Tips for caravan holiday with kids

[ZippyBlueViper]

I’ve booked for 3 nights in a static with oh, dd 13 and ds 4. I used to go caravanning as a kid and loved it and hoping my kids will love it too.

We are going in feb half term to a Park dean resort at the seaside.

Ive planned various beaches to visit to go fossil hunting rock pooling that kind of thing.

I would like to know any tips for a fab caravan break away please, essentials to take, things you wouldn’t go without. Ideas to make it as fun as possible please, caravan teas etc

Warm pjs and hoodies as it can get really cold especially at night, loads of layers and socks! Take some hot water bottles as well and sleeping bags.

I've done quite a few parkdean holidays, you'll need to take things like washing up liquid and sponge, tea towels, towels for the beach/swimming pool/showers.

Loads of food and snacks, they have little shop on site but it's expensive for basics.

Have a great time, we're going at Easter!

That’s brilliant wouldn’t of thought of hot water bottles thank you!

Does it have heating, most of them do now. If you're planning on cooking take a chopping board and knives, they are always shite.

You can usually organise a supermarket delivery to arrive to your caravan rather than having to wedge all the food in your caravan.

The drying racks are never big enough when we go (we have wetsuits and beach towels etc so I usually take ours. I also take shower mat to soak up the puddles.

If you're planning on doing most cooking for yourself take a sharp knife.. they are always blunt.

Maybe earplugs, depending on the site you might be woken by what sounds like an army stampede on the roof but in reality is a couple of enthusiastic seaguls pottering about on top of the van.

When we do a 3 nighter I strategically meal plan for minimal faff and left overs/stuff to bring back. We generally do a click and collect grocery order from a nearby/en route supermarket. We generally eat breakfasts and evening meals at the caravan and lunches out (DC is autistic which makes eating out tricky)

E.g. when we went recently I took...

Homemade curry for night 1 - cooked in advance, taken out of the freezer that morning. Was defrosted by the time we got there. Added microwave rice pouches and accompaniments.

Night 2 - homemade lasagne, again made in advance and frozen. Take out before we leave, acts as a nice ice block for any chilled stuff whilst travelling, and defrost slowly in the fridge ready for dinner on evening #2. Usually add some garlic bread too.

Night 3 - either a takeaway or something simple that doesn't result in bits left over e.g. a pack of 6 burgers and 6 rolls and we'll have 2 each.

My other tips...
Be prepared for no/poor 4G/wifi. We take books, board games & DVDs (the booking info should tell you what there is facilities/equipment wise)

Take a decent sized mug for your morning brew. The ones they provide are usually tiny.

Small amount of washing up liquid (I use a little toiletry travel bottle), a sponge, few dishwasher tablets, tea towel etc.

Bin bags - we have a bin bag that we fill with dirty washing. No need to sort clean from dirty when we get back.

Loose change for on site arcade if there is one.

Ask the kids to plan some of the days out!
What if it's wet? Walk in the rain then a good Cafe
Whice park????

have you booked the swimming pool most caravan parks make you book the pool in advance now >.>

I usually take a slow cooker pop a pork shoulder,onion,chicken oxo on low all day.Grab chippy chips on way back we have pulled pork rolls with either gravy,bbq or apple sauce with chippy chips

Take tea towels, dish cloths, cleaning products, loo rolls etc as nothing was provided last time I went.

A pack of cards and dominoes!

these ar le fab thank you! I’ll ring tomorrow and check about booking pool and what they provide and I’ll ask about heating too! Good shout books and games. Was thinking one day if it rains could do sea life centre, but not sure what else, my general kind of plan is out in morning, wrap up well, different beaches, lunch out go into villages by the beaches look round shops park etc back for around 3 ish swim tea evening entertainment.
slow cooker a really good shout and defo like the idea of meal planning so avoid bringing things we don’t need. Will only be breakfast and tea in.
Good idea about clothes drier especially weather atm!