Once you have children, everything becomes about them. Things that used to be a break from the norm are now a lot more work with a child to take care of. Holidays are one of the biggest changes you’ll experience. You can get away from it all, but you’re still in parent mode and surrounded by hundreds of other families.
Even if you love exploring the world with your kids, sometimes you need a break from them. This doesn’t mean you need to go on a couples holiday or a getaway with friends that will end up making you feel guilty, it can just be one afternoon away from parenthood. If you do find yourself with some spare, child-free time while on holiday, here are a few fun things you can do.
Casino games
Holidays are exciting, but there’s also a lot of waiting around, and relaxing on the beach gets tiresome after a while. You need something to keep you entertained during your downtime, those moments where you’re aimlessly scrolling through your phone or you’ve finally gotten sick of your airport bookshop pickup.
Casino games like the kind reviewed on OnlineCasinos.co.uk are ideal for killing time. You shouldn’t gamble away your holiday, but if you have some moments to yourself away from the kids these classic games are a great way to let off some steam. A couple of games of poker by the pool doesn’t sound too bad, does it? Perfect adult entertainment while the kids are entertaining themselves.
Take a hike
Irritable children don’t do well on long walks in nature. They need more stimulation on their holidays than peaceful walks through the mountains and hills. Hiking fanatics can find it difficult to get their children involved in their hobby, so some time away from them is the perfect opportunity to rekindle your passion for the outdoors.
Hikes are one of the best ways to escape from real life and have been shown to repress negative thoughts and make you a better problem solver. Switch off entirely from everything you know is waiting for you back home and enjoy some breath-taking sights. Hiking with kids can be stressful and dangerous, and you need to have an eye on how they’re getting on rather than the beautiful landscape around you. Instead, it’s a great way to challenge yourself.
Alcohol tours
Sometimes a holiday with the kids can take so much out of you that you need a day to let yourself loose. Tours in vineyard and distilleries are a great way to help you ease up a bit and feel like an adult again while experiencing some local culture.
These tours are great for couples looking to connect again or single parents who want to surround themselves with people their own age. As a parent, it can sometimes feel like the only new people you need are other parents and their children, here you can connect with someone over a shared interest.
Even if you’re not a big drinker, vineyards and distilleries are often located amongst some of the most beautiful nature in the region. Take this as an opportunity to explore the countryside and find a secluded spot for a picnic.
Extreme sports
Children don’t usually mix with extreme anything, let alone extreme sports. Popular holiday destinations will usually offer activities like surfing, white-water rafting or diving. If you find yourself with some free time away from the kids this is a great chance to push yourself to the limit.
A holiday is an opportunity to break the monotony of everyday life. There’s no better way to do that than getting out of your comfort zone and trying something you couldn’t do anywhere else. Put yourself in the mindset of your younger self? What would they do if they had the chance to go diving in perfect blue sea or bungee jump over the city? You might end up with a few bumps and bruises, but you’ll make just as many memories.
A holiday can be whatever you want it to be, with or without children. If they’re interested and old enough you can include your kids in what you do, if not it’s a great way to get away from the pressures of parenthood.
