Looking for somewhere a little different for your next family holiday? Here are 10 of the coolest and best vacation spots for kids — the kind of destinations that will have your children racing to tell their “holiday news” the minute school is back.
The Black Forest
Renowned for its beautiful scenery, the Black Forest in south west Germany is also a genuinely family-friendly destination, with plenty of activities to keep kids busy. The region has long been recognised for its family-holiday quality — many of its towns hold Baden-Württemberg’s “Leo Luschtig” family seal, awarded to destinations that cater fully to children’s needs and interests.
The spa town of Baden-Baden and the unofficial capital, Freiburg, with its tall cathedral, make lovely day trips, as does a visit to Germany’s oldest amusement park at Tripsdrill or the larger Europa Park in Rust.
Staying on a farm is one of the best ways to experience this part of Germany, letting kids get up close with the animals and farm life. You’ll find plenty of options on the Schwarzwald website, and more inspiration on the official tourism website.
Sweden
Sweden is well known as a winter destination, but visit in summer and you’ll find a wonderfully outdoorsy, family-friendly country. Think forests, rivers, sea islands, castles, palaces and Viking settlements.
Sweden’s big three cities — Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö — offer everything from museums to theme parks, including the famous open-air museum and zoo Skansen.
For something quieter, consider a cabin or summer cottage on a lake — there are plenty listed on Airbnb.
The Visitsweden.com website has lots more suggestions.
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Ostend
Ostend is Belgium’s biggest and best-known coastal resort — a cosmopolitan town with plenty to see and do. You’ll enjoy the seaside with miles of sandy beach to play on, and the food is wonderfully child-friendly: waffles, chocolate, shrimp and frites all round.
Explorado is a fascinating play and learning world built around science and adventure. Or take the family aboard the sailing ships Mercator and Amandine, now museums you can climb and explore.
Stop by Leopold Park too, home to the famous flower clock made up of thousands of flowers and plants.
More ideas on the Visit Ostende website.
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Pacific Northwest USA
The cities of Seattle and Portland, about three hours’ drive apart, make a great twin-destination family holiday. Both are relaxed cities with plenty for the whole family to enjoy — and excellent coffee for tired parents.
In Seattle, we recommend:
- Pike Place Market (watch out for the fishmongers tossing fish around!)
- Seattle Aquarium
- Riding the Monorail to the iconic Space Needle
- EMP Museum of Music
- Day trips to the islands for whale watching
More info on the Visit Seattle website.
In Portland, we recommend:
- Oregon Museum of Science and Industry
- Portland Children’s Museum
- Portland Aerial Tram
- A stop at the famous VooDoo Doughnuts
More info on the Travel Portland website.
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Girona
Most people only know Girona as a Ryanair gateway to Barcelona — which is a shame, because Girona is a beautiful medieval walled city well worth a visit in its own right.
It has a well-preserved Jewish Quarter, a baroque cathedral, and plenty of cafés and little shops lining its narrow streets. Both the Old Town and the New Town across the river are highly pedestrianised, so you won’t need a car during your stay.
You’re also within easy reach of Barcelona (about an hour by train or bus) for a day trip to see Gaudí’s architecture or tour the famous stadium, Camp Nou.
You might also enjoy Top 10 Things to Do in Barcelona with Teens or Tweens
Gdansk
The beautiful port city of Gdansk in Poland, on the Baltic Sea, has cosy streets and pretty buildings, and is ideal for cycling and walking, with plenty of paths to explore.
It’s also home to one of Poland’s largest zoos in Oliwa, which includes a rope park for parents and kids alike.
Sopot Beach is well worth a visit — by August the water is usually warm enough for swimming, and it’s a lovely beach for strolling and hunting for amber that sometimes washes ashore.
You could also take a boat ride to Hel, a charming fishing village a couple of hours away, or visit Kolibki Adventure Park and Loopy’s World for trampolines, climbing and sliding fun.
More info on the Gdansk website and family-friendly hotel options on TripAdvisor.
Isle of Mull
Mull is the second largest island of the Inner Hebrides (after Skye), off Scotland’s west coast. It offers wonderful scenery and the chance to spot whales, dolphins and the UK’s largest eagle population — we spotted a sea otter and seals on our own visit.
The main town, Tobermory, may be familiar as the setting of the children’s programme Balamory. Be sure to visit Calgary Bay on the west coast for a fantastic beach, and nearby at Dervaig, the Old Byre Heritage Centre has a great play area.
At Craignure, you might enjoy the Bird of Prey Centre and a narrow-gauge railway ride to Torosay Castle.
If you’re up for a long drive, consider visiting Iona. The ferry point is at Fionnphort, and it’s a short (four-minute!) crossing to an island that’s played a key role in Scotland’s history, home to a famous abbey. Weather permitting, you can also take a boat trip to Staffa to see puffins up close.
More information on the Isle of Mull website and Undiscovered Scotland.
Champagne
Not far from Paris or Disneyland Paris, Champagne is a lovely region with historic medieval towns, pretty scenery — and, of course, the famous bubbly.
Troyes is a charming town of cobbled streets and half-timbered houses, also known for its discount shopping. Langres is a small town on a plateau with stunning views and a tourist train, without the tourist-trap prices.
The cathedral city of Rheims is worth a stop for one of France’s most impressive gothic cathedrals, where many French monarchs were crowned. It’s a very walkable city too.
Don’t miss the Ardennes in the far north, on the Belgian border, with wild landscapes and great outdoor options like hiking, cycling and boating. The region’s main town, Charleville-Mézières, hosts an international puppet festival every three years but is worth visiting any time for its lovely 17th-century palace.
More information on the Champagne Ardennes Tourism website.
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Iceland
With stunning, otherworldly scenery — volcanoes, geothermal pools, geysers, the Northern Lights and unusual food — Iceland belongs on every family’s bucket list.
Reykjavik, the capital, is a very walkable city, with the spaceship-like church Hallgrímskirkja standing as the tallest structure in the country.
Take a warm swim in the world-famous Blue Lagoon, a giant natural hot tub complete with caves, swim-up bars and massaging waterfalls.
The Golden Circle is the most popular route from Reykjavik, taking in the national park at Thingvellir, the Gullfoss waterfall, and the geothermal valley of Haukadalur, home to the Geysir and Strokkur geysers. Kids will love stepping between continents and watching the geysers erupt.
For a longer adventure, the Ring Road circles the entire country, passing black-sand beaches, volcanoes, fjords, crater lakes and glaciers. It’s a long drive, so pack plenty to keep everyone entertained along the way.
You might find 30 of the most entertaining car games handy
San Antonio
San Antonio, Texas is a fantastic, interesting and genuinely family-friendly destination, with plenty to keep everyone busy.
The city’s River Walk, or Paseo del Rio, sits quietly below street level and just steps from the Alamo. You can ride a river cruiser, rent a bicycle, or simply wander on foot, taking in the shops, cafés and restaurants along the way.
A few of the kid-friendly highlights:
- The San Antonio Botanical Garden, where you can explore the striking Lucile Halsell Conservatory or walk the Texas Native Trail.
- The Doseum, San Antonio’s children’s museum, with hands-on exhibits both indoors and out for curious kids of all ages.
- Louis Tussaud’s Wax Works, Ripley’s Believe It or Not and Ripley’s Moving Theater 4D, good for hours of fun.
- The Alamo, famous for the small band of Texans who held out for thirteen days against the Mexican army, with exhibits on the Texas Revolution and Texan history.
You’ll find plenty more ideas on the Visit San Antonio website.
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Have you visited any of these cool destinations? Tell us what you thought in the comments below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which of these destinations is best for younger children?
Destinations with easy-to-navigate towns and gentle outdoor activities — like Ostend, Girona or the Isle of Mull — tend to work well for younger kids, since there’s less driving involved and plenty of easy, hands-on attractions close together.
Which of these spots suit older kids and teens better?
Iceland and the Pacific Northwest (Seattle and Portland) offer more adventurous days out — think geysers, glaciers, museums of music and science — that tend to appeal to tweens and teens.
Do I need to hire a car for these trips?
It depends on the destination. Girona and Ostend are highly walkable and pedestrian-friendly, so you can skip the car hire. Others, like Iceland’s Ring Road or exploring the Isle of Mull, are much easier — and more scenic — with your own car.
What’s the best time of year to visit?
It varies by destination. Sweden and the Isle of Mull are at their best in the warmer summer months, while Iceland can be visited year-round depending on whether you’re chasing the Northern Lights or the midnight sun. Check each destination’s official tourism site for seasonal advice before you book.
Are these family holiday ideas budget-friendly?
Costs vary a lot by destination, season and how you travel, so it’s worth checking current prices directly with each destination’s tourism board or your travel provider before booking. Self-catering options — like cabins in Sweden or apartments in Girona — can help keep costs down.
More Family Travel Ideas
If you enjoyed this guide, you might also like:
- Top Tips for Travelling with Toddlers
- The Best 10 Spots for Family Camping in Europe
- 10 Free Things to Do in Paris with Kids
- 10 Best Austrian Ski Resorts for Kids and Families
- 15 Best Apps for Kids When Travelling
Save This for Later
Planning a family holiday takes time, so why not save this list of the coolest and best vacation spots for kids for whenever you’re ready to book? Browse our other travel guides for more inspiration on where to take the family next.
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