To think I can make two days by the seaside as good as two weeks abroad?

[Toothiehurtie]

For a variety of reasons we can’t go away this year and we haven’t been away for the last two years mainly because covid but other reasons too. We have a friendship circle where everyone else has been away at least twice and just heading into talking about everyone’s summer holidays. We can do two days by the seaside but I’m thinking if we throw money at it and try and find a nice hotel with a pool and just let the Kids have as much ice cream and fish and chips etc. Wondering if you fantastic people can think of anything inventive to make it seem extra exciting. We are going to get up very early to go and I’m going to make the kids a pack like you get on a plane.m, and make hotel welcome basket etc but trying to think outside of the box.

Yes, I agree. My nephews are 7 and 10 and when holidaying in the UK they wanted either Alton Towers or Blackpool. We left it too late for Alton Towers tickets (Easter weekend), so Blackpool it was. Rough as fuck but the kids absolutely loved it and that's the main thing.

Just have a nice couple of days away without having to fake 'plane packs' and 'treat baskets'. Why are you comparing your holiday to what other people do? I am sure your DC won't really be focussing on what other families do ... unless you make a big thing about it.

With the ages of your children I'd be tempted to do something like Haven or Butlins.

That way you have things to do in the day and evening entertainment. Lets the kids stay up late, order take aways or eat in the cafes.

A few years ago I took the DC away for a week on my own a DH was working - I booked a Haven (took the opportunity knowing that DH would hate it!) and the kids still talk about it now!

Honestly, we do lovely holidays away at beautiful places with posh cottages and hotels most of the time but it’s the Haven caravan and activities that they remember!

I read a book called Happy Money once which cited research that demonstrates that the length of an experience is not a factor in how much we enjoy a thing when we look back on it. If I remember rightly it was how out of the ordinary an experience was that really nailed down the making memories element.

So, on that basis, I'd Airbnb something really unusual for your family, like a houseboat, windmill, an earth house and organise an experience that no one has done before.

Go somewhere like St Ives or the Channel Islands where there's beautiful scenery and lots to do in the immediate area around the hotel.

Just seen a TikTok where a couple of friends fly to Majorca for the day on RyanAir. It was a very long day but they went to the beach, saw Palma, ate ice cream, went in the sea, had dinner and came home.

guaranteed sunshine, excitement of a plane ride, beach and sea and a special dinner. Could you do that on a random day if those Ryan Air tickets were the right price?

Yes it’s fine.

I would go somewhere that have something else nearby as well. Like those go ape tree climbing, or an attraction. That way you can do something each morning like that, then beach/ hotel pool in the afternoon.

Consider all options- one join later, seperate holidays- is this future years or just this year ?

My concern would be the weather as it could rain solid for the two days you pick any time of the year. If you had longer the chances of this becomes more unlikely.

I don’t think you need to do anything special beyond having a nice time. A night away is fun in itself. Also, most of our holidays are long weekends and I don’t think a 2 day holiday is any less of a holiday. I’ve never been on a two week
holiday in my life. 12 days was the longest, and that was our honeymoon.

I'd do this for the two days - get a 7am flight out and an evening flight back on day 2.

Is it two 'annual leave' days so that you could tag on a weekend and make it four? Are the obligations that tie you up til October all work related?

Skegness!

Go to a beach and do some rockpooling and splashing in the sea. They will love it.
Don’t be negative towards them about how bad it is that they aren’t going abroad, be positive about where you are going.

They're a bit old for what you're suggesting. And it's very weather dependant! Haven't they done the beach a thousand times?
I'd. have a long weekend somewhere and incorporate theme parks, go karting etc.

If you can't make it longer, or go somewhere really exciting for two days, then I think I would opt for doing this one differently. You're not going to be able to make it as relaxing as 2 weeks in the sun, or as exciting as a weekend in Disneyland, no matter how nice you make it, so I would make it a holiday that stands out for different reasons. How would you feel about letting your DC be in charge? Watch the movie Yes Day with them, discuss and agree on the rules around it, and a budget, then let them pick the activities, where you eat, what food they get, clothes, etc etc.

You have so much riding on two days that it'll likely end up awful because you'll be so tense that it goes well.

I agree with others on the theme park idea though.

Safari Lodge at Woburn Abbey or somewhere like that?

Depending on where you are is getting to Paris for the weekend feasible? Went with the kids at a similar age - got to hotel by about 10 pm Friday, spent Saturday on the hop on hop off bus, up the Eiffel Tower, boat back along the Seine to Notre Dame. Sunday morning we wandered over to Montmatre, then back on the Eurostar after lunch.

Venice another possibility if cheap Easyjet flights are available, and take the water taxi from the airport to Venice itself

Don't go too far away - thus less travel time. Don't shop, just rest, eat out, order takeaway. Focus on activities for the kids and change for you and make the nights cosy with maybe board games. Try to stay where activities are close by and allow the kids freedom of choice about what and for how long. Ban gadgets and screens and sleeping in late as you can do that in your regular life. Concentrate on adventure, exploration, laughter, lack of chores and togetherness.

Could you do Butlins for a long weekend but just come back after two days? Both of mine love this holiday more then any of the others we have offered in the past.

If not you could try; Euro Disney like others have said or Lego Lane stay in their hotel on site (haven't done it myself but it looks great)

Yes you can. The kids will remember the fun not the fact it was only 2 days. Pick somewhere that has stuff to do nearby of the weather is bad (indoor pool with slides for example) but mine were quite happy on the beach for a couple of days. If you can maybe get a caravan or something for a weekend where there is stuff to do onsite - me taking part in the kids entertainment with my DC was apparently their favourite part 🤣

For 2 days I would keep it not too far, book restaurants so you aren't searching