vacation ideas for families with young children
Vacation Ideas for Families with Young Children
There are countless destinations which cater to families traveling with young kids. In the following article, we will go over some wonderful vacation ideas for families that wish to make their trips into unforgettable experiences for their kids...
Index
- Beach Holiday
- Camping Holiday
- Cruise Holiday
- Indoor Water Park Holiday
- Museum Holiday
- National Park Holiday
- Road Trip Holiday
- Ski Holiday
- Theme Park Holiday
- Zoo Holiday
Holiday for the Whole Family
As you read the rest of the article, you will find various ideas and options for a family vacation. Depending on the budget for the trip, you can zero in on one of the suggestions and make this trip the one everyone will talk about for years.
Warm Sun, Tropical Breeze, and Tranquil Waters![]()
There's no age limit when it comes to vacationing at a beach destination. The crystal-clear waters to swim and play in, golden sunshine, and abundant sand to make sand castles will appeal to many. With thousands and thousands of beautiful beaches the world has to offer, the task of choosing one of them can be overwhelming. What you need to keep in mind is the time of the year you are traveling to one of these destinations. Tropical weather is unpredictable and obtaining accurate weather conditions and temperature information will be the best technique to base your decision on.
There are countless beaches in the U.S. and around the world that are kid-friendly. With tons of activities to participate in, these beaches are often the first few preferences when it comes to taking a beach vacation. Take a look at the short list to see whether any of these places tempt you and work well in your budget.
So what you can do is decide whether you're taking the trip to a beach close to where you reside or go out of the country. Kids enjoy playing volleyball, bicycling, rollerblading, participating in water activities like bodyboarding, scuba diving, and snorkeling, and exploring the beach. Depending on how old they are, parents can engage their children in many such activities to make the trip entertaining for all.
In the U.S.
- Kauna'oa Beach, Big Island, HI
- Lanikai Beach, Oahu, HI
- Hanalei Bay, Kauai, HI
- Kaanapali Beach, Maui, HI
- Santa Monica Beach, Los Angeles, CA
- North Pacific Beach, San Francisco, CA
- Main Beach, Santa Cruz, CA
- Coronado Beach, San Diego, CA
- Siesta Beach, Siesta Key, FL
- Coast Guard Beach, Eastham, MA
- Nauset Light Beach, Eastham, MA
- Wrightsville Beach, New Hanover County, NC
Around the World
- Cove Beach, Turtle Island, Fiji
- Matamanoa Beach, Matamanoa Island, Fiji
- Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman
- Elafonisi Beach, Greece
- Petit Anse Beach, La Digue Island, Seychelles
- Anse Lazio Beach, Praslin Island, Seychelles
- Chaweng Beach, Koh Samui, Thailand
- Calangute Beach, Goa, India
- Palolem Beach, Goa, India
- Trou-aux-Biches, Mauritius
- Bronte Beach, Australia
- Henley Beach, Australia
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Living in Nature's Serenity![]()
With hectic lifestyles, we often forget to slow down and enjoy the little things. Camping provides everyone the much-need break and have a relaxing getaway with the family. Depending on where you reside, you can easily choose a safe campground that provides ample opportunities for entertainment for all. You can go camping during summers or winters and can find excellent campgrounds that require you to pay a minimal charge. Each of these sites have fire pits, charcoal grills, picnic tables, designated spaces to set up the tents, enclosed bathrooms and showers, trash containers, and drinking water. Also, you can involve the kids in some outdoor activities such as fishing, birdwatching, nature watch, rafting, photography, and so much more. With so many amenities and activities to indulge in, you don't require anything else to make camping vacations successful.
The best way to begin your search is by finding camping vacation packages that meet your needs. Choose camping sites that are in lush green parks, near coastlines or lakes, amongst the mountains, or in the country. Such trips help create memories for the entire family.
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Open Seas and Exotic Ports![]()
If you're planning on taking a family cruise, there are a few things to discuss before packing the luggage. First things first, what is your budget? There are tons of cruise packages which cater to families with young children and take you across the globe. Which is why, it is essential that you have your budget worked out. Secondly, you will pick a destination. Are you looking for a national or international cruise? The answer to this question will help you narrow down the search.
There are many cruise lines which offer wonderful, kid-friendly vacation packages that take you to exotic locations. Some of these cruise line are Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Lines, Disney Cruise Lines, Carnival Cruise Lines, and Princess Cruises. While aboard, there are a ton of recreational games like rock climbing, surfing, scavenger hunts, mini golf, ice skating, water slides, and swimming, teens-only sun decks, discos, and many offshore excursions like snorkeling, scuba diving, horseback riding, bicycling along the shores, and so much more. You can choose to take short cruises that last 4-6 days or take long cruises that allow you to visit plenty of destinations. One of the best reasons to take a cruise is - no airport security or hassle of changing flights. The entire family gets the opportunity to visit remote areas, learn about the culture, and experience life at sea.
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Water Slides and Funnel Rides![]()
What do kids love the most during summer holidays? They love to splash around in the swimming pool or at the beach. In short, they love the cool water that gives relief from the harsh summer days. The destinations or resorts that have indoor water parks will have to be searched considering where you reside. If there aren't any water parks in or near your county or city, you may want to search for resorts somewhere around your country.
Again, budget plays a huge role while deciding this trip. Once you get the admission tickets, you have the entire day to enjoy the rides. These parks have tube slides, body slides, water coasters, and many other water rides that'll keep the kids entertained. Now you don't necessarily have to take this vacation during summers. Why, you ask? It's because most of the indoor water parks are open year-round. When the temperature isn't permitting you to have fun outside, these indoor water parks will become a perfect getaway.
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Explore Natural History and Science Museums![]()
Many cities and countries have museums that cater to children, which make family vacations informative. Sometimes, the weather can prevent kids to spend their holidays outside. In which case, parents can plan museum visits or an entire vacation concentrating on educational fun. Children are impressionable and this is the time to get them excited about learning new things. Museums are one of the places that assist in developing kids' minds while entertaining them at the same. Apart from looking at artifacts, paintings, sculptures, etc., certain museums have exhibits that cater specifically to kids.
You can choose to visit the museums close to where you reside or take travel overseas as well. The decision lies entirely in your hands. We have made a short list of some of the best museums found in the United States and around the world.
Of course, there are many more museums that appeal to children and are dedicated entirely to them. With interesting and thought-provoking subjects to learn, these museums make one of the best vacations to take with children.
In the U.S.
- The National Museum of Play, Rochester, NY
- J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles, CA
- California Science Center, Los Angeles, CA
- National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
- Smithsonian Museums, Washington, D.C.
- Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia, PA
- Please Touch Museum, Philadelphia, PA
- Children's Museum of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
- Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL
- Kohl Children's Museum, Glenview, IL
- Children's Museum of Houston, Houston, TX
- Port Discovery Children's Museum, Baltimore, MD
- Madison Children's Museum, Madison, WI
- Minnesota Children's Museum, St.Paul, MN
Around the World
- Museo del Prado, Madrid, Spain
- State Hermitage, St. Petersburg, Russia
- Musée d'Orsay, Paris, France
- Centre Georges Pompidou, Paris, France
- Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie, Paris, France
- Eureka!, Halifax, England
- Tate Modern, London, England
- British Museum, London, England
- Bank of England Museum, London, England
- ZOOM Kindermuseum, Vienna, Austria
- Deutsches Museum, Munich, Germany
- Ateneum, Helsinki, Finland
- Hamilton Children's Museum, Ontario, Canada
- Papalote Museo del Niño, Mexico City, Mexico
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Breathtaking Mountains, Rainforests, and Waterfalls![]()
Visiting a national park in your state or country is one of the most satisfying and least-expensive way of taking a vacation. These parks are open year-round and offer many adventurous activities for everyone. There are many parks that don't charge an entrance fee; however, some have admission fee. So the first thing you want to do is decide which national park to visit with your children. You can plan to see the famous parks around the U.S. or take a trip overseas to see other wonderful parks the world has to offer. It is essential to read and research as much as you can about that particular park you're going to visit. Knowing what the park offers, its location, activities, sightseeing opportunities, weather, and possible risks is very important.
Once you have all the information, you will be able to enjoy a hassle-free vacation. Below we have mentioned some of the popular national parks in the United States and across the globe. Take a look.
There are around 100 countries in the world that have national parks; the list provides only handful of them.
In the U.S.
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park
- Grand Canyon National Park
- Yosemite National Park
- Sequoia National Park
- Yellowstone National Park
- Grand Teton National Park
- Rocky Mountain National Park
- Olympic National Park
- Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
- Bryce Canyon National Park
- Zion National Park
- Denali National Park and Preserve
- Blue Ridge Parkway
- Cuyahoga Valley National Park
- Acadia National Park
- Glacier National Park
- Everglades National Park
- Arches National Park
- Haleakalā National Park
- Mt. Rainier National Park
Around the World
- Fiordland National Park, New Zealand
- Kruger National Park, South Africa
- Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
- Manuel Antonio National Park, Costa Rica
- Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, Japan
- Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, Peru
- Kaieteur National Park, Guyana
- Tikal National Park, Guatemala
- Galápagos National Park, Ecuador
- Jaldapara National Park, India
- Bandhavgarh National Park, India
- Canaima National Park, Venezuela
- Iguazú National Park, Argentina
- Saba National Marine Park, Saba
- Torres del Paine National Park, Chile
- Namib-Naukluft National Park, Namibia
- Sagarmatha National Park, Nepal
- Kakadu National Park, Australia
- Swiss National Park, Switzerland
- Banff National Park, Canada
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The Open Roads Beckon![]()
A road trip doesn't require any introduction. Many families plan road trips as they are filled with excitement, adventure, and thrill. You never know what's going to happen when you're on the road. Also, such vacations scream 'spontaneity'. However, that won't be a wise thing to do. Of course, some planning is necessary; especially when there are kids involved. Planning is one of the most essential elements for a road trip; the second is a map. What you need to do is decide where your road trip will end. Although the journey is what counts most here, knowing where you will be ending this adventure is also necessary.
Keep the map with you at all times, have the important stops properly labeled, carry enough supplies to keep the kids entertained while on the road, and lastly, just have a great time. Apart from the 'important stops' you wish to make (sights to see along the way), do make unscheduled stops as well (if something catches your eye).
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Snow-clad Mountains and Cozy Lodges![]()
Spend your days skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, snowshoeing, and sledding, and have the time of your lives. Adventure-loving families should definitely take such vacations as it not only enhances their skills, but it also gives them an opportunity to spend quality time together. There are many mountain ski resorts that cater to several such outdoor activities. Now if you've never been skiing before, you don't necessarily have to disregard this idea altogether. You can easily learn how to ski and snowboard as there are instructors at these resorts to help you out. With skiing areas that range from beginners to experts, a skiing vacation is possible for all.
There are many ski resorts which cater to families traveling with kids. Here's a small list of some of the famous destinations to ski, snowboard, snowshoe, sledge, and cross-country ski in the United States and around the world.
Please research as much as you can about the destination you choose before you reach there. It's necessary to know whether the mountain slopes are preferable for beginners or experts.
In the U.S.
- Park City, Utah
- Lake Tahoe, California
- Mammoth Lakes, California
- Truckee, California
- Lake Placid, New York
- Big Sky, Montana
- Aspen, Colorado
- Telluride, Colorado
- Vail, Colorado
- Jackson, Wyoming
- Bend, Oregon
- Taos, New Mexico
- Anchorage, Alaska
- Girdwood, Alaska
- Stowe, Vermont
Around the World
- Gulmarg, Kashmir, India
- Mauna Kea, Big Island, Hawaii
- Zermatt, Switzerland
- Gstaad, Switzerland
- Chamonix, France
- Pic du Midi, Pyrenees, France
- Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy
- Wanaka, New Zealand
- Queenstown, New Zealand
- Mont-Tremblant, Quebec, Canada
- Whistler, British Columbia, Canada
- Niseko, Japan
- Kitzbühel, Austria
- Arlberg, Austria
- Mount Buller, Australia
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One-of-a-kind Roller Coaster Rides![]()
If you think that theme parks or amusement parks are one of the places where kids go wild, you won't be wrong. With new roller coaster rides and attractions, theme parks are loved by all. When the weather is absolutely amazing and you're in the need to spend the day riding adrenaline-fueled roller coasters, you know you need to take that vacation soon. Theme parks are family and kid-friendly as children are their biggest customers. Most of these parks offer one-day, two-day, or even annual passes. Depending on how frequently you and your family like to visit theme parks, you can purchase the tickets accordingly.
There are many parks that can be visited by families and all offer the same thing - fun. As there are hundreds of big and small theme parks found all over the world, we are going to provide you with a small list of popular parks. Here they are.
Disney theme parks are some of the most popular amusement parks around the world. However, there are other famous parks that have amazing rides and attractions that has children asking for more.
In the U.S.
- Busch Gardens, VA and FL
- Discovery Cove, FL
- Walt Disney World, FL
- Universal Studios, FL
- Islands of Adventure, FL
- Cedar Point, OH
- Legoland California
- California's Great America
- Six Flags Magic Mountain, CA
- Gilroy Gardens, CA
- Universal Studios Hollywood, CA
- SeaWorld, CA
- Disneyland, CA
- Hersheypark, PA
- Sesame Place, PA
Around the World
- Thorpe Park, England
- Blackpool Pleasure Beach, England
- Parc Astérix, France
- Hong Kong Disneyland
- Disneyland Paris
- Legoland Malaysia
- Ratanga Junction, South Africa
- Jinling Happy World, China
- Mirabilandia, Italy
- Lotte World, South Korea
- Everland, South Korea
- Efteling, Netherlands
- Hopi Hari, Brazil
- PortAventura, Spain
- Europa-Park, Germany
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In the U.S.
- San Diego Zoo and Safari Park, CA
- Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, OH
- Cincinnati Zoo, OH
- Lion Country Safari, FL
- Disney's Animal Kingdom, FL
- Phoenix Zoo, AZ
- Bronx Zoo, NY
- Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, NE
- National Aquarium, MD
- National Zoo, Washington, D.C.
- SeaWorld, CA, TX, and FL
- Fort Worth Zoo, TX
- Houston Zoo, TX
- Riverbanks Zoo and Garden, SC
Around the World
- Zoo Basel, Switzerland
- ZooParc de Beauval, France
- National Zoological Gardens, South Africa
- Berlin Zoological Garden, Germany
- Singapore Zoo
- Toronto Zoo, Canada
- Calgary Zoo, Canada
- Tiergarten Schönbrunn, Austria
- Edinburgh Zoo, Scotland
- Whipsnade Zoo, England
- Banham Zoo, England
- Zoo Praha, Czech Republic
- Taronga Zoo, Australia
- Monarto Zoo, Australia