What would you reccommend as the best way to holiday with young kids?

[squantum]

We're in the very fortunate position of starting to think about a holiday to do this summer - it will be me, DH, DD who will be 5yo and DS who will be 10m. (I know this isn't a big deal to most people but we've never been on holiday before).

We don't have a budget or location decided so really open to all suggestions! I'm not sure we'd enjoy cheap'n'cheerful all inclusive but anything else....?

www.peyrecaty.com/

UK, or very short flight from local airport
Accommodation with seperate living room (so adults can stay up after bedtime)
Swimming pool, park, beach etc nearby
Self catering (no waiting about) with eating out options (Give adults a break)

This is why CentreParks etc are so popular

Best holidays we had when our kids were that age were P&O cruises from Southampton.

I had never ever considered a cruise before as I really didn't think it was my thing but we were gifted one by a family member. I was actually dreading it!

It was amazing.

The kids clubs open at 9am and close at 2am and our two absolutely loved it.

We'd be by the pool or out exploring the port during the day. On sea days the kids would be in and out of kids club depending on what activities they wanted to do ( to be honest we had to drag them out to eat or just spend time with us as they enjoyed it so much)

The kids had the choice of kids buffet tea at 6pm and then going into kids club all night or coming out to the formal dinner with us at 8pm and then going to kids club/night crèche while we enjoyed a nice grown up and sophisticated evening. We'd then collect them and carry them asleep back to our cabin at around midnight.

We were so surprised by how well it worked for us that we immediately booked another cruise for the following year.

Mine love the Haven site at Perranporth in Cornwall, the beach is huge and very child friendly and in the evenings there's kids entertainment on in the clubhouse.

We always book private static caravans though, they're much better stocked and cheaper than booking through Haven plus you get to choose one in a location on the park you like.

I agree with P&O cruises from Southampton - fantastic.

Or an all inclusive hotel with kids' clubs and no hassle buffet eating that even the fussiest eaters like. Near good public transport to towns too for a change of seen. My dc are older now but they still talk fondly about Greek buses

IMHO self catering means not much of a break for most mothers.

Self catering by the beach in the UK has worked well for us - more space than in a hotel, plus we can eat what we want, when we want (DD eats a restricted diet, so eating out at places with food for her is a bit monotonous).

Just to add, many AI places are gorgeous and luxurious, a far cry from cheap n cheerful

Self-catering but in a place where you can easily eat out or get food delivered.

Some facilities on site for days at 'home' You don't need to be on a site as such but if you can walk to a park or a nice cafe etc it's really nice. You don't want to go in the car every day.

Look at the pictures and read the reviews, you don't want to arrive and find the garden is actually across the road or the stairs are too steep.

Thank you everyone, lots to think about. @OrangeNeck - yes I assume that's true! Do you have any reccommendations?!

It’s important to give some idea of budget OP as otherwise suggestions range from the Maldives to UK camping

@ AngelsWithSilverWings @OrangeNeck

What destinations did you go to?
I’m a single parent and considering a cruise with my two (they would be 10 and 8). Any recs?

Depending on your budget OP

You can’t beat Sani in Greece
Sensational beach, service, accom, food, kids club, weather
But £££

Tui family resorts are very popular in the canary islands, balearic islands or the greek islands. All inclusive with kids club and play parks.

Campsites near a beach.

Advantages: self catering chalet means kids can be put to bed while you chill out on your deck.
Pool is usually a walk away and fenced off with good kids facilities and kids clubs if you are so inclined.
The beach is great for small kids as who (big and small) doesn't enjoy digging holes and building sandcastles?
Most are geared towards families with kids so you can hire bikes and trailers and venture further afield on cycle paths (I recommend around Les Sables d'Olonne in France area for this.
If you go to France and aren't too far from a British port you can drive (easier packing)
The 5 year old will make friends and there will be a playground too.

We found that these holidays suited us best when the kids were small. Once the youngest was about ten we had kind of outgrown the pool part so just aimed for beach/surfing holidays.

When I could afford it we rented the best chalet (with dishwasher and coffee machine and cleaning included)

Mark Warner.

Fantastic kids clubs, movie nights/listening service for the kids so you can go to dinner, early tea sitting so you can feed the kids at 5, baby facilities, kids pools, baby sitting, good room layouts, excellent adult activity programmes as well.

Depends on what you want, I took mine backpacking for a month, but most people prefer something more sedate. Kids travel well when they are too young to have an opinion (teenagers are a nightmare)

Campsite in France/Italy staying in a lodge/chalet/mobile home, whatever you want to call it.

Would suggest booking directly with campsite owners rather than a tour operator e.g. Eurocamp/Al Fresco/Canvas, as they have nicer accommodation in better part of the site. Yellow Village own a number of sites and are a good website to look at to get an idea.

You get multiple swimming pools, often a beach, self catering for flexibility, separate bedrooms and living space. Also decent shops and restaurants on site. They have lots of activities and entertainment, that's what you need for small children.

Each to their own, but with my difficult pre-schooler going self catering was a lot more relaxing than having to eat breakfast/dinner in a hotel restaurant each day.

@lovemenorca we did a short 7 day cruise which visited France and Spain the first time and then the second cruise covered Spain , Gibraltar , Portugal and Morocco.

@lovemenorca we've done several cruises. The best have been 2 weeks in the med from Southampton (so not a fly cruise) - this means unrestricted luggage. You get 2 or 3 days at sea either end which is blissfully relaxing for parents and kids had a fantastic time in the clubs. Our best one was: Gibraltar, Marseille, Corsica, Rome, Florence, Pisa, Cadiz, Monaco. Can't remember the order. Two balcony cabins with a connecting balcony. Absolute bliss! I find one week a bit short and rushed tbh but still fab. Some people prefer fly cruises as then you get more ports and fewer sea days.

For land holidays we've done several TUI family places, used to be Superfamily I think now it's Family Life. Best was Club Don Toni in Ibiza. That was ages ago though.