Ideas for short holiday with five year old granddaughter

We have just come home from a Monday-Friday stay in a caravan park with our grandaughter. Went to a Park Dean resort, bargain price, lots to do, evening entertainment and only a stone's throw from the beach. She loved it.

Plenty to see and do in Bognor for a 5 year old. Mini golf, playgrounds, etc., and if the weather let's you down you could go to Butlins as day visitors and use all the facilities and pool.

When my children were 5 & 7yo we started booking farm cottages. They loved staying in a cottage on a working farm. The Farm Stay .uk cottages are available to book for 5 or 7 days
www.farmstay.uk

Escorted trip round Longleat ir Legoland. Loads of places to stay for a couple of nights. My 2 GC loved it especially Legoland. Though, will warn you there is a lot of walking to be done over two days.

How about leaving the car behind and visiting wherever you choose by train ?
Much nicer and exciting for most 5 year olds.

Several seaside towns have a Premiere Inn very near the sea front . Friends use the one at Brighton and say it is very good.You could travel by train to Brighton.

Legoland is a great favourite with my grandchildren too.

I would simply stay at home and go on day trips. There's so much to do actually in London, as well as trips to Chessington and Thorpe Park. There are city farms, the big south Kensington Museums and loads of different places to eat. Travelling by bus is a lovely way to see London, or maybe on the river? Hampton Court isn't far and my grandchildren love it there.
Maybe you could spend half a day shopping and get her something new to wear? My granddaughters love to do this and I usually take them shopping for clothes for birthdays and Christmas.
There are also places where she could go riding but I think that this is very expensive.

Even i liked it.😂

Or Legoland have offers for overnight (or more) stays,with a second day in the park free.Great for that age.(or any age😅)and very close to London.

Haha,our posts crossed cookiemonster!We cant both be wrong.😆

Butlins at Bognor Regis if you can afford it,theres loads of offers at moment, and once paid theres tons of stuff for kids of all ages fully included, fairground, shows, everything.Ive never known any of my kids or grandkids bored at all.Theres the beach as well a little cute train ride away.You can add food/drink bundles all inclusive right now too.

Butlins is great so much for kids to do, in all weathers! Another place we have just been to which is great location and perfect for kids ( we are even going to take our grandkids after visiting there as a couple) is Bowleaze Cove holiday park in Weymouth run by waterside group, right on the seafront, super clean and well thought out facilities, choice of restaurants, kids activities, absolutely brilliant watersideholidaygroup.co.uk/our-holiday-parks/dorset/bowleaze-cove/

Another vote for Butlins here (only been to Minehead) ..there's a free fairground & they do all sorts of activities for tiny tots ...Shows/ dancing/football which you don't need to do (or pay for as included in the booking cost) and you could just spend your days on the beach .. but I prefer staying in the caravans, not in the chalets ..more peaceful & tucked away. Legoland is amazing too. I do like centre parcs but always feel like I'm in a motorway services station...?! There's also a website called "Days out with the kids."

Enjoy whatever you do 🤩

My aunt had a holiday house in Sidmouth. When my DC s were little we had some wonderful holidays there. Lovely little town, great beaches, lots to do in the area.

Forgot to add in the best beach….West Wittering. Miles of sand,

Chichester might be worth it as a base. Easy reach of Arundel with lots to do for kids including an outdoor lido, Littlehampton with funfair and beaches, Worthing beach with pier and small rides. Leonardslee Gardens with animals to see, lots of local child centred farm days out. You’d be spoilt for choice.

Brighton
Margate
Worthing
Deal
Camber Sands
Hauling Island
All great spots and plenty to do

Agree,south coast somewhere

While our GD (now much older than 5) loves rollercoaster type things, we don't. Nothing sounds worse to me than spending several days at a theme park (one day, maybe!).

She lives a distance away so staying with us is a holiday in itself. We go out for days - castles, beaches, caves, lead mines. Always a mixture of things to broaden her experience and so that at least one will be really interesting for her. One time she went to a craft workshop at the Glass Centre. We took her to Edinbugh for a couple of days - Mary King's Close, the castle, the zoo...

So I'd suggest going somewhere where there's a variety of different attractions within a short distance.

Center Parks can be very expensive, children see things and want them, but it depends on your budget.

Another fan of Center Parcs here. Lots to do, but some sites might require too much walking for a 5 year old, although you can take or hire bikes. Swimming is free of charge but most other activities are charged for.
Good luck with finding a suitable venue, some good ideas on this thread.

Legoland is a good one too.

If you are near London there are loads of days out you could do. If you want to go away somewhere Id go to Center Parcs in Elveden - you can do 3 or 4 nights and there’s loads of things for kids to do.

Five year old are easy to keep occupied. Go to the beach, have a paddle, and ice-cream and build sandcastles. I have never known a five year old find the beach boring, even on dull days!
If its raining go to the cinema, the amusesment arcades, the fun fair- maybe there's a pier show in the evening, or if it's fine a lovely walk by the sea?
There are usually lots of things going on that are free too: parks, museums but ifyou have money there may be history events on at nearby castles or stately homes.
I can't believe someone who was a teacher needs to know all this- seasides haven't changed that much I don't think.
I would avoid Butlins though, had my worst ever holiday (and the most expensive!) when my kids were little!