The Perfect Family Holiday is Closer Than You Think
What we used to consider as holiday priorities pre-children (as hot as possible, somewhere far away, and maybe a trek or some scuba diving if we were feeling adventurous) do seem a million miles away once we have little ones in tow! However, what may seem like a distant memory can simply be viewed in a different way if you know where to look.
If you really stop to think what you want from your holiday it is most likely relaxation, fun, seeing your cherished brood smiling, creating long-lasting memories and quality family time while feeling far away from the daily chores and routines of school drop-offs and dinner times. You don’t want to be travelling for hours and getting up super early for flights with toddlers, and especially babies. Flying can be a good choice if the flight is quick but travelling by car is often much easier as you can just load as much baby and toddler paraphernalia as you need, and you can also stop as often as you want. So where to go? Many options for baby and toddler holidays mean a flight to Spain or Portugal and a week or two in a hotel.
You probably still want somewhere warm and sunny, with nice beaches and lots of family friendly things to do in the area. In terms of accommodation, hotel rooms often no longer tick the box (unless there are large family suites with separate areas) so somewhere self-contained like a holiday home, an apartment or a chalet can be a good choice. Having facilities close by, or on the door step is also important. And somewhere affordable.
A recently launched baby and toddler holiday provider based in Altrincham, Little Clogs Holidays, has set up to promote Holland and Belgium as ideal destinations for families, and particularly for families with babies and toddlers. Run by two mums who have half Dutch and half Belgian children respectively, Little Clogs Holidays recommends the best places to visit for young families and focuses on the European holiday park concept in terms of where to stay.
These holidays are a way of life for Dutch and Belgians and they combine the best of both worlds, being in beautiful nature, usually on the coast or in woodland locations, and having a huge array of toddler friendly facilities such as toddler pools, slides and play areas. The summer climate in Holland and Belgium is warm and sunny, perfect for frolicking on the beach with the little ones. Not only are these destinations easy to get to for UK families, being accessible by the ferry (a perfect adventure in itself!), tunnel or a really short (an hour or under) flight away, but they are small countries, so everything is close by. They also have some of the widest, sandiest and cleanest beaches in Europe. You could be creating sand masterpieces and jumping waves in the morning on the beach and then having lunch in Bruges, followed by an afternoon trip to Brussels. Or you could be enjoying the toddler friendly facilities on the holiday park, followed by a gentle stroll along the dunes and be visiting the Miffy museum in Utrecht in the afternoon, or the fairytale theme park of Efteling. Holland and Belgium are some of the most child friendly countries in Europe and have some interesting culture and educational museums aimed specifically at toddlers. They are also the birth places of Miffy and the Smurfs and so childhood characters can be seen throughout which makes it all kind of fun! Children and families are not only welcomed but expected in every place you visit or eat in Holland and Belgium. From child-sized trolleys in the supermarkets to dedicated play areas in the cafes and shops it really is all about the children.
There is so much to do and experience. But a holiday is a holiday after all and what better than knowing that on those days you want to sit back and let the kids run wild that there’s plenty of space surrounding your accommodation and on the holiday parks themselves. It’s wholly encouraged to build those huts, search for creatures and feel like your holiday home is your home from home. Children can take part in organised activities, take a dip in the pool or watch their parent shriek with delight as they zoom across one of the park’s natural lakes on a zip wire. Mum or dad might even be able to sneak off for a spa treatment!
The beauty of these holidays is that you really are in control of how much or little you do. Whether you prefer to stay on site or venture further and explore the famous cities of Holland and Belgium you can do as you please.
Dutch children are perceived to be the happiest children in Europe and much of this is attributed to the importance of family time and activities. If you bear this in mind it is no wonder that the accommodation on offer is carefully thought out to include the whole family.
There is baby and toddler friendly accommodation to suit every budget, ranging from comfortable bungalows to higher end beach villas, wellness villas with saunas and Jacuzzis, and even safari lodges!
One of the most well-known holiday parks in Holland, Beekse Bergen, has just opened its brand-new luxury safari resort within the grounds of its safari park. This is a really unique and exciting accommodation option for families with children. It is now possible to stay in lodges which have a view out on to the wild animals. You can watch giraffes stroll across the land right in front of your accommodation. There are also themed kids’ lodges with extra features such as toys, games and play carts. The resort is complete with an indoor pool, children’s water playground and various places to eat and drink, all African themed.
Another unique holiday park that every family should visit at least once is Duinrell. Just half an hour from Amsterdam airport and close to a long, sandy beach it has its own theme park with many toddler friendly rides, and a big pool complex with a new toddler area and some scarier slides for older children! The pretty Dutch village of Wassenaar is on the doorstep.
The options are endless, and you could absorb a lot of what Holland and Belgium have to offer in one go by trying out one of these holidays. Where else could you visit the fairytale world of your bedtime stories, cycle for miles and miles without seeing a car, watch giraffes stroll past your bedroom window and never have to travel more than two hours at any time?
Thank you these places look lovely! 🙂
Really impressed with this article and the places and ideas you have covered! Thank you!
You have included some fantastic places to visit, I love it when families are well catered for it really makes a difference to your holiday experience.
All this looks amazing, can’t wait for the summer!!
These places look great, good inspiration for holidays next year
Finding the perfect family holiday can be tough, but your tips make it seem so achievable! The focus on nearby destinations and family-friendly activities is very helpful. Thanks for sharing these great ideas!