Airlie Beach Lagoon This place has to be included because the man-made lagoon is the ultimate tropical playground for kids, and is far safer than the sea.

There are barbecue areas to enjoy a great lunch or dinner; kids' playgrounds; and a kids-only area in the man-made lagoon, which is patrolled at all times by lifesavers. You'll probably end up spending most of your holiday here!

Take the kids to the best kid's paradise in the whole area at BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort. It's primarily a resort to stay the night, but it's also a theme park for kids, it has Airlie Beach's largest resort swimming pool, water slides, tennis, mini golf, jumping pillows, kids clubs (in school holidays) and even outdoor movies.

You can stay here in a range of accommodation options — from luxury villas to camping. It's set on 26 acres so there's plenty of room for your kids too. Check out www.adventurewhitsunday.com.au or call 1800 640 587.

For a day that has a bit of everything, it's pretty hard to go past Fantasea's excursion to Reefworld. The kids can have fun flying through the Whitsundays on a high-speed motor-boat before spending a day among the sea creatures on the Great Barrier Reef. There are submarines they can travel in, plus snorkelling, a huge buffet lunch and an underwater viewing platform.

Families pay $489 (two adults/two kids), or adults pay $209pp and $89 for kids. They'll pick you up from your hotel. Check out Fantasea or call 1800 650 851.

If you're sick of spending $500 a day on tours for the whole family, take the kids to the Airlie Beach Markets on Saturday morning for some free face painting. These are great, eclectic markets and you can feed their painted faces full of great local food, which is mostly healthy, too.

It's a great way to spend a lazy Saturday, and a good opportunity to save a few dollars. The Airlie Beach Markets are held on the Airlie Beach foreshore every Saturday between 8am and 12 noon; entry is free.

Take your kids to Fun to Bead on Airlie Beach's main street — perfect for rainy days, or just as an alternative to day tours. There are literally hundreds of beads for them to choose from so they can make their own jewellery to wear on their tropical holiday — it's like a kid's craft shop, but good fun for mums, too. Fun to Bead is located on Shute Harbour Rd, Airlie Beach, phone (07) 4948 2500).