Adventures Ahoy! We’re passionate believers that travel broadens the mind, delivers memorable experiences, and bonds you with your loved ones. Especially when holidaying with the kids! As a fun introduction to the wide wonderful world out there, i-escape’s Kids Collection has launched a ‘Bucket and Spade List’ of accessible activities every discerning pre-schooler should try out.
Whether you’re on a last carefree holiday before starting school, or venturing forth for the first time on a proper family vacation, these 20 travel-related suggestions will keep curious toddlers and mini-adventurers entertained!
The full ‘Bucket and Spade’ list for under 5s is as follows – with suggested places to stay where you can try some of these out, selected from our 850+ strong Kids Collection of wonderfully family friendly hotels, B&Bs and rentals:
1. Build a sandcastle
We like: Villas Martinhal, Algarve, Portugal / Hell Bay, Bryher, Isles of Scilly, UK
2. Go rock-pooling and discover the coast’s secrets
We like: Polurrian Bay Hotel, Cornwall, UK / Coillabus, Isle of Islay, Hebrides, Scotland
3. Send a postcard from your holiday
4. Go star-gazing
We like: Fawakay Villas, outside Marrakech, Morocco / Hotel Budir, Western Iceland
5. Explore a cave
We like: Stone Cottages Hvar, Croatia
6. Order something yummy in a foreign language – perhaps a gelato in Italy or a croissant in France
We like: Hotel Santa Maria, Rome, Italy / into Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
7. Go on a camping adventure and sleep under the stars
We like: Bivouac, Yorkshire, UK / Dolphin Beach, Kalapitya, Sri Lanka
8. Visit a real castle
We like: Castello di Tornano, Chianti, Italy / Augill Castle, Cumbria, UK
9. Have a picnic in the countryside
We like: Masseria Ciancio, Sicily, Italy / Chalet Cannelle, Alps, France
10. Go crabbing (and release your catch back into the sea!)
We like: The Rosevine, Cornwall, UK / Llys Meddyg, Pembrokeshire, UK
11. Ride a donkey or pony
We like: Masseria Prosperi, Puglia, Italy / Finca de Arrieta, Lanzarote, Canary Islands
12. Go on a nature walk and draw the interesting plants and flowers that you find
We like: Liss Ard, Co.Cork, Ireland / Muxima, Algarve, Portugal
13. Photograph a famous landmark
14. Paddle your own boat (or pedalo – with your parents, of course!)
We like: Hotel Bella Riva, Lake Garda, Italy / St Mawes Hideaways, Cornwall, UK
15. Make a woodland den
We like: Quinta da Bouca D’Arques, Viana do Castelo, Portugal / New Forest Eco-Cottage, Hampshire, UK
16. Pet farm animals
We like: Country Kids, Languedoc, France / Fellah Hotel, near Marrakech, Morocco
17. Bounce on a hotel bed
We like: Kurland, Garden Route, South Africa
18. Buy a holiday souvenir
19. Take a boat trip
We like: Palmizana, Hvar, Croatia / Onar, Andros, Cyclades, Greece
20. Go on a treasure hunt
We like: Le Castel, Normandy, France / Almyra, Paphos, Cyprus
We invite parents to share photos of your under 5s trying out any of our Bucket and Spade Adventures by tweeting your picture with the hashtag #iescapebucket by the 31st August – and the best photos will win £50 i-escape vouchers!