UK (activity?) holiday for three boys aged 14, 11 and 14 months. HELP!

[fluppy]

We're having trouble finding a holiday for the summer that will suit all our boys (currently 14y, 11y and 14months). They are all very active and get bored fairly easily.

We had a great time walking/biking in Derbyshire before ds3 was born, but that wouldn't work now as there is nothing suitable for a baby to do where we were, and the older two couldn't do any of the things we did without us to accompany them, so we'd end up with one parent sitting around with bored baby, while the other takes the older lads out.

Thinking about a cycling holiday with babe on the back of dh's bike (but how long before ds3 gets bored? and how can we protect him if the sun is strong?), or maybe some kind of organised activity holiday (climbing? football?) where the older two can do their chosen activities supervised by instructors, freeing us up to play with the babe in the pool/soft play area etc etc.

The Centre Parcs thing looks surprisingly pricey, and I've heard quite mixed things about it. It doesn't have to be a big holiday-park chain - maybe someone knows of a baby-friendly hotel/b&b with some good activities nearby that we could arrange before we go.

Anyone any ideas?

By the way, we're not against going overseas if someone can recommend a good place with enough to do. My worry is the difficulty of keeping ds3 happy if it's too hot for him to be outside for long. To put it in context, he will rarely tolerate playing indoors with me for more than a couple of hours before he gets bored and we have to go out to the park/shops/grandparents' etc.

So any overseas holidays would have to provide for the baby as well as his big brothers.

aah I posted but it disappeared

I have fond memories of a holiday in Holland when I was your eldest's age. We went to Center Parcs in Holland (normally significantly cheaper than the UK version) and then cycled around Holland on day trips (it's so flat and the cycling paths are brilliant). It doesn't normally get that hot in HOlland at that time of year - your eldest two could do activities when you want to be with little one and you could all cycle together.

If you have a tesco clubcard you can use clubcard vouchers against the cost of the overseas Centre parcs holidays - a £5 tesco voucher gives you £20 off, and there is no limit to the number that you can use.

I didn't know that ladymuck!

Thanks for the suggestion - I'll have a look at that.

Anyone else got any ideas? Anyone been to any outdoor centres in Wales, for example? Or those activity holidays in France?

How about going to the Alps ? You could find an apartment for a week via a resort website and they often have children's activities during th epeak season. Or you could go through a tour operator who can organise that sort of thing for you - Sun Esprit, Crystal to name but 2, have a look on Iglu.com for similar.

ds went rock climbing in Saas Fee last summer and there is also a summer toboggan run, Adventure trail with rope bridges, zip lines etc, summer skiing/snowboarding plus walking and cycle trails for all levels. Also more sedate activities available through the tourist office and an indoor pool. Many large ski resorts in France, Switzerland, Italy and Austria offer a similar range of activities. Unfortunately all this doesn't tend to make for a cheap holiday though.

Austria get the vote from me, as previously mentioned look at Sun Esprit.

Alternatively to book Austria independently and much cheaper lots of cheap flights, but mainly from the SE) look at www.kinderhotels.com or www.farmholidays.com.

eek sorry about all my typos!

And have a look at this aahrelax.mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/ from another thread

Presumably if you think Center Parcs is pricy you would faint at Mark Warner ? Only they would be perfect for a family like yours - activities for the big ones, nursery with lovely nannies for the little one, and whatever you wanted for DH and you - and their prices include all meals and quite a lot of the activities (extra for some of course) and baby-listening at dinner time.

I went to Manor holidays in Shropshire, had adventure activities(climbing, canoeing etc) which would suit the older kids and lots in local area for you and baby.Not sure if thyey are set up for kids that small though.Worth a look.

manor adventure
hope this works!
(or can someone sort it for me Ta!)

les mouettes campsite in france sounds about right. they have organised activities like footy matches , archery pool competitions - something every day for extra they can go canoeing down the beach

theres also fabulous massive slides to take their breath away - whilst you laze about in the baby pool or by the tent or caravan they can go off on site ( mine did aged 11)

most big operators like canvas and key camp do this site.

however we find venue holidays do it much cheaper - but dont think they do caravans.

its northern france - and therefore not too hot

Thanks all - loads of good suggestions.

Janh - willing to spend on a holiday (as we have done on Florida in the past) but just thought Centre Parcs looked expensive for what it is and where it is (and the fact that nothing much is included). I'll check out your link - cheers.

Right, off to investigate all your website suggestions...

We had looked at Manor Holidays. The older ones stay in a bunk room with other kids there age and have a whole schedule of activities. Familes meet up in the evening for meals and there are some activities for the family together plus BBQ's. Parents can do their own activities or just chill out. Not sure what there is for 14mth old, as when I looked my 2 were older.

fluppy, give centerparcs a go, i think with your age range you will really enjoy it and there will be something for everyone.

The pool is included, the playgrounds, trails, take your own bikes ie there is so much to do before you have to shell out any money. We do it really cheaply, and love it.