Holiday suggestions for 9 year old only child?

[Jank8]

We've just come back from a week in Majorca with Tui, booked it as it had a nice pool and kids club but my 8 year old was lonely (kids club geared towards little ones). I don't know if it's a covid thing or Brexit thing but the majority of kids were German (absolutely nothing wrong with that and actually love hearing foreign voices on a holiday!) but it was so hard for him to make friends. Any suggestions on what we could do with him next year (we're not ones for trekking or anything too adventurous but open to ideas), or hotels with great kids activities? I like a beach and a bit of luxury but this is all about him so happy to forfeit if he has a happy holiday! Thank you

Would it be possible to take a friend with him next time? Or a similar aged cousin?

Neilsons beach club, their kids clubs are amazing and most of the resorts are all UK guests.

Go on a cruise. The kids clubs are fab on those.

Can you take a friend next time? I went away with my friend when I was 10 as she was an only child, my mum gave my friends mum the money and her mum booked it all. We had a great time.

we went to palma a few years back thankfully my kids had each other to play with but most of the kids there were Spanish so as you say it’s difficult to make friends when they don’t speak to same language.

id honestly think the best thing you can do is to take a friend with you.
you could look on tui and look for splashworlds. They are heaving with kids

I agree with the cruise idea.
You can have luxury and the clubs have fantastic things going on from silent disco's, art/food and sports activities. They always seem to have a big ratio of staff so if your DC doesn't fancy the main offering, a staff member will accommodate gaming, movies or a round of clock golf, swim etc.

Unfortunately taking someone else isn't an option :-(

My kids have always made good friends in the kids club at Crieff Hydro - in Scotland so the opposite of what you usually do but LOADS of activities for older kids.

I agree with cruise - kids clubs are fab on there and you get the luxury and get to see lots of nice places too.
Crieff Hydro is also great for kids. Or maybe Centre Parcs?

Try a holiday village through tui / first choice
they do lots for older kids, football club, kids clubs are grouped into different age ranges, some have high ropes, slides, swimming lessons and are for English

My kids have just had the best time away in our caravan, seemed to be an ever changing crowd of them on their bikes and at the park every day. If that's not for you maybe a static caravan somewhere with kids activities? The place we just stayed had raft building and Bush craft that was kids together and individual / family activities.

I know you say you like luxury but camping is great for kids making friends. Some sites accommodate tents and also have their own caravan/glamping options for hire. My 9 year old makes friends easily every year.

Def the Holiday Villages. Ibiza and Rhodes are great.

What about the Ikos chain in greece? They have kids clubs for different age groups, and predominantly Brits or British speaking, plus lots of watersports. Would also tick your luxury box too

Can you recommend any glamping sites? We've had a couple of years at Florence springs near Tenby in a hurry which was perfect

*in a yurt

My DH always used to book through Exodus Holidays for him and his son, they loved it, always had a fab time and as you can pick the kids age range - his son always made friends and so did my DH 👍🏼

Mark Warner / Powder Byrne / Neilson should all have English kids same age as your DC and loads of activities. MW definitely will!

Have you got friends/another couple with one of your sons friends so you could all go together, thats what we've always done aince DD was a baby.

Echo Crieff Hydro, also (if staying in Britain), Druidstone in Wales, Bluestone. Birch Community in Hertfordshire also has great kids activities. It's not for everyone, but the food is amazing, there's a lido (heated), spa treatments, films and things.

You do need to look past the (extraordinarily wanky) website though (they don't want too many families) www.birchcommunity.com/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwuuKXBhCRARIsAC-gM0ioQ2zpgDX-EbZwRHwmsK6ehB-ykVWPlCwHfMDxjycrHYlyUzMDRlEaAuniEALw_wcB

My kids hated going to kids clubs despite having each other for company, they lasted part of two sessions, then they were brought back to us and we didn't send them again.
But they did often pal up with other kids of their own age in the pool. When that didn't happen, we accepted that we had to make the effort ourselves to keep them entertained.
Even the best theme park or water park is better with company, are you certain you can't invite a friend for him?

My DS is an only child but wasn't a great one for kids clubs. We tended to do AI in Turkey and he always made friends by pool or by football pitch and had a fab time - enjoyed the evening entertainment with his new friends

PGL family breaks are great

Go to a hotel where rooms sleep 3, lots of only-child families looking for other kids to play with. I'm in one now, it's great. Nice to not feel like the odd family out for once.