All in the Family

With twin toddlers in tow, JULIE SURATT heads to three Cape resorts to see just how well they accommodate harried parents (and their cranky offspring).

OCEAN EDGE RESORT & CLUB    
2907 Main St., Brewster, 508-896-9000, oceanedge.com; suites from $1,250.

THE PROGRAMS
A plethora of day camps—golf, tennis, the high-octane Ocean EdgeVenture—will wear your children out. If that doesn’t do it, enroll them in hip-hop, spinning, or yoga classes.

THE EATS
Ocean Edge has three kid-friendly eateries; its suites also come with kitchens and full-size fridges. Don’t miss weekly beachside campfires, barbecues, and ice cream socials.

THE EXTRAS
Look for bike rentals and in-room babysitting, plus complimentary baby buggies, portable cribs, and strollers.

THE LOOK (see photo at right)

 

CHATHAM BARS INN
297 Shore Road, Chatham, 508-945-0096, chathambars inn.com; suites from $995.

THE PROGRAMS
Complimentary morning, afternoon, and evening programs are packed with scavenger hunts, arts and crafts, nature walks, water games, and talent shows.

THE EATS
All three on-site restaurants provide children’s menus, and the inn hosts Caribbean pirate–themed nights and clambakes every week (think live music and s’mores).

THE EXTRAS
Portable cribs are available; parents should call early to reserve them.

THE LOOK (see photo at right)

WEQUASSETT RESORT & GOLF CLUB
2173 Rte. 28, East Harwich, 508-432-5400, wequassett.com; suites from $1,100.

THE PROGRAMS
The brand-new pirate-themed aquatic center has fountains, climbing ropes, and slides. Tykes can also sign up for swimming, kayaking, sailing, or tennis lessons; take a seal tour; or join the daily Children’s Fun Club.

THE EATS
The upscale Twenty-Eight Atlantic offers pint-size gourmands a tasty menu; the resort’s more casual Outer Bar & Grille schedules family-oriented barbecue and clambake evenings.

THE EXTRAS
Cribs come with cuddly teddy bears; in-room babysitting is offered nightly.

THE LOOK (see photo at right)

THE VERDICT
All the resorts “get” kids—at times, it seems, better than their own parents do. Ocean Edge provides the best value for large families (bonus: its suites come with washer-dryers), while discerning travelers will like Wequassett, which manages to be both über-ritzy and über-kid-friendly. And the grand Chatham Bars Inn scores high points for its inventive—and free!—children’s programs.