You are here :: Keycamps Little Book of Holiday Fun

>> Back to Holidays reviews page

KEYCAMP PUTS SOME SCIENCE BEHIND THE FUN
SECRET TO PICKING THE RIGHT FAMILY HOLIDAY REVEALED

A recent survey has revealed that spending quality time with your family (51 per cent) and going on holiday (38 per cent) are the two things most sure to boost our happiness levels –which means that the annual fortnight away with our nearest and dearest should be the most fun we have all year.

And certainly for many it is. The survey from outdoor holiday specialist, Keycamp, showed that while the majority of us would rate the fun factor of our daily lives at a 6 out of a possible 10, 90 per cent would rate their time on holiday with the kids at 7 or more. Furthermore, the 1,000 plus customers questioned suggested that it wasn’t just the levels of fun that were enhanced, but the quality of the time spent together as a family.

Go away on holiday and families are four times more likely to play a sport together, seven times more likely to visit a museum and three times less likely to stay indoors playing a games console. They’re also 30 per cent more likely to go for a walk and 15% more likely to have a good old fashioned chat.

But all this potential for fun inevitably puts added pressure on mum and dad to get their choice of holiday absolutely right, which is where Keycamp comes in. With a great reputation for its action-packed family holidays, they are bidding to boost the fun factor of its breaks yet further, teaming up with fun and happiness expert Ben Renshaw to develop The Happy Holiday Selector.

This online profiler – available to browse or download at www.keycamp.co.uk/funbook - is part of a brand new eBook titled ‘Keycamp’s Little Book of Holiday Fun’, which is designed to help customers match themselves to one of nine personality profiles and then work out the best holiday activities and destinations that will provide them with the ultimate in fun getaways.

Dave McKenna, head of brand at Keycamp, comments: “Parents ranked plenty for the kids to do, beautiful locations and an abundance of sports as being among the most important ingredients of a fun holiday. So we decided that it was also important to help mum and dad choose the destination that is best going to get those happy hormones pumping. In addition to our experienced call centre team, we’ve enlisted Ben’s help and put a little bit of science behind the holiday selection process.”

Ben Renshaw, Director of the Happiness Project and a leading authority on all things fun, explains: “It’s obvious that holidays offer a great opportunity for fun, but what ticks the box for one family may not work for another, and picking the break that gives your family the best chance of having fun, can sometimes be a daunting experience. Hopefully the eBook will make choosing the holiday more fun in itself.”

Seven secrets to family fun away
Once you’ve found that perfect break, here are some hints and tips to help you make the most of your time away from Ben, and Jo Green, mum of two and Keycamp’s resident fun expert.

1. Have a positive mindset
How do you read the following statement, ‘FUNISNOWHERE’? Did you read it as, ‘Fun is no where’? or ‘Fun is now here?’ The choice is yours. Fun is a decision you must make. By deciding to have fun each day, you’ll create a mindset for maximising your time away.

2. Holiday countdown
The anticipation of a holiday can almost be as much fun as the holiday itself. Make a calendar with the kids so that you can tick off the dates, and don’t forget to involve them in the planning of your trip.

3. Stimulate those happy hormones
One of the secrets to happiness is physical activity, so don’t just ‘fly and flop’! Try cycling, a swim in the pool, or – for guaranteed great laughs - join in with any group or family games.

4. Make friends
Many happy people are sociable. They engage in conversation, and are approachable and friendly, so don’t miss out on making new friends – get chatting!

5. Try something new
We are creatures of habit, but get a lot of fun from new experiences; so keep an open mind and look out for new things to try – whether it’s a local delicacy, new activity, or simply exploring.

6. Relax
Sometimes easier said than done but remember, the more you relax the more you’ll be able to enjoy yourself, so leave that Blackberry and laptop behind and focus on the here and now.

7. Start the holiday as soon as you leave home
Don’t wait until you get to the parc for the holiday fun to kick in. Instead, get into holiday mode from the moment set off. Have a good repertoire of car games; plenty of snacks and let the kids pack their own their own travel bag. Wrapping up a special little present for the kids to unwrap on the journey – a colouring book or a new puzzle – will also help.

For more ideas and to up the holiday fun factor, check out Keycamp’s Little Book of Holiday Fun at www.keycamp.co.uk/funbook.