Family

How to Choose the Right Holiday for Different Age Groups

blonde mother sitting with daughter by river

Planning a family holiday often means reaching a compromise between competing tastes and preferences. Children might prefer a very different kind of activity from adults. Children of different ages, genders, and personalities, moreover, might have very different preferences from one another.

So, how can you plan a holiday that pleases everyone? To begin with, you’ll need an idea of what works, and which destinations might appeal to your group.

Finding the Right Destination for Young Children

When you’re travelling with very young children, you might not have the patience or the energy to do things the hard way. You might find that the more convenience your arrangements can offer, the easier life will be for the entire family.

This is where package resorts that cater explicitly to kids come in. Think shallow pools, plenty of activities, and locations that don’t demand very long transfers.

Keeping School-Age Children Engaged

When children reach school age, they might be keen to explore different kinds of activities and pursuits. On the other hand, they might have already discovered the kind of activity that they prefer, in which case all you need to do is afford them the space that they need to do it. Keen cyclists, for example, might enjoy a cycling holiday.

Family ski holidays tend to be a great choice, whether you’re experienced with the pastime, or brand new to it. Look for resorts that offer great instruction, plenty of gentle slopes, and apres-ski facilities that make family life more convenient.

kids holding snowboards
Photo by Ilya Lisauskas

Giving Teenagers More Independence

As kids grow up, they might crave the freedom to get away from their parents, and to discover themselves. Depending on your style of parenting, you might allow them the freedom to explore an unfamiliar town – or to head out on their own within the safety of a resort. Depending on the age and maturity of your teenagers, either approach might be suitable.

Balancing the Needs of the Whole Family

So far, we’ve discussed the kinds of holiday that might appeal to children of specific ages. But where does that leave diverse family groups, including children of many different ages?

A family holiday is a rare chance for you to spend time together as a group. But you might also want to give everyone the freedom to pursue their own interests. Variety is often the key. Look for holidays that will please at least one person at any given time, by offering a range of different activities. Your teenager might appreciate surfing lessons in the morning, while your toddler builds a sandcastle on the beach; then, later, you can all get together for a meal overlooking the waves.

people standing on dock during sunrise

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