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Original poster

First Haven holiday - tips?

26 replies

Babaganoo · 13/09/2023 08:39

We're going on our first Haven holiday this weekend. I'm excited but also genuinely a bit nervous as we have DS (1), DSS (13) and DDog and I have no idea how we're going to manage activities/naps/dog walks etc. Oh and I've no idea how we're going to get everything in one car but DH assured me "it will be fine"... but that's a different story.

We're going for 10 days which in hindsight is probably a bit long. I feel like DSS might to be "too old" for a lot of it (although he still enjoys activities, he's definitely hitting the absent teenager stage) and DS is too young for most activities. It's near a beach though so if we get some good weather that will help.

Anyway, does anyone have any advice/tips for getting the best out of a Haven holiday?

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mycatsanutter · 13/09/2023 08:55

We love a Haven holiday but only go for the weekend . If your 13 year old is in to football and there is a pitch there he will probably be happy kicking a ball about for a few hours a day . There will be swimming every day and other activities, I would plan some days out too though .

Original poster

Babaganoo · 13/09/2023 09:08

@mycatsanutter thank you! Unfortunately he's not into football. Swimming is a definite, we'll probably go most days. I think there's lots to do in Scarborough so we'll plan some days out too

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Foggyfoggyfoggy · 13/09/2023 09:12

Have you already booked the activities op? We went last week and most were already booked up and we didn't do much sadly.. Very annoyed tbh. You can book swim slots a week in advance and scope to book more when you are booked in (daily).

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13 year olds General parenting

mycatsanutter · 13/09/2023 09:12

I have never been to Scarborough but have heard it's very nice , I would buy buckets /spades, anything beach related before you go as the shops prices will be very inflated .

Tanyaaah · 13/09/2023 09:13

How can you go for 10 days with a 13 year old in term time?

Crumbcatcher · 13/09/2023 09:17

Order a supermarket delivery to arrive on your first evening. The teenagers seemed to hang out on the basketball court in the evenings, or in the entertainment. If your little one will sleep in a buggy you can do anything!

PaperNests · 13/09/2023 09:34

We stayed at two different Haven parks near Scarborough this summer and had a great time, I'm sure you'll enjoy it. We only did weekends but there was so much we could have done that we didn't have time for. The beaches and coastline around there are really interesting, there's a lot of wildlife to look at. We booked up swimming and activities early but since it's term time you'll probably be fine. Would your 13 year old enjoy bike hire? (If they've got it on your park) He could then have a bit of freedom riding round the park. He might like the arcades too my slightly younger DD would spend all day in them if I let her! You can also use it more of a base since you've got a car, we don't drive but still do a lot of exploring, there's loads to do in that area.

Kissmas · 13/09/2023 09:36

10 days in term time? To scarbados? 🤯Misses point of thread.

Erm, take things like cling film and extra tea towels. Book swimming and other activities 2 weeks ago

Original poster

Babaganoo · 13/09/2023 09:38

@Crumbcatcher great idea thank you! Didn't realise you can order deliveries to there. We don't know what caravan we have yet, do we need to know before we order a delivery?

@PaperNests bike riding is a great idea for DSS! Although I've got a feeling like your DD, he will bike straight to the arcades and just stay there lol. I'm really hoping we can explore the beaches and coastline with DDog. DS isn't a big fan of the carrier (he's just started walking and hates being contained anyway) but hopefully we'll get to do some walks.

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Original poster

Babaganoo · 13/09/2023 09:40

@Kissmas swimming is booked! It's about the only thing I've managed to do. And yeaaah haha I know... long story but we have good reason to book during term time and it's approved by his school 😊

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hdbs17 · 13/09/2023 09:45

Tbh, I think you're going to struggle for 10 days. IMO, at a UK holiday park - 5 days is enough.

The 1yo - you'll be fine, it's the activities for the eldest that you may struggle with.
Go on days out as baby can nap whilst out and about and you can walk the dog at the same time.

Crumbcatcher · 13/09/2023 11:06

You don't need your caravan number to book a delivery, just put the park address. On one of mine I could amend the delivery address the day before when I got the number, the other I couldn't amend but the driver phoned me from the gate to ask the number. I was incredibly glad I'd added precautionary calpol to my delivery as we needed it that night!

Original poster

Babaganoo · 13/09/2023 13:02

@hdbs17 yes I'm beginning to think that. We have other family members going separately, so that should help with entertainment hopefully. DSS is definitely at a difficult age to be occupied for that long though! Oh and god I wish DS would nap in the pram... more likely scenario is nap refusal and massively overtired baby by 6pm... I have a feeling this might be one of the most exhausting weeks of my life 😂

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Princessbananahamock · 13/09/2023 13:18

Take a sharp cutting knife, non stick frying pan /plastic spatula. Baking tray for oven. I take my airfryer. You should be told your van number day before arrival and arrival time for entry to caravan.

OdeToBarney · 13/09/2023 13:23

Bring hand towels, tea towels and hand soap as well as washing up liquid, dishwasher tablets (if your van has a DW) and a sponge and cloth. I think you might struggle with activities for DSS on site, so I would spend all day away from the van (beaches, walks, national trusts etc) and head back after dinner. DSS can then spend time reading/gaming/texting mates etc. Maybe pack a couple of board games. Have you hired a travel cot and highchair? That will save you a lot of car space, although we've bought our own travel cot (currently at a haven site this week).

CheshireCat1 · 13/09/2023 13:32

You could have a couple off days out to Whitby, famous for Dracula, Robin’s Hood Bay, there’s also lots of nice places to visit in Scarborough. Take some board games, pack of cards etc for rainy days.

SisSuffragette · 13/09/2023 13:43

Take a chopping board as they only supply a glass one

Notlostjustexploring · 13/09/2023 13:44

Any haven sites I've stayed in the mobile signal has been non existent, so prepare for that/download stuff in advance.
Take your own non stick pot/pan.

If you're struggling for swim slots, turning up and asking for any cancellations can work for bonus slots. Same applies for other free activities. So many people book them and then don't turn up.

The one we go to had a laundry service, which was money very well spent, instead of faffing with handwashing or packing all the clothes I own.

I really like Haven sites for a holiday. Enjoy!

Foggyfoggyfoggy · 13/09/2023 13:54

If your caravan really isn't up to scratch make sure you complain.. We have previously had zero kitchen utensils /pans and got a £50 restaurant voucher.. And last time an empty fire extinguisher! They sent one right away! Humans manage them and errors happen. But at the £££ of your holiday you need things put right!
And btw all the public toilets charge in Scarborough so take change. Although most take card now!!

Original poster

Babaganoo · 13/09/2023 14:15

Thank you everyone! There are lots of things I haven't thought to pack on here so it's been very helpful. Absolutely no way we're fitting this all in the car though.

@OdeToBarney I've hired a high chair, not a pram though as I've read up that they're not great? We're going to take our travel cot as they say that you can hire one but it doesn't include a mattress and I don't want to take our mattress and just hope that it fits.

Definitely taking board games but will probably spend the whole time stopping DS from putting the Monopoly houses in his gob 😅

@CheshireCat1 Whitby is a must!

@SisSuffragette urgh glass chopping board?! Idk why but I find that so strange lol. Definitely taking ours.

@Foggyfoggyfoggy thank you, I'm terrible at complaining about stuff but an empty fire extinguisher would definitely push me to it!

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OdeToBarney · 13/09/2023 15:29

@Babaganoo yes I read that too and to be honest something about hiring a travel cot makes me feel a bit...🤢 I was also hoping the familiarity might help DD sleep, but no such luck 🤣 oooh don't forget a portable black out blind as the curtains let a lot of light in! Even with ours, DD has been waking up super early!

Crumbcatcher · 01/10/2023 20:22

@Babaganoo how was your holiday? Hope you all had a good time!

Original poster

Babaganoo · 01/10/2023 20:37

@Crumbcatcher it was lovely thank you! Well, it was very expensive and we came home a day before check out lol but it was great. 10 days is definitely too long though and I don't think we'll go back for a good few years. But the kids and the dog loved it!

OP posts:

Ginann · 01/10/2023 20:49

What park was it?
Was there plenty to do?

Crumbcatcher · 01/10/2023 22:45

That sounds good! My kids (primary age) would love 10 days but we do 4 nights, it's the right amount for us even if it's tricky fitting the activities in. Hope you had good weather!

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