A study found six out of ten parents have taken their children to beaches, resorts or countries they have fond memories of visiting whilst growing up.

Parenting on Female First

Parenting on Female First

Among the most popular countries families’ head to are France, Spain, Italy and Portugal, while others head to locations closer to home, according to the report.

The study was commissioned by Eurocamp to coincide with their 40th Anniversary, and revealed that, for one third of adults, their fondest memories are actually of traditional family breaks and holidays.

Spokesman Chris Hilton said: “It’s heart-warming to learn that parents enjoyed their holidays as kids so much that they are hoping to recreate them for their children.

“It’s only natural that parents want to give their children a holiday to remember, and it’s a credit to their own mum and dad who provided them with holidays that they are still treasuring well in to adulthood.

“The research revealed that most memories parents were wanting to recreate were simple things such as camping, swimming, cycling, fishing and long walks.”

One in five adults polled said they wanted their children to have the same experiences that they did as a child, while 57 per cent said they wanted to try and relive holidays they had 20 or 30 years ago.

So much so that one out of five has even booked exactly the same hotel, campsite or cottage that they stayed in as a kid, and more than a quarter head off to the same resorts.

Nearly half of the adults that took part in the survey admitted they are also trying to relive their childhood by taking the kids on the same holidays.

And more than eight out of ten said it was their aim to take the kids on holidays they will treasure forever.

Two-thirds of the adults polled said they want their children’s childhood years to replicate their own, with 67 per cent saying they are trying to teach them the same principles they learnt.

One third said they also take their young kids on similar days out.

Of the parents polled, eight in ten said their children enjoyed family breaks as much as they did, and 53 per cent said it was beneficial for their kids to see where the parents went on holiday as children.

Parents said 12 was the best age for children to enjoy family holidays with France, Spain and the UK named as the best locations.

Two thirds said family holidays were much more simple affairs years ago as there wasn’t the element of having to ‘out-do’ each other and keep up with the Jones’.

Half said it was because holidays were free from technology and you really had chance to wind down from work without the interruption of emails, texts and phone calls.

Chris added: “It’s becoming very common place for grandparents to join on a family holiday.

“No doubt it shares the load of childcare but it makes the holiday all the more memorable if the whole family are there.”

The study also found that 43 per cent of families invite the grandparents along on the annual holiday, and one in five said they do this because the holiday resembles their childhood.

But a more honest 30 per cent said they invite their own parents to help with caring for the kids.