Holidays leave you and your kids with memories to cherish for a lifetime. Therefore, choosing the right destination is crucial when taking your kids on a holiday. Thankfully, you’ll have endless options when looking for child-friendly destinations. Some are home to theme parks offering nonstop thrills, while others allow you and your kids to soak up stunning natural scenery, delve into culture and history, and take on fun adventures.
If you need recommendations on where to go, here’s a roundup of some of the best cities for child-friendly holidays.
1. Paris, France
While the City of Lights conjures images of romance, it’s also a child-friendly city, offering plenty of fun activities and attractions to do with your kids. The key to a successful family holiday in Paris is to plan activities centred on fun adventures while giving your little ones time to relax.
Cruising along the River Seine is one of the best things to do in Paris with kids. It’s one of the best ways to admire the city at night, including its most famous landmarks, such as the Eiffel Tower and the Notre Dame Cathedral. Some cruises include dinner, which makes for an even more enjoyable experience.
A family trip to Paris should include a visit to the Luxembourg Gardens. It’s an incredible place to visit, especially for families with little kids. Your kids will have a great time running around the gardens and having fun in the playground. You’ll also find a puppet theatre and a carousel across the playground.
Whether you have little kids or teens, Disneyland Paris is a fun place to visit for the entire family. Your kids will love seeing their favourite Disney characters and trying themed rides. Even if you’ve been to other Disneyland locations, the one in Paris is worth checking out.
2. London, England
London is perfect for families looking for theatre breaks with kids. In addition, the city has numerous historic sites, family-friendly restaurants, and beautiful parks, giving you and your kids plenty to explore. As one of the world’s most child-friendly cities, travelling to London with kids is fun.
While some of the top activities in London with kids have something to do with exploring the outdoors, there are also indoor attractions to keep the kids busy during rainy days. The newly opened Twist Museum in central London is one of these. Your kids will enjoy various exhibits to challenge their senses through colour, shapes, and perspective.
Watching a theatre performance is another indoor activity for families visiting London. If your kids love going to the theatre, take them to London’s Shakespeare Globe Theatre, where they can listen to storytellers sharing interesting stories about King Henry and his battle with the French.
3. Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona is an incredibly family-friendly city. The locals love hanging out with the kids, and families are welcome everywhere in the city. It’s a place that appeals to visitors of all ages, from the magnificent masterpieces of Gaudi to the city’s beautiful beaches.
One thing that makes Barcelona a child-friendly city is it has many beautiful parks with playgrounds. As you wander around the city, you can make regular stops at parks and take advantage of its amenities, including shaded areas for picnics. Of all the parks in Barcelona, Parc de la Ciutadella is the most popular. It’s an oasis for families to hang out and enjoy a picnic.
Barcelona’s beaches are the best places to relax and hang out with your kids. While Barceloneta, the city’s most famous beach, is often crowded with locals and tourists, it’s still a great place to chill and build sandcastles.
Riding one of Barcelona’s cable cars is one of the best things to do in the city. There are two cable cars in the city. One gets you to the top of Montjuic and another towards Barceloneta Beach. Both offer incredible city views and a fun experience with your little ones.
4. Orlando, Florida
Home to some of the world’s most famous theme parks, Orlando is undoubtedly one of the world’s most child-friendly cities. The city is fast evolving, so there is always something new to explore, no matter how often you visit.
Families can plan an all-inclusive to Disney World in Orlando, a great way to have fun with the kids. No visit to the city is complete without a visit to this world-famous theme park. As one of the city’s most famous theme parks, Walt Disney has two water parks and countless other themed attractions to entertain kids of all ages.
Another popular attraction to visit with the kids is the Kennedy Space Centre, where your kids can learn about space exploration and history. It’s a fantastic opportunity for them to get up close and personal with spacecraft and meet some astronauts.
If your kids are fond of wildlife, take them to Gatorland, home to thousands of alligators, crocodiles, and other animals, such as snakes and panthers. On some days, you can watch staff feed and hold the alligators!
5. Edinburgh, Scotland
Edinburgh is an incredible choice if you are looking for a fun city break with kids. It’s one of Europe’s most child-friendly cities, with many things to see and do for kids of all ages. While Edinburgh Castle is the most popular attraction, you’ll find many other incredible places to explore, including those that are JK Rowling’s inspiration for Harry Potter.
The Greyfriars Kirkyard is a must-see for every Harry Potter fan. It’s believed to be the resting place of Tomas Riddell, McGonagall, and other characters from the film.
If your kids love culture and history, visit the National Museum of Scotland. The vast museum features intriguing collections, including dinosaur exhibits and F1 racing cars.
One of Edinburgh’s most stunning viewpoints is Carlton Hill, much quieter than Arthur’s Seat and Edinburgh Castle. It’s a popular place to take scenic treks with kids and has a relatively easy path to take you to the top of the hill.