Ideas for an exciting holiday with 4 yo?

[bimmyboo]

Our child starts school in Sept so this year is our last chance to book a holiday in term time. We are fortunate enough to have a beach holiday already booked and we are looking for something else to book between now and August, ideally something a bit memorable but also suitable for a 3-4 year old. He is very adventurous and open to new experiences so we can probably sell him anything!

Does anyone have any ideas or specific places / experiences they can recommend?

Good old fashioned seaside caravan holiday. Or Disneyland Paris but I’d personally save that for another year or so til a bit older

Probably not very helpful but... We went to Dublin when my youngest was 4. First time on a plane. Hired a car (he loved all things transport). Went on one of those duck boat tours. Took the train to central Dublin. Went to the aquarium. The hotel had a pool. You get the picture.

I was writing a few postcards to grandparents before we came home. I asked the 4 year old what the best bit of thr trip was so far. He said going on the double decker bus (we did that on the same day as the train and duck boat!)!

So, my advice would be just plan a regular holiday, nothing too extravagant. He'll probably just remember a fun holiday with family rather than specific activities.

Actually, thinking about it we've stayed in a few cool places. This self catering Sea king Helicopter was the far away winner, if Stirling isn't too far. Loads of kids friendly things to do nearby (Kelpies, Falkirk Wheel, Blair Drummond Safari Park, Wallace Monument).
https://mainsfarm.angelfishsoftware002.co.uk/seaking

Everywhere I'm taking my 3.5 year old this year is

Thailand, India and Malaysia (big trip across Jan+Feb, we leave soon!)

Disneyland Paris (self explanatory- amazing for kids!)

Mexico for a family holiday, nice family resort with kids pool etc

And we've just booked Lapland in December which he is very excited for and is already asking how many sleeps til December! 🤦🏼‍♀️😂

Great ideas! Thank you! We have a week in south of France booked already and I'm now thinking about getting the train down there with a few stop offs and taking a week or so to arrive.

Possibly train to Paris, stay in Paris for 3 days and include day visit to Disney.
Train down to Montpelier (near where we are going) and see city and beaches for another 3 days.

Anyone taken the TGV with a 3/4 year old? I've done so many times as an adult but not thought about it through the lens of being a parent.

@toddlermam we can't wait to go back to SE Asia with our son but had always thought we'd wait till he's a bit older due to the long flight times. How do you cope with a long flight and a 3 yo?

I'm thinking about taking our 4 year old to Copenhagen for a long weekend at some point this year.

We did an amazing trip to Copenhagen, Malmo and Stockholm when DD was 3.5.

They’re all really kid friendly cities (and fun for a grown up wander), and the trains between them are great.

I'd go long haul if you can, flying with one kid is easy, (2 kids one adult was more challenging but I did it 3 times a year). Best holiday I did with mine was backpacking around Alaska

Skiing? Much cheaper in term time.

Yes we've been to Copenhagen and Stockholm and love them

@anothernamechangeagainsndagain thanks. Maybe we should think about long haul but I've often thought let's wait till older. Might be okay though. Not interested in backpacking but equally not boring lay on the beach holidays either. Something with a mix of experiences.

Try and chose a Night flight. He'll sleep the whole way some airlines allow inflatables that turn the plane seat into a bed (ie we're using our Plane Pal with Virgin airlines to India)

Bognor Regis.

Warm, family friendly, loads of safe beaches. Your kid will have a great time.