Welcome to Mumsnet's holiday forum. Discuss all international travel here, including both shorthaul and longhaul trips. Related topics: UK holidays & day trips, skiing, camping & campervans.
Welcome to Mumsnet's holiday forum. Discuss all international travel here, including both shorthaul and longhaul trips. Related topics: UK holidays & day trips, skiing, camping & campervans.
Holidays
If you had to pick an amazing holiday for a 3 year old, what would it be?
Yebbie · 08/03/2022 09:21
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.
HomeHomeInTheRange · 08/03/2022 10:55
At 3 and 4 ours were deliriously happy with a Sandy beach on a shallow sea (anywhere suitable on the Med or Agean , with an occasional day out to a castle or animal attraction. Sardinia, Corfu, Costa Brava and Nerja all worked well.
MissAmbrosia · 08/03/2022 11:05
@Yebbie
It depends where you are going and how warm you want it to be. The website will normally indicate if stuff on the campsite is not open yet. South of France and Italy should be warm enough in May for pools - sea might still be chilly though.
waltzingparrot · 08/03/2022 11:15
Our 3 yr old both loved and was scared shitless at Eftling 
DS1 loved this place when he was 3 www.gnomereserve.co.uk/
waltzingparrot · 08/03/2022 11:21
Ah - I see the 2000 gnomes have relocated here
www.merryharriers.co.uk/the-gnome-reserve/
TheFairyCaravan · 08/03/2022 11:26
Cala’n Forcat isn’t great anymore, tbh. It’s a bit Brits abroad however the beaches are beautiful. We’ve stayed at the Almirante Farragut 3 times. It’s out of town a bit and as we always hire a car if we want to go out at night we go to Ciutadella. However there are nice restaurants in Cala’n Forcat and they’re very child friendly. A lot of people with little children rave about the Binimar Hotel.
When me and DH were last there we saw this hotel in Santo Tomas. We thought it looked brilliant for kids It’s right on the beach and it’s all flat. Santo Tomas is really small, there’s not a lot there, just a couple of shops and restaurants.
My favourite beach is Cala Galdana. We always spend lots of time there. Menorca is really easy to get about in a hire car because it’s so small and if it’s cloudy on one side of the island it’s almost certainly sunny on the other.
nearlyspringyay · 08/03/2022 11:46
@Yebbie
It won't be hot, pools might not be heated and entertainment team won't be in place!
arethereanyleftatall · 08/03/2022 12:05
@squashyhat
This first response actually nails it, and your surly response to this and similar op, has missed the point.
A 3 year old loves EVERYTHING. I would hope squealing in delight at fishes in a foreign country isn't the only time he squealed in delight. They do daily, be it for a muddy puddle or landing on the moon.
Point being, a 3 year old will be happy anywhere.
So your question is really where can we go that we would like that still fits for a 3 year old.
berksandbeyond · 08/03/2022 12:06
CBeebies land, stay in the CBeebies land hotel and do the water park - amazing! My wee one had the best time
RockinHorseShit · 08/03/2022 12:11
Malta, Meilleia (sp) Bay Area.
We were there when ours was 3, the Popeye Village was a short walk from our hotel or a quick bus ride if you couldn't be bothered. They had a fantastic paddling pool with various actors coming in dressed up to play with kids in the pool so parents could relax in the sun with a cocktail. DD especially loved water fights with Jack Sparrow & Ariel. We spent most of our days there for a few hours at least as it was such a beautiful spot & we could relax. The hotels were great for kids too, we visited a few & they all had kids activities & play areas. Restaurants etc love you to bring your kids along & are very accommodating & food is easy for fussy eaters too
RidingMyBike · 08/03/2022 12:14
We went to Butlins, mainly because it was cheap! But it was actually brilliant - the accommodation is reasonably priced and comes to a reasonable standard. You can self-cater or buy meals on site which makes life easier. We also picked a few things we wanted to do on site or nearby and which were included in the price - swimming, soft play, toddler cars, play area, beach. All very relaxed, easy to get a coffee nearby.
Then we added in a few days off site visiting NT properties and steam railways type stuff.
skgnome · 08/03/2022 12:15
3 year old, everything is amazing!
Save “amazing/special” holidays for later
Anywhere sunny (but not extra hot) with a good kids club/kids evening entertainment, access to pools and extra points if there’s a nearby petting zoo / aquarium is all you need
Even a new soft play (new to them) will make it amazing
Start the other way round, where would you and your OH fancy going and just get a nice resort there
WutheringHeights66 · 08/03/2022 12:23
We had many happy holidays when mine were little in Spain. The journey is manageable, the sunshine pretty much guaranteed and we always did it on the cheap. Rented apartment with a shared pool away from tourist hit spots but near to the beach and a few bars and restaurants but often are at home as it was easier with tired little ones.
Recycledblonde · 08/03/2022 12:31
We took ours on Eurocamp holidays at that age, started with the eldest aged 2 and carried on until they were all teens, mainly the Vendee so huge empty beaches, lovely pools on the site, bike hire and other children to play with. We drove so lots of space to take things. We did it with a small baby too which was fine. You can sit outside your mobile home in the evening with a glass of wine after they've gone to bed.
My children are all in their 20s now and still remember their French holidays, playing on the beach, jumping over the waves, going down the slides on the site pools and being introduced to eating moule frites, snails and langoustine in the campsite restaurant. We changed from the vendee to the dordogne when they were about 10. Amazing memories for all of us.
QforCucumber · 08/03/2022 13:01
Intrigued question for the Eurocamps, I love the look of them but does everyone drive to them? We have an old car which I wouldn't trust going from the NE to the south of France, also that kind of journey just does not appeal to me in the slightest, especially with 2 small kids. Can you fly to them or is it better to drive?
turkeyboots · 08/03/2022 13:18
We had a day pass to Butlins when DS was 3 and DD was 5. They thought it was the best holiday we ever had.
RidingMyBike · 08/03/2022 13:22
@QforCucumber that's why we went for Butlins! Two hour drive from home so the journey was no big deal (we had a stop off at a NT property both ways) and arrived in a reasonably relaxed state!
Riverlee · 08/03/2022 13:23
Center parcs in Europe
Duinrell in Holland
I agree with posts above, don’t do anything to fancy. A beach is a beach is a beach, whether it’s in Bognor or the Bahamas (although Bahamas may have better weather!)
Recycledblonde · 08/03/2022 13:34
We drove in an old car. Really couldn't afford to fly with three children. Yes, there were moments of stress but at least it was contained and we could stop when we needed to.
We've since been without kids, flew and hired a car. You can now hire towels, sheets, beach towels etc which makes flying easier.
Oldnews · 08/03/2022 13:37
I've got a trip to butlins and one to son bou family club in menorca with my 3 year old. I don't buy the argument that they won't enjoy waiting around in airports etc. My 3 year old loves the journey itself and it's all part of the adventure. He loves looking at a map of where he's going, seeing pics of the hotel pool etc before we go, and packing the cases. I vividly remember my trips at his age, and hope he is able to aswell, but if not, I know he'll enjoy it at the time, and the exposure to different environments and routines will all be good for his development.
I'm very lucky to have a child that will cheerfully do 5 hours on a train (plus an hour to the station beforehand) so no qualms about air travel.
Luxembourgmama · 08/03/2022 13:41
@zafferana
100% or in the one in cascais. They are PERFECT with kids that age
RockinHorseShit · 08/03/2022 13:52
Oh I've just remembered that ours absolutely loved the Isle of Wight at 3, lots to do with kids, great beaches & a lovely retro feel to the place. We went back camping often & she was about 10 before finally accepted that it wasn't "abroad" 😂
Madcats · 08/03/2022 13:52
De Efteling was going to be my first suggestion. We've driven a couple of times as well as flying. We tend to combine it with a few days in an Airbnb or Centre Parcs -style place. The holiday cottages are lovely.
The Centreparcs in the Netherlands/Belgium/France are a lot cheaper than GB.
Are you able to fly OP? We also used to go to Lalandia in Billund when my daughter was little. There is a huge indoor pool and village. Legoland is across the road and there are sandy beaches a drive away. Billund flights go from one of Luton or Stansted.
MissAmbrosia · 08/03/2022 14:11
@QforCucumber
The vast majority of sites are in the countryside where you do really need a car unless you're happy to stay on site. I would say that the ones along the Venetian riviera and also to some extent the Languedoc (Vias/Argeles spring to mind) you could manage without.
TheresSomebodyAtTheDoorNeil · 08/03/2022 15:13
For those asking about Eurocamp this was the best holiday we've ever had and doesn't need public transport. There's a train station over the road with trains into Barcelona etc and a bus stop outside to portaventura. But there's so much onsite we barely left.
www.eurocamp.co.uk/campsites/costadorada/cd013-sanguli/ataglance.html
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