Center Parcs is a fantastic holiday destination for families with toddlers. However, it can be quite an adventure to ensure that your vacation goes smoothly. Here are some tips and tricks to help you navigate Center Parcs with your little ones:
1. Pack smartly toddler essentials checklist:
It can feel a house flitting going on holiday with a baby or toddler but its important to focus on packing the right things:
- Clothes: Pack enough changes of clothes for each day, plus extras for those inevitable spills and messes. The lodge has no washing machine.
- Swim Gear: Don’t forget swimsuits, swim nappies, and beach towels. Floats and swimming toys are also a good idea to bring with you.
- Footwear: Comfortable shoes for walking, waterproof shoes (like wellies), and sandals. Unfortunately with the British weather you will need to prepare for rain, sun and maybe even snow.
- Nappies and Wipes: Bring enough to last the trip. You can buy nappies in the Parc Market but these will cost more than supermarket nappies and limited range so if you're picky with your nappy brands bring plenty with you.
- Travel Cot/Bedding: Center Parcs provides travel cots so you don't need to take up precious car space up with a travel but, but bringing your toddler's own bedding can help them sleep better if they're a fussy sleeper.
- Snacks and Drinks: Pack non-perishable snacks and a sippy cup or water bottle.
- Stroller/Buggy: A lightweight stroller is a must for getting around the village. There are plenty of buggy parks around the Villages.
2. Plan Your Activities
Making plans and sticking to them rarely go hand in hand with having a baby or toddler but going into your break with a rough sketch for how you want the holiday to go is a good idea. Everyone is unique in what they expect/want out of a holiday but an overview of some things you might like to do with your toddler include:
- Subtropical Swimming Paradise: The various pools, water slides, and toddler play areas are perfect for little ones. There are family changing rooms with baby changing tables and plenty of lockers for storing you belongings.
- Indoor play areas: Soft play areas at various locations around the villages will keep your toddler entertained even on the wettest of days or perhaps give you five minutes peace to enjoy a wine/beer/coffee.
- Outdoor playgrounds: Plenty of outdoor playgrounds that cater to young children with sand pits, swings, slides and play houses.
- Got to the beach: Go to the beach and play about in the sand. Each village has a beach area which is well maintained and clean. Just be careful with your littles ones playing around near the water.
- Mucky pups: messy play without the cleaning up. Yup, thats the deal with Mucky Pups. Let your little one paint, play with water and glitter and you don't need to worry about tidying. This activity happens in the Activity Den (ie where the teddy bear building is).
3. Center Parcs accommodation tips
The accommodation you have will have a huge impact on how good a holiday you have and there is such a diverse range in accommodations each with their own set of amenities. As an over few some useful tips are:
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- Choose a central location: If possible choose your accommodation and book accommodation near the village centre to minimise walking distances.
- Baby amenities: remember to ask for high chairs, cots and if applicable bed guards. And its ok to ask for extras if you have more than one little one staying in your lodge, just let guest services know. All lodges will have a step for little ones to reach the sink.
4. Dining with Toddlers
Keeping everyone fed and happy is one of the biggest challenges of a CP break:
- Family-friendly restaurants: The restaurants at Center Parcs are well-equipped for young children, with highchairs, children’s menus, drawing and some of them will have soft play areas. One tip for here is book well ahead of time
- Self-catering: Consider using your self-catering lodge to cook in so you can prepare meals and snacks to your toddler’s liking and cater to the fussiest of eaters.
- Meal times: Try to dine during off-peak hours to avoid long waits. For example eating an early dinner is a good way to get the littles ones feed and up the road for bed at a reasonable time.
5. Manage expectations and rest
Schedule downtime to avoid over-tiring your toddler (and yourself). With that in mind be flexible with your plans and be prepared to adjust based on how your little one is feeling.
6. Prepare for all weather
We're in the UK. Expect 4 seasons in a single day. With that in mind remember:
- Layers: Pack layers so you can adjust your toddler’s clothing to the (no doubt) changing and unpredictable weather.
- Rain gear: Always have raincoats, waterproofs and rain covers for the buggy ready.
- Sun cream and hats: you might be lucky enough to get some sunshine
Enjoy yourself
With a bit of planning and these handy tips, your holiday at Center Parcs can be a memorable and enjoyable experience for you and your toddler. Remember to relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings and the variety of activities available for young families. Happy holidays!
