written by
Lottie Gross
updated 23.07.2024
To help you find destinations that are as much fun for children as for grown ups Rough Guides' family travel experts have put their heads together and come up with the top 30 best places to go with kids. So whether you want a relaxing beach break or something a little more adventurous, we've found somewhere in the world for every child and parent.
You might also want to take a look at our list magical places to visit with children. And if you're travelling with older kids finding ways to keep them wowed is easier with inspiration from our gallery of seriously weird places around the world.
Slovenia is a small but brilliant country, especially when it comes to places to go with kids. Rent a car and head north from the capital to Maribor, a compact city that's just a stone’s throw from active entertainment for all ages.
There’s canoeing on the river Drava in summer and skiing in the nearby resort of Pohorje in winter. In spring, try the resort’s single-track toboggan run that hurtles down the ski slopes at up to 30mph.
More adventure activities await on rafting tours of the Soča River. It's a thrilling adventure for the whole family, during which kids can learn about the sport from experienced local guides.
Alternatively, spend a day at Canyon Učja, the biggest zipline park in Europe, no less. Fearless teens will love flying on the 250 to 600 meters long ziplines which rise to 200 meters above the canyon of the river Učja.
Plan and book family breaks with Rough Guides Tailor-Made Trips to Slovenia. Take a look at sample itineraries like Treasures of Slovenia and use the details to create a personal itinerary for you and your kids.
Monteverde, Costa Rica © Shutterstock
Costa Rica is a world leader in eco and adventure tourism, with Monteverde as a prime example. About half this protected area is conserved as the Bosque Eternal de los Niños ("Children's Eternal Forest"), a huge stretch of lush cloud forest, rainforest and montane evergreen forest threaded with trails and full of wildlife-spotting opportunities.
As you'd expect, there are plenty of outdoor activities: hiking, camping, zip lines, canopy tours and horse riding.
Nearby Monteverde Cloudforest Biological Reserve offers yet more pristine forests and adventure activities, while Reserva Santa Elena even has pushchair-friendly trails.
Let kids explore the lush Monteverde cloud forest with a ride on the Sky Tram and an unforgettable hike over the Sky Walk Hanging Bridges.
Stop to spot monkeys and other rare animals, then gaze out over the beautiful Nicoya Gulf.
See sloths, toucans, monkeys and more on Rough Guides Tailor-Made Trips to Costa Rica. Take a look at sample itineraries like Beaches and Volcanoes and Tropical Costa Rica and use them to personalise your own itinerary.
Bali, Indonesia © Shutterstock
Bali has an enchanting Hindu culture and jaw-dropping tropical landscapes that will leave any family spellbound. But there’s also no shortage of fun activities to keep kids interested, from Ubud’s monkey forest and shadow puppet shows to waterfall swimming at Gitgit and dolphin-watching off Bali’s north shore.
When it’s time for tranquillity, the idyllic Gili islands are a short boat ride away. With white sands and still waters, Gili Air is the perfect place to enjoy the irresistibly slow pace of island life, although the turtle hatchery at Gili Meno is also worth a day trip.
Let kids learn to surf on Kuta Beach, one of the best beaches in Bali. Fully qualified instructors are English speaking and surfing lessons can include pick up from local hotels.
And don't forget to arm yourself with our Bali travel tips and our guide to the best time to visit Bali to make your family holiday even better.
Sail from Lombok and find out why Gili Nanggu is called Paradise Island on a snorkelling tour, which will often include visits to the islands of Gili Sudak and Gili Kedis.
Discover Rough Guides Tailor-Made Trips to Bali. Take a look at itineraries like Rest and Relaxation in Bali and Lombok and use them to personalise the ideal trip for you and your kids.
Havana, Cuba © Shutterstock
Beyond experiencing the faded grandeur of this exciting city, Havana has a host of places to go with kids.
For example, a tour of the planetarium walks you around four floors of rooms, charting a journey through the cosmos, from the Big Bang (represented by a light and sound display) onwards.
Or try Parque Almendares. As well as being a welcome expanse of greenery, it's also a perfect picnic spot and offers rowing on the river and crazy golf.
Plan and book a family trip with Rough Guides Tailor-Made Trips to Cuba. Have a look at our sample itineraries, like the active family adventure or a family, beach and culture trip, then personalise the details to suit your own family.
While Argentina isn't known as a family destination, it has a lot to recommend it. The food is delicious and kids will particularly appreciate the traditional heladerías, or ice cream parlours. There's also a stunning variety of landscapes and outdoor activities and the wildlife-spotting is second to none.
If you want to venture away from Buenos Aires, Rosario makes a good base. Not only does it have child-focused attractions like the Jardin de los Niños and the Museo de los Niños, but you can head out on river tours or rent a car and work your way north to the awe-inspiring Iguazú Falls.
Give your kids the incredible experience of the full force of Iguazu Falls on a boat tour of Gran Aventura before going on an adventure through the surrounding jungle in a 4×4.
Alternatively, you could go guided horseback riding in the Puerto Iguazú jungle and tour the historic missionary country before visiting the local Guaraní community.
Think about planning a family holiday with Rough Guides Tailor Made Trips to Argentina. Have a look at sample itineraries like Magical Patagonia and Buenos Aires for inspiration, then create your own family trip.
Hobbiton, New Zealand © Shutterstock
New Zealand is top of the most beautiful countries in the world, as voted by you. And while the country's North Island might not have snowcapped mountains, it doesn't skimp when it comes to dramatic scenery.
Kids will be enthralled by the sulphur stink at Rotorua, the tiny living lights in the glowworm caves of Waitomo and the bubbling pools at Hot Water Beach on the Coromandel Peninsula. If you hire a motorhome you can explore at your own pace.
These days it's impossible to separate New Zealand from the Lord of the Rings trilogy, and young fans will love the hobbit holes at Hobbiton, as well as Wellington's Weta Workshop, the centre of New Zealand's film industry, where kids can learn all about prop building and prosthetics.
Experience the magic of a guided Hobbiton Movie Set tour. Immerse yourself in the sights, smells, sounds and tastes of the Shire as featured in the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit trilogies.
Explore the world-famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves on a 45-minute guided tour. Glide by boat and marvel at the sight of magical glowworms above you.
Plan and book a family trip with Rough Guides Tailor-Made Trips to New Zealand. Have a look at our sample itineraries, like a self-drive trip to Auckland, then personalise the details to fit your own family.
Belize rainforest © Shutterstock
Not only is Belize one of the best of the world's smallest countries, it's also one of the safest and easiest in Central America countries to explore with children.
In addition to its colorful marine life and beautiful beaches, Belize provides tropical excitement in its malaria-free rainforest interior.
At Caves Branch Jungle Lodge near San Ignacio you can float downriver in an inner tube through luxuriant forests full of cheeky spider monkeys and squawking toucans, then wake up to a dawn chorus of chirping cicadas.
Or how about taking a half-day canoeing tour with kids? Drive through a Mennonite community to the remnants of an ancient Mayan civilization then explore the cool watery underground caverns of Barton Creek by canoe.
Consider planning a family holiday with Rough Guides' Tailor Made Trips to Belize. Browse sample itineraries like highlights of Guatemala and Belize for inspiration, before creating your bespoke family trip.
Colorado, USA © Shutterstock
You won't find finer views and cleaner air than in Colorado and if you're looking for a family trip that embraces the great outdoors, this state begs to be explored.
Start in the compact, mile-high city of Denver, from where it's a short drive to the sparkling alpine lakes and majestic peaks of the Rockies. Hidden further east is Colorado's answer to the Grand Canyon — the dramatic Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, one of America's most overlooked national parks.
Older kids with an interest in history will also be fascinated by the Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings at Mesa Verde in state's southwest corner.
Connect with nature on a day trip to Rocky Mountain National Park from Denver. See the Flatirons rock formations and Stanley Hotel from "The Shining" film, then stop for a picnic lunch.
Or you could uncover Denver’s dark history on a haunted walking tour of the city’s oldest neighborhood, Capitol Hill.
Kerala, India © Shutterstock
Kerala offers the Indian experience at a more manageable pace for families with babies or small children.
Start in quaint Fort Cochin, a small, chilled-out quarter of Kochi with good hotels and restaurants. The peaceful backwaters can easily be reached on a day trip from here, but if you want to overnight along serene waterways on a houseboat made of wood and palm leaves, start out from Alappuzha (Alleppey) or Kumbakonam.
Kids will also love the state’s national parks, with elephant spotting in Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, and for teenagers, there’s bamboo rafting.
Cruise the backwaters of Alleppey on a houseboat tour from Cochin. It'll have you exploring the famous inland waterways of Kerala, seeing traditional villages and learning about backwater life.
Enjoy a trip to the hill station of Munnar, 1700 meters above sea level. Most full-day tours from Kochi include visits to a tea museum as well as tea and spice plantations.
Discover Rough Guides Tailor-Made Trips to India. Take a look at itineraries like the Indian wildlife safari and use them to personalise the perfect family trip to work with ages and stages of your kids.
Kenya © Shutterstock
On the surface, this sprawling city doesn’t seem like one of the most sensible places to go with kids. But Nairobi has access to some wonderful child-friendly attractions.
For example, Nairobi National Park, where lions, leopards, giraffes and zebra roam free within sight of the city, is the perfect day trip for wildlife-watching.
Or, for a more hands-on experience, try the Giraffe Center where you can feed these elegant, long-necked beasts from a raised gallery. Alternatively, visit the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust where orphaned elephants are rehabilitated and prepared for life in the wild.
Editor's tip: read our guide to the best time to travel to Kenya and explore our Kenya itineraries for inspiration.
Thinking about a family trip to Kenya? Our guide to visiting Kenya with kids offers invaluable tips.
Tour Nairobi National Park on a full-day game viewing drive and discover the elephant orphanage and giraffe centre.
To experience spectacular natural beauty and legendary elephant herds, take an overnight safari trip to Amboseli National Park.
Plan and book a family wildlife experience with Rough Guides tailor-made trips to Kenya, such as our family safari in Kenya.
Puglia, Italy © Shutterstock
Puglia, in the heel of Italy’s boot, is a great choice for a family holiday in the sun. With no end of pristine beaches, the Salento peninsula is a highlight and the seaside town of Otranto, with its hulking castle, also has family-friendly appeal.
Editor's tip: want to see more of Puglia's coast? Read up on the 20 best beaches in Italy.
Inland Puglia is charming too, not least the fairytale trulli houses. Kids will love spotting these pint-sized limestone dwellings with conical roofs, which are dotted throughout the region.
Head to UNESCO-protected Alberobello for a town full of trulli. For added fun, you can even spend a night in one, or go on a trulli trail tour.with a local guide.
Picture you and your loved ones wandering pretty streets, visiting the famous houses and learning about the town's extraordinary history — magic.
Plan and book your next family holiday Rough Guides Tailor-Made Trips to Italy. Our local experts can create customised itineraries that are designed to suit your family.
Find more accommodation options in Puglia
In case you choose Rome for your Italian family trip, read about things to do there with kids.
The West Midlands are perhaps not the most obvious destination for a family holiday in England, but the region has tons of amazingly good fun activities for kids.
You can see big game at the West Midlands Safari Park or visit the Black Country Living Museum in Dudley to go back in time to the 1930s and eat the best chips ever. The secret is frying them in beef dripping.
Then there's Birmingham, which has an excellent Sea Life Centre. Or you could head to Derby, a pleasant gateway to the Peak District.
Book family tickets for Alton Towers Resort and try 40 rides and attractions including world-first rollercoasters and the UK’s only CBeebies Land.
And let's not forget the Severn Valley Steam Railway, which runs between Kidderminster and Bridgnorth.
Discover Rough Guides Tailor-Made Trips round England. Take a look at itineraries like the Great British Road Trip and use them to personalise the perfect family trip to work with ages and stages of your kids.
Bran, Romania © Shutterstock
For older children, Transylvania in Romania is a feast of freaky folklore. The historic city of Brasov is one of Rough Guides best things to do in Romania and it's near neighbour Bran Castle is one of the reasons it's a must-do with kids.
With its grim facade, turrets, ramparts, and precarious position, teetering atop a rocky bluff against a mountain backdrop, Bran Castle is the quintessential vampire count’s lair.
The historical figure behind Romania’s Dracula legend (Vlad Țepeş) is as terrifying as Bram Stoker’s fiction: he wasn’t known as “the Impaler” for nothing.
There are countless other atmospheric sites linked to the legend, not least Poenari Castle, where Vlad once lived, and the country’s “cult of the dead” is never far from the surface.
Book a Bran Castle guided tour with your kids to learn the infamous history as you explore its many rooms and hear real and fictional tales.
Travelling with wildlife-mad kids? Go on a small-group brown bear watching tour in Brasov to see these amazing animals in their natural habitat.
Royal Mile, Edinburgh © Shutterstock
The capital of Scotland has a small enough city centre to stroll around and hosts a number of fun and educational attractions for the whole family. And it also happens to be one of the most beautiful places in Scotland, as voted by Rough Guides readers.
But what makes Edinburgh really stand out are its festivals. There are 12 major festivals throughout the year, from a storytelling event and science festival, to the famous Fringe.
If you don't go during festival season, the Camera Obscura makes for some ridiculous family photos. Then of course, there's the Museum of Childhood, where you can get nostalgic and the kids can get hands-on.
Don't miss the magical guided Harry Potter walking tour round Edinburgh — the city where the world of Harry Potter was born. Kids can test their knowledge with an audio-visual quiz, find their Hogwarts' House, and visit Tom Riddle’s grave.
Take an Edinburgh underground vaults tour with older kids to explore beneath the Old Town. The vaults date back to the early 18th century and are packed with tales of murders, witches and other sinister happenings.
Book your family holiday in Scotland with Rough Guides Tailor-Made Trips. Take a look at itineraries like the Highland Tour and use them to personalise the perfect trip for you and your kids.
Camaret sur Mer, Brittany © Shutterstock
For a European bucket-and-spade holiday, it's hard to beat Brittany — the ruggedly beautiful northwest region of France.
For families it offers everything from charming seaside resorts and friendly campsites, to remote coves and rocky promontories.
For a first visit, base yourself in Saint-Malo, where a strip of gorgeous beaches stretches east from the winding streets of the old walled town.
Visit the Grand Aquarium of Saint-Malo with kids for hours of total immersion and discovery in the company of the 10,000 fish and other marine creatures.
Older kids can try windsurfing or catamaran sailing at the Saint-Malo surf school, while grown-ups will get to feast on fresh oysters and local ciders.
Tour Mont Saint-Michel and Saint-Malo to learn about the amazing history and architecture of both places — kids will love stories of pilgrims, pirates and famous explorers.
Plan and book a family break in Brittany with Rough Guides Tailor-Made Trips to France. Have a look at our sample itineraries, like the Northern France Tour, then personalise the details to suit the ages of your children.
Florida flamingoes © Shutterstock
Florida can't be beat on theme parks, but even if Orlando isn't your idea of a holiday, don't discount the Sunshine State.
In the Northeast you can drive on the beach at Daytona, or have your bones rattled on the Shuttle Launch Experience at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.
For something a little more serene, kids will be fascinated by gators in the subtropical wilderness of Everglades National Park, or you could head further up the coast to Tampa Bay and the northwest to swim with manatees in the Crystal River.
Enjoy a full day of unique experiences at the world's most authentic space attraction — the Kennedy Space Center.
Ready for an up close gator encounter? Try an Everglades National Park Airboat Tour, see the extraordinary wetlands with guides and take in a wildlife show where kids have the chance to hold a baby alligator.
Plan and book a family break in the US with Rough Guides US itineraries.
Toronto, Canada © Shutterstock
Toronto is a-buzz with kid-friendly activities, frommarvelling at the slick skyline and crisscrossing town on a streetcar t, o splashing out on a ticket to ascend the famous CN Tower, or seeing dinosaur bones and Native Canadian headdresses at the Royal Ontario Museum.
Chinatown and nearby Kensington Market are great browsing and wandering territory, and the Toronto Islands are only a ferry ride away.
Visit Niagara Falls from Toronto. Stopover in Niagara-on-the-Lake and view attractions such as the Floral Clock and Whirlpool Rapids, then enjoy up to a few hours at the falls.
Be sure to visit the Royal Ontario Museum. Canada's largest museum, it contains a world-class art collection and artefacts ranging from dinosaurs to mummies.
Plan and book a family break in Canada with Rough Guides recommended Canadian itineraries. Have a look at itineraries like Classic Canada or Best of the Maritimes, then personalise them to fit your family.
Isle of Wight, UK © Shutterstock
For the kind of nostalgic, bucket-and-spade holiday that brings back rosy memories of your own childhood, look no further than the Isle of Wight.
There’s plenty to keep kids entertained here, from rockpooling and playing on safe sandy beaches to a raft of old-school attractions, including a model village and a steam railway.
Don't miss Blackgang Chine, the UK’s oldest amusement park. Set in rambling cliff-top gardens, it's a child’s fantasy of pirates, cowboys and princesses, though the star turns are the life-sized animatronic dinosaurs.
To enjoy a spectacular view of the South Coast, visit the Emirates Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth. Then drop in on Shanklin, it's one of our top 30 best seaside towns UK.
To see how Victorian royalty lived, head to historic Osborne House. Reportedly Queen Victoria's favourite home, kids will love exploring the private beach and rambling round the adventure playground.
Alternatively, be captivated by Carisbrooke Castle, another of the island's royal residences and quite a bit older than Osborne House. This experience also offers sinister legends, and the bonus of cute Carisbrooke Donkeys.
Discover Rough Guides Tailor-Made Trips round England. Take a look at itineraries like England Historical Highlights and use them to personalise your perfect family trip.
Find more accommodation options in Isle of Wight
This landscape of rare geological youth feels utterly alive – the earth belches out gasses, waterfalls cascade as if bursting forth for the first time, and the Northern Lights dance around the skies. You can easily experience much of the wonder on day-trips from the pint-sized, child-friendly capital, Reykjavík.
The “Golden Circle” circuit is well established, while the otherworldly Blue Lagoon is also a simple excursion. Bathing in the Lagoon's warm waters with steam rising all around, children will feel like they’ve entered another realm. If you want to know more take a look at the best places to stay in Iceland.
You can also remind them, that Iceland is home to the Huldufólk, or “hidden folk”, magical creatures invisible to the human eye. Local residents believe in them so strongly that building projects have been diverted to avoid their supposed habitats.
Tour Iceland’s Golden Circle to experience stunning natural scenery and see the see the legendary Geysir area, as well as spectacular Gullfoss waterfall and Þingvellir National Park.
Enjoy an epic whale watching cruise of Faxaflói Bay from Reykjavik. Also keep your eyes peeled for dolphins, and if you or your kids don't spot a whale, you get another trip, free of charge.
Plan and book a family break with Rough Guides Tailor-Made Trips to Iceland. Have a look at our sample itineraries, like Landscapes and Lagoons, then personalise the details to suit yourself and your kids.
Zion National Park, Utah, USA © Shutterstock
If you’re looking to introduce young kids to the joys of the outdoors in Utah, spectacular Zion National Park is one of the most accessible places to start.
Shuttle buses and well-marked trails (starting at just half a mile long) make getting to the stunning waterfalls and wildlife of Zion Canyon a breeze.
Add in horseback rides, ranger-led youth tours and s’mores by the campfire in one of the park’s three campsites and you’ve got the makings of an unforgettable family trip.
Take kids on a Canyon tour of Zion National Park, during which you typically get to experience a thrilling UTV ride followed by a hike in the East Zion backcountry to see the famous Slot Canyon formations.
You could also look to book a sunset ATV adventure near Zion National Park to see spectacular Southern Utah and Sand Hollow State Park.
Plan and book a family break in the US with Rough Guides recommended US itineraries. Have a look at itineraries like the National Parks Loop or the Deep South and Florida, then personalise the details to suit your own family and the ages of your children.
Lake Retba, Senegal © Shutterstock
Senegal in Africa has a lot to offer families, from wide open beaches on the wild Atlantic coast to some seriously curious natural wonders.
There's the pink-hued Lake Retba, which, at its brightest, is a startling sight. There are undulating sand dunes ripe for you and your 4X4 to explore, and don't miss Ile de Fadiouth – a small island in the south made entirely from shells.
Go on a Senegal family safari with a local guide so you and your kids will have the opportunity to walk with lions at Fathala Wildlife Reserve — one of the country's most famous parks.
We also suggest touring the Pink Lake from Dakka or Saly to let kids see the wonderful waters of Lake Retba up close.
Antalya, Turkey © Shutterstock
Antalya in southern Turkey is packed with activities to keep the whole family entertained.
Behind Konyaaltı beach lies the Antalya Aquarium (complete with 4-D cinema), the Wildpark (devoted to insects and reptiles) and – for when the kids can't bear the heat – an indoor snow park.
Next door is Antalya Minicity, which has 1:25 scale re-creations of some of Turkey’s most iconic landmarks. The Toy Museum at Antalya’s harbour also provides a fun distraction from the beach.
Travelling with older kids? Check out booking a quad bike safari in the Taurus Mountains from Antalya. These jagged peaks divide the coastal region of southern Turkey from the Anatolian Plateau and make a thrilling adventure for older kids and teens.
For more ideas, read up on the best things to do in Turkey
Plan and book a family break in Turkey with Rough Guides recommended Turkey itineraries. Have a look at itineraries like The Turquoise Coast, then personalise the details to suit your own family and the ages of your children.
Tokyo, Japan © Shutterstock
There are loads of kid-friendly destinations in Japan, but when it comes places with activities all the family will enjoy – as with everything – you're spoiled for choice in Tokyo.
The Ghibli Museum and Odaiba are highlights, and the city has plenty of huge parks and interactive museums to explore together.
Tokyo Disneyland is also nearby, while Yokohama (for Chinatown and yet another ferris wheel), Kamakura and Nikkō (more nature and history, less neon) are all doable on a day trip.
Visit Tokyo Legoland Discovery Centre so kids can immerse themselves in an indoor world of play and learning surrounded by over 3 million LEGO bricks.
See Tokyo from the water on a river cruise from Asakusa to the city's Odaiba district. Sail along the Sumida River and Tokyo Bay and take in views of the Tokyo Skytree, Hamarikyu Garden, Rainbow Bridge and more.
Plan and book a family break with Rough Guides Tailor-Made Trips to Japan. Have a look at our sample itineraries, like Japan Highlights: Tokyo to Osaka, then personalise the details to suit yourself and your kids.
Mount Sorrow, Cape Tribulation, Australia
Cape Tribulation in Queensland is an amazing adventure for children, and adults too. With both lush forests and palm tree-lined beaches, there are plenty of activities on offer.
You can also take a boat trip from the cape to the Great Barrier Reef or trek through Daintree Rainforest on the look out for prehistoric cassowaries, avoiding crocodiles, spiders and snakes along the way. The brave might want to try a night-time rainforest walk, or a thrilling tree top jungle zip wire.
Thrill kids with an ocean safari off the Daintree Coast — an out-of-this world cruise that includes snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef with experienced local guides.
Take a tour of Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation by 4WD with friendly expert guides. Spot wildlife in their natural habitat, enjoy spectacular views and learn about the extraordinary environment.
Plan a family adventure with Rough Guides Tailor-Made Trips to Australia. Have a look at our sample itineraries, like Explore South Australia and the Northern Territory, then personalise the details to suit yourself and your kids.
Pembrokeshire puffins © Shutterstock
It's hard to choose one place to base yourself in Wales because the country is brimming with family-friendly holiday locations.
Pembrokeshire has beautiful beaches and a rugged coastline ripe for exploration, whether you want to take a walk on the Coast Path or get a bit more hands-on with some coasteering and kayaking.
Up in North Wales, adventure hubs like Zip World, where a four-person zip line is capable of speeds up to 100mph, and Bounce Below, a series of trampolines inside underground caves, are bound to keep kids happy.
See Snowdonia National Park from the water on a Llyn Padarn guided kayaking adventure. Paddle the glacial lake, enjoy fresh mountain air, see historic Welsh castles and even go for a swim.
Explore the stunning south east of Wales on a tour of the Wye Valley and Brecon Beacons — you'll get to see everything from Tintern Abbey to the dramatic Upper Wye Gorge.
Discover Rough Guides Tailor-Made Trips to Wales. Take a look at itineraries like the Great British Road Trip and use them to personalise the perfect family trip to work with ages and stages of your kids.
Maldives © Shutterstock
The Maldives might seem like a honeymoon-only destination, but if you're in the market for a dreamy family trip, bear in mind that most resorts are child-friendly, though it's best to check first to avoid being surrounded by just-married couples.
Rent a hut on the beach and children will spend hours playing in the white sand, jumping in waves and snorkelling in the shallow waters.
Many islands have swimming pools and offer beach games, kayak hire, and dolphin-spotting trips too, with diving courses for older children.
Plan and book a family break with Rough Guides Tailor-Made Trips to the Maldives. Have a look at our family-friendly itineraries, like Luxury Sri Lanka and the Maldives, then personalise the details to suit your kids.
Ang Thong Marine Park, Thailand
Ko Samui or Ko Lanta are great options for family holidays, with plenty of facilities and lots of distractions for kids. If the thought of resorts makes you shudder, Thailand has a well-developed traveller infrastructure making it fairly easy to head to a more secluded island or part of the mainland.
Thailand is especially great for kids in January – National Children's Day (second Saturday of the month) means free activities and public transport for children throughout the country.
Book an ethical elephant sanctuary tour in Ko Samui so your kids can spend time with elephants in their jungle home, and make some of the best holiday memories ever.
Enjoy a mangrove kayaking tour in Ko Lanta to explore an eco-paradise of wild jungle, incredible birds and untamed nature. Older kids and teens will love this adventure.
Plan and book a family trip with Rough Guides Tailor-Made Trips to Thailand. Have a look at our sample itineraries, like Thailand's Islands and Highlands then personalise the details to suit your own family.
Penguins near Cape Town, South Africa © Shutterstock
The outdoors is never far away in Cape Town, which makes the city a particularly great destination in South Africa for children.
It's hard to beat the city's fabulous beaches, the highlight of which for most kids is Boulders, home to a resident penguin-breeding colony. The beach at Fish Hoek, a little further north, boasts a playground alongside its beautiful beach and gentle waves.
Cape Town also offers an abundance of parks and open spaces – perfect for picnicking in fine weather, while for rainy days there's a handful of good, interactive museums.
Editor's tip: choosing the right season will greatly enhance your experience, so read our guide to the best time to visit Cape Town.
Visit Cape Point and Boulders Beach with your kids to see the famous penguin colony, and possibly spot whales at the right time of year.
Older kids will be fascinated by a Robben Island tour from Cape Town. Take a ferry to visit the prison where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned, then learn about South Africa's history from one of the former prisoners.
Plan and book a family break with Rough Guides Tailor-Made Trips to South Africa. Have a look at our family-friendly itineraries, like Complete Cape Town: Wildlife, Wine and Whales, then personalise the details to suit your kids.
Galapagos Islands © Shutterstock
The epic wildlife of the Galápagos Islands make adults feel like kids — and make kids feel like they just can't believe their luck.
They’ll tiptoe between giant tortoises, have birds land inches from their nose, splash around in the shallows with playful baby sea lions, and snorkel near hammerheads and enormous turtles.
When they tire of the wildlife one-on-ones, regale them with tales of 16th and 17th century pirates who hid out on the islands. The landscape remains (almost) exactly as those old sea dogs would have found it and there’s even some ancient pirate graffiti to boot.
Editor's tip: you'll enjoy your trip even more if you get the timing right. So, read our guide to the best time to visit Ecuador, and the best time to visit Galapagos Islands.
You may also find it useful to read our guide to Ecuador with kids, our Ecuador travel tips and information on what you need to know before traveling to Ecuador.
Visit Bartolome Island and Sulivan Bay with kids to see the exraordinary landscape of the Galápagos, play on beaches, and snorkel with penguins.
Take a boat tour of the Galápagos Islands to visit Tortuga Bay Beach, La Lobería, Canal del Amor and Playa de los Perros. Expect to see sea lions, marine iguanas, reef sharks, and much more.
Discover Rough Guides tailor-made trips to Ecuador. Take a look at itineraries like Wild Ecuador: from the Amazon to the Galapagos to spark ideas.
Tobago © Shutterstock
Tiny Tobago is perhaps the most laid back place in the Caribbean for kids as it provides dozens of activities and wildlife experiences, from beachside horse-riding to hummingbird spotting.
Instead of high-rise hotels you’ll find small-scale guesthouses accustomed to catering to families. Kids will love steel bands and street eats, fresh juice and safe swimming beaches. Just remember, once you've been "Tobagoed" you will want to go back.
Book a wildliife-watching tour of Tobago's Main Ridge Forest Reserve — the oldest protected nature reserve in the world, no less.
Take a nature and snorkelling boat trip to LIttle Tobago island from beautiful, secluded Batteaux Bay before heading over the headland to swim in Pirate's Bay, Charlotteville.
Plan a family break with Rough Guides recommended Trinidad & Tobago itineraries.
Follow our tips to make travelling with kids a smoother experience © Shutterstock
We've all been on an airplane with a crying baby or unruly toddler and felt the parent's pain. And we're not going to lie — long-haul travel with the whole clan can be challenging, but there are ways to make family travel go more smoothly.
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written by
Lottie Gross
updated 23.07.2024
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