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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not want to leave my child in a kids club?

30 replies

KenAdams · 17/01/2015 10:18

I'm trying to book a beach holiday that somewhere that has enough for a toddler to do. Every time I think I've found somewhere, it turns out all the wonderful activities they've mentioned for toddlers are only as part of the kids club. I don't want to leave her in a kids club, we want to go on holiday with her and do things with her! Is there anyone that can recommend somewhere with plenty to do locally (in Europe) in a beach location that doesn't involve putting DD in a kids club?

OP posts:
LadyIsabellaWrotham · 17/01/2015 10:24

To be honest a toddler will probably be happy with a beach - ideally one with a couple of rock pools - a swimming pool, a big selection of sand castle equipment and the undivided attention of mum and dad. It would take a very long time for an average toddler to get bored with that - supplement with a cheap tab?et loaded with Disney films.

123Jump · 17/01/2015 10:25

Hi, not sure what type of holiday you want, but we went here and stayed in a cottage.
It is right on the beach, brilliant pool with lots of fun bits for toddlers.
Also little playgrounds all around, you get two bikes-one with a seat for a toddler.
In the evening there is a merry-go-round, trampolines...
I have three kids, from 10 to a toddler. We never do kids clubs, but my middle boy is extremely sociable, and he does every club going. It is only on two hours am and pm. He loved it.
But the others like to hang with us. We had so much fun! Would really recommend it.

LoxleyBarrett · 17/01/2015 10:38

You don't have to do the kids club - At that age she will probably be fine with playing around the pool. If she does want to go then an hour or two of peace might be nice?

Disclaimer: I have three children and would love an hour or two of peace on holiday, but they don't like the clubs!

Nicknacky · 17/01/2015 10:41

One aspect I did like about a kids club was it got my daughter out the sun for a while and doing activities with other children. Of course they are optional but lots of the sessions are just for an hour or too, it's not like she will be away all day.

ChangingItUp · 17/01/2015 10:41

Best holiday I took mine on as a toddler was to caleta de fuste in fuerteventura. Lovely beaches, play parks dotted around the resort/on the beach. The resort centre has outdoor trampolines and more play parks, some built on sand. Was great for wearing him out after dinner.
You do really only need a beach/pool for little ones. We bought a fishing net and water blaster and bucket and spade, that was more than enough to keep him amused.

jellyandsoup · 17/01/2015 10:47

I think the others are right toddlers don't need non stop activities in holiday, the beach and pool is enough, maybe a boat trip. Mine have loved it at that age. Try Call Llonga in Ibiza. Perfect beach for children, really shallow for ages. And there is a playground on the beach, plus a little fun fair bit in the evenings. Not a huge resort at all but bars and restaurants. So family friendly.

Nicknacky · 17/01/2015 10:49

If you have found a resort that suits you all the I wouldn't dismiss it purely because it has kids club.

MegMogandOwlToo · 17/01/2015 10:54

Toddlers don't need planned activities, so if you don't want to use a kids club, don't.

ShatnersBassoon · 17/01/2015 10:57

Are these things that she could only do with the kids club, or could you do them as a family?

Original poster
KenAdams · 17/01/2015 10:58

She's 2 so I would ideally like her out of the sun for a while every day so something to do out of the sun would be great too.

OP posts:
ghostyslovesheep · 17/01/2015 11:00

hire a villa and do your own thing

Original poster
KenAdams · 17/01/2015 11:01

Oh no, I wouldn't dismiss it just because it has a kids club it's just that they all advertise activities but you can only do them if you're in the kids club (crafts etc) otherwise you can't access them.

OP posts:
bakingaddict · 17/01/2015 11:02

Kids clubs are not obligatory. If you don't want to put your child in one then just have them stay with you. I've always gone to a resort/hotel with a kids club but mine have never bothered with it preferring just to play in the pool. I find that if a resort has a kids club then usually they are geared for kids such as kids pools and playgrounds etc etc

Original poster
KenAdams · 17/01/2015 11:12

Thank you for your suggestions so far I'm looking through them all.

OP posts:
ChangingItUp · 17/01/2015 11:29

Mine went for a 2 hour nap early afternoon at that age which got us out of the sun and meant I could sit on the balcony reading/relaxing. I also always paid for a parasol on the beach so he could happily sit playing in the sand in the shade. Lunch in a café before nap also gave us more time out of the sun.

No naps this year .

catgirl1976 · 17/01/2015 11:31

Eurocamp? We are considering this option with DS (3)

Whilst they do have kids clubs they are not mandatory and a\ lot of them seem to have good pools and actvites (non kids club based)

We wouldn't normally consider a holiday like this but feel a hotel with a young child would be restrictive (sat in slicence from 8pm trying not to wake him up) and a villa for just three is pricey.

Northernexile · 17/01/2015 11:39

We did Eurocamp last year in France when DD was approx 2.5. She had a ball in the pools, on the beach, play parks etc. there was loads to do, and we didn't leave her in the kids club at all. I wouldn't have thought I would enjoy that kind of holiday myself, but I really did!

grocklebox · 17/01/2015 12:27

You cant leave toddlers in the kids clubs in eurocamp, they have stay and play for the under fives, so you can use their equipment with yourchild. Some also have learn to ride and learn to swim, as well as hireable balance bikes and toddler trucks.

PicaK · 17/01/2015 12:33

I completely get where you are coming from. Tbh it's why we do center parcs in UK cos u can do stuff together. The thought of just doing pool/beach every day for a week with a toddler brings me out in a cold sweat as it would get repetitive!

Greywackejones · 17/01/2015 12:36

The only ones I've used this far expect adults to be with the kids (ie a family member) during the kids club for under five.

Five and over you leave the kid. It's insurance.

So check the small print as you might be getting your knickers in a knot over nothing.

Greywackejones · 17/01/2015 12:38

Yup I was with eurocamp. Done a few with and without kids. Bloody marvellous.

Try domaine des Ormes or grangeoir

kewtogetin · 17/01/2015 12:45

We have booked a holiday in a kinderhotel this summer, the cost includes 11 hours childcare per day, per child! We won't use it, we're going on holiday to spend time together as a family but the hotel is perfect for us even though we won't be using the childcare facility, seems silly to overlook a hotel because it has a facility you won't use?

Bambambini · 17/01/2015 12:52

Kids clubs don't have to be all or nothing. We used to put ours in when we wanted. Maybe in the morning or an afternoon here or there to give them a break from the sun and they loved it. Under a certain age they had to be supervised by a parent etc anyway so I would be with them when they were toddler age.

Always been more wary of the Neilson/club med/Mark Warner type resorts as it looks like parents and kids often go their separate ways for their own activities and the kids spend a lot of time in clubs - think that's the attraction for many.

LIZS · 17/01/2015 12:52

Did you not post a similar thread last week ? There were plenty of suggestions in reply.

Mammanat222 · 17/01/2015 12:58

How old will toddler be?

DS was 19 months when we went away and he was fine with the pool and a few toys (an hour in the pool would knock him out for a 2-3 hour nap!) He didn't need any specialist entertainment..

If we go away this summer he'll need a lot more to keep him occupied though.

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