kids

FAMILY holidays are most fun when children reach eight years old, according to research.

A poll of 2,000 mums and dads who’ve ever been on holiday with their child found this is the age when parents and little ones alike get the most out of getaways.

At this stage, 55 per cent believe they start to form lasting holiday memories, 64 per cent think they get genuinely excited about new places and can contribute to the planning (22 per cent).

They’re better able to relax themselves (41 per cent), enjoy more shared hobbies and activities together with their kids (41 per cent) and have longer attention spans (40 per cent) then too.

Commissioned by Jet2holidays ahead of Mother’s Day, the research found 76 per cent of mums who go on one or more getaways a year consider family holidays to be their calendar highlight.

A spokesperson for the tour operator said: “Family holidays are special at all ages.

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“With the research highlighting just how meaningful family getaways are across the board.

“However, there appears to be something especially great once kids reach eight years old – with the findings suggesting many kids are more curious, more engaged and better able to take in new experiences at this age.”

The study also identified what parents look for in a family getaway – with value for money (29 per cent), a place which suits the whole family (28 per cent) and good weather (28 per cent) coming top.

Activities everyone can enjoy together are also considered key (17 per cent), along with a destination which is easy to get around (15 per cent) and genuinely family friendly accommodation (14 per cent).

To ensure the kids in particular are happy, 30 per cent ‘often’ or ‘always’ get them involved in the planning of a family break.

They do so because it makes their little ones feel included and valued (46 per cent), creates shared excitement (37 per cent) and ensures activities suit their interests (34 per cent).

And taking such steps to ensure family holidays are a success appear to be worth it – 86 per cent said memories spent with their kids on such getaways are among their most meaningful.

The research carried out through OnePoll also identified the holiday milestones those polled consider to be the most significant, with going abroad as a family for the first time (35 per cent) coming top.

Flying together for the first time (24 per cent), the first theme park or major attraction visit as a family (15 per cent) and staying away from home overnight for the first time as a unit (14 per cent) are also significant.

A spokesperson for Jet2holidays added: “It’s clear involving children in the planning process plays a big part in making a holiday memorable.

“And this is just one of a host of memorable holiday milestones they’ll be part of – whether that’s flying together for the first time or going abroad as a family stay with parents for years.

“This is why considerations like the right destination and accommodation are so important.

“We’re proud to help families make those memories by offering great value, family friendly holidays which cater to everyone, whatever stage of family life they’re in.”

Hannah Britt and her family fell in love with Scotland while on a road trip through the highlands in a Skoda Superb Estate SportLine 2.0 – here’s how you can do the same

When you think of a Scottish road trip, what comes to mind? The NC500 probably. Two children aged six and one… probably not so much. And yet I’m here to tell you that it can be done, all it takes is the right car – and lots of snacks. A frequent yet fearful flyer last summer I became a convert to the good old family road trip when we borrowed a Skoda Kodiaq vRS and drove from our home in Manchester to France. Being able to get there under our own steam and haul 35 tonnes of equipment for the children was a gamechanger. I was chomping at the bit to do it again. So you can imagine my delight when my pals at Skoda got in touch again, offering to lend us a Superb Estate SportLine 2.0 this time – if we drove it to Scotland. My partner John’s bags were packed before I’d finished asking if he wanted to go.

The Superb is a long and spacious family car. You won’t get into a small parking space, but boy can you cram it full of stuff. It’s quite low to the ground, meaning those of us over 30 will make an oof noise getting in and out, but it feels how I imagine Lewis Hamilton must in his F1 car. I loved it right away.

As we set off from our home in Manchester, the four of us settled in – me, John, six year old Molly and one year old Poppy. Our route would take us to Langbank near Glasgow, where we would stay the night at Gleddoch Golf and Spa Resort, before continuing on the next day to Cameron House on Loch Lomond. From there we would loop up through Glencoe to Oban, before driving back home via Loch Lomond once more.

As was now customary, John did most of the driving with me the passenger princess and queen on snacks, handing out Pringles and Haribo on demand and restarting Golden from the K Pop Demon Hunters soundtrack each time it dared to stop. The Skoda’s big sat nav screen made it easy to work out where to go, and its built in black out screens allowed Molly and Poppy to doze off.

Four hours later, with just one stop to walk off a tantrum (not mine, promise), we arrived at Gleddoch, on the banks of the Clyde. I was impressed with this golf hotel, which welcomed children with open arms. Our room, a Residence Four Poster, was newly renovated, with a sleek bathroom, view out over the water, sofa bed for Molly and – as the name suggests – a gargantuan four poster for her parents. Arriving with fussy kids, we ate in the room, and the food was lovely, with a good kids menu and an excellent wine list.

But the jewel in Gleddoch’s crown is the Imperia spa, a newly opened, multimillion pound delight. It recently won the accolade of “best new spa” and, once I tore myself away from my family, I had a sublime old time checking it out. The space boasts the UK’s largest outdoor sauna with panoramic views over the estuary and rolling Renfrewshire hills to Ben Lomond.

Children are not allowed in the pool at all, which was a shame for me – but a bonus for the other guests who didn’t have to endure their spa time with a side of my little ones’ splashing. In the morning, I sat down in Gleddoch’s cosy Dram whisky and gin bar to do some work, before packing our rabble back into the Skoda to head to our second stop, 30 minutes away – Cameron House on Loch Lomond.

Now, Cameron House is a Scottish institution. Barack Obama has stayed here. Guests don’t really get cooler than that. And the moment you arrive it’s easy to see why it’s so beloved. Sweeping the Skoda up to the hotel, which sits right on the water, we were immediately greeted by a valet, who whisked the car off to park it and brought in our bags. Good lord, the crumbs, I thought to myself as the chic valet sat himself down on two days worth of digestive biscuits.

Inside, Cameron House is stylish, cosy and unmistakably Scottish, with nods to its rich heritage in everything from the pictures on the walls to the tartan prints of the cushions. Staff remember names, coffee orders and chatted to the children as if they were long lost friends. It’s a home from home – albeit an incredibly luxurious one.

The food is delicious, whether you choose to eat in the Michelin-starred Loma by Greme Cheevers, the Tavern, the Great Scots Bar, or anywhere in between. The room service is good too, and the chefs are happy to rustle up anything your little one desires off menu. Our room, a family suite, was spacious, sparklingly clean and modern, with an undisturbed view of the Loch.

Cameron House has a brilliant adults-only spa, which I’ve heard is exceedingly relaxing. However during my time at the hotel, I was to be found in the large family pool. With floor to ceiling windows out onto the grounds, areas shallow enough for Poppy to paddle in and areas deep enough for Molly to swim, and with a large and genuinely fun water slide, there was enough to keep everyone entertained for hours. When we finally tempted the children outside, a falconry lesson was equally enthralling. The next day, our be-crumbed valet returned the Skoda to us and waved us on our way to Oban – via Glencoe.

Glencoe is a stunning, historic glen in the Scottish Highlands, renowned for its dramatic, volcanic, and glacial landscape. It is a premier spot for hiking, mountaineering, and – luckily for us – scenic drives, often featured in films like Harry Potter and James Bond. From Loch Lomond to Glencoe takes around 90 minutes, and there’s an excellent visitor centre to greet you once you arrive, with nappy changing facilities, a shop selling various miniature models of highland cow, and a cafe that makes a good flat white.

The Glencoe drive is best done slowly, to ensure one takes in the insanely gorgeous scenery, and to make sure you don’t miss the turning down Glen Etive Road. The “Skyfall” road is the single-track B8074, famous for the scene where Bond (Daniel Craig) and M (Judi Dench) stop with the Aston Martin DB5 against the backdrop of Buachaille Etive Mòr. The spot is roughly halfway along the 12-14 mile road. I didn’t have an Aston Martin, but one better – my Skoda.

Another 50 odd minutes later and we arrived at the furthest point of our road trip – Oban. Or to be precise, Rhunacairn, a little Sykes Cottages house on the banks of Loch Etive, a couple of miles out of the town. Down a tiny road, with just one other house nearby, it was a white washed child’s drawing of a house, set in the most stunning scenery imaginable.

Sat next to a mussel farm, the house had all we needed for the next few days – a swing, a log burner and sea otters in the water outside. It was absolutely idyllic – a real find. And while we did go into Oban to sample the delights of the seafood capital of Scotland – and to buy a bottle of local whisky – I must admit the house had a magic to it that I was loath to leave. Before we left we began plotting our return, wondering which Skoda might fit paddleboards and fishing rods for a summer staycation.

10 steps to road trip success

Parenting expert Kirsty Ketley says:

1. Plan Ahead – Time journeys around naps, mealtimes, or toilet breaks to reduce stress and disruption to routines.

2. Leave at Nap Time – If you can, start longer journeys when little ones are most likely to sleep.

3. Entertainment is Key – Mix up old-school games like I Spy with sticker books, reusable window stickers, or magnetic boards.

4. Car-eoke – A family singalong is a fun way to pass the miles (and yes, Disney soundtracks count!).

5. Tech Can Help – Tablets on headrests with headphones make for a peaceful drive when everyone needs downtime – don’t feel bad or guilty for using them, but be clear about the boundaries on using them and use them more as a last resort, rather than the default.

6. The Quiet Game – When things get noisy, challenge the kids to see who can stay quiet the longest.

7. Snacks & Drinks – Pack snack boxes for older children and keep drinks in the front with you to avoid unnecessary stops for the loo when they have necked a whole bottle of water! Be very mindful of giving younger children snacks if an adult is not sitting in the back with them, as it is a choking hazard!

8. Safety First – Use child locks, remind kids about seatbelt safety, and follow The Lullaby Trust advice on babies sleeping in car seats.

9. Be Prepared – Keep wipes, tissues, and the nappy bag within easy reach. Blankets and comfy clothing are also essential.

10. Break It Up – If traffic hits or the car gets tense, don’t be afraid to stop somewhere safe, stretch legs, and reset before heading off again.

*The Skoda Superb Estate SportLine 2.0 costs from £44,715. Visit skoda.co.uk for more information

*Gleddoch Golf & Spa Hotel costs from £129 in low season and £189 in high season, based on entry level rooms. Visit gleddoch.com to book

*Rooms at Cameron House start from around £275 per night. Visit cameronhouse.co.uk to book

*Sykes Cottages Rhunacairn House costs from £1135 for 7 nights, see sykescottages.co.uk

ORE Oduba’s kids are said to be devastated as he puts the family home on the market a year after his split from wife Portia Jett.

The Strictly star, 40, announced that he and Portia, 36, had ended their nine year marriage in October 2024.

The pair share a son, Roman, eight and four-year-old daughter Genie together.

The TV presenter’s new-build family home in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, is now up for sale but Portia admitted it has left their kids heartbroken.

She said on social media: “I told the children that we are selling the house.

“It’s hard, especially for Roman, to have these conversations. He’s really upset.

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“I wanted to let the kids know, I tried to explain why.

“It’s gutting, and I’ve known for a while.”

The family have been living in the property since 2022.

Last November, Portia appeared to take a swipe at Ore after he revealed his porn addiction battle.

Portia shared a photo as she posed with her two children either side of her during an autumn day out.

The lyrics talk about a partner who is “young, wayward and lost in the cold” and includes the phrases “you pulled the wrong trigger”.

Appearing on the We Need to Talk podcast with MAFS expert Paul C Brunson, Ore told how his addiction struggles have spanned three decades.

He candidly said: “I was nine when I was introduced to pornography. That’s when my addiction started.”

Ore added: “While I wouldn’t say the addiction set in immediately, the intrigue started immediately and it didn’t take long for that intrigue to start running my mind over.

“It was the thing that was destroying my life from the inside out.

“But it was a thing I was running to from an early age as a response to the trauma.”

He told Paul he was speaking out as he wanted to “guide my own children.”

The London-based TV and radio anchor shares two children with ex wife Portia, son Roman born in 2018 and daughter Genie, born in 2021.

Ore, who admitted he had become a “master masker” during his childhood due to fears his father would send him back to Nigeria, told of the personal “shame” he had been struck by.

He then told how his brave confessions were for his family.

He said: “I’m sharing this to save my kids.

“Shame kept me silent for 30 years. It took me 30 years, two deaths, and a divorce to finally go: here’s what’s happening.”

He added: “The reason I felt like I needed to speak out on this, is because I wanted to guide my own children when it comes to it, when it comes to them seeing stuff that is going to be there.

“They’re going to come across it.”

Ore then confessed: “I never imagine I’d ever share this with anyone but in the last year I’ve spoken to friends and family and some amazing, supporting people in my working world who have all shown so much love and pride in me talking about something that is a problem for so many of us.”

The couple announced they were ending their nine-year marriage in October, with presenter Ore then confirming the news on Instagram. 

The couple’s break-up shocked longtime followers of the pair, who have watched on as they got engaged, married and welcomed two children.

They first met in 2010 when they were studying at Loughborough University. 

Portia was also a prominent support for Ore when he competed on Strictly Come Dancing in 2016, eventually lifting the glitterball alongside pro partner Joanne Clifton. 

Swerving rumours of the long-derided “Strictly curse”, Ore made sure Portia bonded with Joanne throughout their time on the show together. 

Yet he revealed their sad spit in an emotional message to fans.

The statement read: “Hi guys. Portia and I are sad to announce that we separated earlier this year [2024].

“We’re so grateful for all the love you’ve shared with us both over the years.

“And we want to thank you in advance for respecting our privacy as we navigated this difficult transition.

“We will be making no further comment. Be kind, always.”