At what age do kids benefit from "kids' clubs"/entertainment /pools on holiday?

[HaventSleptForAYear]

IYO?

2DS, 4 and 2.

We are looking for a nice warm beach holiday for this summer (who isn't?).

I don't want to have to entertain the children ALL the time so want the opportunity for them to meet others but am a bit scared of huge Eurocamp style places.

Can we avoid this kind of thing for another couple of years or does it really make for a restful holiday (bearing in mind we both work full-time so would like to spend time with the kids and they play well together).?

I've been wonderng this too. My two boys are 5 and nearly 3. We've spent the past 4 summers in Devon or Cornwall and it's rained nearly every day each year. The kids don't seem to mind that much as there is still loads to do for them, but weather has been so bad we have only been able to spend 2 days on the beach during the whole of those 4 holidays. Have booked again for this year, but am dreading poor weather again and have decided that if weather is shit this year, next year we will be going abroad (for the first time with the kids).

Am wondering what type of place we'd go for. Both of them are constantly on the go and so wouldn't be happy to spend all day every day by the pool (or on a crowded beach for that matter). They'd definitely need entertaining in some way. Was thinking it would have to be either a kids club or we'd have to hire a car (if flying and not taking our own) and go out and about exploring and visitng places.

So am interested to see the responses. Let me know if you find anywhere nice to go, Haven'tSlept!

you'd be surprised how little entertaining kids need when they have the run of a pool or beach . I was concerned about keeping DCs entertained (first took DS1 to Greece when he was 2 years old - they are now 8 and 4) and DS2 has been going to the beach with us since 2 months. They spend the entire day in and around the pool on holiday, or playing on the beach. We build sandcastles, play cricket, ball games, swim, lay in the shade and read or play games, go for walks and treasure hunts. I love our beach holidays and the boys are never bored (and they are active kids who have busy lives iyswim).

We have done villa holidays mostly but last year went to Flamingo Hotel in Sardinia. They had an animation team - which I was a bit sceptical about tbh as I hate any "organised entertainment" with a passion! However, it was all very informal: kids would go off for an hour in the morning to do an activity in the shade and then come back to the pool to do an activity in the children's pool. I loved that we didn't pre-book - the kids joined in if they wanted to - and that parents were welcome to tag along if they/kids wanted. My boys had a ball - they made loads of friends. I wouldn't do this in a larger resort though - I am a holiday snob and the idea of some massive hotel package place leaves me cold.

Mostly we have used Simply Travel but last year went through Citalia.

Hope this helps!

We've been using the First Choice holiday villages and their hotels since ds was two. He LOVES them and still does now (he's 6 1/2).

We are fortunate enought that until now, we've been able to go away 3 times a year and I would say that First Choice have the most organised and best kids clubs out of all the holiday companies. He's had best use out of them since being about 3 I would say.

Have a look at the FC hv's, they averagely do 5 kids club sessions a day, not that you would send your kid to every session, but some people do. They also have babysitting, creches and an evening club from 9pm to 11pm (averagely 7pm to 9pm on UK time depending where you go).

Honestly, I rave about them all the time. My ds has some behavioural difficulties (has been diagnosed with an asd) and the girls (and boys) there are always amazing with them.

Hope this helps.

By the way, we have always managed to have a restful holiday - even without the kids club we had access to last year .

Thanks for the messages.

I have been looking at Sardinia (but the Flamingo hotel is a little pricey for us thanks anyway).

I am thinking that a campsite would be good for DS1 to make a few friends.

I think we might find a villa on our own a bit lonely.

How essential is access to a pool when the sea is nearby (I prefer to swim in the sea but remember a holiday in Spain with DS1 age 2 where he refused to go in either the sea or the pool!)?

.

HSFAY: we managed to save £500 last year on the Flamingo hotel by booking the hotel only through Citalia online (which gave us 10% discount) and then booked our own flights with Easyjet (which is the carrier that Citalia would use to Cagliari anyway).

About the loneliness - we stayed at a lovely villa in Parga thru Simply Travel which was positioned in a row of 4 (iirc). Our kids played with the kids in the villas next to ours but there was privacy if you needed it and we had our own pool too. The owner, Thomas, is so friendly and his wife brought us home made cakes (and even a hangover cure for me one day ). He told us if we wanted to return, to book with him direct as it was much cheaper. Here is a link to the direct booking site. The view and the accommodation is really as great as it looks.

Alternatively, Mousses in Lefkas was also a great experience. There are 10 villas in a small complex with a pool, children's pool, cafe/bar and creche. Again, this was thru Simply and I dont think you can book direct for cheaper holiday.

I prefer to have access to a pool for mine and my kids sake. They can get a bit fed up of swallowing sea water and stinging eyes, ime! However, many hotels will give you access to their pools as long as you buy drinks and/or food from the poolside bar.

Ahh - thanks MrsSimm for posting lots on my thread - I really appreciate it.

DS2 is a water baby (whereas DS1 wasn't at his age) so am thinking pool would be good.

Bad for my eczema though so I want the sea.

And of course pool plus beach-side location = ££££.

Will check out Citalia and your link too.

I looked at Mousses before but we are tied to school holidays (both teachers) so way too expensive.

Have been doing research today on Sardinia, seems like you can get an apartment for the same price as a mobile home in a campsite (but then we'd be more isolated in the evenings I suppose).

this is fab! so good I booked it again within days of returning last year! Roll on Aug!! kids ignored the kids club except when it was the show! pools are fab and the beach is great for young kids. Not too expensive - I booked through canvas to use my tesco vouchers. You can also book direct.

I have booked at Ca'savio which is a Eurocamp site. My eldest is 7 and not into the kids club thing but my DD (4) will probably join in some activities. It isn't the same site as the previous link but it is the same resort. To be honest we probably won't use the group activities that much but they are there if we need them.

If you are looking at mobiles, check the kids club ages carefully, as they vary. Canvas, IIRC, starts at 4yo, some other companies don't start until 5yo. Younger ones are often catered for but you have to stay with them.

We went to a site called Camping Acapulco, in the French Vendee last year (another Leslaki rec.) and it's a fairly small site, nice pool and walking distance (just) to the nearest beach if you don't want to drive.

The DC went to the kids club every morning, so DH and I got some time together. Then we'd pick them up and go straight to the pool for an hour or so, back to the mobile for lunch, then beach or pool in the afternoon. Dc were 4,5 & 6 then.

Bonjour Chippy!!! yes can def rec Acapulco too!!!

Where are you going this yr Chippy? (sorry for hi jack! )

We did Pierre et Vacances when dd was 3.5 and dd went to 5 or 6 session over a fortnight. Gave me and DH a chance to chill and she really enhoyed it. Last year, at 4.5 she told me off for not booking somewhere with a kid's club.

This year then we are going with Eurocamp. She's at the point where she really wants other children to play with, not just mummy and daddy.

I'm going to play it by ear. She can go as much or as little as she wants to. Though I'd like to do some family days out too.

nothing booked, we're going to book a couple of weeks off work in late august and see if we can pick up a bargain mobile, or see if anyone offers to share a villa with pool, or failing that, try camping. DH was rather taken with your Italian site though.

Never bothered ours either way. Just as happy without a club or other kids around.

Weren't holiday kids clubs invented to benefit parents rather than the children?

Chippy - it's fantastic!! It was gard to tear ourselves away from the site to visit venice or the water park up the road!!! Dead easy, realxing holiday with loads for the kids to do. there's another site that looks good too and is closer to venice - camping Marina di venezia - quite fancied that but you can't use your tesco vouchers! _ Sorry for hi jack again!!!!

Mrsmaidamess - think they benefit all - if only i could get mine to go - I could read abook by the pool for 2 hours while they get messy!