Have you ever had a holiday with small children that was actually worth it?

[superorganisms]

...in terms of money and stress? And if so, what/where was it?

I have two under three. One 9 week old. Thinking of holiday next year but the thought of travel, the expense, the stress...would it actually ever be worth it? Thinking maybe not abroad, or at least not long haul, and possibly asking another family along. Don't care about hot weather, just not crap enough to allow us to get some fresh air every day.

Have you ever actually had a good, vaguely relaxing time, and if so, where did you go? Where did you stay? Any top tips?

I've done a week in Weymouth (Airbnb house) and just explored. Nothing really planned other than Sealife centre, so could just do things at our own pace.

Did 5 days at Disneyland Paris in November. Other than a couple of whinges in the queues, DD was fine. We just made sure any queues were a maximum of 20 minutes and went on the Carousel a lot.

DD was 2-2.5 for those holidays and she loved it. She doesn't need a holiday at this age so really it's just somewhere new for DH and I that's obviously friendly for her.

I'm taking her with my Sis and Niece (4) to Magic Natura next year, and I reckon they will both love it. Lots of pools and a wildlife centre to walk around, with food available whenever (all inclusive).

All inclusive Spain or Balearics.

I am sure I thought I enjoyed myself back when mine were that age but now I’m older I look back and they were pretty horrific. I have rose tinted glasses on in regards to some holidays.

Best age is mid childhood. They get a bit shit again when they become teens.

Yes, when DC were very young we went to Walberswick. Their first sand and sea, first ice cream. We stayed in a cottage in lovely grounds and DC scampered around. When they napped we sat in the garden and had rose wine. It felt like a turning point after a truly shit year of DS2 being touch and go ill since birth.

Didn't bother with abroad until they were older - Eurodisney aged 5 and then European holidays from about 7-8 yrs. Didn't do long haul until their teens.

I find the baby age is fine. 3 years + is fine. That bit in between is the tough period.

I rather when we go on our own - its easier to suit DC. With other families there may be expectations to do things/go places at certain times and if that doesn't suit DC then they end up tired and miserable.

The algarve is perfect for us - short flight, gorgeous beaches, family friendly.

Self catering is handy becausr you can make food at any time and dont have to wait eg for the restuarant to open for breakfast.

Wow so many negative comments. I have had wonderful holidays with DD (now 3) since she was a newborn, in Cornwall, France, Italy, Spain and Cyprus. Absolutely loved my time away with her and she got so much excitement and different experiences. She's also a brilliant swimmer and I have to thank the holidays for that.

Perhaps I would feel differently with more than one child, but as we only have her DH and I can juggle childcare on holiday and have fun at the same time.

Yes. Butlins. Zero stress as we got the food package. So much for the kids to do and such a reasonable price. Can not recommend enough.

@Eurydice84

Sounds like you’ve just got the one kid though. Easy peasy.

Yes, lots. AI in Majorca is my recommendation and keep them up for the mini disco/entertainment. No need for early nights on holiday.

We go to lanzarote every month. 3 and 1 year olds. Travelled since they were teeny. Absolutely recommend the canaries!

Accessible healthcare if necessary, doesn't feel too 'foreign' and the year round sun is a winner. Also able to get lots of British food should your little ones be funny about eating. All inclusive takes the worry out of cooking.

Spaniards are generally outstanding with children. One of our local bars is basically a childcare service because they're so good with our little ones. We've been here since December 6th and whilst it's still hard work, it beats being at home staring at 4 walls all day!

I think you should go for it.

Yes I second that. We always kept DD up for the mini disco and she would have lie-ins in the morning with DH, while I read my Kindle with a coffee at breakfast. I still can't get those baby disco songs out of my head though...

We did UK Butlins that age - wasn't relaxing but was fun - we did self catering as kids got up very early.

Center parcs with grandparents 👌

I've done one abroad (salou) with DD1 who is was crawling and it was a nightmare as she would never sit in her pram. And another with DD2 (Menorca) who was just toddling. The toddling stage was easier as she would tire herself out and would then sleep in the pram...but the 2 hour flight was hell with her and yes I was one of those parents with one of those screaming kids on an aircraft. Endless bags of quavers, sweets, entertaining wouldn't stop her wanting to walk on that flight.

BUT, would either of that put me off doing it again? No. I'd just probably time it to avoid the crawling stage. The rest was all manageable and the weather, pool, cocktails etc made it all worth it.

I've never had a holiday with my kids that wasn't worth it, at any age. We've enjoyed camping in the UK, Euro camps in France and Italy, visiting parents in America, spontaneous city breaks in cheap city centre hotels, air BnB countryside breaks.... All fab. I literally don't understand people who don't like holidays with their young kids. You're off work, exploring someplace new, eating nice food, seeing the sights with the people you love the most. It's great.

Don't expect relaxing days by the pool, relax your expectations around bedtimes and meals, don't pack too much stuff, and don't expect to much from anyone and you'll have a great time

Other than Covid, we've been away twice a year since DC1 was 6mo (now 13yrs & DC2 is 11yrs) and enjoyed all of our holidays. Perhaps because we've organised them with the DC in mind and had low expectations? There have always been a few moments of stress or where things have gone wrong and the holiday when DC2 was two and was ill for most of it was a low point but even on that holiday we had lots of fun as, when he was well enough, he loved the pool and mini disco

We never did early nights. We always went to the evening entertainment which was very child friendly. Then we would go back to the room around 10ish and we'd all just go to bed and me and Dh would read for a bit.

We love travelling with our kids and have done since they were babies. Long haul, short haul, road trips, train holidays, all inc, villas.

When they wanted to go to bed early we just either lay the pram flat and parked them up next to us or sat on the balcony playing cards.

Nope!

We travelled extensively and always long-haul with our kids from when the first one was 6 months old.

I honestly don’t know why people imply it’s difficult. It was always really easy. When they were small enough, we booked a seat at the bulkhead so we could use the sky cot. When they were a bit older, we made sure we had new books and toys for the flights. By the time they’re about 5, they will watch films - easy.

We never did hotels when they were young. I’d imagine that’s a bit restrictive. I’d always recommend booking a house or villa, then it’s like a home away from home.

We always had enjoyable cheap holidays with 4 kids under 5.

We holidayed in UK, by car to rented cottages or caravans in either very rural or beach locations. All the children wanted was to play in water sand sea waves woods beaches rock pools bonfires etc. We used to pick remote locations where they could make as much noise as they liked., get as wet and filthy as they wanted. If it rained, they still played outside, went for walks etc. We all had wet weather gear and wellies.

Don';t even think of dragging them round "attractions".

We always self catered, and it was the one time when we ate lots of convenience food lunches . Breakfast as usual, (cereal milk); tea as usual (beans on toast) lunch , anything convenient and fast out of a tin or packets. Tinned tuna, tinned sausages, cheese, fruit bread and boiled eggs often featured . Lots of picnics outside .

Not really, You'd be better off using the money for extra childcare so you can have some time off. Its just so stressful when they are that tiny its just not worth the effort and money. But some extra babysitting, or nursery days are wonderful.

We travelled a lot when mine were small. We did trips we wanted to do basically, mostly road trips (lived in USA) went backpacking when they were 2&4. Honestly kid's travel well if you are pretty laid back about things, I had a double buggy up until eldest was 4 so backpacking consisted of a him with a full size back pack plus suitcase on wheels with cooler bag strapped onto top, me with a large daypack and two kids sized back packs on each side of the buggy (or on their back's when they were walking) we ferry hopped and took trains, lots of fun

Mobile home holidays in the UK or France, from when the eldest was six months old (we took the ferry to le Havre and drove to the Loire Valley that first trip, later ones were to Wales, Dorset and Brittany).
They had a great time, we had a great time. I look back on those holidays with great fondness. Lots of picnics, paddling and low key fun.

I honestly don't get the 'same shit, different place' thing. All our holidays with our kids have been great. I used to love how they were so excited by new things that we take for granted.

Went to Spain this summer with a 1 yo and 7 yo, all inclusive, lots of swimming, a DP who more than pulls his weight, hotel room with sliding door across kids sleep area (a fold out couch and a cot) and balcony off our bedroom bit. It was great. Took a bit of coordinating with naps, meal times etc.