Planning attractions for next year
At a Glance
• An early Easter in 2027 is squeezing more families into the same August weeks, so attractions need to handle peak demand.
• Families want outdoor play, and multi-generational groups want activities everyone can join.
• Weatherproof, easy-to-run attractions help you earn for more of the year.
• Use our checklist to plan your 2027 activity programme.
Getting ahead of next season
Most operators are already thinking about next season. The decisions you make this autumn on attractions, activity zones and staffing will shape guest reviews and on-site spend well into 2027.
Next year brings a few changes worth planning around. Here’s what we’re seeing and what it means for your venue.
The 2027 August squeeze
Easter falls early in 2027, and some UK holiday park operators, including Woolacombe Bay, have flagged that this is squeezing the school holiday calendar. The result is more families booking into the same peak weeks in August.
In our view, that has four knock-on effects for operators:
• More guests on site at once. Activities need to handle higher throughput without long queues.
• Fewer peak weeks to earn in. Anything that increases spend per guest during those weeks matters more than ever.
• More pressure on staff. A shorter, busier window means attractions need to be easy to run and quick to train on.
• Reviews at stake. A packed park with nothing to do is a fast route to poor reviews.
This is where bookable activities come into their own. At Haven, the Adventurer is listed as “Kart Hire” in the guest app, where families pre-book slots. That spreads demand across the day, keeps queues down at peak and turns every session into guest spend.
Families want room to play outside
According to Mintel, more than a third of family holidaymakers say having somewhere their children can play outside and explore is an important factor when choosing a holiday.
That’s a strong case for outdoor adventure play. It also means guests are judging your venue on the activities, not just the accommodation. Bookable outdoor experiences give children a highlight to remember and give parents a reason to come back for another short break.
Aqualand’s electric ride-on vehicles are built for younger guests, getting children outdoors and driving through a natural off-road environment.
• Adventure-Trukz® two-seater electric ride-on vehicles give children a proper driving experience (ages 4 to 14).
• Crazi-Bugz® add a second ride-on option (ages 6 to 14).
Tracks don’t need a lot of space. They can be designed to fit smaller areas or larger open ground, and dual track layouts let you run both vehicles side by side. Track designs can also be tailored to your venue, creating an experience guests won’t find anywhere else.
Plan for the whole family, not just the kids
Holiday parks increasingly want activity zones where grandparents, parents and children can all join in together. Attractions that only suit one age group leave the rest of the party watching from the side.
When planning attractions for next year, look for activities that work across all ages:
• Strikr9®, our footpool activity, is easy to pick up whatever your age or ability.
• BucketGolf gives families a relaxed, competitive game they can play together.
• Adventure-Trukz® two-seater electric vehicles let a child take the wheel with a sibling, friend, parent or grandparent riding alongside.
A mix like this means more of the group takes part, and more of the group spends.
Make your calendar weatherproof
UK weather is the biggest risk to any outdoor programme. Operators are increasingly looking for ways to protect bookings outside of the summer peak, from covered areas to activities that can run through the shoulder season.
When you’re comparing attractions, ask:
• Can it run in light rain or cooler weather?
• Can it be placed under cover or moved indoors?
• Will it still earn outside of the school holidays?
The more months an attraction can earn in, the stronger the return on your investment. Strikr9® is a permanent installation that can go indoors or outdoors, and our off-road vehicles are built to run year-round in UK conditions.
Keep it simple for your team
With staffing costs rising and peak weeks getting busier, attractions need to be straightforward to operate. Before committing, check what support comes with the product. Full staff operational training, clear infrastructure guidance and ongoing support all make a difference when your team is under pressure in August.
A quick checklist for 2027 planning
• Can it handle peak-week throughput without long queues?
• Does it appeal to every age in a family group?
• Does it create a bookable, chargeable experience?
• How does it cope with UK weather?
• How much staff training and support is included?
• Can it be branded to fit your venue?
Start planning now
Lead times for new attractions mean the decisions you make in the next few months will determine what’s ready for 2027’s peak. If you’re reviewing your activity programme, take a look at how other operators have introduced our attractions, or get in touch to talk through what would work for your venue.
Plan. Play. Profit.®
