What type of holiday next year with very young kids and when to book?

[bagforlifeamnesty]

Currently expecting DC3 so in summer 2024 I will have three aged 5, 3 and 6 months (gulp). Eldest is starting school this year so I’m feeling the pressure to
book a holiday for next year as we will now be restricted to term time only.

However I’m completely unsure as to what type of holiday might suit? Part of me thinks an AI might be the most relaxing option because it means not having to cook but I’m a bit fussy with AI food and am worried that to get the standard/quality I’d want we’d end up spending a fortune and the budget isn’t going to be massive as I’ll still be on Mat leave. Realistically what would a nice AI for a family our size cost during school hols?

Ive wondered about doing a self catering holiday instead, perhaps Eurocamp, and doing ferry and driving to south Brittany or somewhere but with such young kids I’m not sure if it’s just going to be exhausting. Big two can manage longer drives now with iPads etc if needed but I’m not sure whether a 6 month old is going to be so amenable (I never get good sleepers!).

So looking for advice, tips and ideas please! Part of me thinks it’s just best to wait until baby is here but I’m not sure whether Jan/Feb would be too late to start looking or whether I’ll even want to be researching holidays when I’ve got a newborn, and then before I know it it’ll be March and everything will be sold out.

I would sign up to Eurocamp/Canvas/Siblu etc to get the newsletters and wait til they announce special offers. Quite often you see these at the end of the summer (as they want people to rebook) and around Xmas. You can get some quite good discounts - and the best mobile homes go first. There is a FB group called Holiday Gites to Rent in France and you can post your requirements and see what comes up. Some of the popular ones do book up fast. Also see the BabyFriendly Boltholes website -you can search by age suitability and facilities. And can then also book direct. Some gites complexes even do meals.

Thanks, I’m definitely going to do this. Have you done these types of holidays before with young kids and were they good or just exhausting?!

We went on a cruise from Southampton with little ones. Best thing ever! Kids loved kids club, had lots of time to ourselves/with baby, all food included.

Always find them the easiest thing than hotels - look at the toddler friendly parks and many have facilities like a playground near the bar and entertainment petting zoos swimming pools etc

We paid 3k leaving on last day of term for a week.

I think if your older two will be happy with kid's clubs then eurocamp would be brill. Look at La Garangoire. Has everything you need.

What's the budget? Scott Dunn do the best kids clubs IMO.
Self catering with kids...no. It's just the same shit different location.

I’d get a villa, in Spain or France and eat out for lunch and eat there for breakfast and evening BBQ.
It’s never much if a holiday with kids but separate bedrooms and fridge snacks helps.