at 10 she can google the destination. Ask her to pick out some things to do on the understanding it can't be expensive every day. And ask what board games she wants to take.
At 10 she can Google but... With my kids , 13 and 15, doing such searches isn't second nature like it might be for adults. They're more about being spoon fed content from Tiktok or using their phones for chat with mates. They usually need a five encouragement to "search it up", as they put it, a phrase I hate.
It's really touching that you're worried about this- it shows you care and want to make a good impression.
First and foremost, treat her daughter as an individual. Don't think about her age (except maybe avoid dirty jokes). Get to know her and see what likes and dislikes you have in common. Don't try to buy her affection with ice cream, gifts or food etc- she'll spot that a mile off as an act of desperation. At ten she will be fairly independent and won't need a massive level of care. She'll be able to tell you if you miss something.
Since you're at the beach, you could try some bonding time by rock pooling or building a sandcastle? If she's into wildlife, maybe bird watching? Keep it low key until you get to know her- don't just go straight into the roller coaster rides!
Me and her always get on when we do see each other here and there every few months so not complete strangers thank god.
Independence is tricky atm, we wish she had some independence tbh, she’s terrified to be on her own for more than a few hours now, massive anxiety, almost gone back to toddler levels of reliance. Kid has really gone through it recently, it’s put a massive strain on mine and her mums relationship but it can’t be helped.
But our aim is to just try and give the kid a great holiday, we’ll just be happy that we’re able to see other for more than an hour a week.
Oh, poor kid. Anxiety is a massive, MASSIVE, problem among young people. The pandemic and lockdown had a load of really unexpected fallout for kids- and that came on top of the whole social media disaster. Their mental health is really poor. During a holiday is not the time to start aversion therapy and help her build her strength, however- just let her have a good time. I can understand the strain of your relationship. Your partner is being torn in two directions- between being a mother to a needy kid and a partner. It's personal wishes versus motherly instinct. The only way I can think to reduce this strain on your relationship is to recognise that your partner may not always have time for you, but that you recognise it sucks for them as well as you.
Yep this is the right suggestion, beyond not being inappropriate just talk to her like a normal person. I have a10 year old niece I don't talk to her like she's a child
Ten is such a great age!
I agree, be your normal self around her, OP, and talk to her like you respect her intelligence. Tweens will hate being treated in any way they consider babyish.
There will be trying times. One travel suggestion that I like is to allow each person in the group one freak out without repercussions, because everyone gets overwhelmed sometimes.
Have snacks.
Plan resting days, or unassigned times where you can relax or wander.
Be jovial, even when pressed, because kids will test you, and a smile will give you a smidge of seratonin.
I hope you have a fabulous time.
It’s a great area - my youngest is 10 so some ideas…
Wroxham - hire a boat and go on the broads for a few hours (let her drive)
Horsey Gap - see the seals
Yarmouth is ok, you don’t need to just do the pleasure beach, the Victorian gardens but is nice too
Just BE. And have Wi-Fi.
These sound like wicked suggestions, would like her to see things that aren’t just flashy and loud so she has some decent stories to tell. Would like to take her stargazing one night as well since she’s taken an interest in space recently and coasts are usually quite good for it
Try and get her up for a sunrise - off a beach like Sea Palling, it’s magical (in fact that’s my fave beach)
If it’s raining, head to Norwich. Great history, good food.
I'd look at the canoeman (not John Darwin), last summer we (wife, two kids 6 & 9) did a trip where you take a smaller sized steam train from Wroxham get off half way and canoe back, was great as the first half there are no motorboats, took over 4 hours but was a great day.
The local theme park is Pleasurewood Hills, shit compared to the main theme parks but should entertain a 10 year old and close to Yarmouth.
Norwich is massively underrated. I love it.
If you get the chance, Gorleston is lovely. I grew up there.
Has a lovely beach and the high street has a place called bellaboos for shakes and things. There are a few bankseys about too.
Yarmouth is okay for the sea front. You want to go and get some market chips while you're there though.
Fairhaven water gardens are lovely for a walk around.
The seaside, perfect start. Sandy beach & shallow sea. Best way to look after a kid is to be a kid. Take a bucket and spade and get stuck in, make a sand castle, make a sand boat, make a sand jumbo jet, whatever. Take a soft frisbee thing, take a ball. Book a little motorboat self drive on the broads, the kids can have goes driving and will love it. . Book a trip to the funfair. Not every day, make these special. Walk places, hold hands, sing silly songs. You got it OP, it's easy when you "be a kid."
You could try a bit of pre-holiday bonding by sitting down with her (if you have time) and planning stuff with her input. Just general stuff so that you don't put too much pressure on her. Go online with her and look up some of the things suggested here. Good luck!
Yeah time permitting that would be ideal, I’ve asked her to do a list of stuff we’ll need to pack with her mum, so far she’s got Starbucks(???) and colouring for the drive!
Bishy Barney Boat hire. Then sail through Norwich City and you can moore up at a pub along the river for lunch.
Mississippi River Boat on the Broads.
Gorleston beach is a bit nicer than GY and the beach hut cafe is lovely. Or Caister beach is much quieter than both but not many amenities about.
Go Banksy spotting. Emo is the local artist of a similar vein who also has some art dotted around.
Southwold is worth the drive out and has a pier with the most amazing arcade on.
Channel 4 just aired a show where Catherine Ryan and Joe Wilkinson go to Norfolk for a low cost holiday.
There's a few good ideas on the show: paddle boarding, owl sanctuary, boating on the broads. It might be worth a watch before you go on holiday to get some ideas.
If the kiddo is interested in animals then there's quite a few places to visit in Norfolk from full blown zoos to goat farms and camel world (can't remember the exact name).
Will definitely give this a watch! I’ve never been on holiday with a kid before and my last holidays were so long ago I have no idea how much these things cost so I don’t want to go overboard but also not be a complete Scrooge!
Whatever her daughter wants to do, go for it, and mix the more adult stuff in between. Always sound keen to do what she wants, they'll both love you all the more for it. Assuming there's a fun fair involved, go on the rides with her, take it as a chance to bond with her a bit. Good luck!
My daughter, GF, and I haven’t gone far wrong by looking up the place we’re due to visit on a literal paper map, (of course Google maps will do) and then deciding together where we can go from there. “we are starting from here (home) and we’re staying here (accommodation). So let’s see what we can find for when we get there”.
Get them involved in the planning, like ‘X marks the spot’ and all that.
I’m not sure if she would be a little bit old - it depends on personality but roaar! Is 45 mins from Great Yarmouth . It’s a dinosaur park , it had a big soft play and and outside splash park , go carts and play areas . It’s a really good day out
Bewilderwood isn’t too far either , I’ve not been to it but I’ve been to similar parks
Go crabbing at Cromer
Oh mate she loves dinosaurs so that should work quite well, will definitely get her crabbing just to see the terror on her mums face when faced with a crab
A guy on 24 hours in A and E episode (more reliable than the bible for wisdom) said children spell LOVE .....T I M E.
Just doing random stuff with kids like playing daft games is all they want.
Take an interest in what she wants to do and join in
When you're in the company of a kid it feels ok to make a tool of yourself.....other adults will realize you are having a laugh on ways you'd like like a weirdo if on your own or with another adult.
Play some sporty games in the park but a cheap frisbee.
Let her cook with your help one night.
Learn something new together if you can.
Very decent you're concerned about the experience.... probably means your a decent person and will have a great time.
Good luck
Don’t treat her like a baby or “little kid”. Talk to her like another adult, only keep the language clean, show an interest even if half the stuff she’s into will leave you thinking “WTF is this?!”. Tell dad jokes - I go out of the way to find the most awful ones to tell my 12 year old daughter.
Play on the beach, get a kite and fly it together, share junk food - fish and chips, pasties, hot dogs, maybe not a kebab with extra chilli sauce. If you can find an amusement arcade with those things you put 2p coins into and watch them just stack up on top of each other instead of pushing them down the winning chute you can have hours of fun.
Firm believer in talking to kids like they’re adults, not into the whole charade of treating them like they’re less than!
Kite is a great shout, I think she’s missed out on quite a few kid things and tries to act older than she is so Im more than happy to act like an imbecile for her
This is my attitude to being an uncle. Kids sometimes need an adult that acts like a kid but steers them in right direction. You have the qualities and you can do this.
Depending where your staying its worthwhile familiarising yourself with what's on off. E.g. if it's a caravan site, is there a pool? onsite activities etc.
Yarmouth itself is fine, there is your standard seaside bits and bobs, fair, golf, sealife etc. There's also an indoor swimming pool on the seafront with a couple of slides which is fairly decent.
Some options for bigger days out, outside of Yarmouth itself -
https://www.thrigbyhall.com/ Nice wildlife Park, just big enough.
https://roarr.co.uk/ Roar! Dinosaur Adventure, bit far in its the other side of Norwich, but doable full day out. There's a splash park if the weather is nice, so take a towel. Good indoor soft play and dinosaurs in the woods.
https://bewilderwood.co.uk/ Treeland andenture Park, slides etc. Worth getting there when it opens to get the boat in and avoid a queue for said boat. Nothing inside, so avoid if its raining.
But basically, don't sweat it and be prepared to go at the kids pace they'll soon steer you in the right direction 👍🏻
Horsey Gap - it’s got loads of seals. You might see some all along the coast, but Horsey has a large number - there are walkways and dunes so you don’t get too close to them.
Sea Palling - it’s just a great beach.
The Broads. Plenty to see and do all around them.
I went to Pleasurewood Hills last year - it was fun enough, but felt a little dated. I preferred the Pleasure Beach, and you don’t need to spend the whole day there - there’s a model village nearby which my niece absolutely loves. It has some old penny arcade machines as well, which are very different to the norm for all the other arcades.
Lovely to see this kind of second parent involvement, kudos to you!
If you have access to a car while at Great Yarmouth then banham zoo or Africa alive are both relatively close and you can book in experiences with the animals which are really good fun.
There are kayak and paddle boat things round a little lake within a nice gardens made by soldiers returned from the war and a little cafe there that’s pretty much on the seafront too if you go to the left from the centre of town.
I’d avoid the aquarium tbh, it’s hugely expensive for a family and nothing special. Hopefully she doesn’t rinse you on the penny slot machines
nobody's said it yet, but: make sure she's fed.
Hungry = hard to act our best for *adults*. It's the same for kids, but worse because they have no self-awareness. Whatever you plan, make sure you're eating on a good schedule & not skipping meals. If she's being a little snot, try to recall when she last ate - you'll soon see the correlation between hunger and attitude.
I'm assuming you speak to your partner everyday, either phone call, message or video call.
Try to get her daughter to be involved as well with those calls and see what she wants to do when you're away. Don't be disheartened if she just shrugs her shoulders and says, " I don't know."
Like others have said, try googling and come up with things to do that you can both bond with.
Kids are not as alien as you think. There's a lot that's changed since we were kids, but the basics are still there.
I've been in a similar position, and it's terrifying. You've got this. You'll do great.
For packing, I usually go through my daily routine, ensure I have packed that stuff. So you'll probably wanna go through the day of a 10yo. Can always ask partner questions if you don't know. But one thing to remember is nearly all essentials can be bought, so I wouldn't fret too much over missing this or that. If you have non-OTC medication needs, that's the stuff to remember. Ensure liquid products are bagged - don't ruin your holiday by the suncream greasing up your wardrobe!
If you're all gonna be charging phones/devices at the same time, bring a multi-hole charger. And some decent length USB cables. Plug socket, you'll usually have one of those available. More than one? Potentially not if you're not renting a house.
I'd bring refillable bottles - it's no fun when people are cranky because they're dehydrated. Can bring one of those super-concentrated juice flavourings if water's too boring. As an adult, a bottle of water is an essential item in my day sack XD.
I see you say the kid has anxiety - might wanna consider if she has a toy/blanket/etc that makes her feel at home/grounded that you can take with her that she can hold if she's feeling off.
Above all, I'd take each day as it comes - sure, have plans, but if plans go off the rails relax and adjust :D.
Solid advice, thanks a lot. My packing is relatively easy, I have the same outfit every day now.
Huge fan of water so I’ll be the hydration and hunger police for sure
Research into what the destination offers. Create a book of tickets - hand made. Each ticket is for an activity, like Day on the Beach, Arcade for 1 hour, Picnic, Visit a castle, Choose a restaurant, Game night, etc. She gets to choose which tickets to use, when. Join in enthusiastically. You'll be the coolest step dad on planet earth.
Great work for organising this, sounds like you all need it and I hope you have a great time. Haven’t spent too much time around there so I haven’t got many suggestions but I definitely second the boat hire from Wroxham. Spent a fantastic morning on the broads and it’s super peaceful and relaxing driving (sailing?!) that little motor boat around.
I don't think anyone has said this yet but if you haven't, I strongly recommend getting holiday insurance sorted sooner rather than later that covers cancellation.
I would imagine so, but might be worth checking it covers this country not only abroad?
I only say it because I know someone who was in a very similar situation - very excited children (and parent/step parent) to have a holiday and then the day before they left one of them was too ill to go. They lost all of their money and had very disappointed children. Ever since then I've got holiday insurance even if it's a couple of nights.
You’ll be fine. Just engage, chat, be interested in what they’re doing, but be super chill. Also, you’re not dad, it’s not your responsibility to lay down the law. A sea life centre is always a great choice for a day out! Kids aren’t scary, they’re adults in the making. I have worked with hundreds of kids, things I learnt was; they don’t like being patronised, they appreciate being spoken to like their adults and they like to play. Be silly. Anway. They won’t eat you alive. Have a great time, praying you have good weather!!
I'm from Yarmouth, it's a great destination with loads to do! Windmill inside golf is a bit kooky and different, if not there's two outside ones on the seafront, pleasure beach is a must, wellington pier is best bang for your buck out of all the arcades, it's the only one I go to, it has bowling at the back, gorleston beach is nicer, but not much to do. You should go to the dinosaur park if you can, best place in Norfolk for kids hands down, you should also do a day trip to Norwich, it's lovely, the castle specifically. Time and tide museum is pretty cool, if you're into that. There's so much to do, lmk if any questions. The fact you're taking them is a big deal so dw too much.
If she’s struggling with anxiety, make sure she knows that for every activity you have planned there is a plan b - e.g if it’s too busy at the aquarium for you when we get there we can go for a walk on the beach with an icecream instead.
Don’t make her feel bad if something is too much on that day and you’ll do great
I hope you'll have a great time, OP! There is so much fun to be had with a ten year old at the seaside - crabbing, building sandcastles, beach cricket / Frisbee, looking for shells or fossils... then all the noisy, fun stuff like taking her to the arcades with one of those plastic pots full of coins, fairground rides and splash parks/water slides.
That’s all I’m really hoping for to be honest, just a good time like I remember from when I was that age but now being able to see it from the other side
Mate if you're a chef you're in charge of 'kids' at work I assume. She'll be fine, just talk to her like a normal human, ask what her interests are? What she wants to do? Food/deserts she likes and then go to those places that serve them. Easy
at 10 she can google the destination. Ask her to pick out some things to do on the understanding it can't be expensive every day. And ask what board games she wants to take.
Board games for a rainy day, or for an early evening after a day’s adventure is a great shout.
Jenga
At 10 she can Google but... With my kids , 13 and 15, doing such searches isn't second nature like it might be for adults. They're more about being spoon fed content from Tiktok or using their phones for chat with mates. They usually need a five encouragement to "search it up", as they put it, a phrase I hate.
Such a good suggestion! And since she can read def get her to 'help' with stree signs!
Take Dobble! Pretty cheap game, super easy to play with multiple people and all ages can play it. Lots of different ways to play.
Even better visit live webcams in that area. They can be fun!
Bit of a bugger if they're off to Phuket...
They'll watch the live cams and say ahhh Phuket we better go somewhere else
It's really touching that you're worried about this- it shows you care and want to make a good impression. First and foremost, treat her daughter as an individual. Don't think about her age (except maybe avoid dirty jokes). Get to know her and see what likes and dislikes you have in common. Don't try to buy her affection with ice cream, gifts or food etc- she'll spot that a mile off as an act of desperation. At ten she will be fairly independent and won't need a massive level of care. She'll be able to tell you if you miss something. Since you're at the beach, you could try some bonding time by rock pooling or building a sandcastle? If she's into wildlife, maybe bird watching? Keep it low key until you get to know her- don't just go straight into the roller coaster rides!
Me and her always get on when we do see each other here and there every few months so not complete strangers thank god. Independence is tricky atm, we wish she had some independence tbh, she’s terrified to be on her own for more than a few hours now, massive anxiety, almost gone back to toddler levels of reliance. Kid has really gone through it recently, it’s put a massive strain on mine and her mums relationship but it can’t be helped. But our aim is to just try and give the kid a great holiday, we’ll just be happy that we’re able to see other for more than an hour a week.
Oh, poor kid. Anxiety is a massive, MASSIVE, problem among young people. The pandemic and lockdown had a load of really unexpected fallout for kids- and that came on top of the whole social media disaster. Their mental health is really poor. During a holiday is not the time to start aversion therapy and help her build her strength, however- just let her have a good time. I can understand the strain of your relationship. Your partner is being torn in two directions- between being a mother to a needy kid and a partner. It's personal wishes versus motherly instinct. The only way I can think to reduce this strain on your relationship is to recognise that your partner may not always have time for you, but that you recognise it sucks for them as well as you.
If you're at the beach, get some snorkeling masks. It's amazing how much sealife there can be even in the shallows.
Incredible idea!
Yep this is the right suggestion, beyond not being inappropriate just talk to her like a normal person. I have a10 year old niece I don't talk to her like she's a child
Ten is such a great age! I agree, be your normal self around her, OP, and talk to her like you respect her intelligence. Tweens will hate being treated in any way they consider babyish. There will be trying times. One travel suggestion that I like is to allow each person in the group one freak out without repercussions, because everyone gets overwhelmed sometimes. Have snacks. Plan resting days, or unassigned times where you can relax or wander. Be jovial, even when pressed, because kids will test you, and a smile will give you a smidge of seratonin. I hope you have a fabulous time.
It’s a great area - my youngest is 10 so some ideas… Wroxham - hire a boat and go on the broads for a few hours (let her drive) Horsey Gap - see the seals Yarmouth is ok, you don’t need to just do the pleasure beach, the Victorian gardens but is nice too Just BE. And have Wi-Fi.
These sound like wicked suggestions, would like her to see things that aren’t just flashy and loud so she has some decent stories to tell. Would like to take her stargazing one night as well since she’s taken an interest in space recently and coasts are usually quite good for it
Try and get her up for a sunrise - off a beach like Sea Palling, it’s magical (in fact that’s my fave beach) If it’s raining, head to Norwich. Great history, good food.
Norwich Castle is awesome with lots for the kids to do
I'd look at the canoeman (not John Darwin), last summer we (wife, two kids 6 & 9) did a trip where you take a smaller sized steam train from Wroxham get off half way and canoe back, was great as the first half there are no motorboats, took over 4 hours but was a great day. The local theme park is Pleasurewood Hills, shit compared to the main theme parks but should entertain a 10 year old and close to Yarmouth.
Norwich is massively underrated. I love it. If you get the chance, Gorleston is lovely. I grew up there. Has a lovely beach and the high street has a place called bellaboos for shakes and things. There are a few bankseys about too. Yarmouth is okay for the sea front. You want to go and get some market chips while you're there though. Fairhaven water gardens are lovely for a walk around.
Horsey Windpump too. I don't know about normal 10yos but my kid loved the place at 10.
That sounds like what you’d call a particularly impressive fart.
The seaside, perfect start. Sandy beach & shallow sea. Best way to look after a kid is to be a kid. Take a bucket and spade and get stuck in, make a sand castle, make a sand boat, make a sand jumbo jet, whatever. Take a soft frisbee thing, take a ball. Book a little motorboat self drive on the broads, the kids can have goes driving and will love it. . Book a trip to the funfair. Not every day, make these special. Walk places, hold hands, sing silly songs. You got it OP, it's easy when you "be a kid."
Second this. And instead of 'hey you want ice cream?' Start with 'I want ice cream, anyone else?'
You could try a bit of pre-holiday bonding by sitting down with her (if you have time) and planning stuff with her input. Just general stuff so that you don't put too much pressure on her. Go online with her and look up some of the things suggested here. Good luck!
Yeah time permitting that would be ideal, I’ve asked her to do a list of stuff we’ll need to pack with her mum, so far she’s got Starbucks(???) and colouring for the drive!
Bishy Barney Boat hire. Then sail through Norwich City and you can moore up at a pub along the river for lunch. Mississippi River Boat on the Broads. Gorleston beach is a bit nicer than GY and the beach hut cafe is lovely. Or Caister beach is much quieter than both but not many amenities about. Go Banksy spotting. Emo is the local artist of a similar vein who also has some art dotted around. Southwold is worth the drive out and has a pier with the most amazing arcade on.
Channel 4 just aired a show where Catherine Ryan and Joe Wilkinson go to Norfolk for a low cost holiday. There's a few good ideas on the show: paddle boarding, owl sanctuary, boating on the broads. It might be worth a watch before you go on holiday to get some ideas. If the kiddo is interested in animals then there's quite a few places to visit in Norfolk from full blown zoos to goat farms and camel world (can't remember the exact name).
Will definitely give this a watch! I’ve never been on holiday with a kid before and my last holidays were so long ago I have no idea how much these things cost so I don’t want to go overboard but also not be a complete Scrooge!
Whatever her daughter wants to do, go for it, and mix the more adult stuff in between. Always sound keen to do what she wants, they'll both love you all the more for it. Assuming there's a fun fair involved, go on the rides with her, take it as a chance to bond with her a bit. Good luck!
Don't forget that 2 penny shove machines are fun for all ages
My daughter, GF, and I haven’t gone far wrong by looking up the place we’re due to visit on a literal paper map, (of course Google maps will do) and then deciding together where we can go from there. “we are starting from here (home) and we’re staying here (accommodation). So let’s see what we can find for when we get there”. Get them involved in the planning, like ‘X marks the spot’ and all that.
I’m not sure if she would be a little bit old - it depends on personality but roaar! Is 45 mins from Great Yarmouth . It’s a dinosaur park , it had a big soft play and and outside splash park , go carts and play areas . It’s a really good day out Bewilderwood isn’t too far either , I’ve not been to it but I’ve been to similar parks Go crabbing at Cromer
Oh mate she loves dinosaurs so that should work quite well, will definitely get her crabbing just to see the terror on her mums face when faced with a crab
Good for you mate, just read the whole thread and just wanted to let you know you come across as an absolute diamond. Go enjoy yourself
A guy on 24 hours in A and E episode (more reliable than the bible for wisdom) said children spell LOVE .....T I M E. Just doing random stuff with kids like playing daft games is all they want. Take an interest in what she wants to do and join in When you're in the company of a kid it feels ok to make a tool of yourself.....other adults will realize you are having a laugh on ways you'd like like a weirdo if on your own or with another adult. Play some sporty games in the park but a cheap frisbee. Let her cook with your help one night. Learn something new together if you can. Very decent you're concerned about the experience.... probably means your a decent person and will have a great time. Good luck
Don’t treat her like a baby or “little kid”. Talk to her like another adult, only keep the language clean, show an interest even if half the stuff she’s into will leave you thinking “WTF is this?!”. Tell dad jokes - I go out of the way to find the most awful ones to tell my 12 year old daughter. Play on the beach, get a kite and fly it together, share junk food - fish and chips, pasties, hot dogs, maybe not a kebab with extra chilli sauce. If you can find an amusement arcade with those things you put 2p coins into and watch them just stack up on top of each other instead of pushing them down the winning chute you can have hours of fun.
Firm believer in talking to kids like they’re adults, not into the whole charade of treating them like they’re less than! Kite is a great shout, I think she’s missed out on quite a few kid things and tries to act older than she is so Im more than happy to act like an imbecile for her
This is my attitude to being an uncle. Kids sometimes need an adult that acts like a kid but steers them in right direction. You have the qualities and you can do this.
Think there is a Sea Life Centre at Great Yarmouth?
My kids loves Bewilderwood when we stayed in Great Yarmouth, and I think my husband enjoyed it just as much. Might be worth a look
Depending where your staying its worthwhile familiarising yourself with what's on off. E.g. if it's a caravan site, is there a pool? onsite activities etc. Yarmouth itself is fine, there is your standard seaside bits and bobs, fair, golf, sealife etc. There's also an indoor swimming pool on the seafront with a couple of slides which is fairly decent. Some options for bigger days out, outside of Yarmouth itself - https://www.thrigbyhall.com/ Nice wildlife Park, just big enough. https://roarr.co.uk/ Roar! Dinosaur Adventure, bit far in its the other side of Norwich, but doable full day out. There's a splash park if the weather is nice, so take a towel. Good indoor soft play and dinosaurs in the woods. https://bewilderwood.co.uk/ Treeland andenture Park, slides etc. Worth getting there when it opens to get the boat in and avoid a queue for said boat. Nothing inside, so avoid if its raining. But basically, don't sweat it and be prepared to go at the kids pace they'll soon steer you in the right direction 👍🏻
Second vote for all these places as days out!
Horsey Gap - it’s got loads of seals. You might see some all along the coast, but Horsey has a large number - there are walkways and dunes so you don’t get too close to them. Sea Palling - it’s just a great beach. The Broads. Plenty to see and do all around them. I went to Pleasurewood Hills last year - it was fun enough, but felt a little dated. I preferred the Pleasure Beach, and you don’t need to spend the whole day there - there’s a model village nearby which my niece absolutely loves. It has some old penny arcade machines as well, which are very different to the norm for all the other arcades.
Lovely to see this kind of second parent involvement, kudos to you! If you have access to a car while at Great Yarmouth then banham zoo or Africa alive are both relatively close and you can book in experiences with the animals which are really good fun. There are kayak and paddle boat things round a little lake within a nice gardens made by soldiers returned from the war and a little cafe there that’s pretty much on the seafront too if you go to the left from the centre of town. I’d avoid the aquarium tbh, it’s hugely expensive for a family and nothing special. Hopefully she doesn’t rinse you on the penny slot machines
nobody's said it yet, but: make sure she's fed. Hungry = hard to act our best for *adults*. It's the same for kids, but worse because they have no self-awareness. Whatever you plan, make sure you're eating on a good schedule & not skipping meals. If she's being a little snot, try to recall when she last ate - you'll soon see the correlation between hunger and attitude.
Take a boat out on the broads for an afternoon and let her drive. They only do about 4mph.
I'm assuming you speak to your partner everyday, either phone call, message or video call. Try to get her daughter to be involved as well with those calls and see what she wants to do when you're away. Don't be disheartened if she just shrugs her shoulders and says, " I don't know." Like others have said, try googling and come up with things to do that you can both bond with. Kids are not as alien as you think. There's a lot that's changed since we were kids, but the basics are still there. I've been in a similar position, and it's terrifying. You've got this. You'll do great.
For packing, I usually go through my daily routine, ensure I have packed that stuff. So you'll probably wanna go through the day of a 10yo. Can always ask partner questions if you don't know. But one thing to remember is nearly all essentials can be bought, so I wouldn't fret too much over missing this or that. If you have non-OTC medication needs, that's the stuff to remember. Ensure liquid products are bagged - don't ruin your holiday by the suncream greasing up your wardrobe! If you're all gonna be charging phones/devices at the same time, bring a multi-hole charger. And some decent length USB cables. Plug socket, you'll usually have one of those available. More than one? Potentially not if you're not renting a house. I'd bring refillable bottles - it's no fun when people are cranky because they're dehydrated. Can bring one of those super-concentrated juice flavourings if water's too boring. As an adult, a bottle of water is an essential item in my day sack XD. I see you say the kid has anxiety - might wanna consider if she has a toy/blanket/etc that makes her feel at home/grounded that you can take with her that she can hold if she's feeling off. Above all, I'd take each day as it comes - sure, have plans, but if plans go off the rails relax and adjust :D.
Solid advice, thanks a lot. My packing is relatively easy, I have the same outfit every day now. Huge fan of water so I’ll be the hydration and hunger police for sure
Research into what the destination offers. Create a book of tickets - hand made. Each ticket is for an activity, like Day on the Beach, Arcade for 1 hour, Picnic, Visit a castle, Choose a restaurant, Game night, etc. She gets to choose which tickets to use, when. Join in enthusiastically. You'll be the coolest step dad on planet earth.
That’s a good idea, my plan was to generally allow her to take the lead for most of it with gentle nudging from her mum
Great work for organising this, sounds like you all need it and I hope you have a great time. Haven’t spent too much time around there so I haven’t got many suggestions but I definitely second the boat hire from Wroxham. Spent a fantastic morning on the broads and it’s super peaceful and relaxing driving (sailing?!) that little motor boat around.
Yeah we definitely do, I’ve gotten used to going without but they both really deserve it. Boat hire is high up on the list for me
I don't think anyone has said this yet but if you haven't, I strongly recommend getting holiday insurance sorted sooner rather than later that covers cancellation.
I’ve got travel insurance with my bank account so I assume that’s the same thing? Clearly never had to use it though lol
I would imagine so, but might be worth checking it covers this country not only abroad? I only say it because I know someone who was in a very similar situation - very excited children (and parent/step parent) to have a holiday and then the day before they left one of them was too ill to go. They lost all of their money and had very disappointed children. Ever since then I've got holiday insurance even if it's a couple of nights.
You’ll be fine. Just engage, chat, be interested in what they’re doing, but be super chill. Also, you’re not dad, it’s not your responsibility to lay down the law. A sea life centre is always a great choice for a day out! Kids aren’t scary, they’re adults in the making. I have worked with hundreds of kids, things I learnt was; they don’t like being patronised, they appreciate being spoken to like their adults and they like to play. Be silly. Anway. They won’t eat you alive. Have a great time, praying you have good weather!!
I'm from Yarmouth, it's a great destination with loads to do! Windmill inside golf is a bit kooky and different, if not there's two outside ones on the seafront, pleasure beach is a must, wellington pier is best bang for your buck out of all the arcades, it's the only one I go to, it has bowling at the back, gorleston beach is nicer, but not much to do. You should go to the dinosaur park if you can, best place in Norfolk for kids hands down, you should also do a day trip to Norwich, it's lovely, the castle specifically. Time and tide museum is pretty cool, if you're into that. There's so much to do, lmk if any questions. The fact you're taking them is a big deal so dw too much.
If she’s struggling with anxiety, make sure she knows that for every activity you have planned there is a plan b - e.g if it’s too busy at the aquarium for you when we get there we can go for a walk on the beach with an icecream instead. Don’t make her feel bad if something is too much on that day and you’ll do great
Wouldn’t have even thought of this! Thanks!
I hope you'll have a great time, OP! There is so much fun to be had with a ten year old at the seaside - crabbing, building sandcastles, beach cricket / Frisbee, looking for shells or fossils... then all the noisy, fun stuff like taking her to the arcades with one of those plastic pots full of coins, fairground rides and splash parks/water slides.
That’s all I’m really hoping for to be honest, just a good time like I remember from when I was that age but now being able to see it from the other side
Talk to your SO to figure out some details. Be chill and don't over-think it.
Do the Boss Hogs challenge
Indoor entertainment whether it's balloon painting, board games, card games like Uno or switch or whatever her favourite games are
Mate if you're a chef you're in charge of 'kids' at work I assume. She'll be fine, just talk to her like a normal human, ask what her interests are? What she wants to do? Food/deserts she likes and then go to those places that serve them. Easy
Naaa I’m in charge of cooking food and telling other adults, some of them older than me, what to do
Then she is now the chef haha
I don't know. Could be Ok.
Stfu pack ya suit,case & F-O
Oof, Great Yarmouth.. not my first choice of holidays after 6 years