Taking the Kids: Finding a Beach Bargain in the Caribbean and Hawaii This Summer

Saglie noted that packagers have locked in airfare to Mexico and the Caribbean before fuel prices went up, making the overall packages appealing -- some under $700 a person, including air (www.travelzoo.com). "But," he added, "Even if you take a hit on the airfare, you'll more than make up for it."

The downside: It can be hot and humid. And you have to fly.

The upside: You can spend your vacation at a tony resort where you might spend less than at an American beach town, whether you want a big all-inclusive (Kids Stay, Play and Eat free at Barcelo's resorts in Mexico and in the Dominican Republic, plus other savings, www.barcelo.com), a small all-inclusive (free nights, half off a second room and complimentary kids' tennis clinics at Curtain Bluff in Antigua, www.curtainbluff.com, or even an upscale villa. (With Wimco's value villas program (www.wimco.com), you can stay in St. Barts, St. John or Barbados for under $200 a night.

Look for kids free deals at many all-inclusives like Palace Resorts (www.palaceresorts.com), Divi Resorts, with nightly rates starting at just over $100 a night, and the new Villa del Palmar Cancun, in Playa Mujeres, a beach area about 35 minutes from the airport with all-inclusive rates starting at $123 a person, half that for kids up to age 12, including activities like kite-making and cooking lessons (www.villagroupresorts.com).

Entire islands are getting into the act. Take advantage of Cayman Summer Splash (www.caymansummersplash.com) where kids not only stay and play free, but eat free at Cayman Islands restaurants, get free admission to attractions and half off airfare on Cayman Airways. Book a five-night stay and get a night free.

Puerto Rico touts a summer deal offering a free night, car rental discounts, tour discounts and more (www.seepuertorico.com) while Saint Lucia (www.stlucianow.com), known for its natural beauty, invites your gang to "Go Bananas" with special kids activities, room upgrades, restaurant discounts, complimentary excursions (ziplining maybe?) and even free babysitting one night.

Foodies will love Anguilla's Prix Fixe program (www.ivisitanguilla.com) with menus ranging in price from $35 and $45 per person for three courses and hotel rates with savings up to 35 percent.

You can try a different kind of experience too. Go to Belize (www.travelbelize.org) where you can visit Mayan ruins and, through the Maya Village Homestay program, also stay with a Maya family in a local village near Punta Garda. You can also take a hands-on workshop to learn how to make chocolate from cacao beans or go along with researchers studying crocodiles at the Lamanai Outpost Lodge's Crocodile Encounter.

Learn to scuba dive with the kids at Captain Don's Habitat in Bonaire (www.habitatbonaire.com). Kids up to age 16 stay and dive free here and seven-night packages start at $911 for adults.

Charter your own yacht in the Caribbean (www.moorings.com) -- we've had some of our best vacations that way -- and get up to three free days of sailing, whether you're in the British Virgin Islands where you are rarely out of site of land, the Abacos or St. Martin. Look for deals on crewed yachts too -- even more affordable when you split the charter with another family. (Just make sure it is someone you get along with.)

Wherever you decide to travel, remember the sunscreen.

(For more Taking the Kids, visit www.takingthekids.com and also follow "taking the kids" on www.twitter.com, where Eileen Ogintz welcomes your questions and comments.)