Teens too old for butlins?

[ChocolateCups]

are young teens too old for butlins? I would like to take my kids away but can’t go abroad, they are young teens is that too old for butlins now? We have never been before. Thanks

What is the reason you can’t go abroad ? If you’re ok to say

My kids LOVED Butlins. They’re 14 now and it’s not for them. They reminisce more about Butlins than they do some of the amazing places we have been to. If you have to stay UK what about a holiday park? What do they like doing?

Dont take them to toddler themed week...talk to them?
show them pics of pool and rides ask are they interested?

If they had it their way they’d never leave their rooms so trying to get out somewhere for a change. They do like the beach but I don’t want to just do a day trip.

I found Haven quite good. Older teens and they loved it but to tbf I just paid for the caravan and not the entertainment package as we didn’t plan on using it. Used the caravan as a base and did activities in the area etc. had meals out in the evening with occasional takeaway in the caravan after a particularly long day. Some of the sites are in beautiful locations, we have done north Wales, the south coast and Northumberland and really enjoyed it. I think it depends on if you planning on staying on site - in which case your children may be too old now, or doing things in the area instead :)

Not keen on haven as I don’t drive so would need everything to be on site

Haven is like butlins just camping and vans instead of calets

Ahhh. Then Haven is probabaly out yes and I do think that they are probabaly too old for Butlins. A couple of hours at the funfair and they’ll be done with that and I doubt there is much in the way of entertainment aimed at their age group to hold their attention.

My teens like center Parcs. They’re 14 & 15. We hire bikes and they like to go for a cycle around the place. There’s also lots of activities they like- bowling, playing pool, high ropes with zip wire, Segway, archery, laser pigeon shooting etc. Though you do have to pay extra for that. But the pool is free and they still like the rapids. Woburn center Parcs is near a train station and then it’s a 10 min taxi from the station.

You don’t need to drive anymore at Haven than you do at Butlins. To be honest I think Haven is more suited to teens. You can make it as quiet or whatever as you like. Just use the caravan as a base. Indoor pools etc. We love the Caister Haven.

Thanks for the other suggestions but they don’t look like they have as much going on so we’ll give them a miss (and butlins)

I was going to suggest Center Parcs, but does depend on budget. What part of country are you aiming to go to. There is Bluestone in Wales, Manor House Hotel in Devon. Both have activities for teens and slightly kinder on your pocket

Bognor Butlins have recently had a new PlayXperience zone built - have a Google and see if they might like some of the nine different things on offer.

What sort of thing are you looking for @ChocolateCups

my boys are 14 and 13, daughter is 9 and they still like butlins. They are all autistic and dont like the activities like climbing or swimming due to sensory issues but love the entertainment in Reds/Centre stage. We do minehead and there is something for all of them. This year Im going alone as Ive split from their dad and dont drive so jt will be a different one but we are doing it. Im hoping to do a 7 night stay next summer as our "last" family holiday. We wouldnt be able to afford abroad and I dont drive so it does limit us abit but they enjoy the arcades and the shows (even enjoyed snow white panto last summer!)
I say go and have fun!

What about Flamingo Land? Or an Alton Towers short break?

Thanks thats the same for me I don’t drive so lots of the places aren’t accessible and I don’t want to use public transport to get to places or explore the area. I did think they were a bit old.

They don’t like theme parks sadly.

What do they like? If you don't drive and aren't willing to use public transport to explore an area then I do think you're going to be very limited!

A city break to Edinburgh or another major city?

Thank you im not looking for any other suggestions I was just wondering about butlins but if they are too old we will skip it. Im not confident using public transport in areas I don’t know.

Center Parcs? DS has been every year since he was 2, and still looks forward to it. He’ll be 13 this year and is desperate to go again.

Butlins is brilliant for young teens. So much more to do than at Havens and it is all included in the price. The shows are brilliant. We saw Stephen Mulhearn doing magic last year and it was great. The pool is really good with outdoor rapids and the fun fair is all included in the price. You can let teens go off on their own. It's a lot cheaper than Centre Parks and usually right on the beach as well. I would definitely go. I hope you have a great time.

Why don’t you ask them if they want to go or feel they’re too old for it? Never been to Butlins. Not driving is a major handicap when you have children. It opens so many doors …

My children are a little younger than yours as my eldest is almost 12 however the pool at Bognor Regis is really good. I think they’d also like the play experience centre which has laser tag, digital darts/golf, escape room and a VR centre.
Bognor also has a small spa.

The beach at Minehead is awful so I’d avoid that one …