We love taking our children on holiday, it’s a great opportunity to show them places that are around them and the world we live in. It gives us time as a family to relax, although holidaying with kids and relaxing is never the same type of relaxing than before kids! However it gets you away from the normal routine, the housework, DIY jobs and work.
We love being outside as a family, we enjoy being able to have days out together and to get some fresh air. I think it is important for children to get outside, and even more so as a family together. Children learn so much from outdoors, if you have school aged children then they are stuck in at school all week, and not enough time outside. So weekends and holidays are a perfect opportunity to let them free! To have free play and time to switch off their little minds from school.
So holidays are important for all of the family, as my children are 6 (twins) and 11yrs I have had a chance to learn what things are important when choosing a perfect family holiday in the UK.
Sandy Beaches
We are lucky, we live near on the South coast, we have some lovely beaches near us. However most of the local ones are pebbles, my kids still love going to the beach and will play happily with the pebbles. However when it comes to a holiday, a sandy beach is a must. Kids can come up with some wonderful games and will play for hours in the sand. Running back and forth fetching buckets of sea water to full up the sandy holes they have created!
One of my favorite beaches is Woolacombe in Devon, with a large beach, golden sand and fantastic facilities, it is a big hit with holiday makers and locals. We stayed at Woolacombe Bay Holiday Park when I was pregnant with my first son and we had such a lovely time, the beach was quieter as it was out of school holidays, and we just sat on the beach together taking in the beautiful sunset.
Attractions to visit
Holidaying in the UK doesn’t mean you are guaranteed sunny weather, so making sure you have some indoor attractions you could visit if the weather was really bad. Aquariums, swimming, bowling, soft play and hands on museums are a big hit with kids.
Outdoor places to explore
We love finding new walks to take the kids on, so being able to go and explore new walks and trails with them on holiday is exciting. We are going to look at starting Geocaching with the kids, it is like a massive treasure hunt, so this is an activity you could take anywhere in the UK and find new treasures!
Family friendly accommodation
When your choosing your accommodation, make sure it is family friendly. It sounds so lovely to have a cottage sat up on the top of the cliff, looking out over the view or a beautiful large garden with a pond or river in. However save that for when your going on holiday without the kids! It isn’t worth the stress and worry. Choose something that you can all relax in, the kids can have the freedom to play without you hovering over them and you can enjoy your cup of tea whilst watching them from a distance.
Food
Would you be better with self catering, being able to pack your own picnics and head off to different places to eat it? Would you prefer to have a break from cooking and choose somewhere where someone cooks for you? This usually determines what type of accommodation you are going to book.
Travelling distance from home
Do your kids mind being in the car for a length of time? Do they get travel sickness? There is nothing worse than being stuck in the car for hours and hours, and you are all stressed out before you’ve even got to the holiday destination! When we travelled to Sherwood Forest Centre Parcs, it took us 7 hours! We were all fed up when we got there late, then didn’t even move the car for the week. We could have gone to the Centre Parcs that was only 1.5 hours from us!
I hope this has helped you, and given some tips for choosing a perfect family holiday in the UK. Are you off anywhere nice this year?
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10 Comments
I think travel time is so important especially with two young children. That is something we definitely take into consideration x
Some really helpful tips. We’ve only been for a couple of days in the U.K. Never a week long holiday. We should do. Travel is a very important thing to consider x
Great tips! Giving kids doesn’t mean you have to stop travelling but your needs certainly change! We’re going away in Sept when Toby will be just over 2 and Martha will be 4 1/2 months so our requirements were a 1 bed apartment so we could stay up after the kids went down, all inclusive so we don’t have to cook and a kids club got under 3s… Not easy but we managed!xx
Great tips. I really want to go abroad with the kids.
A family friendly location is a must for us, we’ll have three under three come the end of July. Great tips! All inclusive doesn’t work well for us as we have fussy eaters and I like to save a bit of money cooking too.
It’s ‘all inclusive’ all the way for us! Now the youngest is 5 and can swim unaided, these are the best option for family holidays. The kids can choose whatever food they want and if they don’t like it, can choose something else. Ice-cream and drinks are on-tap and entertainment and kids clubs cater for everyone! We can actually relax on holiday again and maybe even read a book or two by the pool!! Bliss xx
I’ve never done an all inclusive holiday before, but you have made it sound perfect!
Travel time is so important to consider. Driving in a car is easier though as you can just stop and start if needed x
I did some geocaching a fe months after giving birth while we were in between houses. It’s a great way to get out the house and have something to do.. I often found I’d stay at home otherwise if I couldn’t come up with a plan of where to go with a newborn. I think it would be great with kids!
Really helpful post as it can be really tough choosing the right holiday when children are involved!