THERE are many ways to blow a fouryear- old’s mind. But, looking down at her pink flip-flops and suddenly noticing they’ve turned purple, is a pretty big wow moment for my daughter on holiday. We’re 150ft below sea level and experiencing ‘colour change’ on board our Atlantis Submarine.

I had only just recovered from the little prank the crew made on our way out to the dive site.

Being the gullible, panicky holiday mum I am, my eyes widened as I heard the words ‘get changed into your wet gear and swim across to the submarine’ towards the end of the safety preamble. We were on a boat – just me, my fouryear- old and my beloved camera. We had no swim gear, my daughter can’t yet doggy paddle and my camera’s not waterproof. As I looked around at the other passengers, desperately eying up belongings for signs of towels and swimsuits, I noticed a few smirks. Our instructor was joking, of course. They like to do that a lot here.

As we take our seats, there’s a feeling of claustrophobia and excitement when the captain yells ‘Dive! Dive! Dive! Dive!

Dive!’ and we plunge into the depths of the ocean.

We swirl past a shipwreck and bob around coral, while yellow goatfish, blue tangs and trumpetfish swim busily past our porthole. Children over three feet are all welcome on board and will delight at seeing what really is at the bottom of the deep blue sea.

When deciding where to go for a family holiday with guaranteed sunshine, the obvious list isn’t very long.

Camping in the south of France? A hotel in Spain?

Maybe a villa in Greece or Portugal? Let me throw in another option that might excite the grown-ups just as much as the little ones. How about Barbados?

With year-round average temperatures of 28C, beautiful beaches, friendly people and fabulous family accommodation, there are few reasons not to give it a go.

Distance and cost are probably the only hurdles. But with Thomas Cook’s new flight from Manchester to Barbados, getting to the Caribbean island can be cheaper than you think.

There’s no need to stress about the flight. Obviously be prepared to entertain, walk the aisles and befriend random strangers that your kids take a shine to, but with films and TV programmes streaming inches in front of their eyes, food and drinks coming round before you even think about being hungry and a bit of a sleep, sand will be seeping through your toes in no time.

The plush Royal Villas at the Royal Westmoreland resort makes a great base on the Platinum Coast. Wayne Rooney has a villa here, and oodles of sportsmen and celebrities have homes in the area.

Despite it being a supposedly busy time for Barbados, the resort’s 750 acres, gorgeous greenery and vast facilities mean you barely see a soul.

We share an entire pool area with about half a dozen other people. You can smugly turn up at any time of day and have an array of sun beds to choose from – a welcome change from the European resorts where you’re lucky to find one after 9am, let alone four together.

Other nice touches include a fired-up barbecue on your arrival, complete with a cheery chef to cook it for you. So once you’ve tucked the tots into bed, you can put up your frazzled feet, crack an award-winning bottle of Bajan-brewed Banks beer and be waited on hand and foot – they even wash up afterwards and leave you with the leftovers!

The rather stunning 7,045- yard championship golf course is worth a visit and lessons can be organised with Roger Beale, who represented Barbados in the 2006 World Cup of Golf. Our little ones are too small for the family lesson, but my husband improved his (albeit awful) technique no end and apparently has “great potential”. And, of course, you can hop on the shuttle and head down to Mullins Beach and Spa. The sparkling turquoise sea is tepid enough, even for teeny toes, all year round. Grab some beds and whenever you need a strawberry daiquiri (virgin concoctions are available for small people), just wedge your yellow flag in the sand and it will appear in a matter of moments.

For older kids, the floating inflatable swing/slide/climbing wall set-up looks immense fun and days can easily be spent building sand castles and taking in vitamin D.

For a day with a difference, though, try a trip to the Barbados Wildlife Reserve.

Turtles hide away in their shells or pant in the heat, while deer and agouti are everywhere – all within touching distance.

It’s only at the very end of our visit when we finally sniff out the monkeys. Big families of them play at our feet, scarpering up on rooftops and into trees, grooming each other and generally behaving better than my little monkeys!

Grown-ups in need of time out can book a babysitter and pretend to be young and rich in Rihanna’s homeland. We play Spot The Celebrity while indulging in dinner at the renowned (and hugely expensive) The Cliff.

Businessmen fly their private jets in for a meal at this restaurant, overlooking the ocean.If spending $US125 on a couple of courses of food doesn’t float your boat, you can always opt for a Tiami Catamaran cruise. The rum punch flows as you take in the sightes of Barbados, have fun with the crew and snorkel for turtles.

Barbados is full of colour. It might just be the ultimate family holiday. And it’s certainly a great place to blow the mind of a four-year-old.

Travel Facts

Claire Spreadbury stayed at the Royal Westmoreland (royalwestmoreland.com; 01524 889341) which offers seven nights in a three-bedroom Royal Villa on a self-catering basis from £674 per person, based on a family of four sharing. Prices valid until December 14, 2014. Thomas Cook Airlines (flythomascook.com) flies from Manchester to Barbados from £404 return, including taxes, baggage and meals. For more on Barbados, visit visitbarbados.org