If you’re planning a large family holiday or a multi-generational stay, you might be wondering how you’re going to keep everyone amused - especially the kids! We’ve put together our favourite fun activities to keep mixed age kids busy on holiday – and it’s so easy! Pick a big holiday house with plenty to keep everyone smiling, be well organised, and no one is going to be bored. Toddlers, teenagers – we’ve got it all covered!
Spending time with the people you love most in the world is such a precious thing. All those happy moments, the hours idled away relaxing together, making wonderful memories. But if you’re planning a multi-generational stay or a few days way with other families, what you don’t want is anyone complaining that they’re bored. You’ll need to strike the balance with activities that work for toddlers and teenagers together. With a little planning and imagination, it’s easy to keep kids of all ages busy when you’re on holiday.
Pick a Holiday House with Luxury Features
Pick a house with plenty of perks for your large group holiday in the UK and you’re onto a winner. Sleeps12 have an incredible collection of luxury holiday houses that are child-friendly with something for all ages in all seasons – think indoor swimming pools, hot tubs, games rooms, movie rooms, play areas, and cosy BBQ lodges. The kind of things that instantly put smiles on faces. Let’s take a closer look.
Swimming Pools
As long as younger kids are supervised, you can all get in the pool and lark about. Have swimming races, host your own private gala, with whistles and cheers, award medals – just like the Olympics!
Games Rooms
Teenagers love to hang out in a games room, but they are actually brilliant for all ages, with activities like pool, table tennis, foosball and air hockey. Whip up the competitive spirit with a games room challenge, take breaks for snacks and drinks, keep a tally of who’s winning.
Movie Rooms
Have a home cinema experience on your group holiday. Choose a few films together, get the youngsters to design tickets and posters, have snacks and ice creams ready for the interval. Sleeps12 have group holiday houses with proper mini cinemas – see Berry House in Devon, Kingshay Barton in Somerset, and Bluewater between Bath and Bristol.
Play Areas
Lots of large holiday homes have play areas these days, because they’re all geared up for multi-generation holidays and celebrations. Play areas are aimed at younger children and usually have swings, a slide and climbing fort. Some have dedicated play areas for toddlers too. You’ll need to keep an eye on them obviously, but can you imagine the shrieks of delight!
BBQ Lodges
If there’s a BBQ lodge at your chosen holiday house, schedule in time to gather beneath the twinkly lights to toast marshmallows and sizzle sausages for hot dogs. Swap stories, tell jokes, play games like charades. Anyone play the guitar? Bring it along - have a sing-song!
More Ways to Keep Kids of All Ages Busy on Holiday
It might seem like a challenge trying to keep all ages entertained, but it’s easier than you think! Check out our ideas, get organised – that way there won’t be any cries of ‘I’m bored!’
Have a Sports Day
Think old school for a fun-filled garden sports day – PE kits, egg and spoon races, piggyback races and three-legged races. Make simple sacks for sack races, or bean bags filled with dried beans or lentils for a beanbag relay. Award medals and trophies, have a refreshments table for players to celebrate their wins.
Play Garden Games
Find out if there are garden games at your holiday house, like Badminton, Boules, Giant Jenga, Maxi Connect 4 and Giant Dominoes. If not, take your own, pack bats and balls for rounders and French cricket, or have fun with games like What’s the Time Mr Wolf, Simon Says and Shadow Tag. If it’s not too breezy play Balloon Volleyball – tie a length of string between two trees or chairs and bat a ballon to and fro.
Outdoor Challenges
Plan a scavenger hunt, go nature spotting and write down all the things you see – say 5 flowers, five types of trees, 3 birds, 3 bugs.
Stage a treasure hunt by hiding something in the garden, like a basket full of treats, and put together a list of clues to be solved that lead to the prize. Split into teams and see who gets there first.
Head to the nearest stream to catch minnows, or make leaf boats and see whose sails the furthest.
Have a Picnic
Any activity that includes food is a good idea! Plan a picnic together, get everyone to muck in and make sandwiches, cakes, and cheats sausage rolls using frozen pastry. Pack it all into bags and baskets and go find your picnic place, whether it’s in the garden or a beauty spot close by. If it’s raining or a bit chilly outdoors, lay a rug on the floor and have an indoor picnic.
Have a Family Quiz Night
A family quiz night is something all ages can easily join in and all you need is pens and paper. Let the kids take the lead and come up with most of the questions, based on things like favourite foods, films, Disney characters, animals, and fun facts. Split into teams, pick someone to be quizmaster and keep the score, and give prizes -like sweets and treats.
Think of the fun, think of the memories! That’s what it’s all about.