I have always found Center Parcs totally geared up for an enjoyable break with toddlers.
Though extremely kid friendly it is far from purse friendly, especially if you go during school holidays.
I tried Center Parcs in Europe a few years ago and thought in many ways it was much better. It was a fraction of the cost with more activities (free activities too) for children!
However, unlike the UK, the sites are independently owned so we find the accommodation and some of the facilities are not to the higher standards of Center Parcs UK.
Plus, the UK booking process and customer service is second to none and on our most recent trip we received a phone call one week before our arrival date to check if we had any questions. I’m a sucker for that extra mile customer service!
On arrival at the park, you can use the facilities from 10am and check in to the lodges at 4pm.
There are set arrival and departure days to ensure the whole park is car free which is lovely peace of mind with little ones tottering around.
This does mean that getting around the park can take some time, as they are huge, with the facilities spread across the park.
We like to cycle with a Burley trailer on our bikes. Bike rental at Center Parcs can be expensive and although they offer Burley trailers, you must rent their bikes to use them. So you can’t just hire a Burley trailer on its own.
Accommodation at Center Parcs with toddlers
We always stay in a lodge as we prefer self-catering and separate sleeping areas to our toddlers but friends of ours rave about the hotel rooms.
Above is a Woodland Lodge at Woburn Center Parcs.
We also like having more space for the children to play and an outdoor area to spot wildlife.
All accommodations come with a highchair and travel cot in the cupboard.
Our children also really enjoy the chalkboards that come in all the lodges and they even provide chalk for them to draw with!
For tips on what to pack to keep toddlers occupied in the accommodation check my travelling toys advice.
Activities for toddlers at Center Parcs
There are plenty of activities for children to choose from and these vary by location.
We rarely book activities for our children, unless we are with a group of friends, because most require a minimum age of 3 and we think they are overpriced.
On our most recent trip to Woburn, there was a toddler football session which looked great and very popular!
We find the play areas, walks, cycling, nature and swimming pools more than enough entertainment for our toddlers.
On one night a week they usually hold a Kid’s Disco. Check the app to see what day that is when you are visiting. It was nice to do something different but, like every other Kid’s Disco I have reviewed, they played a weird mix of music and if my kid can’t spell their own name they sure ain’t doing the YMCA!
Play areas for toddlers at Center Parcs
There are plenty of play areas, indoor and outdoor, to burn off some energy or for some free play.
There is also a beach area at some Center Parcs so be sure to bring sand toys with you and hope for sunshine.
What Center Parcs do well is placing play areas near bars or restaurant so you can attempt to enjoy a drink or meal.
The soft play in the Hucks Restaurants (above is Woburn) is always a highlight and you can request your table to be right near the soft play entrance.
I actually enjoyed a hot chip here once in 2021 which was a parenting highpoint!
Swimming with toddlers at Center Parcs
The highlight of all Center Parcs is the swimming facilities – Subtropical Swimming Paradise.
There is something for every age and all swimming domes have a toddler splash area with shallow water and accessible slides.
They also provide free life vests: one aged for 2-4 year olds and another for older children.
You are also able to take your own inflatables or arm bands. My 3-month-old once fell asleep in the wave machine whilst bobbing in a baby ring!
Wildlife at Center Parcs
What I really enjoy about Center Parcs is the wildlife.
There are not many places in England where you get squirrels, muntjacs, ducklings and swans right on your doorstep.
We always take sunflower seeds to leave on our patio or duck feed for the beach and pond areas.
The animals are so familiar with visitors; they are extremely tame and even let our noisy erratic toddlers close to them.
Which is the best Center Parcs for toddlers?
Woburn
Woburn is the newest Center Parcs which really shows in the plush lodges. They even have electric ovens that don’t take 12 hours to cook a chicken nugget.
This was my first visit for a couple of years to a UK Center Parcs and the newer lodges really showed up the basic accommodation you get in the Europe Center Parcs.
There is a play area everywhere you turn at Woburn and they really have thought about keeping the kids occupied whilst you are having a drink or something to eat.
When it first opened, a lot of people said it wasn’t the same as some of the older parks as the trees were yet grown and therefore there was not as much wildlife.
I can vouch that there is now so much wildlife around the park and it certainly does have the wild feel like some of the older parks just with newer facilities.
For this reason, Woburn is my favourite park. Yet, I am still to visit Sherwood, the OG, which is said to be the best.
Elveden
In my opinion, Elveden has the same vibe as Woburn and although older, the facilities are still very good.
Unlike Woburn and Longleat, it is much flatter so it is easier to get around the park on a bike, with a pram, or chronic laziness.
Annoyingly, we had to stay in a dog-friendly lodge as we went with my sister so I found the accommodation particularly run down here but I do believe that is because it was a pet-friendly lodge.
They may have updated the lodges since my last visit, but I remember trying to cook a roast dinner in the gas oven and I think I am still waiting for the potatoes to crisp 3 years on.
We visited Elveden during February and they still had their Christmas light walk which my daughter really enjoyed and was ideal as it was not as busy as the Christmas period.
Longleat
Out of the three parks I have mentioned, I think Longleat was my least favourite. And that is not just because I went with my in-laws.
The whole park is extremely hilly, so you find yourself not exploring as much as some of the other parks.
There is however, a nice train that runs around the park to get you to your destination.
We rode it around the whole park just to explore and we actually saw quite large deer further away from the main facilities.
I was 6 months pregnant on our visit so when the train was full the driver called security to get me where I needed to go. Although I looked like John Candy whilst pregnant, I was still quite active, which shows how hilly the park really is.
Another bonus of this park is it is right next to Longleat safari park which is a fantastic day out for toddlers.
Center Parcs can be such a lovely family holiday that brings you back to nature and away from technology. If you have the flexibility to visit during term time you can sometimes get a decent deal.
If you require help finding the right Center Parcs, UK or abroad, for your family and the best deals available then check out my Travel Services.