For everyone
Unwind with a twist
It might sound like the sort of thing reserved for the likes of Madonna's little Lourdes, but there's no reason why your darlings can't also experience the holistic benefits of yoga this summer. While you indulge in the luxury Serenity Spa at Seaham Hall (0191 516 1400; www.seaham-hall.com) in County Durham, your offspring will be chilling in the lotus position at one of the hotel's new free kids' yoga classes, held every Sunday (also Tuesdays in August) 5-6pm. There is a class for five- to 11-year-olds and one for those aged 11-15. A weekend stay at the hotel costs from £195 per room per night, including breakfast (£25 for extra beds for children; cots free).
Self-catering in style
Rediscover the simple pleasures of a beach holiday - exploring rockpools, building sandcastles, splashing in the surf and bracing cliff-top walks - on a self-catering holiday based at Caradoc of Tregardock (01840 213300; www.tregardock.com). This farm on the rugged north Cornwall coast offers a choice of accommodation in beautifully converted barns with uninterrupted views across fields to the Atlantic. Parents will appreciate the stylish and comfortable accommodation (there are woodburning stoves, and a good selection of books and videos for rainy days) while children will love the chickens and rabbits which wander freely around the yard, and sandy beaches 10 minutes away down a narrow footpath. There is still availability for the weeks starting 20 and 27 August. The barn sleeps eight in four bedrooms with four bathrooms and costs £1,400 a week. There is also a smaller cottage next door, sleeping four.
A sporting chance
Watch your little champs blossom at a Summer Sports camp at the Ickworth Hotel and Restaurant in Bury St Edmunds (01284 735350; www.ickworthhotel.com) from 17 July to 4 September. The 1,800-acre estate offers children coaching in 'kwik' cricket, football, badminton, rounders, tennis, swimming and horseriding (with table football, table tennis and PlayStation for rainy days), giving mum and dad the chance to enjoy more leisurely pursuits in peace. Rates start at £275 per room for two adults half board, children share for free but pay £3.50 for breakfast, £8.50 for a two course meal. Apartments cost from £450 for three nights (accommodation only), sleeping two adults and two children, or £790 for a larger apartment sleeping up to four adults and four children. All activities are free except for horse riding.
All muck in
Leave pony lovers in the capable hands of the folk at Brenfield Farm (01546 603274; www.brenfield.co.uk) at Ardrishaig on the shores of Loch Fyne for the day. With an outdoor arena, a cross-country course and miles of private tracks, it's a dream for equestrians of all ages and abilities. And, better still, if your children are happy to muck in and help out, they'll get their riding time for free. Kids can even 'own' a pony during their holiday, learning how to catch, feed, groom and tack, and then hopefully (for the sake of your bank balance) realise that it's not all it's cracked up to be. A three-night break staying at the nearby Allt-Na-Craig Hotel (01546 603245; www.allt-na-craig.co.uk) costs £35 per person per night B&B (half price for children under 12) or £55 with dinner too. Riding costs from £20 an hour.
Adventure seekers
If you don't mind being shown up by your braver and fitter children, try an action-filled holiday for the whole family with TYF Adventure (01437 721678; www.tyf.com). Tailor-make your own days choosing from adrenaline-surging activities like surfing, kayaking, coasteering or rock climbing and stay at the Twr-y-Felin Hotel, an 18th-century converted windmill on the edge of St David's in Pembrokeshire, Wales. A midweek, three-night B&B break with four half-day activity sessions costs from £240 for adults and £175 for children under 16. Family adventure breaks start from £880 for four nights' B&B and four half-day sessions, or £1,156 for four nights and four days of adventure.
Like wow, wipe-out
Fancy turning your child into a wave-knowledgeable, long-haired doyen of dude-speak? Then a day's surfing course in Padstow, Cornwall, at Harlyn Beach with the British Surfing Association Surf School may be perfect for kids aged over eight. Instructors are qualified lifeguards and will take them to ride the area's best learning waves. A day's outing (six hours of lessons split into two sessions) costs £49 with Red Letter Days (0870 442 9119; www.redletterdays.co.uk) including surfboard and wetsuit hire, plus transport. Stay in TV chef Rick Stein's hotel, the St Petroc (01841 532 700; www.rickstein.com) in Padstow, near his famous Seafood Restaurant. Rooms from £110 per night B&B.
On yer bike
Older kids will be in a spin on a cycling safari holiday offered by Wheely Wonderful Cycling (01568 770755; www.wheelywonderfulcycling.co.uk). A wildlife guide is on hand to explain Herefordshire's creatures to adults and those over 14 on a two-day cycle tour, starting from Ludlow, Shropshire. Includes two nights' B&B, bike hire, luggage transfers, picnic lunch and an evening of badger and bat watching. Places are left for 16 July and 1 August, for £175 pp, based on two sharing.
Just for kids
Non-stop action
Whether they're caving, canoeing, abseiling or badger spotting, kids aged eight to 15 are guaranteed plenty of fresh air at Mill on the Brue Outdoor Activity Centre, Trendle Farm, Bruton in Somerset (01749 812307; www.millonthebrue.co.uk). Every day is packed with activities designed to promote healthy exercise and eating - including archery, assault courses, camping, bread or jewellery making, circus skills and drumming - and is rounded off each night with a mug of hot chocolate. The centre opens 18 July-28 August and costs £384 per child per week, including all meals, accommodation and activities. Weeks beginning 1 and 8 August are £334.
England expects
Improve England's chances for Euro 2012 by training your children to be the next Rooney or Beckham on an 'All Stars Football' course at Camp Beaumont (01603 284280; www.campbeaumont.com). Ball skills and team tactics will be taught by approved instructors during 15 hours of tuition, an optional extra on top of a week's multi-activity course at either the Isle of Wight centre (near Bembridge) or Norfolk coast centre (West Runton). The week includes activities from abseiling and go-karting to orienteering, and costs £378 per child aged 10-16 with full board and accommodation. A £41 supplement is charged for the football training. There are six courses throughout the summer.
Apprentice wizards
Children bewitched by Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban will love the magical 'Spellbound' course at PGL Travel's (0870 0507 507;www.pgl.co.uk) Boreatton Park centre in Shropshire, where they can learn to read spell books and create their own potions before graduating to wizard status. Activities such as abseiling, quad- biking and horse riding are weaved into the holiday's theme, so kids complete them to solve clues and collect parts of spells. Courses for two age groups - seven-10 and 10-13 years - run throughout the summer at the spooky Mansion House, set in 240 acres of ground. A week's full board costs £284 pp, with a discount of £100 if bookings are made before 23 July.
