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If you’re struggling to find the next big adventure for you and your young family, it’s not as easy as it sounds. It’s not that there’s a shortage of choice but there lies the problem. As a working parent you probably don’t have the time to trawl through endless reviews and travel agency sites comparing dates and prices, especially with a children running around. Therefore, it’s best to narrow your search to a few general ideas and work from there. As you go along, just cross off the options you don’t think would suit you and come to the perfect conclusion! So here goes, here’s our ideas for the best family vacation.

*In collaboration with Iglu.com

Camping

It’s cheap, it’s local, it’s back to basics. Even with their fancy phones and games consoles, nothing beats a kid getting muddy in the woods. Remember that time they played with the cardboard box longer than with the actual Christmas present? Well, know imagine they had a whole wood of cardboard boxes with sticks to play with, stones to skim and leaves to jump in and streams to dam. You’ll also teach the kids new skills, such as how to bake a potato in a campfire, put up a tent and spot birds.

Read my post on top tips for camping with kids to make your camping holiday easier and more fun.

Center Parcs

If you like the idea of all that camping has to offer but don’t quite like the idea of muddy fields in damp Britain without the safety net of some home comforts, holidays like Center Parcs are probably just up your street. Here you have all the bike tracks, lakes and nature that make a camping trip so special but the facilities of a shower, TV and comfy bed inside your own private villa. Plus, let’s not forget the greatest thing about this amazing family holiday destination- the awesome wave machine and rapids that make this a real kiddies’ favourite.

Here’s 10 things you may not know about Center Parcs.

Theme Parks

If your kids are really into the slides, rides and indoor play areas, maybe a trip to a theme park for a few days would give them a more rounded thrill-seekers adventure. You can find quite reasonable deals nowadays for multiday tickets and fast track passes to a range of theme parks. It doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg on accommodation either as you can find a cheap place to rent online nearby much cheaper. In addition, this doesn’t have to be a big Disney or corporate Adventureland either. There are a host of smaller, family run parks all around the country offering slightly smaller rides for a cut of the price and shorter waiting times.

Read our review of Crealy Adventure Park in Devon or our 10 top tips for visiting Disneyland Paris.

Cruising

If you’d like all your accommodation, food and entertainment paid for as part of one package and everything close at hand, a family cruise is definitely an option worth considering. Many cruise lines offer kids clubs free of charge and special areas for the little ones to play in. This means you can get the perfect balance of quality time with the sprogs and rest and relaxation. Also practically, a cruise is a good idea if your children are going through the stage of wandering off and getting lost, as you’re in a private little community full of adults tasked with keeping your kids safe. This means even if the worst does happen, you’re sure to get your kid back safe and sound sooner rather than later, which is always worth thinking about when planning these kinds of things.

Planning a cruise? Here are some great ideas for travel games to play onboard.

Staycation

Finally, if it’s the bank or school holidays, everything is booked up or the prices have gone through the roof, why not just have a staycation? One idea is to set up a childminding collective between you and some other parents with each of you having the other kids round for the day to play with your own. This means the rest of you long suffering parents can get time to do some work, relax and catch up on chores while the kids have fun playing together.

A staycation is a great way to stretch your Summer holiday budget.

 

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Looking for inspiration for your next family holiday?

Visit my family holidays section for holiday ideas, inspiration, reviews and tips on travelling as a family.

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