To not go on holiday because it's raining all week?

[Elisabeth3468]

UK caravan holiday predicted rain every single day. Obviously I knew there was a chance the weather wouldn't be great but was hoping for a few dry days at least.
It's only a cheap caravan holiday (what we can afford) and we have a 3 year old and 7 month old.
Involves a lot of packing with two young children and it's a 5 hour drive.
We would definitely be going if the weather looked nicer .
My 3 year old is very energetic and needs a lot of running around/outdoor time. Baby doesn't sleep well in travel cot. We were planning more outdoor (free) things and not to be going to soft plays etc, although there is free swimming and soft play at the caravan site.

If we stayed home we'd do a couple of days out locally and also crack on with some house projects that really are desperate to be done so the time wouldn't be wasted.
We would obviously lose the money we paid for the holiday.
What would you do?
please no snide remarks that "you have to expect rain on UK Holiday etc" I do know that.... it's just predicted horrendous rain for the full week and stuck in a caravan with a baby and toddler without home comforts doesn't sound very fun haha.

I wouldn't go. Caravan holidays are my idea of hell. I am always freezing in a caravan when it is raining regardless of the outside temperature. Yet i can keep warm far easier to keep warm at home when it is raining.

It says light showers on met office so I would go personally but I’m Scottish and don’t mind a bit of rain

Just go.

Your little ones will love the swimming pool and soft play.

Most have little activities for kids too. Usually mid morning and then an early evening disco.

Wasn't really our thing but kids liked running round for a bit and it was different to being at home.

Take a big brolly and some wellies.

Forecast is sunshine and showers and doesn't look overly heavy (until Saturday evening but assuming you are Mon-Fri)

Nope, not a chance I’d go.

Years ago went to a cottage in Cornwall for the week when my kids were similar ages to yours. Pissing it down every day, no friends to invite over, getting soaked through every day. We were all bored and miserable. It was a disaster.

I only do UK breaks very last minute now when I’m positive what the weather will be.

What would put me off is the distance - 1 of the main attractions of a UK caravan holiday to me is reduced travel time - if you were <2hrs I would say go for it, because you can always leave early, I wouldn't drive 5 hours to sit in a caravan with 2 bored kids in your position.

There's no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing. Take wellies, waterproofs & make the most of it. Weather forecasts always give the worst case scenario.

Go on the holiday, pack wellies and a all in one waterproof, the weather may change

That’s not what those percentages mean. (I used to think that too)
It means that 30% of the area the forecast is for will have rain at that point.

I would go, the weather forecast is so unpredictable. Pack for rain and plan for some indoor activities, you can still have fun.

Weather for today said rainy … it’s lovely, no rain at all, so nice I’ll be off to the Football in my t-shirt

Honestly, go! We went on a similar holiday last week, considered not going as the forecast was positively biblical every bloody day!

We had an epic time, only got wet once and made fantastic memories. It was genuinely one of my favourite trips and I’m so glad we didn’t cancel!

As someone who has just returned from a holiday where it rained 5 days out of the 6 we were there, I wouldn't go. Was a nightmare being stuck in a small space with toddler with barely any of her toys etc. We spent ages looking for things to do inside which wasn't a lot for young kids.

I'd still go.

I always book either a silver or gold caravan (Haven) so they tend to be very pleasant to stay in. Some even have a dishwasher which I don't have at home!

I'd take a couple of blankets for the sofas for movies. Popcorn. Board games. Books. Drawing stuff.

Extra socks and wellies, brollies etc. Then you can still do a walk and a play when it's not raining. Stick a towel under your pram for drying swings and slides.

I don't mind being cosy in the caravan though. When I'm at home I've always got this pressing feeling that there's stuff I SHOULD be doing. I don't get that if I'm not there. Plus I focus more on giving the kids quality time whereas at home I've always got stuff I need to juggle as well as them.

If all that sounds awful to you though then don't go. Your kids are too young to realise they're missing a caravan stay and will still get time with you.

I wouldn't go with kids of those ages. I think your gut instincts are right. We abandoned a holiday once at the baby + toddler stage as it was just so much harder than being at home, and we weren't even staying in a caravan

If you go I thoroughly recommend getting a wetsuit for the 3 year old and head to the beach when dry. We used wetsuits on our kids at uk beaches to play in on the sand to keep warm - not to use in the water. They will be easier to buy cheaply at the beach. We get on the beach all the way through the year as long as it’s now raining

I would go and pack a very small cheap toy wrapped for every day as an emergency. If the swimming is indoors the kids will be happy with that everyday. Put the baby in the soft play to get the crawling out.

We did a similar break when kids were the same age and while the weather was pretty good, it would have been ok if it wasn't. Just trade off the three year old while the younger one naps for quiet time each.

Are you asking mumsnet because your partner wants to go?

I’m south east and it is glorious today. 22 degrees, clear blue skies sunny sky

tomorrow… 23 degrees and sunny all day

I wouldn’t in your situation

I'd still go and make the best of it But I love caravan holidays.

I'd still do the beach and walks during the day with swimming and soft play and then the kiddies entertainment (if there is any) during the evening

I would go. Make it an adventure. Take some wellington boots and do a splash and muddy puddle day. Go on a wildlife hunt. I’m sure you will enjoy it

No it doesnt! Why do you think that?
Met Office says “For example, a 70% chance means a 7 in 10 chance that precipitation will fall at some point during that period.
Precipitation means falling water (rain, sleet, snow, hail or drizzle).
We show the chance that at least 0.1mm of precipitation will fall within 1 hour, on the hourly forecast. Or 0.3mm within 3 hours on the 3 hourly forecast. This precipitation may fall across the whole time or fall in a short sharp burst. The weather symbol can help show the difference between light and heavy precipitation.”

I'd go and plan to come back early if we were having a shit time.

Morning soft play, back for nice lunch in the caravan, afternoon swim. Adults could even swap going solo a few times to give the other a rest in the caravan. Drive out for some chips in the evening.

Kids will love it and its a change of scene.

Literally what is the point in being a family if you spend the majority of the day separate? This actually makes me feel really sad

I would go, 3 days of swimming abd soft play plus the extra entertainment. Of you're really not enjoying it you can cut the trip short.

Yes child wrangling away can be more difficult away than at home but a change of scenery can be a real breath of fresh air.