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LucyP
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| Posted: April 19 2008 at 8:26am | IP Logged
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Someone very kind has paid for us to have a few days at a local holiday centre. We will be away for four nights, staying in a lodge house, with our 4 year old, our 1 year old and our dog. There is a kitchen.
Dh and I have only ever had one night stays from home before, and this will obviously be the first time we have ever been away with children.
Any hints or tips? We expect to try to stay busy with the free activities such as walks, outdoor play, picnics, but plan on a couple of activities like a nature ranger walk and a carriage drive. But I don't know what to do about toys/activities for the children - what to do about meals is a biggie! There are lots of cafe and restaurants on site but we want to save as much money as we can.
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mellyrose
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| Posted: April 19 2008 at 9:51am | IP Logged
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Oh, how fun!
I think that you'll be surprised how much your kids will find to do and that you won't need to bring many (if any) toys. On our recent trip, I packed 6 or so toys for my almost 1 yr old and I think she maybe played with one (and that was in the car during drives). For your 4yo, I would bring just a couple things -- maybe a favorite stuffed toy and something else. My boys (who are older) meant to bring a set of knights and forgot them -- but never missed them! They did have paper and colored pencils which they used when looking for something to do.
If you have a kitchen, I would definitely have easy breakfasts (oatmeal, cold cereal, fruit). Plan for simple meals and you'll have more time for fun. Perhaps enjoy for one meal out each day and prepare the others at your lodge.
Enjoy yourselves!!
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guitarnan
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| Posted: April 19 2008 at 6:29pm | IP Logged
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I'd bring a couple of board games, a couple of favorite "busy" toys for the little one and lots of drawing supplies. Then, just ramble around, look for animals (practice being still and quiet, then, look for insects and lizards...it works). Bringing the dog is a great way to ensure you get outdoors often.
Maybe you can get a disposable camera for your older child...intro to photography!
One thing I love about self-catering cottages is the excuse to visit a local grocery store. It's so fun to see what's for sale and try a couple of new things. (Hint: bring one favorite pan/pot if you know you'll use it every day; you never know what you'll find in the cottage.)
Can I stow away in your spare suitcase?
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Lori B
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| Posted: April 28 2008 at 2:52pm | IP Logged
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We always take our crockpot- supper cooks while you have fun!
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PDyer
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| Posted: April 28 2008 at 4:46pm | IP Logged
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This is what we're doing for our upcoming beach vacation. We're going to the store to get the usual breakfast and lunch things and a stash of snacks, and we're going to play dinner by ear each night. All together we will be 17 people (that's what I mean when I say we). We're trading off meal-making duties for each night among the four sets of adults, so we'll each have two nights of cooking to do. I think the grill will be getting lots of action...
Hope this helps. Have a great time!
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Kathryn UK
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| Posted: April 29 2008 at 3:19pm | IP Logged
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Lucy, the kitchen should have everything you need to make simple meals. When we go away we usually keep eating out as an occasional treat (once or twice during a week), but keep cooking as simple as possible, often by buying instant / ready meals - we rarely buy them at home, and everyone gets to eat their own choice for once. My girls think of Pot Noodles as a holiday treat  . I reckon that an all rules are off, less healthy diet for a few days won't do them any harm  . I also get things like pizzas, and we will usually have take-away fish and chips once or twice.
Our holiday toy standby has always been a bag of Playmobil - lots of play value and not bulky. We also always take at least a couple of family games and some card games. When we went away last year with an 11 month old, we took a set of stacking cups, a small bag of sticklebricks, and a few toddler Playmobil animals. And books  . For your 4yo, what about dominoes? Not too bulky, and I remember my dd having a domino frenzy on holiday at about that age. And you can build with them. A dual purpose toy
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doris
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| Posted: April 29 2008 at 3:39pm | IP Logged
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I agree with Kathryn about simple meals and fish and chips! The only kitchen thing I would take is children's cutlery (if they're particular about what they use) and a cafetiere. But the place you're going to will probably have one.
Our standby holiday toy is a big box of Duplo -- unbreakable, and even the 7yo still has fun with it. Plus a few puzzles, and some paper and pencils, and of course books, and voila.
You'll obviously be packing your children's favourite bedtime toys. If they've got a small quilt from home that can help make a room seem more familiar. I also usually take a small bottle of holy water in case the children are unsettled.
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Topic: Self-catering holiday hints?
