Cash-strapped millennial parents are increasingly turning to the ‘Bank of Grandma and Grandad’ when it comes to trips away and family holidays – to help pay for their hols and free childcare. A new study by holiday firm Parkdean Resorts has found a staggering 82% of parents with children aged under 18 are planning a 2026 multigenerational holiday – but may would struggle without their family chipping in.
Nine in 10 say multigenerational trips are a great way to strengthen family bonds – but 74% have shamelessly admitted having the grandparents there means “free childcare”. According to the findings, more than half (51%) of modern parents say they regularly go away with their parents and the study revealed a charming wish list of the nostalgic holiday activities loved by all ages.
Topping the list was the great British classic of fairground rides (45%), followed by fish and chips by the sea (36%), the smell of freshly cooked chips (36%) and the quintessentially British cream tea (31%).
Other classic staycation activities include candyfloss (30%), playing the 2p game at the arcades (27%), games of mini golf (24%), building sandcastles on the beach (22%), and riding a steam train (21%).
Other unusual things that ‘make’ our holidays are hearing the kids repeatedly moan “are we nearly there yet” (42%), fighting seagulls off your chips (28%), your ice cream melting (25%), and getting sand in your shorts (21%).
Holiday park firm Parkdean Resorts commissioned the study that asked 2,000 parents and grandparents to under 18-year-olds.
Andy Edge, chief marketing officer at Parkdean Resorts, said: “Research shows even though parents may be holidaying with the grandparents out of necessity, multigenerational holidays are becoming a popular choice for families up and down the country.
“Our 65 holiday parks are located in the UK’s most popular holiday destinations and offer endless fun and action-packed activities for the whole family.
“So children, parents, and grandparents alike can make lifelong happy memories without breaking the bank.”
Three-quarters (74%) agree the cost of going on holiday is more expensive now than it has ever been, with Brits saving up for an average of nine months to pay for a typical week-long family break in the UK.
However, two thirds (65%) think it’s the little things that happen on a holiday that make it enjoyable and memorable, rather than the big, expensive things.
And when it comes to generational differences, 86% of grandparents think that the family holidays their grandchildren go on are more exciting than the ones they went on at the same age – with more than half (53%) admitting they used to get bored on family holidays when they were young.