Holiday Ideas with Toddlers

[nobodygirle]

We're currently away for our first holiday abroad as a family. We have a 2 year old DD and another one on the way.

We've come to a lovely 5* All Inclusive in Greece thinking the convenience of it would be ideal for our daughter, that she'd love spending the day in the pool, the private beach and the ease of buffet style meals etc but she has been miserable (and therefore so have we by default).

She hates the food, doesn't like the heat or going in the pool and didn't much enjoy the beach either. Aside from the odd fun moment here or there she's seemed unhappy and would definitely rather be at home.

Either way, its been far from relaxing. We've had a stressful few months and thought the holiday would be what we needed as a family but alas....

So, leaves me with the question - where could we go for holidays in the future (over next few years when she and younger one are still young). I love going abroad so don't want to just holiday in the UK but can't do this again.

Anyone have any great ideas of holidays that kids will also enjoy? Sp far Euro Disney is all I can come up with.

[MotherOfCrocodiles]

I mean, they like the beach, the pool etc but don't have the same sense that being away is special in itself

[MotherOfCrocodiles]

I find with toddlers it's mainly about the bribes. Ice creams, little toys.... best thing about the day? I got a flag to put on my sandcastles!

[LunaNova]

We just got home from a week's holiday to Majorca and our 2.5 year old had a fab time. We weren't actually supposed to go there but our planned holiday to Crete was cancelled last minute so we rebooked this and actually I think DD would have hated Crete.

Our hotel had an on-site water park for older kids and splash park for younger ones. My DD hated the proper pool but enjoyed toddling around the splash park pool as it was only waist deep for her, we got her a bucket and watering can and she just went around collecting water from the splashy bits. The hotel was full of kids so she made a couple of friends which meant she was happy to go play a lot. We had a lot of available snacks and activities (sticker books/colouring books etc) so if we were sat around the pool she didn't get bored.

Food was alright, all inclusive and very geared towards kids so there was always burgers and chips available which meant there was a guarantee she would eat.

We tailored our evenings to her, went to mini disco at 8pm (she didn't join in the first few nights) and then put her in the pushchair and went for a walk until she fell asleep, we then sat in the quieter bar area until bedtime.

We also went to Disneyland Paris earlier in the year and she loved that too.

[nobodygirle]

@Tiptopmountain

We’ve just come back from Iceland with our two year old and had a fab time. He loves being outdoors and collecting rocks/stones. Lots of swimming in the hot springs and staying in cabins with wide open spaces. We rented a car and road tripped for a few weeks so we’re on our own schedule completely. Also we got to do a bucket list trip for us.

Quite a lot of organising and not for everyone but we all had a great time!

Amazing! I went to Iceland at Christmas back in the day and desperate to go back with little one in tow so great to hear it went down well with your toddler.

Thanks to everyone for your suggestions. She ended up enjoying the holiday more the last day or so, although the flight home was a bit much for her. Planning to keep it low key for next couple of years and see how we get on.

[Tiptopmountain]

We’ve just come back from Iceland with our two year old and had a fab time. He loves being outdoors and collecting rocks/stones. Lots of swimming in the hot springs and staying in cabins with wide open spaces. We rented a car and road tripped for a few weeks so we’re on our own schedule completely. Also we got to do a bucket list trip for us.

Quite a lot of organising and not for everyone but we all had a great time!

[shivawn]

I second the villa recommendation, Lanzarote has loads of villas with heated pools to rent at very reasonable prices. That way you have loads of space and privacy so you're not worried about wrecking the peace for everyone else. You'll also have a lot more food options. We used to utilise naptime to have a dip in the pool and a couple cocktails on our own.

[RomainingCalm]

Villa holidays worked for us when DC were little. We'd have a car and go out in the morning, have lunch somewhere, DC napped and then we'd come back for a swim and an easy dinner at the villa.

Sounds boring on paper but we stuck to a normal-ish bedtime so DH and I had chance to sit out with a glass of wine.

Yes, a bit less of a holiday for us than AI but in some ways easier than us all sharing a hotel room, late nights and always having to eat in the restaurant.

When they got older AI was great but keeping some sort of routine seemed to suit the toddlers better.

[Cormoran]

How is she usually entertained at home and what does she not like about the food?

[Flopisfatteningbingforchristmas]

AL can be amazing for kids but you need to find one which specifically focuses on young children.

[TheBirdintheCave]

We enjoyed city breaks before our son was born and we've just carried on going on them now he's here. We figured a two year old is still basically an accessory. He's still too little to enjoy any child centred activities. As long as he gets to walk and visit a park occasionally he's pretty happy!

We took him on a train tour of Emilia Romagna at 18 months and have just come back from Granada at 21 months :)

I'd recommend Italian and Spanish cities. Our boy was treated like a little prince everywhere we went :)

Next year we're doing Crete and a couple other yet to be decided Greek islands.

[TheMoops]

Thanks everyone. Unfortunately all the Kids Clubs we found were 4+ so wasn't even an option.

Try TUI they have kids clubs for younger kids

[allfurcoatnoknickers]

I think it depends on your toddler though because you're currently on DS's dream holiday!

The thing I've found is that you have to split your day into 3 chunks - morning you do some kind of activity, The after lunch you go back to the hotel, chill by the pool and have nap/quiet time in the room, then evening go out to dinner and explore a bit before bed.

[Nowisthemonthofmaying]

We just had a tough holiday in Greece with our 2 year old, fortunately after a hot first week it cooled down a lot so we could spend time on the beach and in the garden more easily, but it was still far from ideal.

Holidays that have worked much better for us have been either city breaks with loads of stuff to go out and visit and good public transport (dd loves buses, art galleries etc) or Butlins-type resorts (I know) which are not to my taste at all but the PILs love them so we've done a few, it does make it easier with a toddler with no cooking to worry about and lots of family activities, a pool etc. Camping was also a big hit, she loved being outside all day with lots of space to run around in and other kids to watch/play with.

[WhatNoRaisins]

I think you've got to figure out what the toddler likes doing, do some days out, walking in the woods, picnics, exploring a new town, the beach etc. Once you've figured it out attempt to find a holiday destination where you can replicate it and accept it's going to be same shit different location in any case.

[NuffSaidSam]

With small kids it's more what you do than where you are and what they generally enjoy is....whatever they like doing at home! They're not as into the change of scenery as you are at this age. They want consistency!

So go wherever you like, but bring toys and books from home and accept that you might be sitting by a pool but you'll still be playing tea sets and reading the same books. Bring bath toys/pool.yoys from home if you want them to play with water (if they don't like water at home, they won't on holiday either). Look for a playground, a farm that sort of thing (available almost anywhere). Look for a hotel with space to play. Keep the routine as similar as possible.

Try and find somewhere with a kids club! They do have them for small ones.

[SBAM]

Beekse Bergen was great this summer for a 2 and just turned 5 year old. We hired a wagon so they could have a ride when legs got tired, but there were pools, a playground, the safari park, we went to Efteling one day, the Speelland beach/playground another day, though that’s aimed at slightly older kids I think.
Even going on the night ferry was an adventure.
We did also take my in-laws, exciting for the kids to go on holiday with grandma and grandad and just made things lower stress for us to have a few extra pairs of eyes and hands.

[Underwater11]

I’m surprised she hates the beach, the sand has always been a massive hit with my toddlers. Pools were only enjoyed by my toddlers if they were paddling depth and had a bucket/watering can but not for swimming. Then play parks, toddlering around towns (but not for too long), anything with animals, boat trips. I think for mine just general freedom to explore and exciting foods like ice creams propels them through any holiday and some kind of water so lake/sea/river with water toys. We even did a vineyard/wine tasting with my 20month old this summer and managed somehow to keep them entertained. The only true disaster holiday we’ve had was a city break weekend with a sick 9 month old. Would not recommend. We also take a bunch of their toys/colouring books with us which they always use. We’ve also only ever done self catering, so we can keep a decent night schedule for them but when they’re a bit older will be looking into places with kids clubs too.

[Luxembourgmama]

Martinhal does kids club from 6 months which is very appealing

[Luxembourgmama]

Martinhal was super for us. Excellent kids buffet and entertainment

[LolaSparkle]

@Chanel05

Controversially, I'd say Euro Disney would be thoroughly enjoyed by your toddler!

We took my dd to Disney World when she was 18 months and again at 22 months and she had the time of her life.

I'd second this ... we've just got back from Florida is my 20 month old lockdown toddler and I cannot stress how much he enjoyed it! Hand on heart never ever seen him so happy!

Don't get me wrong he had his moments, but they were just that ... moments! Far too much distraction for them to last any longer!

As a side note, the holiday has also been my favourite every Florida trip and holiday in general!

If relaxation is what you're after, I can also recommend a Disney Cruise! Said toddler was in his element! No holiday is fully relaxing with a toddler but the cruise part of our trip was the closest I got 😆

[Fivemoreminutes1]

Centre Parcs - my dd was as happy as Larry being carted round on the back of the bike, feeding the wildlife, playing on the little lakeside beach and spending hours in the soft play areas while we had meals/snacks/drinks. She was a bit ‘meh’ about the swimming pool at first but we took her to the little tots swimming sessions and she eventually started loving it. We put her in the crèche once so DH and I could do an activity together.

[FriedasCarLoad]

Our toddler and preschooler are far happier camping than in hotels. They love the adventure and the freedom to run around, and then we go out each day.

[Thetractorjustmoved]

We had an awful holiday in Majorca at that age. Thought he'd love it, pool, buffet etc. He hated everything and wanted to stay in the room watching paw patrol. Thankfully we've had really enjoyable holidays since, but it might just be a 2 thing!

[FlounderingFruitcake]

@nobodygirle

Thanks everyone. Unfortunately all the Kids Clubs we found were 4+ so wasn't even an option.

Agree they’re less common but they do exist if you want them, we’ve done a few!

[nobodygirle]

Thanks everyone. Unfortunately all the Kids Clubs we found were 4+ so wasn't even an option.