Read Mumsnetters' top tips for planning a family summer holiday with TUI

[LucyBMumsnet]

This sponsored discussion is now closed. Thank you to everyone who shared their tips on this thread

School may have only just started up again after the Christmas break, but many people are already daydreaming about their family summer holiday. But before you can imagine yourself poolside with a good book in hand, you’re quickly dragged back down to earth when you remember the planning that needs doing. With this in mind, TUI would love to hear your tips for planning a summer holiday.

Here’s what TUI have to say: “At TUI, we know that your family holiday is a time to reconnect and have fun. That’s why we’ve designed hotels especially for families to make it the best week, or two, of the year. From a wide range of fun activities to all day entertainment including evening family shows, kids’ clubs and children’s menus and buffets in resort, we’ve thought of every little detail to give you a hassle free and family-friendly holiday.”

Do you aim to book family friendly accommodation? Are there certain facilities that make your holiday easier, or that you couldn’t go without? How do you keep your children entertained while you’re travelling? Do you prepare activities for them to do on the flight or take easy to carry toys along with you? What’s the one thing you always forget to pack and only realise as you arrive at your destination? What do you wish someone had told you before you went on your first summer holiday with your children?

Tell us your top tips on the thread below and you will be entered into a prize draw where 1 lucky MNer will win a £300 voucher for a store of their choice (from a list).

Thanks and good luck!
MNHQ

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I try and involve the kids early on at the planning stage. Makes them more interested.

Even as an experienced traveller nothing beats the security, value and convenience of a package holiday

Always go all inclusive, especially having 3 fussy children and don't have to worry about taking loads of spending money. Plus finding a hotel that has plenty to do for the children, mine are quite happy being in the swimming pool all day and they love joining in at the evening entertainment.

research different things to do in the area big and small, so there is always something to fill the time.
audio books are great for the car rides to keep everyone entertained without staring at a screen.
have lots of snacks on hand.

My tip for the best family holiday is to involve your kids in the planning and decision making stages. They will feel more excited and connected to the trip right from the beginning of it! Start by doing research based on your budget and then ask the kids their opinions on your short listed accommodation or destination ideas to make sure they feel included.

We tend to like staying a villa where children have their own room and adults have their own time and space after kids have gone to bed. We also have control over what we eat and find much more relaxing.

As it.s a big expense to plan a holiday for the whole family, comparison websites and cashback sites can bring the prices down to what is affordable.
I always check out what the reviews say as well.
Be prepared well in advance, and google maps are another important tool before setting off if your trying to find your way around a location you've never been to.
This is a must for me when taking kids on hols, to have some idea of where you're going and how to get there by local transport services, trains, buses, etc.

Involve the kids in the planning and decision making stages and they will feel more excited for the holiday right from the beginning. Start by doing research based on your budget and then ask the kids their opinions.

To make sure the area we book is child friendly and that there is lots to do for children as I know our daughter (9) does get bored very easily and if she is bored then she is unhappy and that would spoil the holiday.
Also make sure where we stay is not to far from the airport as it can get pretty warm on the transfer & the last thing people want is stroppy children especially if yours is the last stop.
We also make sure we take things to do for our daughter on the plane as she doesn't like to sleep on planes and again would be bored. Also take booked sweets on the plane to stop all of our ears from popping and extra sweet incase they are needed else where.

When planning your holiday try and get an early morning flight so the kids can get to sleep in the car on the way up and then they won't be grumpy from travelling the whole day to get to your destination.

As long as the accommodation has a nice pool and good restaurants that is all the matters as far as family holidays go, I start preparing early buying a few bits each week , i.e sun cream, flip flops, new swimwear, sunglasses etc then the week before I start making piles of each family members clothing and accessories that needs to be packed, when it comes to packing, if we are flying I make sure each family member has clothes, swimwear and nightwear in each suitcase, just in case any luggage goes missing.

As a family of 5 we have to consider the distance and price. For the last few years we have booked a holiday which didn't involve a big distance to get too. Organisation is key, we try to plan some of the days so there is some structure however then have a few days to hang out at the pool side. Price is a big thing, prices seem to drastically increase when you go from a family of 4 to a family of 5! So we do our research beforehand.

We just sit back and let it all flow over us, the more relaxed the parent the easier the children, so each day it's play it by ear beach and water has always been top of the list for our girls, so building sandcastles and rock pools even into teen years, nothing set in concrete as the weather will always upset plans, a couple of colouring books and a pack of cards keep it very simple, as for forgetting anything not an issue so far but as we always have a shop within walking distance if it's urgent we go for a walk if not lets see how long we can go without, just remember its a family holiday not two weeks of mum does it all and arrives back home shattered.

I find it really helps things to run smoothly if I plan ahead and do my research before we arrive, so I'm ready for anything.

we go online and plan the attractions and activities we would want to include in our itinerary.

Even though it annoys me, doing all the packing myself for ALL family members means less stress in the long run because I know nothing will be forgotten!

I do sooo much research into a holiday. I will make sure I'm looking for months before we book so that we get a good deal. I always go for a family friendly hotel and make sure there are plenty of activities to do. Reviews are crucial to finding out the real pros and cons to the hotel and the area in general. Look at multiple websites.

Making lists is my go to!!
Lists for packing, lists for places to visit, lists for food etc!

Plan ahead, choose wisely, and cater for your children not yourselves. We travel to Greece and we like to stay in All Inclusive that way the children are happy with extras like ice cream and pop, which could cost quite a bit. We like to take extra's like games, coloring books, pens and cards just in case of a flight delay or if the children become bored on flight.

My advice is to keep things simple. And not to travel too far or be too ambitious

My son spends his whole time in the pool so we always look for a pool which is family friendly. We also love the option to self-cater so that we can arrange or make our own meals and not have to fit to a schedule. Activity books, pens, a comfy kids neck rest and audio books are all on our essentials tick list for the journey. I'm pretty organised so I don't really forget anything (famous last words!)

We like to go somewhere where we can relax by the pool if we want to but also go out and explore, so we need to look into new destinations to make sure there enough around! We like all inclusive as its so easy with children, there's always something they will eat. I don't want to be cooking on my holiday either so thats a plus for me too.

Keeping the children entertained was important as traveling can take forever when going further afield like America, books, reading & colouring, handheld games etc but some airlines provide good choice of films/cartoons etc.

Somewhere warm/sunny is important. We like to spend time doing things so activities in the day are a must, albeit in the pool playing with the kids, pedalos or a water park visit. We like to choose a hotel with evening entertainment so we have a choice to either stay in the evening or seek fun elsewhere.

Most importantly remember to switch off and relax, the first time we went to Florida, we done the theme parks for 2 weeks and by the time we left we were shattered and could have done with a week by the beach or pool just to recover!

have plenty of suncream and activities to do

We book packaged holiday with transfers/food included as so much easier to budget for. Also choose hotel not too far from airport as kids normally exhausted when they get to their destination. We also look for lots of activities to keep the kids entertained.