Best sunshine holidays for larger families (3 or more kids)

Planning a family holiday is an exciting time. For larger families however, it can be tricky to find resorts that cater to the needs of your brood. But don’t despair. Here are nine brilliant overseas package holidays for families with three or more children to take the strain out of booking a break away.

1/9 7 nights self-catering for 6 people, Ibiza, £2,487

A few minutes’ stroll from one of Portinatx’s beaches, the Apartmentos Del Ray is a peaceful resort bordered by palm trees. Enjoy a dip in the pool while the kids play in the children’s pool or relax with a drink on the sun terrace. When you fancy a day out take a ride on a glass-bottomed boat, browse the hippie market at Portinatx or laze about on the postcard-perfect S’Arenal Gros beach. The home-from-home apartments sleep up to six people and and come with a kitchenette, satellite television and terrace or balcony.

 2/9 7 nights’ all-inclusive in Costa Dorada, for 5 people, £2,192

This family-friendly hotel benefits from an ideal location in quiet Cap Salou, within walking distance of local shops and restaurants. A free shuttle bus takes guests to nearby Salou beach with its plentiful family fun- choose from banana boats, jet skis or daily boat trips. Festival Village offers a full entertainment programme including arts and crafts, team games and chilled movie nights as well as a popular mini disco! The kids’ club provides a supervised play area and dedicated entertainers for little ones, while adults can get involved with water polo, pool competitions and evening quizzes.

One-bedroom apartments at the Festival Village feature two double beds plus a cot, and two-bedroom apartments sleep up to six people, with double and sofa beds as well as an extra bathroom. All the apartments have a spacious living area and kitchenette as well as satellite television and a private balcony or terrace.

3/9 7 nights’ self-catering for 6 people at theme park, Holland, £1,177

What more could you want on a family holiday than a child-friendly campsite and theme park in one? Duinrell holiday and amusement park in Holland is home to over 40 rides including bumper boats, a family rollercoaster, a loop-the-loop coaster and a Ferris wheel. Other attractions include mini golf, a miniature railway and outdoor trampolines. When you’re tired out why not take a seat and watch one of the musical shows or peruse the shopping court for souvenirs? Duinrell also has a tropical swimming paradise known as the Tiki Pool, with 16 waterslides, a kids’ waterpark with waterfall and a lazy river.

Guests can refuel at one of the resort’s restaurants, grab a takeaway or pick up some local sweets and baked goods from the on-site shops. Stay in a modern Esprit holiday home with two bedrooms, sofa beds, air conditioning and a fully equipped kitchen.

4/9 7 self-catering for 6 people, Majorca, £2,184

Treat yourself with a summer break at this holiday village on the sunny Spanish island of Majorca. The 17 buildings are dotted with swimming pools, playgrounds and sport facilities, making it the perfect place to keep kids busy throughout your stay. A children’s club will keep little ones entertained from morning ‘til night and the resort offers children’s menus and highchairs in all its restaurants. The BelleVue is just 300m from local shops, bars and restaurants and 800m from the nearby beach. The apartments feature a kitchen and dining area, breakfast bar and a furnished terrace or balcony.

5/9 7 nights ‘all-inclusive plus’ for 5 people, Spain, £4,240

You won’t need to step outside your resort on a break to Magic Natura, which has its very own animal-themed water-park. Stay in a premium two-bed Polynesian-themed lodge with thatched roof and flat-screen television, fridge and daily maid service. Stepping out of your lodge you’ll have unlimited access to the Terra Natura animal park, with over 1500 animals and a ‘zoo-immersion’ concept that allows guests to get up close with the animals. There is also a children’s club for ages 4-16 with games, toys and organised activities. When it comes to dining, choose from three restaurants including two with kids’ buffets; your ‘all-inclusive plus’ concept also means unlimited ice cream, snacks and drinks around the resort including in the waterpark. A complimentary shuttle bus will ferry your family to the local sandy beach for even more fun in the sun!

6/9 7 nights’ self-catering for 5 people, Spain, £2,424

These bright and breezy apartments with ocean views are ideally situated a few minutes’ walk from Calpe’s Levante beach. Families can enjoy light interiors and kitchenettes in-room as well as two swimming pools and a separate children’s pool. Guests are also free to use the facilities at the sister hotel, the AR Roca Esmeralda Hotel & Spa less than five minutes’ walk away. A buffet restaurant offers international cuisine and there is also the Grill plus a cafe and bar to enjoy. Explore the local area with a trip to see flamingos at Les Salines National Park, wander through the Old Quarter or hike up the Penon d’Ifach rock.

7/9 7 nights for 5 people, Crete, £2,435

Enjoy relaxing by the pool in this child-friendly beach apartment complex in Stalis, Crete. The two-bedroom family apartments are just 50 metres from the beach and the shops and local restaurants serving authentic Cretan and international food. The complex itself has a popular buffet restaurant and two bars as well spacious gardens, mini-golf and a swimming pool with a slide for outdoor family fun! The two-bedroom apartments are simply furnished and include a flat-screen television, iron and kitchenette. Take in all that the local area has to offer with watersports on Stalis beach, trips into the mountains and visits to rural traditional villages.

8/9 7 nights’ in a self-catering apartment for 6 people, Turkey, £2,568

A Tripadvisor favourite, the Club Evin hotel is just 700 metres from the beach and the lively main resort of Marmaris. The hotel pool area has a waterslide for kids (and fun-loving grown-ups!) and guests are entertained with shows and quizzes each evening. An outstanding restaurant serves children’s favourites as well as authentic Turkish cuisine and there are plenty more local eateries nearby. The rooms are clean and bright and feature a kitchenette with balcony or terrace. Families can enjoy day trips on boats to nearby coves and explore the marine life and crystal-clear water of the Mediterranean coast.

9/9 7 nights’ self-catering for 6 people, Portugal, £2,587

A 15 minute walk from the pretty Portuguese fishing town of Alvor, the Club Alvorferias apartments in the Algarve have a lot to offer large families. Make a splash in the two swimming pools, enjoy a leisurely lunch in the a la carte restaurant or let the kids enjoy their day at the children’s club while you walk down to the ocean. The hotel provides a complimentary shuttle bus down to the beach so you won’t have to worry about little ones’ tired legs! The two-bedroom apartments have spacious bedrooms, a kitchenette and family dining area.