Thinking about a Eurocamp holiday with your toddler? Ask our experts

[EllieSmumsnet]

Planning a break with a little one comes with plenty of questions, from nap times and mealtimes to splash pools, playgrounds and what your days might really look like on camp. Whether you’re curious about accommodation layouts and what you need to pack, available facilities for toddlers, or simply want travel tips and honest advice from a fellow parent, we’re here to help.

To help you feel confident and excited about your family holiday, we’ve combined two experts: Michelle, a Eurocamp representative who knows the parks inside out, and Breanne from Family Camping Europe, a mum who’s experienced many camping holidays first-hand with her own little ones.

Drop your questions in the comments by 13/04 and our experts will reply with friendly, practical answers. Plus, you’ll be in with a chance to win a £200 VEX voucher – T&Cs here.

About Michelle Troy:
Michelle Troy is Head of CRM at Eurocamp and has worked for the company for 12 years. She has been going on outdoor holidays since she was a child, and has continued the tradition at Eurocamp parcs with her own family since her little girl (now 3) was a baby.

About Breanne Lovatt:
"I’m Breanne Lovatt, the creator of Family Camping Europe. I help UK families plan European camping and outdoor holidays through honest reviews and practical tips. I’ve taken my two daughters (now 3 and 6) on many Eurocamp holidays across France and beyond since they were babies, so I’ve got plenty of real-life experience of what works when travelling with toddlers."

If you’re happy not to drive, there are quite a few sites that are easy to reach by public transport, especially around the Béziers area in the south of France.

I’ve even seen families travel with just hand luggage, which is very impressive, though I’m not sure I could be quite that minimal!

You can hire most of the bulky items on site for free including cots, high chairs, changing mats, potties and baby baths, as well as bed linen and towels for a charge, so there’s no need to bring those with you.

Many campsite or Eurocamp receptions also have things like toys, games, and inflatables available to borrow, particularly on sites where a lot of guests fly rather than drive, which can make travelling a lot lighter and easier.

I’d look for the larger, more activity-focused sites that cater for older children. Things like sports tournaments, football pitches, pump tracks, and bigger pool complexes with waterslides tend to go down really well.

Some sites also have facilities aimed specifically at teens, like laser quest, bowling, games rooms, and even evening discos for teens, which gives them a bit of independence and something that feels more “grown up”.

Eurocamp accommodation is usually set in small groups rather than completely isolated, which actually creates a really lovely, social atmosphere.

You’ve still got your own space and privacy, but it’s easy to meet neighbouring families, especially if you’ve got children, as they naturally end up playing together outside or nearby.

It really depends on the type of parc you choose.

I’ve found that the more traditional campsites, where you have a mix of tents, touring caravans, and holiday homes tend to feel a bit more social. The accommodation is still nicely spaced out, but there’s more of a friendly, community feel, and it’s easier to chat to other families.

On the larger, more resort-style sites, everything can feel a bit busier, but interestingly the actual accommodation areas can be a little less social, as people are often out and about using the facilities rather than spending time around their pitch.

That said, I’ve never stayed anywhere where the cabins felt isolated. You’re almost always near other families, so it’s easy to be as social, or as private, as you like.

I’ve also heard of some sites trying to group families with similar-aged children or nationalities together when possible, which can naturally make it easier to meet others.

There’s no minimum age at all.

We took our little one on her first Eurocamp holiday at around 6 months old, and it worked really well. Because you’ve got your own space and can pre-book baby essentials for free, it’s actually a very easy first holiday with a baby.

There’s no minimum age at all, families travel with babies of all ages.

We’ve taken ours from very early on, and you just adapt the pace of the holiday to suit.

Having your own space makes it much easier than a hotel, especially with feeding, naps, and just having somewhere to retreat to when needed.

I found nappies (including swim nappies) and wipes really easy to get locally, both in on-site shops and nearby supermarkets, so you don’t need to pack huge amounts.

Baby and toddler essentials like cots, high chairs and baby baths can be pre-booked free of charge, so they’ll be set up in your accommodation when you arrive.

I would recommend bringing your own stroller though - it’s free to take on the plane, you can usually take it right up to the gate, and it’s one of the first things returned when you land, which makes travelling with little ones much easier.

You’ll have no problem finding nappies and wipes locally, but they can feel a bit different to what you’re used to in the UK.

You’ll see familiar brands like Pampers, along with supermarket own brands, though they’re often a bit more expensive than UK prices. We’ve found Lidl and Aldi nappies abroad to be really good value and reliable, so if you’re near one, they’re worth checking out.

With wipes, I used to use WaterWipes in the UK and struggled to find them easily in France without paying quite a bit more in pharmacies. Supermarkets do stock a large range though, including sensitive or high water-content options, so you’ll still find alternatives.

In terms of equipment, you can usually hire things like cots, high chairs, baby baths and potties directly through the campsite or Eurocamp when you book, for free.

Strollers aren’t typically available to hire though some sites may have them left over from previous guests, but it’s definitely not a given, so I'd recommend bringing your own.

I always take a carrier as a backup (I have one that goes up to 7 years old) and If you are flying with Ryanair (and I think Easy jet), you get two free baby/child items per child, so we’ve always packed a car seat and stroller.

I’m not sure I’m ready for that level of exhaustion yet, aren’t holidays supposed to be relaxing? 😅

In our experience, the pools and splash areas on Eurocamp parcs are really well maintained. Many of our larger parcs have modern water parks with separate toddler areas, splash zones and shallow pools designed specifically for younger children.

Like anywhere, some holiday parcs are bigger and more modern than others, so if this is a priority, it’s worth choosing one known for its pool complex.

We’ve always felt comfortable using them, and they’re consistently one of the highlights for our little one.

Personally, I’ve never had any issues with hygiene in the splash or toddler pools on Eurocamp parcs. From what I’ve seen, they’re generally well maintained, and if there is ever an accident, pools are usually closed and cleaned properly before reopening, which is reassuring.

In terms of safety, I have children that literally run & dive everywhere so occasionally we have found some pool tiles that are a little slippier than other places, but other than that we’ve had no real safety concerns.

As with anything, some parcs are more modern or recently updated than others, so if this is a big priority for you, it’s worth looking at newer or resort-style parcs where the pool facilities tend to be excellent.

If it’s your first time, I’d definitely keep things simple and go for a parc close to ports or airports, depending on your preferred way of travelling, so you’re not dealing with a long journey as well.

Camping La Vallée in Normandy, France is a great option for beginners. It’s easy to get to by ferry to Caen, really well set up, and works brilliantly for mixed ages.

Your 5 and 10 year olds would love the parks, pools and kids’ clubs, and there’s plenty for a 15 year old too, especially with the waterslides and sports facilities. The town and beach are within walking distance, and there are lots of places to explore nearby, especially if you like war history.

And just to reassure you, you don’t have to “camp” in the traditional sense at all. Eurocamp's holiday homes are very comfortable - more like a small, self-catering house, so it’s a really easy way to try this style of holiday without feeling out of your comfort zone.

Thank you for such an in depth answer - much appreciated

Which are the best sites near airports for those who don't fancy driving abroad? Many thanks