Holiday that10/11 year old would enjoy?

[Tractorprincess]

We usually go to Cornwall/Devon and do beaches, theme park, walks, picnics etc which I still love, but ds1 10yo seems to be getting bored with the same old. Trouble is I also have a 3yo.

He keeps asking if we can go to America or Barcelona, or Italy. Out of the question this year but something we could save for for next year.

But what sort of holidays do older children enjoy? I supposed Florida is the obvious choice but I've never really fancied it, I imagine loads of queuing in the heat.

Florida is great, and your 10 year old would love it. We took our youngest at 3, and she loved all the characters, and the play areas as well as some of the rides. So your 3 year old would also enjoy it, I would think. The queuing isn't generally too bad, as you can get fast passes etc, but does take a bit of planning! You could always do a few days at the parks, then spend some time at the beaches etc.

Barcelona is lovely too, but a city break with a 3 year old could be a bit more challenging. But the beach is good, and there are lots of parks, kids play areas, an aquarium, cable cars, a fun fair, so lots to do. About an hour south of Barcelona is Port Aventura, which looks good, we are planning to take our teens next summer, but will be budgeting for fast passes, which are extra, as I believe it can be extremely busy, especially in the holidays.

Second the recommendation of Portaventura. My children have loved it there since they were little.

I recommend El Paso hotel which is a Portaventura hotel it is all inclusive with your tickets included. They give you vouchers so you can eat in the park as well. You also have two large waterparks in the area as well. Easy to get to Barcelona from there as well as it is right next to the station. You get discounted fast passes from the hotel as well, which last the duration of your stay.

There is Sesame land for your little one and lots of shows if you are not fond of rides. Salou is lovely as well. Cambrills is lovely and more traditionally Spanish with excellent fish restaurants.

Ooh thank you, better start researching!

Siam water park and Loro Park in Tenerife.

Orlando, Florida is amazing! Highly recommend.

Euro camps are very good too and can be picked up cheaply through the sun holidays which is due to start a new promotion very soon.

We've been doing First Choice Holiday Villages for a few years - DD is 10 so we think this could be the last year. High ropes courses, activities in the pool e.g. water walkers, inflatable assault courses, evening cinema or chocolate parties. Pre-kids it was my idea of hell but this will be our 5th year and DD will be going to stage academy for the first time as she loves singing and dancing.

My dc loved european centerparcs at that age, loads for them to do and last week of august is cheaper. Also Duinrell in netherlands.

If you are thinking of Port Aventura then I highly recommend staying at Cambrils Park Family Resort. We took our DC there when they were 9 and 11 and they loved it. It’s got about 6 different pools with water slides, trampolines, crazy golf, nice restaurants and bars. The kids had lots of freedom as it’s very v safe. It’s about a 20 minute drive to Port Aventura and just slightly further to a good water park called Aquopolis. You can book through Canvas Holidays who were really happy helpful.

Don’t know why the word happy randomly appeared!

An option you may have is a PGL holiday for your kid and then same week have a week of rest for yourself?

I loved it in 94 when I went to Dalguise and it's full board with inclusive activities etc.

Loads of options over UK.

If not then Fuertivenutura (sp) is good

You could definitely go to Italy. Rome is amazing - Colisseum; Forum, Vatican City, loads of gelati and pizze and pasta for kids to eat, and there are holiday parks with paddling pools etc for toddlers; volleyball courts and trampolines for older ones at i Pini - probably loads of others too.

I wouldn't take a toddler on a flight to USA if I could avoid it. Time for that when they're older. But Italy or Spain or France - no problem.

Lisbon. It's really cheap there (we just 3 bed Airbnb for £80 a night). Lots of things for kids of all ages. The children's science museum would be suitable for both, as well as the parks, cable car, tuk tuks. The food is great and lots of options for kids who are fussy.

I personally (and DH even more) think the typical Florida theme parks are the work of the devil and won't touch it.

We did the Caribbean twice with DD, she was 7 and 10 then. We went during the Easter holidays though and spent Summer in the UK. We like it as it was a nice mix of resort holiday and doing things you can't really do in the UK like snorkling with the turtles, zip-lining through a rain forest, being on a speedboat or sailing.

Other holidays were spent in Spain, typical AI resort or self-catering villa. DD loves history and nature, so we normally look for an area where we leave the resort and go sightseeing or there are areas to take a walk.

The Med can be very hot in August, so it all depends how you like a weather like this. I wouldn't take a preschooler on a city break tour be it Barcelona or Rome in that time. Can you do such a holiday in May half term, 3 days city and 4 days at the beach?

With 10/11 DD wasn't in the whole Kids club mood anymore and most teenage clubs are hardly more than games consoles. If you want the the resort holiday I would look for one who maybe does watersport or has a decent sport facility.

My DC (11 & 14) love an all inclusive [weary sigh]

We’ve done 3 and they’ve loved every one. We’ve tried not AI for another 4 and they just didn’t enjoy it as much

They’ve never done kids clubs but they love the activities, pool competitions, sports and buffet food. Plus drinks on tap and ability to wander round with other kids in a pack. I know campsites offer this sort of independence and sports facilities too. That is certainly what our kids like.