Winter sun on a family budget: where to find the best-value breaks

Tenerife strikes the sweet spot between affordability, convenience and family appeal. A flight takes around four to five hours from the UK, making it an easy option even with younger children, while year-round temperatures of around 20-23°C means it’s warm without being scorching. With a huge range of hotels, apartments and all-inclusive resorts scattered throughout the resort, there’s something to suit most budgets, whether you're planning a half-term escape or a longer winter break.

Value isn't just about finding the cheapest holiday, it's about getting plenty for your money once you're there. Tenerife delivers on that front too. Alongside brilliant family resorts with pools, kids' clubs and entertainment included, you'll find plenty of beaches, promenades and nature spots that cost little or nothing to enjoy. Families who want to venture further can spend the day exploring Mount Teide National Park, take a whale and dolphin watching boat trip or splash out on a visit to Siam Park, widely regarded as one of the world's best waterparks.

What really sets Tenerife apart, though, is its versatility. Whether you're travelling with a toddler who'll be happiest building sandcastles, teenagers keen on waterparks and watersports or grandparents joining a multigenerational trip, there's enough choice to keep everyone happy. Add in frequent flights from across the UK and TUI's wide selection of family-friendly hotels, and it's easy to see why Tenerife remains one of the best-value winter sun destinations for families.

If getting the most holiday for your money is your top priority, Hurghada is difficult to beat. While it's not the cheapest destination on this list, it's one of the few places where families can enjoy a genuinely luxurious all-inclusive holiday without the premium price tag and have guaranteed winter sun. It's not uncommon to find five-star beachfront resorts with multiple pools, waterparks, kids' clubs and a huge choice of restaurants for little more than you'd pay for a four-star hotel elsewhere in Europe.

Winter is also one of the best times to visit. Daytime temperatures regularly reach the low to mid-twenties, making it warm enough for swimming, beach days and al fresco dining while escaping the UK's coldest months. Better still, because so much is included in your holiday price, from meals and snacks to children's entertainment and evening shows, it's much easier to keep spending under control once you're away.

Hurghada's biggest strength is that families can simply arrive, unpack and relax. Younger children will happily spend their days between the pool and the beach, while older kids can try snorkelling, boat trips or watersports in the crystal-clear Red Sea. For families who love the ease of an all-inclusive holiday and want to enjoy premium facilities without paying premium prices, Hurghada offers some of the best value you'll find anywhere in the winter sun.

If you're travelling with younger children, the best holidays are usually the ones that make life easier. Lanzarote does that really well - it’s not too far away, the temperatures in the winter average a mellow low-twenties and it’s packed full of family-friendly resorts. The flight takes around four hours, and many family resorts are less than 30 minutes from the airport, so you can be unpacked and by the pool before tiredness turns into full-blown holiday meltdowns. The island is small too, which means days out don't usually involve long drives, something anyone with a toddler will appreciate.

There's plenty to do without every day feeling packed from start to finish. You'll find sheltered sandy beaches that are ideal for paddling, flat promenades for buggy walks, and attractions including Rancho Texas Lanzarote Park and Timanfaya National Park's striking volcanic landscape. Many family hotels also have splash pools, playgrounds and kids' clubs, so it's easy to spend a day at the resort if that's what everyone needs.

Like Tenerife, Lanzarote can be really good value, especially if you book an all-inclusive package. With plenty of family-friendly hotels, reliable winter sunshine and short journey times across the island, it's easy to have a relaxed holiday without spending a fortune on transport or excursions. If you're travelling with babies or toddlers, it's a destination that's hard to beat for an easy winter sun break that just works for everyone.

If your family likes to get out and explore on holiday, Mexico has plenty to offer alongside its stunning, white sandy beaches. You can visit ancient Mayan ruins, swim in natural cenotes, spot wildlife and head out on boat trips. It's the sort of holiday where you'll come home with more than just photos from the pool.

Mexico is one of the pricier destinations on this list, but it can still be good value if you're planning a longer winter sun break. Many all-inclusive resorts include large pool complexes, kids' clubs, entertainment and several restaurants, so there aren't too many extras to budget for once you arrive. If you fancy exploring beyond the hotel, places such as Tulum, Chichén Itzá and Xcaret make easy day trips and give you a chance to see another side of the country.

For families who enjoy mixing beach time with sightseeing, Mexico offers something different from a fly-and-flop holiday. It's a great choice if you want reliable winter sunshine and plenty to keep children, and adults, interested throughout the trip.

If all you really want from your family holiday is a good value break from the relentless grey that is British winter, Gran Canaria is a fairly safe choice without having to go long-haul. Winter temperatures usually sit in the low 20s between November and March, so there's a good chance you'll spend more time in shorts than jumpers. 

The sunshine is only part of the appeal. Families are spoiled for choice when it comes to beaches, from long stretches of sand to sheltered bays where younger children can paddle safely. There are waterparks, boat trips and wildlife parks if you fancy a day away from the beach, but nothing is too far, so you won't spend half your holiday stuck in the car.

Gran Canaria isn't packed with headline attractions in the same way as Dubai or Mexico, but that's not really why people come. It's an easy place to holiday with children, thanks to the short flight, reliable weather and plenty of family-friendly resorts. If your priority is a straightforward week of winter sunshine, it's hard to go wrong.

The Caribbean often feels out of reach for a family holiday, particularly during the school holidays, but the Dominican Republic is actually one of the more affordable ways to do it. While you'll pay more than you would for a trip to the Canary Islands, many of the all-inclusive resorts include almost everything you need, from meals and drinks to kids' clubs, entertainment and huge swimming pools. That means there are fewer extra costs to think about once you arrive.

The weather is another big draw. Winter temperatures hover around 28°C, so beach days are pretty much guaranteed. Children can spend their time building sandcastles, trying watersports or joining in with hotel activities, while parents get the chance to slow down for a bit too.

If you're happy to travel a little further, the Dominican Republic offers a lot for the money. The all-inclusive resorts make it easy to keep spending under control, and you still get the white-sand beaches and warm Caribbean sea that many families picture when they're planning a winter escape. If you've been thinking about a long-haul holiday but don't want to blow the budget, it's a great place to start.

If your children judge a holiday resort by the size of the pool and water slides, Dubai is definitely a destination to consider. Home to attractions such as Aquaventure World and Wild Wadi Waterpark, it's packed with flumes, wave pools and splash zones that can easily keep families busy for days. Many hotels even have their own waterparks or complimentary access to nearby attractions, so you don't always need to venture far.

The weather is another big draw. Winter temperatures sit comfortably in the mid to high 20s, making it warm enough for beach days and pool time while avoiding the intense summer heat. Beyond the waterparks, you'll also find aquariums, indoor theme parks, desert safaris and family-friendly beaches, giving you plenty of options if you fancy a break from the hotel.

Dubai is one of the pricier destinations in this guide, but many families feel the facilities justify the extra cost. If you're looking for a winter holiday where children can spend every day splashing around in the sun, it's hard to beat.