Every April, communities across the United States celebrate the Month of the Military Child. Due to the unpredictability of military life, these children become resilient and strong while dealing with frequent transitions and separations from family and friends.
Military-connected partners like IHG Army Hotels serve as support systems that acknowledge these sacrifices and offer military families a sense of comfort and stability.
From kid-friendly amenities and thoughtful service to location-specific celebrations and partnerships that support military children, youth, and teens, IHG Army Hotels plays a significant role in showing appreciation to these young heroes—not just in April, but all year round.
Why Military Children Deserve Recognition
Often referred to as “hidden heroes,” military children live a life that sets them apart from their civilian peers. With frequent relocations, deployments, and the uncertainty that accompanies military service, they develop resilience at a very young age. According to the Department of Defense, the average military child will move six to nine times between kindergarten and high school. Each move means new schools, new friends, and new environments to adjust to.
Yet, despite these challenges, military children grow into adaptable, resourceful, and mature individuals. They learn to make fast friendships, respect diversity, and support one another through shared experiences. The Month of the Military Child, established in 1986 by former Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger, makes sure their sacrifices and success stories don’t go unnoticed.
Celebrating Military Children All Year Long
While April’s Month of the Military Child brings well-deserved national recognition, IHG Army Hotels believes in honoring military children every day of the year.
At many IHG Army Hotels, the appreciation starts the moment families walk through the door. Children often receive age-appropriate activity books, travel games, and snacks at check-in. This small gesture goes a long way to help young travelers feel welcomed.
Family-Friendly Fun
Many IHG Army Hotels offer activities tailored to children and their families. While activities vary by location, examples include:
- Game nights featuring classic board games or trivia
- Movie nights with popcorn and age-appropriate films
- Outdoor activities like scavenger hunts or cornhole tournaments
- Story time sessions featuring guest readers from the local military community
- A weekly barbecue social
These events offer more than just entertainment, they offer moments of community connection in an often transient life.
Community Partnerships
IHG Army Hotels frequently partners with installation programs and services to expand their offerings for military children. From celebrations hosted with community partners to co-sponsoring events and activities like the Fort Stewart/Hunter Army Airfield Colorful Run or the Month of the Military Child Family Fun Fair Block Party at Yuma Proving Ground. For instance, at Yuma, IHG Army hotels participated in the 2024 Month of the Miliary Child parade, where children donned superhero costumes to celebrate their resilience. These partnerships demonstrate IHG Army Hotels' dedication to supporting military families by providing access to child-centered activities and resources during their stays.
Many IHG Army Hotels are also near attractions like theme parks, aquariums, zoos, museums, and entertainment venues that offer military discounts.
IHG Army Hotels: Your comfort zone on base
When military families are on the move—whether for a Permanent Change of Station (PCS), temporary duty (TDY), or to visit family—IHG Army Hotels provide more than just a place to sleep. Located on 40 U.S. Army installations nationwide, IHG Army Hotels are built with military life in mind. For children especially, these on-post hotels near base theaters, bowling alleys, libraries, and fitness centers can feel comfortable and familiar.
Kid-Friendly Amenities
IHG Army Hotels makes sure young guests feel just as welcome as their parents.
Many locations offer:
- Family suites with separate bedrooms or pull-out beds to give kids their own space
- Swimming pools and outdoor playgrounds
- Sports equipment
- Complimentary continental breakfast or breakfast buffet with kid-approved options like waffles, cereal, scrambled eggs, and fruit
- Free Wi-Fi for streaming, playing games, doing homework, or using FaceTime to call friends and family members
- Candlewood Suites hotels offer cards and board games through their Lending Lockers
Comfort in Consistency
Because the trusted brands of IHG Army Hotels—Staybridge Suites, Candlewood Suites, Holiday Inn Express, and the Historia Collection—operate under consistent standards across installations, families know what to expect no matter where they’re headed. This familiarity provides reassurance for children dealing with the stress of military life. The hotels even allow families to bring their small dogs and cats with them, so kids and pets are comforted by each other while on vacation or during a PCS move. Service dogs of all sizes are, of course, welcome at all IHG Army Hotels.
Connecting Families
Many IHG Army hotels have communal spaces where families can spend time together. Whether it’s gathering around a picnic table for hot dogs and burgers cooked on the grill, playing board games in the lobby, or watching a movie from the lending library in your room, these moments help military children connect with their families.
The IHG Army Hotels’ Commitment to the Military Child
IHG Army Hotels continues to be a proud partner of the military community. Their commitment to recognizing and celebrating military families sets them apart as more than just a place to stay. Many of the employees are veterans or military dependents and understand the unique needs of military children and their families.
Purple is the color that jointly represents all branches of the military. To emphasize and extend the impact of The Month of the Military Child, Purple Up! For Military Kids is meant to bring additional recognition to military kids in a very visual way.
If you're a military family preparing for a PCS, a deployment, or a well-earned vacation, consider making IHG Army Hotels your next stop. Because behind every service member is a family—and behind every military family is a child who deserves to be celebrated.
To book a stay at one of the 74 IHG Army Hotels located on more than 40 military installations across the country, visit IHGArmyHotels.com. And don’t forget to sign up for IHG One Rewards to earn points toward free or reduced hotel stays or exciting events and experiences.