Kids want actions packed holidays says new survey

Results of a survey published today reveal that children are looking for an action-packed holiday outdoors this summer – so parents should put aside any notion of putting their feet up.

The poll – commissioned by European camping holiday operator Eurocamp – questioned 1335 adults and 1179 children from all over the UK, to find out what they are looking for in this year’s summer getaway.

So as many of us get paid for the first time this year – and we begin to shop for this summer’s holiday in earnest – mum and dad should spare a thought for what the kids think.

According to the survey, top on the list of kids’ holiday priorities is ‘playing outside’, followed by ‘a good beach’, ‘good swimming pool’, ‘good weather’ and ‘lots to do and see nearby’. This is in stark contrast to mum and dad, who are looking to sit back and relax – ‘escaping the everyday routine of home’ whilst ‘enjoying good food and drink’.

Eurocamp holidays offer a huge variety of parcs with all the attractions and facilities to make up - according to the survey – a child’s (from UK) perfect holiday.

A seven night break during May half term at Eurocamp’s Pointe St. Gilles parc, in
Bénodet, Western Brittany (arriving 23 May), staying in a two bedroom ‘Classic’ mobile home (sleeps six) with decking costs £391 accommodation only.

With super pools and sandy beaches, Bénodet is perfect for families in any season and a great base from which to explore. With a small beach just outside this spacious parc entrance and the resort of Bénodet a lovely coastal walk away it’s the perfect place for a relaxing, hassle-free family holiday. Facilities include an impressive brand new pool complex - with waterslides, spa, jacuzzi and indoor pool as well as a good supermarket and a convenient takeaway.

The 1179 children - broken down in to six to nine and 10 to 13 years old categories - were asked to choose the five key aspects of a good holiday. They were given 40 possible criteria to choose from including indoor activities such as ‘good food’, ‘quality evening entertainment’, ‘kids clubs’, and ‘having a lie in’.

To the surprise of many, both kids’ groups chose outdoor themes for all five on their list (with the inclusion of the 6 to 9 year olds citing staying up late as one of theirs!).

“It seems that today’s so-called cotton-wool kids look to their holiday to give them the independence and adventure they crave at home – where they are increasingly deprived of the freedom to play outside by worried parents and a lack of public leisure areas”, comments Eurocamp’s Chris Hilton. Latest stats show that the area children are allowed to travel around on their own has decreased by 90% over the past 30 years.

“The sheer nature of a continental camping holiday meets a child’s need for exploration – giving them the chance to make friends, join kids’ clubs and the freedom to roam – whilst parents look on.”

One person not surprised by the survey findings is ex-Blue Peter presenter and Chief Scout Peter Duncan, who launched the ‘Kids Outdoors’ scouting campaign last year. "Our surveys have showed similar results - that the best time kids have is when they are outside doing things with their peer group, and not on computers playing games. The problem is often about opportunity and parents making the effort to get them there."

Family Travel Expert and author, Emma Mahony agrees. “Opportunity is key. A new environment can rekindle children’s interest in the outside world, so making the effort to plan ahead and budget for a family break is vital in our cosseted world. In France last year, my children spent hours building dens in the woods and playing in the rock pools on the beach. Those hours could have been lost in front of the television or computer back home.”

And contradicting the perception of children as wrapped in cotton wool and lying on the couch, the Eurocamp survey also showed that number six on the list of priorities among the 10 to 13-year-old group was ‘Experiencing a different culture’. Because the survey was broken down by region, this seemed particularly important to Scottish children, with as many as 35% of kids in Aberdeen choosing this theme over others.

Where both parents and children are in agreement is on the importance of good weather -which made it into every age groups’ top three choices. For the record number of Brits who stayed at home for the wet and rainy summer holiday of 2008, topping one million for the first time since records began, there is little doubt that the pursuit of sun is a number one priority in having a happy family holiday this year.

With Eurocamp’s choice of 160 parcs in 16 counties and islands - including new destinations in Europe and America - the UK’s leading European camping holiday operator aims to fulfil everyone’s needs for warm weather and outdoor fun in 2009.

For further information on Eurocamp, log on to Eurocamp.co.uk/KidsViews.

Top ten factors that make a great holiday for children:

1. Playing outside - 31.56%
2. Good beach and sea - 31.35%
3. Good swimming pool - 26.04%
4. Good weather - 25.61%
5. Lots to do and see nearby - 21.25%
6. A change from home - 20.40%
7. Good food and drink - 20.09%
8. Spending time with the family - 19.23%
9. Good playground / activities - 18.49%
10. Experiencing a different culture - 18.38%