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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download a couple seasons of their favorite shows for the rainy days or delay days or the travel days.

We have have had a variety of great holidays - from cheap camping ho!idays, cabin breaks, luxury hotels, both in this country and abroad. For us, it's all about spending time together, trying new foods, experiencing different cultures, seeing the sights, and having some serious wind down time. For us, it's not about internet, emails and tablets - even with a teenager, we leave all that at home, and only take Kindled for reading and phone for emergencies. We make sure our accommodation is accessible to either transoort, or sights we want to see, and we research what we want to see and do beforehand. We're visiting beautiful Luxembourg at Easter; we know we are walking distance to the village with restaurants and bars, there's sports courts and a pool at our accommodation, we've planned a couple of days out and know where the local shop is. That's the sort of homework we do!

PLAN PLAN PLAN and then double check everything. have reserve plans for every eventuality organised fun takes the spontineity out it but its a lot more reliable

I prefer to stay in UK with young children, the heat and travel are too much when they are toddlers. Im a great one for lists its the only way to survive and they have mini suitcases to put their favourite toys in.

Read all the reviews. Look for kids clubs in hotels and be near a beach somewhere hot!

packing cubes for hand luggage are great, you can pop all of the things you want to hand in one, then when you board the plane take the cube out of the luggage and pop it under the seat in front

Plan what is a must do and work around the kids schedule. Also make lots of lists so you forget nothing!

We always go all inclusive so I get a proper rest too, we also always go with family so the kids entertain each other and have a blast! We also dont fly too far 😁

Lots of Pre prep is key! Research the hotel and local facilities

read up where you are going , plan ahead for any trips and make sure your little ones have stuff to do on the journey

A short flight as we are going with my Daughter and Granddaughter who is 18 months so this year we have booked to go to Ibiza 2 hrs flight and transfers 20 mins and all inclusive so if we do not fancy going anywhere we can stay put, We do get out and about to different resorts . Ibiza is beautiful and if we forget anything we know we can get it there

I plan ahead and make sure there's things for the kids to do on holiday that they'll enjoy as happy kids = happy mum and dad! I always take snacks and things for them to do on the journey and bring them out at regular intervals to stop the boredom setting in.

Worst thing I forgot was my youngest's swimsuit! So not too bad really as she got to pick a new one :)

We like to go all inclusive in a family friendly resort.

Definitely book somewhere child friendly if you are taking kids with you.

Trunki's are good for kids to sit on in airport queues.

I do plan ahead with the kids in mind when booking our family holiday. Holidays aren’t generally relaxing when you have children so I try to book child friendly hotels in places were I know they will be lots to keep them entertained. Also the cost has to be factored in as my husband is self employed so doesn’t get paid for his time off so a holiday is a big luxury for us that we want to get right.

We pick a small set of places we'd like to go then really research everything around the area to pick a favourite and the best hotel/house we can get. Top things for us are local food within a walk and a good beach.

We always choose all inclusive and a place that has a recommended children's club. We also prefer to stay in Europe as long distance flights are difficult for young children

I’ve moved away from package holidays over the last few years, I love the process of planning a family holiday and want to make sure I’m booking the best hotel for the money, the best flights, researching the best trips and choosing the best locations for our needs. I find resources like Tripadvisor invaluable for narrowing down accommodation and sites like Trivago for getting them at the best price. It takes me a while but I’m always certain we have made the right choice and it gives us more flexibility to do things like a twin centre that traditional packages just don’t for families

My tip is to carefully look at the room specs of the hotel to try and find a room that offers at very least a partition off from the main bedroom for the kids, so when the lights go out you and your partner can at least have your own 'space' to watch TV (very quietly!) or read books, or if you're like me, have a few drinks in without disturbing the kids! In the summer there's usually a balcony to go out on, but bear in mind the temperature in the evening, we got caught out on our first holiday thinking we would be sat out enjoying cocktails, but in reality we ended up hiding in the bathroom as it was too cold and windy outside!

Look out for online discount vouchers for places to visit in the local area and check the reviews before booking anything.

Lots of time for relaxing, preferably on the beach or around the pool. My children get very grumpy when we rush around sightseeing. We'll do the sightseeing holidays when they are a bit older.

Oh and snacks, never be far from food.

I've not been abroad with the family but I've been on UK breaks and we always aim for places that have fun activities or shows for kids. Thankfully they never get bored in the car ride and they entertain each other!

We have found that the best holidays we have found is camping. Our kids just love the freedom of a campsite and having a week or two with no strict routines like we need when home for school etc. It's a real back to basics time with no screens or phones and lots of days on the beach or in the park.

Plan well in advance. Camping is good, somewhere with a swimming pool.

Pre buying all the pool toys so that they can jump straight in and start having fun straight away, taking travel wash to rinse through the swimwear every night, I allow them to take ipads or similar, for the travelling and it lets them relax before the evening plans we have, all inclusive is great when they are little, as it keeps the cost down and they feel so grown up going to the bar and cafe without having to keep my purse on me at all times and it saves a lot of money, when they get older a villa style holiday suits better, when they are no longer interested in the mini disco and parrot shows! Buying the summer clothing during winter saves a ton of money also, we pack lunches and pens and colouring books for the long boring flights and i always pack a medicine bag for the calpol and bites etc, to save hunting for chemists and small medical problems, giving them little wallets with their pocket/spending money is great in teaching them a little financial responsiblitly, all of the above are great little things that can be done easier but make life smoother as travelling can be challenging, hope it may help someone..............many thanks