Family holidays through the ages: where to go depending on how old your kids are
Amanda Statham
Netmums contributorWhich family holiday is right for you? It really depends on the ages of your kids, says Amanda Statham, Editor of 101 Family Holidays. Here, she dishes out hard-won wisdom and recommends age-appropriate trips for every stage of family life.
A holiday takes on a whole different meaning when you've had kids. Gone are the days of skipping off to the airport on a last-minute deal with hand luggage containing a passport, bikini, sundress and not much else.
Holidays as a parent involve a lot more planning, luggage and stress, as you sit up late at night on your mobile searching things like 'Can I take a pushchair on a plane?' And 'Are my children old enough for kids' club?' (Please God, yes!)
I've been there, done that, got the T-shirt, travelling with my 2 sons and I've learned a few things along the way.
Holidays with babies
Surprisingly, this is one of the easiest stages to travel with your offspring, particularly when flying (which is usually free until the age of 2). At this age they don't run around, answer back or stare glassily at YouTube shorts.
Aim for 2-hour flights max – Book somewhere within a couple of hours' flight for ease, such as France, Portugal or Spain. Club Med has resorts in all these countries and its Baby Club Med cares for babies from 4-23 months, allowing you a proper, much-needed break.
Self-cater – If you'd prefer to stay in the UK, a self-catering cottage means you can spread all your baby equipment out and make lots of noise (such as crying through the night. The baby, not you!) without bothering a soul. Check out Classic Cottages, which has around 120 baby-friendly properties from Cornwall to the Cotswolds.
Holidaying with Toddlers
Things are getting a little more active. Children who are on the move are full-on, particularly wobbly ones who may fall down at any moment, so give yourself a break and book something simple.
Visit resorts where everything's supplied – Having changing tables, potties, strollers, bottles etc all supplied is the best (and most relaxing) choice. Check out Verdura Resort in Sicily which is well equipped to cope with toddlers (and kids of all ages), offering everything from cuddly toys and non-slip bath mats to hooded towels and Verduland, an action-packed kids' club.
Simpson Travel has toddler-friendly villas and hotels in the Greek Islands, and its Hatchlings Creche at Mousses Villas in Lefkada is run by English-speaking nannies catering for kids from 6 months to 3 years.
Taking a trip during the Terrible Twos
This is the stage when many children find their, ahem, voice. Also the stage where food can end up on the floor (and ceiling) and they are liable to break into tears if you serve their drink in the wrong coloured cup. In short, it's fun but intense and not the time to book into a swanky 5-star with quiet corridors and hushed restaurants.
Go for stylish family-friendly hotels – No need to give up on style, though, as thankfully there are some wonderful family-friendly hotels that cater to young divas and tired adults with aplomb. Sani Resort in Greece offers everything from strollers and monitors to tasty kids’ menus and excellent childcare, meaning you get to hit the spas, restaurants and beach for much-needed adult time. Book with Sardatur Holidays.
Consider taking a cruise with your 2-year-old - It may be a new ideas but some cruise lines really push the boat out when catering to toddlers. P&O Cruises has some awesome options for tots, including a night nursery (open daily from 6pm until 2am) for children aged 6 months to 5 years on its family ship Azura. Check out Iglu cruise for a full range of options.
Holidays with kids aged between 3 and 4
One word: camping – In my experience, kids this age love nothing more than a night beneath canvas, or in a mobile home, so pack all your essentials in the car and take the ferry to France for a stay at Siblu Villages, which have great-value campsites throughout France, including several just over the Channel in Normandy and Brittany. Its Bubbles Club provides non-stop fun for kids as young as 1. In the UK, check out the family glamping options from Unique Hideaways.
Get a pool – If camping doesn’t appeal, focus your search on a place with a pool. Swimming is a big deal when you’re this age and many, many hours will be spent jumping gleefully in and out of one. (Be sure to choose a place where pool access is safe.) My pick is The Merton Hotel in Jersey. Not only does it boast a weather-proof Aquadome complete with pools, slides and fountains, there’s also child-friendly evening entertainment, spacious family suites, apartments and four restaurants.
Going away with kids aged 5 to 6 years old
Moving into the golden era of parenting – they’ve started school, still find you funny and informative and seem endlessly fascinated and vocal about, well, pretty much everything from grains of sand on the beach to overweight people in the pool.
Give them a taste of something new – With brains like sponges, kids this age love to get active and have exciting adventures. let them soak up the magic of places like MarBella in Corfu, where arts and crafts, pottery, football, tennis, robotics and splashing around in the aqua park are all part of the daily schedule. Kids get free ice creams too.
If you want to keep things closer to home, consider Watergate Bay in Cornwall, which is set on a magnificent two-mile sandy beach and has its own surf school, swim club and Kids’ Zone, with everything from cookery classes to science experiments.
Holidays with kids aged 7 to 8 years
Nothing seems particularly problematic at this age. Most kids are willing to try new foods (even if that results in pretend wretching and cries of 'That’s disgusting!') and there's a general love of activities. It’s also the era where a swimming pool will make the difference between a good holiday and the best holiday EVER.
Plan for activities – With this in mind, check out Mark Warner's Phokaia Beach Resort in Turkey, which ticks all the boxes: plenty of water sports, family pool and restaurants and a really excellent kids' club with a ridiculous amount of things on offer.
Another activity-packed choice is Shangri-la’s Al Bandar Hotel in Oman, where 6 swimming pools, a lazy river, turtle nesting sites, henna painting and mini golf should keep them occupied.
Holidaying with kids aged 9 to 10 years old
Endless energy and still fairly happy to hang out with you, but with many more questions. How long will it take to get there? Will there be a pool? Can I bring a friend?
Self-cater with a pool – In the UK, a self-catering cottage somewhere epic with a pool is gold. Take a look at Brecon Beacons Holiday Cottages, tick the filter for pools and you’re a click away from booking a dream getaway, with mountains, horse riding, hiking, biking and kayaking on your doorstep.
Overseas, Morocco's a great choice. Start in Marrakesh, where the souks and snake charmers will blow their minds, then head to Essaouira on the west coast for quad-biking, surfing, cooking classes, haggling for fossils and camel trekking. Fleewinter has the best options.
Go all-inclusive – If you're after a far-flung destination, Beachcomber Tours has some excellent all-inclusive family hotels on the paradise island of Mauritius, where drawing classes, lagoon tours, Sega dancing and trampolining are all part of the fun.
Where to take your pre-teens on holiday
The main concern at this age is whether there will be WiFi. They've started secondary school and the change (mind and body) is unbelievable. Believe me. You’re now looking for holidays that aren't 'lame'. Extra points if it's something that their friends haven’t done!
Get adventuresome – Activities Abroad has an adventure trip to Madeira which is so cool they’ll want to TikTok it. Think sea kayaking, snorkelling, whale and dolphin watching, canyoning, a jeep expedition and swimming in lava pools.
A trip to Iceland will also impress, with lots of new experiences to try, like bathing in geothermal lagoons and off-road trips in a 4WD to get within touching distance of waterfalls, bubbling mud pools and exploding geysers.
Where to go on holiday with teens
If you’re lucky enough to have teens who still love hanging out with you, book a villa somewhere in the Med and enjoy. Vintage Travel has one of the best selections. However if things are a little more tricky in your household, with boundary pushing and bids for independence at every opportunity, you might want to consider a resort where everyone can do their own thing then join together at meal times.
Resorts with activities for older kids – One of the best teen-friendly resorts I’ve come across is Beaches Resorts in Jamaica, where they can do everything from learn to dive for free, game to their hearts' content in the Xbox lounge then stay up late in the teen nightclub.
Atlantis, The Palm in Dubai is another winner, with an Aqua Adventure Waterpark to let loose in, loads of sports and a hang out for 13- to 18-year-olds, meaning they can be as aloof (or inclusive) as they choose and you're unlikely to ever hear those dreaded words 'I'm bored'!
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