organizers don't consider kids until one shows up, and, of course, that's when everyone panics! More often than not, these things happen due to a total lack of preparedness AND the absence of an inclusion professional on the event organizers' board. So here’s how events teams can actually do better moving forward: 🟣 Be clear with your legal and insurance teams when you want to make your events kid-friendly 🟣 State age restrictions clearly on your event page 🟣 Mention kids/+1s explicitly on the ticket and follow-up emails 🟣 Include very specific needs and accommodation questions in your pre-event survey 🟣 Offer quiet/lactation/cold storage rooms 🟣 Ensure that your insurance coverage includes children and mobility aids 🟣 Provide stroller access, earplugs, and accessible venues 🟣 When possible, offer childcare or kid-friendly programming 🟣 And if kids are *not* allowed, say it! Multiple times! Everywhere! Event organizers: parents are showing up to your events (or they want to!). Make sure you can meet them with inclusion, accessibility, and clarity. Need help with any of that? Well, I'm glad you found me, then! I’m always a DM away.

That’s A Wrap! The big show is over and 8000 people packed up and got outta dodge, er, Cannes, today. Mipcom 2024 was a little lower key this year. 30 to 40% lower from the sounds of it. An obvious reflection of where the industry is at. My biggest takeaways from Mipcom: 1. The traditional model of content sales and delivery is heavily damaged. Everything we thought we knew has to be rethought. For good or bad, our world has changed dramatically, seemingly overnight, and the road ahead will require nimbleness and innovation. We’ve been hearing this message from various people ad nauseam over the last couple of years but it will only continue to intensify. Innovate or die. Everyone and their mothers are scrambling to figure it all out. 2. Co-Production and partnerships are the way forward. This is mostly due to a financing problem. There are plenty of highly qualified and talented creatives out there, so execution isn’t the issue. Buyers simply don’t want to foot the whole bill anymore. This means producers will have to get more creative than ever when structuring deals. While everyone touts the creator economy, two simple questions remain, “Who pays to make it, and how is it monetized?” 3. The children are being left behind. This is a big one if you make kids’ content for a living. The first gangrenous limb to be lopped off in Hollywood is children’s programming. It’s a global issue and you can thank the internet and capitalism for it. After decades and decades of successful kids series, we are now seeing entire networks dedicated to children’s series plummeting in viewership and production. Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, Universal, Disney, and Warner Bros, as examples, have all been reduced to emaciated, unrecognizable, and irrelevant shells of their former selves. As we lose young viewers to practically unregulated and un-curated platforms like YouTube and TikTok, this is not only decimating a once vibrant sector, the children themselves are becoming less and less represented and protected. What happened to standards and practices? This used to mean something. How did we get here, and why did we allow this to happen? The future of carefully regulated, specialized kids’ content is in serious jeopardy. It will take a movement en masse by those of us in this industry to make sure the baby isn’t thrown out with the dirty internet bathwater. Look, as I mentioned in a previous post, I’m grateful to have the opportunity to attend Mip along with so many others who genuinely care and love the kids’ space. I’m mostly a glass half full person, but blind optimism and toxic positivity aren’t going to save the biz. Mipcom had glimmers of hope, yet things won’t pick up again in earnest unless we all heed the battle cry and fight, together, for the industry that we love. It’s time to claw back control before it slips away for good. Hope to see you again next year, Cannes.

Supporting Sensory Needs in the Classroom: Small Adjustments, Big Impact! Inclusion means recognizing that every student experiences the classroom environment differently. For students with sensory sensitivities, simple adjustments can significantly enhance their learning experience and well-being. This chart provides practical classroom accommodations for students with sensory hypersensitivity and hyposensitivity. From noise-canceling headphones to movement breaks, these strategies help create an environment where all students can thrive, engage, and succeed. As educators, it’s our responsibility to ensure that sensory needs are met with understanding, flexibility, and evidence-based practices. Whether you’re a teacher, administrator, or parent, let’s work together to make our classrooms truly inclusive! #InclusiveEducation #SpecialNeeds #SensorySupports #ClassroomAccommodations #Neurodiversity

Must read! Most public playgrounds fail to support children with blindness or low vision (BLV), leading to developmental delays and limited social interaction opportunities. Research identifies five critical barriers that urban professionals must address. The Five Key Barriers: * Policy doesn't translate to practice - While global guidelines support inclusive play, most playgrounds focus on basic accessibility whilst neglecting orientation maps, wayfinding, and tactile elements essential for BLV children. * Safety concerns reduce play opportunities - Risk-averse approaches have eliminated challenging play experiences vital for development, particularly impacting BLV children. * Designing without children - Playgrounds are designed for children rather than with them, ignoring how children actually play and diverse sensory needs. * Social challenges - BLV children struggle to participate fully with sighted peers, and families may feel unwelcome. * When accessibility feels exclusive - Specialised equipment that's clearly separated can feel discriminatory and hinder social interaction. Best Practice Solutions: The research presents a comprehensive matrix covering: Arrival (accessible routes, clear boundaries), Orientation (3D maps, Braille signage), Play/Move/Learn (multi-sensory equipment, natural elements, varied textures), and Family (diverse seating, meeting spaces). Six strategic approaches include 3D maps, inclusive play concepts, multi-sensory equipment, natural play, shared experiences, and thoughtful retrofitting. Rather than creating separate equipment, Universal Design principles ensure inclusive spaces providing social inclusion, cognitive development, and physical exercise for all children. This World Playground Research Institute brief (Bettina Gramalla & Sasha Dilling) is based on "Playground for Blind and Low-Vision Children" by dagmar reinhardt, sue silveira, Kathleen Tait, Lian Loke, Eliane Jones, and Leona Holloway: https://lnkd.in/e_RvffCC The message is clear: inclusive design means creating spaces where every child can play, learn, and thrive together. As you would expect in a just city. #InclusiveDesign #UniversalDesign #PlaygroundDesign #UrbanPlanning #Accessibility #ChildDevelopment #PublicSpace #CommunityDesign #SocialInclusion #VisualImpairment #JustCity

Here's how I increased the average entertainment park stay from 90 minutes to 4-5 hours. Most family entertainment centers think they’re selling attractions. But what they’re really selling is time. The longer guests stay, the more they spend. When I stepped in, the average visit lasted only 90 minutes. That wasn’t enough. So, we redesigned the experience to make staying longer feel effortless. It started with the attractions. People don’t think in individual rides or games; they think in experiences. Instead of offering standalone tickets, we bundled attractions together, creating seamless transitions that naturally led guests from one activity to the next. Then, there was the issue of food. Hunger was our biggest competitor—if guests left to eat, they weren’t coming back. So, we made dining part of the attraction itself. Crave-worthy options like flatbreads, sliders and churros gave guests something exciting to look forward to, while well-placed food stations meant they never had to leave their experience to find a meal. Lounge seating and shaded patios gave families a reason to pause, refuel, and keep going. And then, there was the biggest factor of all: the parents. If adults are bored while their kids are having fun, they’ll be the ones pushing to leave. So, we gave them something too. Comfortable seating areas, upgraded dining options, and even entertainment that catered to them. When parents could enjoy themselves, they stopped watching the clock and let their kids play longer. Finally, we tackled pricing. Single attraction tickets made guests count the minutes. Unlimited play passes changed the game. Instead of worrying about how much time they had left, guests were encouraged to make a day of it. The secret to selling time is making it effortless for guests to stay longer.

Risky SuDS - a Dutch perspective on safety and water. In a nutshell: embrace it, play with it, and learn to manage risk from an early age. A few years ago we did a SuDS project in Middelburg - a medieval city in low-lying Zeeland to the west of the Netherlands - and we were faced with a completely different attitude towards water, and in particular risks around water. Perhaps not surprising for a country with a lot of open water and landscape drainage features around, they have not only learned to live with water in their everyday spaces, but seem to have a healthy, level-headed approach to managing risk. At early engagement, local residents directed me to their well-loved water park, Speelhof Hoogerzael (See photos). It is a wonderful play park themed around water, in the middle of a family residential area and open 24/7/365. There’s a range of water-based play opportunities for all ages and some of the play feels risky: narrow balance beams over deep-looking water; a high balance beam a metres or so in the air – again over water; and the almost-impossible-to-balance-on floating pallet-like rafts! It’s almost inevitable that you’ll end up in the water. Interestingly the sign at each never-locked entrance takes a very pragmatic approach to risk and responsibility: ****** HOUSE RULES ON THE PLAYGROUND - There is NO SUPERVISION on our premises! Parents and guardians supervise their children themselves. - Depth of the lagoons is approximately 120cm. - Depth of playing water (to the left of the beam over the water) is 40-50 cm. - - Do not let small children play unaccompanied on the jetty, beam or rafts. - The water is NOT authorised as bathing water. - Wear boots or water shoes: there may be sharp objects in the water. - Dogs are not allowed due to safety and hygiene. ****** At this playground children can learn to manage risk around water with the guidance of their parents.  Significantly, I believe, children learn about risk whilst simultaneously learning to appreciate the joy of water and natural play - whilst having fun. This community fully embraced and encouraged the idea of children playing in the SuDS that we were designing – even wanting it in the existing drainage ‘canal’ that could be metres deep at times! They have grown up sensibly managing risk around water, respecting but not fearing it, and above all learning how valuable it is to have in their lives. Contrast this with my experience of a UK county council whose policy on open water in schools (which I successfully challenged) was that it either had to have a 2.4m fence around it or a grille 1” below the surface.  Q: What does a grille below the water surface teach children about risks around water? A: That they can walk on water! 🤔 #SuDS #landscapearchitecture #ThisIsDrainage #Naturebasedsolutions #WSUD #Engineering #naturalplay