Alternatives to Mark Warner or Neilson in Northern Europe for summer

[Barcalove]

Does anyone know of any alternatives to Mark Warner /Nielson but in Northern Europe? I’m looking for similar set up (organised activities, kids clubs divided by age) but not in Greece etc as it’s too hot in the Summer which is when I’m looking to go. I’m a single parent so this type of holiday is ideal - my son is more likely to try new things with kids his own age and I’m not about to take him canoeing or sailing:)

Sunsail was my first thought, a sailing holiday provider. (Wasn’t sure whether you wanted sailing or not, but didn’t want to take him yourself).

www.sunsail.com/uk/?infinity=ict2~net~gaw~cmp~RD%20-%20SSUK%20-%20Google%20-%20Search%20-%20Brand%20-%20BOFU%20-%20SQL%20-%20WW%20-%20All%20-%20BAU~ag~SSUK%20-%20Search%20-%20Brand%20-%20Sunsail_%28Exact%29%20-%20BOFU%20-%20SQL%20-%20WW%20-%20All~ar~788727531052~kw~sunsail~mt~e&hsa_cam=12050347908&hsa_grp=124741980668&hsa_mt=e&hsa_src=g&hsa_ad=788727531052&hsa_acc=9134284001&hsa_net=adwords&hsa_kw=sunsail&hsa_tgt=kwd-92520645&hsa_ver=3&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=12050347908&gbraid=0AAAAADjCDh926M8cW9WPlVb9w_I4_IGGb&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_pu8mPXklAMV_JJQBh38vxvwEAAYASAAEgK76fD_BwE&utm_feeditemid=&utm_device=c&utm_term=sunsail&utm_source=google&utm_medium=ppc&utm_campaign=RD%20-%20SSUK%20-%20Google%20-%20Search%20-%20Brand%20-%20BOFU%20-%20SQL%20-%20WW%20-%20All%20-%20BAU

Skiing in Winter?

Thanks @Gateappreciation it was the variety of activities I was after. We’re not sailors and not ready to do a whole week of it! Specifically looking for something during the Summer holidays….

Club La Santa in Lanzarote is 100x better than Neilsons. Great for adults and kids. Absolutely worth the money

Except avoid this year at the very least. Lots of renovations going on and while they say they keep noise and disruption to a minimum, in practice that's impossible. The spa is closed until mid-July and the pool bars are closed until the end of September (there is one temporary one) with construction noise six days per week 8 am - 6 pm.

In addition they are demolishing and building new bits from end of August this year until February 2028.

Frankly, I'd be avoiding it until 2028.

Great tip @IdentifyingAsAWoollyMammoth thank you!
Alpine Elements mentioned on another thread - anyone got intel about their kids club?

Depending on the age of the child, you could look at a Kinderhotel in the Alps - mostly in Austria, but also found in Germany, Slovenia and Italy. These hotels are great for younger children (and for their parents!) but probably the upper age limit to get the most out of the holiday and the facilities would be 11-12.

We’ve booked alpine elements based on other threads! We are going to Morzine. There is a kids club albeit not as much as Neilson. Lots of the activities we will do as a family though.

@Havananananado the Kinderhotels tend to attract mainly families from that country or would there be English speaking kids at all?

Kinderhotels in Austria are very international - families mainly seen to be from Germany, Netherlands and Scandinavia. The British have not really found these hotels yet, but judging by the comments on other MN threads (and on Snowheads regarding winter holidays) British families are starting to book these places.

Even if there are no British kids, the staff will speak English and the European kids are often keen to try out their English skills. They tend to learn English from around 7 years old, but many already know some English from video games, cartoons and so on. Bavarian boys who are interested in football will certainly know Harry Kane - he's a superstar in Munich and southern Germany - so that can be a starting point for kids to bond.

We are travelling at the moment as 2 adults but several of the hotels and resorts we’ve stopped in in the Nordic countries have kids activities laid on, a bit different to southern Europe think forest based activities whatever the weather plus posts of Lego, crafts, educational activities even (talk for 8-12 year olds on the northern lights at last place as an example. If you’re looking for different I really recommend up here, so peaceful, wildlife abundant, but bring fleeces and rainwear!

In the Alps there are some companies which run summer activity day clubs. They’re the same ones that run ski schools in the winter so well experienced with children and their instructors tend to have good English.

https://evolution2.com/en/kids-clubs for example

The kids would be a mix of French, English, maybe Dutch or other nationalities

See also https://www.beyondbeach.com/health/family-alpine-activity-holidays/