To wonder what holidays are suitable for what age?

[TheGoogleMum]

Currently on maternity leave with my 6 month old and the only holiday we have planned is a week with my parents in Devon. We were considering a short mon-fri type break in a cabin in November which we did a couple of years ago but can't help feeling it might just be more hard work then relaxing with a baby (DD would be around 1). There was a thread recently where people said when under 2 holidays aren't really holidays. What holidays are the easiest/most enjoyable with young children (and what age?). DH is a bit snobby for Butlins but I would consider it if it's likely to be a good bet (is it better once DD is 2 or 3 though?)

It really depends what you like and on the kid.

For example there is no way OH would go on a caravan holiday,kids or not so he'd hate the whole things regardless.

I'm not a big fan of going and exploring all day holidays, so we don't do them either.

It's either an AI abroad with lots of things for kids to do or short breaks at amusement parks now that DD is older.

See, if you overthink this (toddler on a plane etc) then it will be hard work. My kids have both flown long and short haul since they were very young. They can now do 24+ hours with no fuss (they are 7 and 2 so I have a toddler).
We enjoy:

• city breaks like Athens or Barcelona or Brussels. We have also done Edinburgh, Zurich, Paris and Lyon, Rome and Berlin. Do one adult and one child friendly thing a day. Largely keep to meal and nap times. Try and book an Air BnB so you are not in a dark hotel room at night.
• Center Parcs type holidays. Very relaxing but for the money you spend I am not sure. We did a couple of multi generational holidays there and they worked well.
• we have done long haul to North America and Asia. Kids love beaches, pools, anything new frankly. Anywhere with space to run around. Being exposed to new people and places is good for them even if they won’t remember the actual holiday. My very shy DS1 blossomed after two weeks in Asia where people are constantly chatting with kids- he really got used to the socialisation.

My idea of hell is a small cabin in a wood with constant rain outside. Then you might as well stay at home with the toddler. It also depends on what you mean by ‘holiday.’ Do you just want to go somewhere that is not home, do you want to go somewhere that is not home but v v child friendly (ie CP) or do you want a holiday where you experience and do new things plus some child friendly bits? We do 3. For us 1 is not a holiday, that’s just like going to visit my BIL and his family who live a 5 hour drive away.

We're taking advantage of going abroad while dd is free on the plane!

Go to an AI hotel, means food is sorted. Then i can lie in the sun and read my book while dd naps in the pushchair, lots of naps with lots of swimming

We didn't go on holiday when DS was a baby (under 1) as he was a nightmare baby and I had PND and it all just seemed too much.

However DS is now 3 and last summer we went to North Wales for a week and Center Parcs for a week. This year we are going to Devon. Planning to stick with UK until he starts school and then do northern Europe and then further afield.

There is so much to explore within the UK that I don't feel that we have missed out and I personally can't think of a better holiday for a toddler than a traditional British seaside holidays (we were lucky that we had fab weather last year of course).

I agree with @Lazypuppy remember as soon as they hit two, you pay full price for a sit!! It's worth taking advantage of!

At one they really don't need child style entertainment, I'd chose what you want to do and go there. Self catering style I found easier as more flexibility and mine have never slept well away from home.

Under 2 it really is a case of same shit somewhere else, so make that somewhere else really lovely! Whatever that would be to you. I personally wouldn't do centreparks or butlins or equivalent as I wouldn't particularly enjoy that and when they're that small beach/park/museum with a couple of kids toys/bar with your own toys is just as good.

We always did abroad as I love being outside and that's harder in rainy cold Britain than abroad and honestly flying was fine. I suggest somewhere within a couple of hours before October if possible. I really recommend Majorca, very family friendly, short flight, similar time to Britain and their is a huge range of things to do especially if you get a car. The monastery even has a soft play!