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Original poster

Tips for centerparcs please.

25 replies

scaredofthecity · 15/01/2019 17:10

We've just booked to go in March.

Are there any activities worth booking for a 4 yo? We're pretty broke and don't want to spend a fortune, but this will also be the last time we go due to starting school so I want to make the most of it. We went 3 years ago but I wasn't really paying much attention then!

We also have a 10mo but I'm not expecting much for her.

We're taking our bikes and expecting lots of swimming but what else would you recommend? (Its elveden btw)

OP posts:

comebacksoonsusan · 15/01/2019 17:14

My four year old did the chocolate making one which was for three hours. Mainly because it didn't need an adult. I found the beach and swimming took up the rest of the time.

ThomasRichard · 15/01/2019 17:15

If they’re old enough for the junior high ropes then that’s good fun. Otherwise, not really. There are activities you can book on the day, like the rowing boats, that are fun but only if the weather is nice!

mamaduckbone · 15/01/2019 17:20

We took ds1 at about that age and he just wanted to be in the pool so depends if you have a water baby. We did a couple of activities - I remember archery, and went ten pin bowling at about 10am because it was cheap.

Etihad · 15/01/2019 17:21

My DD is 5 but has SEND so developmentally about 10 months so this may be useful:

Meet the baby Owls is good, and not too expensive. It was inside the nature centre at Whinfell. I had an inkling what was coming when the presenter appeared with a big blue paper roll - and the room full of 2-8 year olds thought it was utterly hilarious when one of the owls shat all over the place.

The teddy bears picnic wasn’t too bad either. Again it was inside, but nice lunch, singing and stories and they got a gorgeous bear to take home. My mum took DD to some sort of singing thing in the same room and just rolled her eyes at me when I asked how it went!!

Kids disco is nice (and free) DD loves the bird hide for some reason, she sits in there really quietly for ages watching through the little window so that may be worth a try (and is also free)

PurpleCrazyHorse · 15/01/2019 17:30

I baked cakes and took them with me and we decorated them in the villa. Was loads cheaper than the cake decorating class and we had fun just the two of us (and got to eat 12 cakes during the rest of the holiday).

DS who was about 2yo at the time, loved a night time walk with a torch. He thought it was such a treat to be out in the dark. We did go in January though, so it was dark quite early :)

Basically we went to the pool everyday. An extra nice treat was to book a cabana on the last morning. We ate poolside and could relax in the cabana (it included drinks and towels), so we could pack everything apart from a small bag. It meant we got quite a bit of time on the last morning on site before leaving while also having a bit of a 'base' for the kids to chill too (it had a TV in it).

PenguindreamsofDraco · 15/01/2019 18:27

Well I came on to suggest lube but think that might drag the tone down a bit

Original poster

scaredofthecity · 15/01/2019 19:19

.... There's always bloody one

Thanks for the tips. We're definately going to do bowling, and I remember the kids disco from last time, DS loved it.

Cake decorating sounds like a great idea, and I love the cabana idea too.

DS is not great in unfamiliar organised group situations, especially if there's singing involved, I think a teddy bears picnic is his idea of hell! But he's really into birds so I'll check the owl thing out thanks.

I'm so looking forward to it, I know it'll be hard work but we so rarely treat ourselves to proper family time away. Our holidays are normally spent at the in-laws who helpfully moved to the other side of the country.

OP posts:

BifsWif · 15/01/2019 19:27

I just came here for the lube comment.

Seriously, we go every year and book nothing. The swimming and walks in the surrounding woodland are enough, and you can book activities while you’re there if you decide you want to do something.

Tip, food is expensive so take a food shop with you.

gerispringer · 15/01/2019 19:31

Take a wok and a sharp knife. Also tea towels, washing up Liquid, toilet rolls and extra dishwasher tabs. You can buy them in the shop but they are expensive.

CatnissEverdene · 15/01/2019 19:31

Do a food shop before you go and take it with you. The supermarkets on site sell really cheap nasty food at eye watering prices. I can't think of the brand but it's something like Heritage which is found in Nisa shops and the like.... but at 4 times the price. We learned the hard way.

Ours just loved wandering round the site, there are lots of tracks to follow and the pool is lovely. We only paid for the odd badminton session or similar.

ReaganSomerset · 15/01/2019 19:33

We are doing fun pots with tots tomorrow with our seven month old. Will let you know if it's worth it.

carrie74 · 15/01/2019 19:33

We've been going for years, since DD was 2 and DS was 3mths! In the early years, the swimming, playgrounds, feeding the ducks was really enough. Maybe a crèche session so we could get a break too. What I liked about CP when they were very little was just how well set up it was for young families, made it much more of a break than a week SC in France.

DD and DS are now 13 and 11 and still love it. We have to pay for more activities now, but swimming is still very very popular.

We tend to eat out for one meal, then have the other 2 at the lodge, take food with us (but I also think the Parc Market is reasonable enough for convenience food). We always crave snacks - crisps, nuts, biscuits, as we're all so much more active than normal. And everyone sleeps like the dead.

Allsloppy · 15/01/2019 19:34

Keep your bikes inside your villa. Ours were chained up with goods locks and were all stolen at Eleveden

carrie74 · 15/01/2019 19:35

Oh yes, I always take at least one sharp knife, DH takes his beloved cafetière and travel mug (and associated coffee and scoop), dishwasher tabs, washing up liquid, kitchen roll. If you don't have a cleaning service, maybe some bin bags too.

SuziQ10 · 15/01/2019 19:43

We don't really do activities.
We go to the pool for a few hours each day and then eat a lot!
Go for walk / cycles. Take DC to playgrounds. Occasion badminton match.

Have previously done water sports but didn't enjoy it & was expensive.

KindergartenKop · 15/01/2019 21:21

The teddy bears' picnic at Longleat was fun.

justasking111 · 15/01/2019 21:27

Deffo book a creche session, it is your holiday too. You could then enjoy the spa perhaps.

Marmite27 · 15/01/2019 21:27

My parents took my DD and DNephew to do the baby birds thing at Sherwood in September. They were both 3 at the time.

There was only them and another family and the toddlers were tired and got fed up when not holding a bird and stropped off and laid down on a bench together.

Despite that, the photos of them doing it are goegeous. Truly FB braggers (not that they went on). My dad said he’s not taking them anywhere together again

Kezzie200 · 15/01/2019 21:30

Here for the lube comment.

ThomasRichard · 15/01/2019 21:40

Elveden has a big Sainsbury’s not too far away. Last time I went to CP I ordered a grocery shop online and had it delivered to the entrance. It was fab.

bluechameleon · 15/01/2019 21:46

We went twice last year, once with one 3 year old and once with two. Activities that were popular were the science one and the nature walk. Archery, balance bikes, sports day all fine but not really worth the money. Den building was a bit too tricky for them.

Titsywoo · 15/01/2019 22:19

We've got older kids but last time did den building which was fun, everyone enjoyed the electric boats, bowling was fine but very rushed. We enjoyed cycling around (well my bum didn't enjoy it, horrid seats on the CP bikes!) and hanging out at the pool (rapids rule!). We're going for a week in August with friends :)

fadingfast · 15/01/2019 22:29

With young kids I really wouldn't bother booking lots of activities. They will be just as happy in the forest, riding bikes, swimming, play areas, chilling out in the lodge. Maybe just book one or two activities if you think they will enjoy them, but otherwise I would save your money and perhaps treat yourself to a nice meal instead.

MoonlightBringsSanity · 15/01/2019 22:29

Take a large selection of wild animal food with you.. pick it up from your local farm shop or pet store. That is the most fun! Throwing handfuls of food out onto the patio and watching all the wildlife! Priceless in my view

DramaAlpaca · 15/01/2019 22:31

Look after your belongings. We had a watch stolen & some cheeky cow stole my towel when I turned my back on my open locker for a minute or two

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