Forget the traditional nuclear family with mum, dad, and two kids roughly the same age, now there are increasing numbers of second and third marriages, so you might have a toddler, preteen and teen all on the same holiday. Imagine trying to keep that lot happy.

A resort may have the perfect toddlers' club, but the teenager will be bored; or the teenager will be happy with discos and free kitesurfing, but what you thought was a "free" kids' club isn't free for non-potty trained toddlers who require their own nanny - at €15 an hour! But ask all the right questions before you book, and you won't return seriously out of pocket or more stressed than when you left.

Kids' clubs

· How much do kids' clubs cost? Often over threes or fours will be free, sometimes younger if they are potty trained; creches cost around £250 a week. Some clubs are only free outside school holidays.

· How flexible is the child care? Some clubs are six days minimum, which can be pricey.

· Do you have to pre-book?

· When are they open? Clubs for school age children usually operate in school holidays, when, annoyingly, some pre-schoolers' clubs are closed.

· Who's running them? Carers should be qualified nannies and checked out by the Criminal Records Bureau.

· Security: do parents sign children in and out?

· Do infants get a designated minder?

· Is there an indoor and outdoor play area; and is the outdoor area shaded?

Babysitting

· Who's watching the baby? Qualified staff or local girls earning pocket money?

· Is there a minimum charge plus taxi fares home?

· Is there a free baby-listening service?

Food

· Are kids' menus just chicken nuggets, pizza and burgers? Good resorts will do local food in kids' portions, and early sittings.

Rooms

· How flexible is room sharing? Family prices are often geared around two adults, two kids and may charge a supplement to have an extra child sharing. Larger families might have to pay extra for family suites.

Best options

Sovereign
Mid-market operator with dedicated Family Selection European brochure. Some free child places (even in school holidays).

Clubs: Usually 2-12 (free); also some creches (from £5 an hour but varies) and some Teenage Clubs up to 18 (free), children's pool, playground and babysitting services. Good resorts for teenagers.

Babysitting: Varies.

Meals: Children's menus and early meal sittings.

Good for: Resorts for all ages available.

Sample price: The Porto Sani Village in Halkidiki has free beach nannies for 30 minutes daily as well as free kids' clubs (2-18). Sovereign offers seven nights' B&B from £635 per adult and £329 per child (2-12) (under twos free) including flights and transfers.

Contact: 08705 768373, sovereign.com.

Club Med
This all-inclusive veteran has been going for 53 years, with 46 villages worldwide. Price includes most sports and entertainment.

Clubs: ages 4-17; under fours (from 4 months up) £151 weekly. Qualified nannies (always some English speaking). Flexible childcare - parents can sign children in and out as they wish.

Babysitting: Clubs staff, rate varies.

Meals: Mostly buffet style, included in price (as is wine and beer with meals); some have a specialist "baby restaurant".

Good for: Usually all ages - but some adults only.

Sample price: One week in Metaponto, southern Italy from £957 per adult (and child over 11), £770 4-11s, £459 2-3s and £158 infants.

Contact: 08453 676767, clubmed.co.uk.

Mark Warner
All-inclusive beach and ski holiday company, which prides itself on childcare.

Clubs: 4 months-2 years £220-£250 a week, 2-17s free, six days a week, qualified staff. Teenagers have Indy club - mostly social events and free sports.

Babysitting: Hourly €10; free baby-listening.

Meals: All buffet style (meals and wine free), so kids can pick and choose.

Good for: All ages.

Sample price: San Lucianu, Corsica; one week adults £1,016; 2-12s £610, infants £100.

Contact: 0870 7704227, markwarner.com.

Exclusive Escapes
Small, upmarket Turkey specialist with hand-picked villas and hotels; family- friendly ones are highlighted in the brochure.

Clubs: No - but good facilities for children (such as pet areas).

Babysitting: Usually (hotel staff; around £5 an hour).

Meals: No special menus, but buffet-style local, organic food.

Good for: Varies - family-friendly ones good for all ages; some adults only.

Sample price: Bordubet Golden Key, near Datca, on a remote part of the Lycian coast has 22 rooms, pool, private beach club with complimentary water and land sports. Seven nights' half-board from £500pp, including return flights to Dalaman, transfers, gulet cruise, water sports and three days' tuition. Infants (up to two years) £30 sharing parents' room; children 2+ sharing with parents, £400.

Contact: 020-8605 3500, exclusiveescapes.co.uk.

Camping

These days it's more "glamping" than camping, with the best companies offering state-of-the-art pre-erected tents and luxe mobile homes with ensuite bathrooms that feel like an Oscar-winner's trailer.

Eurocamp
Has 164 parks across Europe, with well-equipped tents and luxury mobile homes.

Clubs: Five categories for 1-17 year olds, six days a week, free, trained staff.

Babysitting: No.

Meals: self-catering or on-site restaurants (with kids' menus).

Good for: Teens, large families.

Sample price: Ca'Savio, Treporti, Italian Adriatic: six pools, on sandy beach; kids' clubs 4-17 years, Mini Fun Station (under fours). In May and June, two adults and three children for seven nights in a Venezia holiday home from £692, including Dover/Calais crossing for car and passengers.

Contact: 0870 3667552, eurocamp.co.uk.

Canvas Holidays
Excellent sites across Europe, with luxury mobile homes, chalets and tents.

Clubs: 4-11 and 12-17 year olds - but not at all sites. Free; run by trained staff. Extras such as nightlights for kids, child safety gates and cooker guards.

Babysitting: Camp staff; hourly from €6.

Meals: Self-catering if you want to; fast-food-style restaurants if you don't.

Good for: Age suitability varies between sites, but well categorised.

Sample price: Perros, Brittany, good for all ages; price £311 (May)-£1,052 (peak season) for two adults and up to four children, including ferry crossings/Eurotunnel (car and passengers) and mobile home.

Contact: 01383 629000, canvasholidays.co.uk.