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.
Hyperion100 · 08/03/2022 15:17
Anywhere...they will have forgotten all about it the day after you get back.
Bickles · 08/03/2022 15:29
Zafiro Menorca. Short flight, nice flat walking distance to the Marina, good beaches. Pirate ship pool and good playground, child friendly activities and kids club.
If you go for a superior room you get a nice garden to relax in while DC naps or if they do an hour at kids club.
TeaAndBunsPlease · 08/03/2022 15:36
The place in Cornwall - bosinver. It has a farm, gruffalo trail, beaches nearby, soft play. He will be entertained and have a great time.
I took mine away to Spain very young and they got sick. They got really sick and it turned into a bit of a mare. If they get sick in Cornwall or somewhere you can see a GP and go home.
Not that I'm against going abroad. I just think you should make your own life as peaceful as possible wherever you go!!
popcorndiva · 08/03/2022 15:42
We are going to Magic Natura just outside of Benidorm. We went there pre kids and its great for that age. Lots of children's entertainment, pools, playground, access to zoo and waterpark whenever you want.
Plan is to take taxi to the beach a couple of mornings do they can build some sandcastles too
berksandbeyond · 08/03/2022 15:45
@Hyperion100
Not true for my 3 year old, who often talks about holidays and places we have been and things we have done well over a year ago 🤷🏼♀️
Caspianberg · 08/03/2022 15:47
This whole ‘ they won’t remember’ is a load of rubbish.
What are you you suggesting, you should just keep a child in a white room for 10 years as they ‘won’t remember’?
I don’t remember the first bike I had, it still taught me how to ride. Or the first swimming lessons. Or the parks I learnt to climb in. Or loads of stuff
We will take Ds (2) to the Atlantis this year. We have been before as just adults, but it’s always full of families and lots for them to do.
Hyperion100 · 08/03/2022 15:51
@Caspianberg
What are you you suggesting, you should just keep a child in a white room for 10 years as they ‘won’t remember’?
I don’t remember the first bike I had, it still taught me how to ride. Or the first swimming lessons. Or the parks I learnt to climb in. Or loads of stuff
We will take Ds (2) to the Atlantis this year. We have been before as just adults, but it’s always full of families and lots for them to do.
No, not at all...but go on holiday for you, not your 3 year old (unless they're paying)
bellamountain · 08/03/2022 15:55
I would suggest Balearics, a hotel with splash park, near the beach would be ideal. Having said that, when I was pregnant with my second, my 3 year old loved the Isle of Wight. Getting on the ferry is an adventure for little ones and there is so much to do for young kids. We had superb weather too.
Caspianberg · 08/03/2022 15:55
@Hyperion100 - well yes, but presumably some places are just better suited. I wouldn’t take my 2 year old to an hotel with swim up open pool right now as it wouldn’t be safe. So you compromise and go where you as adults like, but with 3 year old in mind as if they are bored, you can’t enjoy either.
RussianSpy101 · 08/03/2022 15:56
Cala dor in Majorca. Short flight, lots for children, toddler friendly beaches. It’s lovely!
ShirleyPhallus · 08/03/2022 15:56
Martinhal
Mousses, Greece
Bosinver cottages
I think it’s lovely to take young kids somewhere they’ll love and that you will love too. MN is absolutely full of miseries honestly.
RussianSpy101 · 08/03/2022 15:57
@Hyperion100 what an odd response. My children fondly speak of all their holidays except the ones before they were 2.
3 year old and they will remember their holidays.
RussianSpy101 · 08/03/2022 16:00
@berksandbeyond that’s not a holiday though? OP wants to go on holiday not a day trip / night away. We do CBeebies land around once a month for a day out. It is in no way a holiday.
TellerTuesday · 08/03/2022 16:01
We went to Salou when DD was 4 and she absolutely loved it. Short flight, lovely beach and you have Port Aventura etc in walking distance
berksandbeyond · 08/03/2022 16:24
[quote RussianSpy101]@berksandbeyond that’s not a holiday though? OP wants to go on holiday not a day trip / night away. We do CBeebies land around once a month for a day out. It is in no way a holiday.[/quote]
She didn’t specify how long the holiday had to last, I just thought CBeebies land and staying over at the hotel would be a good suggestion because I imagine it would be shit with a young baby to drag around with you 🤷🏼♀️
GaiaWise · 08/03/2022 16:31
The best holidays when mine were young:
Bosinver in Cornwall
Clydey cottages in Pembrokeshire
Apartment in Puerta pollensa Majorca
Eweleaze farm in Dorset, only in August and we glamped
Sswhinesthebest · 08/03/2022 16:39
Duinrell in Holland
You can stay direct with the site in proper lodges or in mobile homes with eurocamp and the ilk, but we’ve been to duinrell in may and there is loads to do. Gorgeous beach, 5 min walk into town. You stay in the middle of a theme park but aimed at younger guests rather than older white knuckle rides. It has what was once the biggest indoor swimming complex in Europe with fantastic flumes and experiences. Plenty to do in the surrounding area if you actually get time to leave the site. Can hire bikes with kids traileror take your own. It’s all flat. You can bike on the site too.
Sail on the overnight ferry to the hook of Holland and come back on the day crossing. You can even use Tesco vouchers for this.
Sswhinesthebest · 08/03/2022 16:39
Or centre parks in Europe but they are probably better for older kids.
MissAmbrosia · 08/03/2022 20:57
I've been trying to remember where were the biggest successes between age 2 and 5 as we went to places like Villefranche Sur Mer (very hilly) and Texas/New York (long way) etc. Thinking of places where dd had lots of fun, and we did too (important).
www.unionlido.com/en/ Union Lido - everything you need on site, loads to do for little ones.
www.pierreetvacances.com/be-wl/fp_REL_location-residence-les-restanques-du-golfe-de-st-tropez Near Port Grimaud/St Tropez/Ste Maxime - fantastic pool complex, kids club, lots of sightseeing
parkalbatros.huopenair.com/facilities/entertainment Vast place with a mini train. Great pools and really good piazza with entertainment in the evening.
www.siblu.co.uk/camping/france/south-coast/le-lac-des-reves - not too manic, good kids pool, bungy trampolines, seaside towns with roundabouts etc.
Ariela · 09/03/2022 08:37
@Hyperion100
DD1 was just 3 when we went to //www.higherlankfarm.co.uk for a week away. She still talks about it bits of it every now and then 20 years later, it definitely cemented her love of tractors and farming.
ivykaty44 · 09/03/2022 08:51
I wouldn’t take a 3 year old to Duinrell in Holland
For children 8+ yes it’s great but under that age there is far to much they are not allowed to do.
cjpark · 09/03/2022 13:59
If you are pregnant and travelling with a three year old, I'd suggest UK. Fowey Hall Hotel in Cornwall is great with toddlers as is Bedruthan. I plump for that, a lovely beach, indoor pool and save your money.
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