We recently took a family trip to Center Parcs. We LOVE Center Parcs! Before my eldest Joshua started school, we would go twice maybe even three times a year. Unfortunately now he’s in school, we can’t go as much due to the cost. In the past we have gone for around £300 a trip, Monday to Friday. For the same lodge in half term, the price can even quadruple!
We have visited Whinfell in Cumbria, Sherwood Forest in Nottingham and Woburn in Bedfordshire. My favourite thing about a Center Parcs trip is on the day you arrive, once you check into your lodge you park your car up in the car park and that’s that for the week or weekend! I love waking up in the forest, walking everywhere rather than using the car, just enjoying the outdoors with my family.
Once you have booked your lodge, you can decided how expensive or not you want to make your stay!
Here’s my Tips With Toddlers At Center Parcs.
*If you have toddler twins, ring up before you arrive and tell them you have twins. They will arrange for your lodge to have an extra cot and high chair in.
*Remember to pack cot bedding as this isn’t provided.
*When you’re in the swimming pool, look out for playpens and highchairs which are dotted around the pool. We visited Center Parcs when the twins where under 6 months old the playpens were a godsend!
*Toy Box Tots. Last time we went we tried out Toy Box Tots. Depending on your budget and age of children, you can have toys ordered and delivered to your lodge. In fact, with Toy Box Tots you can get toys delivered to anywhere in the UK. This was a life saver as our car was jammed packed already. Also the kids loved playing with the toys so much more than their own toys.
*My toddlers (and older son) love the sand. If you get ok weather and even if you don’t, why not head to the beach! Each Center Parcs have a man-made beach opening out onto the lake. Take some buckets and spades or perhaps wellies.
*There’s usually free baby food at the pancake house and other restaurants which is handy if your out for a family meal.
Here’s my tips for visiting Center Parcs On A Budget.
*Don’t use the Center Parcs Parcmarket for a full shop as it is generally more expensive than your normal supermarket. We use click and collect from a local supermarket and pick it up on the day.
*Make use of the pool. Swimming is included in the price of your holiday. We tend to go swimming each day as there is plenty for the kids including slides and several kids pools.
*Research the activities before you go- some of the activities are very expensive in my opinion for what they offer. Some are fab value your money.
*Make the most of the beautiful surrounds and get out for walks and bike rides. Over the years we have been to Center Parcs in the sun, rain and even snow. If you go prepared for any weather you can head outdoors and the kids will love it.
*Enjoy the kids free disco. A couple of nights a week, there is a kids disco usually in the bar near the bowling which is completely free. There’s kids music and games and even prizes.
*Bring DVDs from home. The lodges have DVD players in make sure you pack some. They come in handy first thing in the morning whilst everyone is getting ready, we usually pop one on for the kids whilst we are making a picnic. All, we usually watch a DVD at night once the kids are in bed.
*Take board games with you. We love a games night! My eldest enjoys playing monopoly when the younger ones go to bed.
*We usually make a picnic each morning and pack it in our bags. Whether we eat whilst in the park or sat beside the pool, it saves a fortune on food each day. We like to save our money for a treat or two, like a visit to the Pancake House on the last day or ice creams on the beach!
*Make the most of the play grounds, outdoors and in! There are plenty of fantastic playground and soft play areas for you to use during your stay that are free of charge!
I can’t wait for our next Center Parcs trip.
Out and about mummy 
This looks fantastic. I fancy some time out
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