Kids playing in an unstructured environment with kids they don't share a language with?

[Lovage]

We like small groups of gites/cottages/villas type holidays, where there usually isn't any organised kids activities but if you are lucky there are other kids that your kids get friendly with and so don't bother you have a great time with.

This year we're going somewhere we think there will be mostly other British families anyway but I'm beginning to think about next year (I know it's stupidly early, but humour me) and fancy going somewhere less touristy and with much less chance of any other kids on the site speaking English.

What are your experiences of kids playing, or not playing, with kids where they don't speak a common language and where there isn't a structure of a kids club or organised activities? Does it depend on the kids' personalities (I've got one sociable extrovert and one shy introvert)? Or is a swimming pool all that is needed? Good or bad experiences equally welcome.

Thank you!

I've had the joy of witnessing this twice with DS - and on both occasions he played with the other lads without prompting or encouragement. It was lovely to watch. They communicated through gestures and facial expressions. No spoken language, just a shared love of football!

Ooh, that's encouraging thanks!

My DD spent 2 weeks playing with a girl who could only speak Italian and they had a great time :) They just played in the pool or round the villas.

How old are your dc? When mine were smaller they played with other children regardless of language, now they are 11 and 12 they want yo talk to each other and tend to gravitate towards children who speak English as they can't speak other languages.

That's a good point, makemineapinot. By next summer, one will be 9 and the other nearly 7. I can imagine that younger kids find it easier to manage without a common language.