IT was supposed to be a fun-filled holiday activity – a chance for her son to enjoy some supervised play.
Instead, a recent kids’ club experience left mum Charlotte deeply disheartened, making her question the idea of leaving children in such an environment.
Charlotte has revealed her thoughts on summer kids clubs[/caption]
Her candid account, shared with her followers on TikTok, has struck a chord with many parents.
“Whoever puts their kids into kids’ club on holiday needs to give their head a f****** wobble,” Charlotte declared in a video that has since gained 603.4k views after being posted on 18 June.
Charlotte, known as ‘charlotteblandfordtagg’ on TikTok, was on holiday in Spain with her son Freddie when she decided to pop to the shops for some food.
Hoping to leave him in the kids’ club for around 20 minutes, she thought it would be a simple solution.
She recounted feeling flustered upon arriving at the club, but what she found inside was far more concerning.
“The atmosphere’s dead,” she described. “There’s no kids playing. Kids are just literally bundled up on these tables.
“They’re not even being naughty. They’re literally just sat there, with no one’s talking.”
This was particularly shocking to Charlotte since the session had been marketed as a superhero arts and crafts event.
Yet, according to her, “there was nothing out on the table, so it was just bare tables.”
Charlotte could tell her son wasn’t keen on going in, but she reassured him that she wouldn’t be long.
The most heartbreaking moment came as she watched Freddie’s attempts to fit in.
She described how he approached a table, trying to find a spot, but no one acknowledged him.
“He went over to one table, and none of the kids moved to let him sit down. Then he tried another one, and then another one, but no one helped him,” she explained.
Seeing her son’s sadness, Charlotte knew she couldn’t leave him there.
‘Really sad’
Calling his name, she watched as he turned to look at her with a “really sad” expression before telling her he wouldn’t stay.
Despite the staff’s attempts to encourage them to remain, Charlotte was unwavering in her decision to leave.
Her message to other parents was clear.
In her video, she addressed those who send their children to holiday clubs, urging them to consider that the kids might not be enjoying themselves.
I will never understand anyone who puts their kids in a kids club
TikTok comment
Instead of leaving Freddie at the club, Charlotte chose to spend some quality time with her boys – a decision she felt was far more worthwhile.
Her video gained 587 comments as many people rushed to share their thoughts – with some being mixed.
One wrote: “Unpopular opinion…..don’t take them if you’re going to chuck them into a kids club. Spend quality time with them!”
A second added: “Parents who judge other parents need to give their heads a wobble.”
Summer kids clubs are often in particular holiday resorts[/caption]
And a third commented: “NEVER would I ever leave my child in a random kids club unattended abroad, absolutely not.”
While a fourth said: “I will never understand anyone who puts their kids in a kids club.”
But someone else replied: “Because some kids want to go.
“My daughter loves it, it’s an hour/two hours out of a day. My daughter did baking, games, shows, almost its ace.”
Where can kids eat for free this summer?
THE summer holidays are here, but entertaining the kids need not cost a fortune.
Here, we reveal where you can get free and cheap meals for your little ones during the ‘endless’ summer holidays.
ASDA CAFE: Nip into an Asda cafe to feed the kids after the weekly shop.
Under-16s get a hot or cold meal for £1 at any time of day.
Little ones are covered, too.
Kids under 18 months get a free Ella’s baby food pouch with any purchase.
BEEFEATER: This family-friendly pub chain makes mornings a breeze.
Two kids under 16 eat for free with the purchase of an adult breakfast for £10.99.
It’s available from 6.30am to 10.30am midweek and 7am to 11am at weekends.
BELLA ITALIA: Book a table and order an adult meal at the Italian eatery for kids aged two to 11 to get three courses and a drink for £1.
Offer valid between 4pm and 6pm on Sundays to Wednesdays.
On Thursdays, kids eat free all day when an adult meal is ordered from the a la carte menu.
DUNELM: Make homeware shopping a fun day out.
Dunelm’s Pausa Cafes are offering free kids’ meals for every £4 spent on their food or drink.
Available all day, every day.
BILL’S: Dine in at a Bill’s restaurant to get up to two free kids’ meals (normally £6.95 each) with an adult meal.
Valid weekdays only until August 30.
IKEA: Make it a food day at the Swedish home store.
On every day except Fridays, enjoy a pit stop at their famous cafe from 11am to get a kids’ pasta or mac and cheese dish for 95p.
Other mini meals are available for £1.50.
PIZZA EXPRESS: Kids up to age ten can get a free three-course Piccolo meal including dough balls, pizza or pasta and dessert with every adult meal purchased.
The offer runs every day until August 11.
TESCO: Pop to the supermarket cafe from Monday to Friday until August 30 for free kids’ meals when an adult buys any item in the cafe.
You must have a Clubcard to redeem the offer.
THE RANGE: Kids under 16 get one free meal per adult main purchased at The Range cafes.
Options include sandwiches, a cooked breakfast and fish and chips.
All kids’ meals come with a piece of fruit and a drink.
