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?

Our last holiday before Covid was with DC’s when they were 3,2 & 8 months. We went all inclusive to Egypt, lots of pool, toddler splash poo, beach and paddling with fish. Dh & I managed some snorkelling and a few dives albeit separately. Kids had fun and was nice to not have to think about meals, etc for 2 weeks. Flight was fine, Ds got a little teary on the way home but all fine. We have been on a few all inclusive with them as babies & toddlers and it’s been fine no more sitting around the beach or pool reading & swimming on a whim but good.

Butlin's is the best but still shit and exhausting

Here

Hope that works. Far enough South for the weather but driveable in a day from Calais. This site has beach access too & a lovely zoo in the local town. There are other companies that rent out mobile homes in addition to the one in the link. Choice of big supermarkets locally to stock up on wine & cheese. I’ve not been since 2018, but had many happy holidays there. My children, older now, still recall it as their favourite holidays. Over the years we tried various different sites in different regions but once we found this we kept going back. Feel free to pm for any other info. Good luck !

Look into luxury family hotels! They have everything set up for little ones, a spa and a creche!

I’d agree with Magic Natura, unlimited access to the zoo, water park, pools, all inclusive.

it’s based around individual lodges, with fridges and microwaves and depending on the lodge hot tubs and sunbathing terraces which is ideal for relaxing while little ones sleep.

Only downside is you need a taxi into town and it’s a bit hilly.

We too ours at 10MO and 15MO and are planning it again now she's 22MO. We drive 3 hours south down the coast to a beach town (live OS). We always stay in an airbnb walking distance to the beach and don't do anything too challenging.

Few meals out, trips to the lighthouse. Local pub. Last time we had a couple of friends with no kids. Next time we're hoping the grandparents join us. Have to agree it's not the same as child free holidays but we do really enjoy it.

You still get woken early and yes it can feel like same shit, different place but it's what you make of it really. If you can share the load properly with your spouse you still get a break. Having our 2nd this year so I don't know how it will go with 2.

I'm one of the few of my friends with similar aged children who haven't taken her overseas. I just can't face the flight and even though the expense of a domestic trip is similar, I really appreciate that we don't rely on public transport at any point.

I've done butlins, haven, centre parcs uk and Europe, eurocamp, holiday cottages, camping, festivals and all inclusive hotels. Loved them all and always loved travelling with kids. I work for my holiday and need the down time.

My parents kindly had them (baby and toddler) for 2 nights and we spent the budget of a crap family holiday on 2 nights at a five star hotel 40 minutes away. Best holiday ever. Until they about 3 poss 4 it’s pretty pointless.

I was just having such fond memories of Union Lido I think it was, when dd was 2. We'd go to pool all day and then the kids would all play together in front of mobile home after dinner. As she didn't like the shower, we bought an inflatable boat, filled it with warm bubbles and she'd sit there happily playing for ages after a hair wash. Then bed - absolutely worn out. And the year she was old enough for kids club at another site - she was up with a pyrex dish of cereal and her bag packed at 7am. That site did evening clubs as well (Parc Albatross I think) Lovely memories.

All of them. I love travelling with my 2 year old. We've done a week in the sun with his dad, a week just the two of us when DP had to work, and a few long weekends just the two of us. Each one I loved and he did too.

Sorry - always AI (never did pre DC), somewhere warm (Cyprus, Greece, UK in summer incl Channel Islands).

It'll be harder with two, no doubt.

We've done loads, all round various coast in England and Wales.
From when the eldest was a few weeks old.
We've always self catered - work to your own timetable and not disturbing anyone else.
Great memories.

Butlins.

My (young) children thought it was the best thing ever. There was loads to do, it didn't cost much and after the first night, they slept well.

We had many great holidays abroad starting when ds1(4), ds2(9 months). All inclusives in Ibiza. Not a problem ever. If you don't fancy it, fine, but it was very easy for us.

Thanks all for your thoughts - I posted and then immediately after that it was constant childcare so I've only just been able to read replies.

Quite a mix here, I guess it depends on budget, what sort of child you have, what you want from a holiday. I love the idea of spending what you would have spent on a holiday on a nanny and then just going out for a nice meal/mini break!

We've never done all inclusive and I'm interested to try it. Before kids we were 100% not the AI types - we love to explore an area, eat out every meal, etc. But perhaps with kids it's the easiest option. But I think to get money's worth it might be best to wait at least til the oldest us 5 or so and can make use of all the clubs and activities?

We might try to get GPs involved to give us some extra pairs of hands.

Camping has always worked really well for us, we have a big tent and low standards 😂

We’ve always gone away with our two since they were around one. Obviously not the same holiday as before kids but definitely enjoyable.
All inclusive is great when they are small as always have mountains of bread , pasta and fruit !
Weve always got them to nap ( even now dd is 10 , we always go for a nap after lunch when abroad so they can stay up late )
I don’t like the idea of sitting in a dark room from 7pm or even on the balcony !
The most stressful part I find is the traveling , I hate airports and queues so once that bits over I can relax - well as much as possible with kids !

If you choose your AI carefully you still get to explore an area and eat out.
We first did an AI when DS was 18 months and we chose one that had a baby club so we at 2 hours a day child free and as DS has got older he's joined in more of the activities. We also made sure it wasn't in the middle of nowhere so we could go out exploring.

The AI aspect makes eating with kids easy but we've always mixed it up with going out and exploring the area too safe in the knowledge that DS has either eaten or can eat at the hotel.

Just because you stay at an AI hotel doesn't mean you can't leave!!

Club Med Portugal in august, fab. We went with friends with kids the same age which was key as we coparented the four of them and all adults had a break/night off etc. kids were two 3yrs olds, 8 months and four months brilliant holiday for about 4k for ten days

I think you can have lovely holidays when you let go of the notion of trying to hold on to the idea of holidays being the same as they were before you had dc.

I'd do a 10 days eurocamp type holiday in France (vendée coast) in late June.

We've done this type of holiday since DS was very young. They're completely set up for young families. It's not completely stress free but it's very very easy with young kids. You can pack the car up with all the crap they need and then just spend your days at the pool/beach/play area on rotation. Also got the option of hiring bikes to get out and about. Yes you still have to cook but at least feeding the kids is easier than navigating days of crappy buffet food. Also these sites have restaurants and take aways.

Recommend this site and their own accommodation: www.sandaya.co.uk/our-campsites/le-littoral

Don't assume that AI equals crappy buffet food.

If your budget can stretch to the higher end of AI the food is often amazing.

Yes, with Family Ski when the dc were 9 months and and 3.5. Filled a chalet with friends and their kids.
eldest skied in the mornings, came out with us some afternoons or stayed in kids club (their choice). Youngest was in creche with great childcare.
fantastic chalet with great food. Very relaxed holiday

We did sun £9.50 holidays and also Eurocamp in France. As long as you're prepared for a different kind of holiday it's great. We would feed the kids, do early evening entertainment and then have a meal in the caravan once they'd gone to sleep. The bonus of being in France was being able to sit outside into the evening. I always found these type of holidays really relaxing because you're forced to take things at a slower pace, make time for naps etc.