If you had to pick an amazing holiday for a 3 year old, what would it be?

[Yebbie]

We've had some really lovely UK breaks on caravan parks and a couple of abroad beach holidays and son has loved them and they've been really special. We have our second due very soon and know holidays won't really be the same until youngest is around two so will be looking at just UK breaks while they're tiny so squeezing in one last bigger holiday with 3yo beforehand.

But what? Was going to book the same Spanish break we did last time but then thought is there something better. I'd like to wait with Disney until I can bring both. Is there something I'm not thinking of? Cruise ships look pretty insane these days with the stuff on them has anyone done something like that? Just want something really special.

Not very soon as in I'm too pregnant to travel - I do have a few months!

Probably a paddling pool and a sandpit in the back garden.

Anything sunny with a fun pool with water slides would do it. No need to spend a fortune. They’d prob love centre parcs!

Legoland?

Disney better when older as so large.

Efteling?

@squashyhat

Probably a paddling pool and a sandpit in the back garden.

Well yes we will do lots of fun things at home as we always do but that's clearly not what I was asking

Want to save UK breaks for the next couple of years as baby can come along, more don't want to bring a baby on a plane/cruise ship so was thinking something bigger before their arrival

@bonfireheart

Efteling?

I'll have a look - thanks!

I’d pick a really good hotel in Menorca. It’s a short flight, the beaches are beautiful and he can paddle amongst the fish. It’s so family friendly everywhere. Getting round the island is so easy in a hire car, too.

Following as well as would like to do the same with my 3 year old this year.

A 3 year old thinks most things are amazing. Choose a holiday, go, have fun, that will be amazing. Save the big wow holidays until they are older and will remember.

@TheFairyCaravan

I’d pick a really good hotel in Menorca. It’s a short flight, the beaches are beautiful and he can paddle amongst the fish. It’s so family friendly everywhere. Getting round the island is so easy in a hire car, too.

I'll have a look, any areas in particular? We've done Mallorca and Canaries with him and both were just the best week he was so excited seeing the fish swimming around he basically lived in the sea

Id do something like a eurocamp find one that has a kids club, and kids pools. Some of them even have petting zoos, but in a place where you adults would enjoy the area too and get some sun but not too hot. Maybe the dordogne area

Following, I've a 3 and 4 yr old and always need ideas. Hope your don't mind my piggy backing op. FYI I've looked at afternoon before and it looks great, and you can get the ferry and then a coach from Amsterdam

Efteling ! Not afternoon 🙈

Beach and swimming pool. Roundabouts on a seafront. 3 is far too young for Disney. They never remember any of it anyway. I was recommending Eurocamp at Union Lido yesterday. That was a perfect holiday for a 3 year old.

Camping in France, anywhere on the coast

lots of swimming, beach, waves and other children to play with

Martinhal, Sagres. Wish we'd taken our DC when they were little. It really looks lovely and I think would tick your boxes for 'special' while giving your DC the child of experiences he'll enjoy (i.e. playgrounds, pools, beach, child-friendly accommodation and food, short flights, etc).

When DS1 was 3 (almost 4) and I was 4 months pregnant we went to Bahia Fantasia in Tenerife - he's 6 next week and still asks when we can go back to the castle holiday! We intend to return this year and even I cannot wait it was brilliant!

Jersey

Brilliant beaches, Gerald Durrell's zoo for looking at animals, a steam museum, castles, Little Train, bike hire (including family carrier ones). Stay at the Merton, where there is a waterpark onsite, or anywhere and go to the Aquasplash in St Helier (DC too small for the big chutes, but there's still the lazy river and it's a nice set of pools, with shallow ones for the littlies)

Three is so little and such a sweet age — they will have a lovely time if they can tell you are having a lovely time being with them. So, not super specific as a reply but I would book whatever you imagine will honestly be most relaxing for you and your dh, so you can focus on just playing and cuddling and being contentedly present … rather than the logistics of the holiday or the tourist highlights, iyswim?

God, you know, thinking about sweet little three year olds and warm gentle times is almost making me well up 🥲 I think the news is getting to me.

Have a lovely time wherever you go op, be safe

Will look at eurocamp thanks! I don't mean big as in fancy or luxury just big as in lots of fun things to do for a really kid focused week before life changes pretty drastically for him! yes wouldn't want to do Disney until both of them are old enough to enjoy it, I'm also not brave enough for that long on a plane with a toddler...

Caravan parks with play areas, paddling pools and children's entertainers in the evening while you sit with an overpriced drink. A ride on a pony and a visit to the local fairground and you're sorted.

Duinrell in holland

Tbh a weekend in butlins would be a three year olds ultimate holiday if you could stand it.

I actually think anything with decent weather and a beach and a pool would work for a 3 year old. I remember being in Skiathos pre-children when we weren't stuck with hideously over-priced and too hot summer holiday dates and there was a 3 year old there having the best time. It was a tiny hotel maybe 50 apattments. Sleeping under sunshade jumping into the pool all day. Every adult was playing with her at some stage.

In terms of resorts Ikos Olivia looks amazing - a friend has been thee a couple of times.

Portaventura theme park and water park is amazing. They have a sesame st land!

There's also a park in Benidorm which has a water park and zoo. The accommodation is all inclusive lodges and really good. Its called Aqua natura Polynesian Lodge resort...... It was recommended to me a few years ago by a travel agent. I never got to book but a few friends and family went off the back of my recommendation (( it had just opened so was very cheap at the time)) and had a whale of a time. These were all children with disabilities and they couldn't do enough for them. Prices have gone up a lot but it's still reasonable and reviews are consistently good.