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.

@Toothiehurtie

Fish and chips three days in a row is a bold claim!

You will be sick of them after two days, maybe even after one day

No additional needs in immediate family, but we are limited by others at present.

Its really sad that so many are suggesting to go abroad for 2 days as if staying in the UK doesn't count. OP your plans sound lovely, mine would have loved the fake plane packs. Even getting away to a hotel for a night will be exciting, let alone two.

Coming back to this thread to say my DD's favourite thing about the weekend away we had last year was the desk with miniature toiletries, notepad, pen, posh bottles of water etc. You might get this anyway at a nice hotel. She was sad to leave because of this little desk!

Your plans sound great. We went to the Kent coast for 2 nights last year (fairly close to us) and enjoyed a change of scene.

We have done this a couple of times and both worked really well - we went for locations that had something a bit special/unusual to offer, memorable & slightly quirky accommodation, booked great restaurants (we’re quite a foodie family) and let the kids lead the days with what they wanted to do (crabbing, beach, ice cream, etc.) A few years ago now and they both remain fondly remembered breaks, my teen mentioned the fab ice cream shop we visited daily just recently. I think sometimes only having a weekend makes you use your time really well and be really present, and it can be a great break.

Sorry I haven't had time to read all the replies, so apologies if this is already covered.

We live by the seaside in the UK with 3 kids and they are most happy when they are playing on the beach. It is also when I am most relaxed as they are happy. To have a good beach day you could look to hire a beach hut incase of any dodgy weather. Good beach toys are good - bucket and spade - good beach shoes (if stoney beach) make all the difference. Crabbing stuff if there are rock pools. Kites go down well too - especially if you want to give gifts in advance to get them excited. Warm swim stuff so they can brave the sea! Body board or floats for the sea.

Try and position yourself on a beach near toilets and a cafe if you can so you have the facilities you need.

We love the seaside here, I would chose it over a plane trip any day. Hope you have a good break.

Could you stretch to Centre Parc? We had three days there and the kids thought it was fantastic.

Why don't you try something completely different such as hire a canal boat or campervan. Our kids loved going to a caravan when they were younger, whereas a hotel was just another room.

Your kids might be too old but the Woolley grange (and sister hotels) specialize in luxury family holidays. Could be worth looking at those!

Get to Scarborough and stay at premier inn, spend the first day at the alpamare swimming complex, then the second day at flamingo land theme park. Or I can tell you loads of awesome places, and there’s the beach if the weathers good too. Enjoy your break away 😊

I think the UK has some fabulous places to enjoy.

My choice would be to go to the Dorset coast, and have lots of picnics and cream teas.

Or Cornwall beaches.

Or the East Anglia coast or Norfolk Broads.

You can't really go wrong with a day out in London. Free museums, take a packed lunch.

I agree, do the 2 nights at Alton or Chessington or Legoland. Themed rooms etc. There are pools at all three too.

I haven't gone through all the comments so sorry if this has already been talked about. But if money isn't an obstacle then why not get a lodge at a theme park/safari park or Centre Parcs and book loads of the activities, use the pools with wave machines/slides etc.

Don't bother with plane packs that just highlights that you're not going on one.go somewhere near a beach but also with simple attractions in case it rains I wouldn't bother with theme parks because of the long queues

I do not know if you have cheap party stores (Dollar Store here in USA) in your area, but you might consider buying cheap party decorations for a beach picnic party depending on age of your kids. Add some fancy cupcakes and fruit punch. Balloons, banners, paper plates and napkins and maybe call it Welcome Back To Fun Day?

Hi,

A nice hotel or a cosy cottage sounds nice. If you are focusing on the kids you could have a ‘yes’ day or two. It’s as simple as it sounds, everything the kids want to do, you say yes.
The kids will love it and never forget it and it will be fun for everyone.
Enjoy!

Butlins is absolutely brill, we've been a couple of times and absolutely cannot fault it! So much fun stuff to do for kids, and if you add a meal plan you barely need any spending money either!

Alternatively, if you really can only do the two days, could you go to an attraction? Alton towers, Thorpe park type thing and stay overnight and do two days in the theme park? Alton towers has a water park type thingy. For kids of 10 and 7 that would be great too!

Have you looked on Groupon? They usually have lots of holiday spots that won’t break the bank but can be as good as you make them… or maybe something like canal boating?

Glamping in a safari tent - pref on a farm if you’re townies, in Devon/Dorset/Cornwall near the seaside, with days packed doing paddle board lessons, rock pooling, with lots of icecream and a bbq on the beach and nice pub for lunch . Lots of good blogs to give you ideas - eg Flipflopsandwellies.
even my late teens would like this !

Is it really important to keep up with the Jones'? Holidays can be super expensive and overrated in my opinion. Take the pressure off yourself. Creative day trips and playing with good friends and BBQs, camping in the garden or quality time with parents and fun people is just as good. Holidays are good for weather. The rest is usually just expense and stress.

When ours were little its strange the things they most remember and remember fondly regarding holidays and the ones they enjoyed the most weren’t abroad and weren’t the longest (holidays) or the most expensive either.

For example, they loved camping holidays and family walks up a hill or camping with friends. Also once we were getting the bathroom done so stayed at a local caravan site and DH went to work every day. We went to the beach every day, went for walks, we took bikes so they played out around the site on bikes and we went to the entertainment at night (they loved helping us find the numbers on the bingo) and the furry character who came along with the entertainment. Holidays abroad, visits to Zoos, Blackpool, Alton Towers, Euro Disney and London never got a mention.

Sorry but yes YABU to think you can make 2 days at the seaside anything like 2 weeks abroad. If you can only afford 2 days at the seaside that's fine but obviously it doesn't come close to comparing to spending 2 weeks abroad and neither should it. I'm sure your children will have fun and plenty of people can't afford to go abroad or even on UK holidays, especially at the moment. Just enjoy the trip for what it is.

We had a couple of days by the seaside a few years ago and had a great time. My daugjter wants to do it again 😍. A short break sounds good as since lockdown UK holidays are so expensive.
Have a look on Wowcher and other discount sites to see what deals are out there for short breaks and things to do in the area and for other activities to do during the summer holidays.
Have a great time and make special family memories x

Maybe consider a hotel that has suites with two bedrooms? The kids might like the adventure of their own room?
You could look at a few National Trust places and take out a family membership which could be cheaper than paying into each place. They sometimes have great outdoor playgrounds when exploring the forests.

Take bikes with you to go exploring?

Have a great time whatever you do.