trip for 5 year old girl

• Last Updated On
• October 17, 2023

13 Best Vacations for Kids Under 10 Years Old – Fun Places to Go!

Embarking on a family vacation with kids under ten years old is an adventure like no other.

It’s a time filled with laughter, discovery, and the creation of lifelong memories.

From exploring captivating destinations to engaging in exciting activities, the best vacations for kids under 10 offer a world of wonder and imagination.

These extraordinary getaways are carefully crafted to cater to the interests of your family.

But choosing the best place that will fit your family’s preferences and budget might be overwhelming.

My family and I experienced the same challenge.

And that’s why I will help you plan for your epic family getaway by reviewing these fantastic destinations.

I have learned a lot from traveling with kids, and I also talked to other families.

I also rated each destination according to its safety, kid-friendly activities, affordability, ease of travel, and more.

I did this to help travelers like you have stress-free vacation planning.

So, prepare yourselves as you discover the top-rated destinations in our reviews below.

Best Vacations For Kids Under 10 Compared

Whether you’re searching for a fun-filled or thrilling kid-friendly destination, we got your back.

Here’s a comprehensive review of our top-pick destinations.

Editor’s Choice

Portland Marriott Downtown Waterfront

Located in Portland, Oregon, the Portland Marriott Downtown Waterfront is a premier hotel offering an exceptional family experience.

• Safety: 4/5
• Kid-Friendly Activities: 4/5
• Affordability: 3/5
• Ease of Travel: 4/5
• Accommodation Options: 4/5
• Food Diversity: 4/5

#2nd Best Choice

Park Hyatt Vienna

Located in Vienna, Austria, the Park Hyatt Vienna is an exquisite hotel that offers an extraordinary experience.

• Safety: 5/5
• Kid-Friendly Activities: 3.5/5
• Food Diversity: 5/5

#3rd Best Choice

Cedar Cove Resort & Cottages

Situated along the stunning Gulf Coast in Holmes Beach, Florida, Cedar Cove Resort & Cottages offers a memorable vacation experience for families.

• Kid-Friendly Activities: 5/5
• Ease of Travel: 3.5/5
• Food Diversity: 3.5/5

Here are the top vacations for children under 10 years old.

1. Portland Marriott Downtown Waterfront (Editor’s Choice)

1401 SW Naito Pkwy Portland, OR 97201 (503) 226-7600 Visit Website Social Media Open in Google Maps

Ratings Criteria

• Convenient downtown location with waterfront views
• Various kid-friendly amenities
•  Expensive rates

The hotel boasts a convenient downtown location with easy access to popular attractions and entertainment venues.

The hotel’s spacious and comfortable rooms ensure a pleasant stay, while their staff are friendly and attentive.

Portland Marriott features a swimming pool where your kids can splash and play.

It also has a game room with fun activities to entertain them.

Apart from that, Portland Marriott Downtown Waterfront is near the Oregon Zoo and the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry.

Related: Places to Eat: Portland, OR

2. Park Hyatt Vienna

Am Hof 2 1010 Wien, Austria (122) 740-1234 Visit Website Social Media Open in Google Maps

• Luxurious rooms
• Multiple dining options
• Limited kid-friendly activities within the hotel

The Park Hyatt Vienna is known for its impeccable services and luxurious amenities.

The hotel offers spacious and elegantly appointed rooms to provide your family with a comfortable retreat.

Their attentive staff ensures that your needs are met, offering personalized assistance and creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

Although the hotel may not have an extensive list of on-site activities specifically designed for kids, its central location allows families to explore Vienna’s family-friendly attractions.

From visiting the Schonbrunn Palace to enjoying a horse-drawn carriage ride, there are countless opportunities for children to enjoy the trip.

Related: Best Family Vacations in Europe

3. Cedar Cove Resort & Cottages

2710 Gulf Dr N Holmes Beach, FL 34217 (800) 206-6293 Visit Website Social Media Open in Google Maps

• Various beach and water activities
• Relaxing and peaceful ambiance
• Additional charges for certain amenities and services

This beachfront resort provides a picturesque setting with its pure white sand beaches and crystal-clear waters, ideal for your family getaway.

The resort offers various beach and water activities, such as swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking, ensuring endless fun adventures for your kids.

They can also build sandcastles on the beach, splash in the resort’s swimming pool, or engage in friendly games at the designated play areas.

What’s more, the resort’s peaceful ambiance allows families to relax and unwind, surrounded by the natural beauty of the Gulf Coast.

Related: Restaurants: Sarasota, Florida

Related: Restaurants: Venice, Florida

4. Four Seasons Chicago

120 E Delaware Pl Chicago, IL 60611 (312) 280-8800 Visit Website Social Media Open in Google Maps

Nestled on the iconic Magnificent Mile, Four Seasons Chicago is a luxurious hotel renowned for its excellent service and world-class amenities.

The hotel provides spacious and elegantly designed rooms and suites, ensuring a comfortable and stylish retreat.

The hotel also offers an impressive range of amenities and activities.

The Kids for All Seasons program provides children with a supervised and engaging experience.

The program has activities like arts and crafts, interactive games, and educational workshops.

You and your kids will also love the hotel’s spectacular indoor pool, where you can splash and play.

They also have a dedicated poolside menu with delicious kid-friendly options.

5. Victoria, British Columbia

Victoria, BC, Canada V8W 1T3 (250) 953-2033 Visit Website Social Media Open in Google Maps

Picturesque Victoria boasts some truly lovely gardens and green spaces, which means plenty of space to play!

A family favorite is the Fisherman’s Wharf, replete with colorful waterfront homes, fresh seafood, harbor seals and “water-ballet”-performing water taxis (on specified dates); your 4 year old will love the color and vibrancy!

The Chinatown area, North America’s 2nd oldest, is a great spot for shopping and noodles; you can also see Canada’s narrowest street here—Fan Tan Alley.

If insects don’t send chills up your little one’s spine, consider a visit to the Victoria Bug Zoo with its tanks of live bugs from across the world.

You’ll also be treated to over 550 million years of natural history at the Royal British Columbia; the interactive exhibits are fun, all the while enabling learning in your tyke.

Recommended Hotel: Magnolia Hotel & Spa

6. Albuquerque, New Mexico

Albuquerque, NM (505) 222-4357 Visit Website Social Media Open in Google Maps

The state of posh spas and beautiful Spanish architecture from the colonial era, New Mexico is home to Albuquerque, where family-friendly fun is on offer the whole year through.

Perhaps the city’s biggest draw is the Balloon Fiesta held every fall, which is when most families visit.

Stick around till winter and the ski areas are a treat, with customized sledding and skiing lessons just for the tots.

Other great places to go include the Petroglyph National Monument where you’ll find carvings from as early as the 1300s, Old Town to wine, dine and shop and the riverside ABQ BioPark.

Stay at the Hyatt Regency Tamaya to enjoy 3 pools, a waterslide and activities such as bread making, horseback riding and leather stamping, sampling fresh pueblo oven bread, dance performances and storytelling sessions under the stars.

Recommended Hotel: Hotel Parq Central Albuquerque

Related: Places to Eat in Albuquerque, NM

7. Legoland, Florida

1 Legoland Way Winter Haven, FL 33884 (888) 690-5346 Visit Website Social Media Open in Google Maps

Florida’s Legoland is a world unto itself and sets the stage for a great vacation for children between the ages of 2 and 12.

With plenty of properties around the world, Legoland is one of the top family-friendly destination spots, regardless of where!

Apart from quintessential amusement park rides, shows and Lego landscapes, Legoland theme park features fun roller coasters, built to be thrilling enough for the older ones while also being gentle enough for the younger ones, who are new to the adrenaline rushes.

You’ll find attractions from the Lego Movie World, such as the Battle of Bricksburg (the schiite for water battles), Unikitty’s Disco Drop and Masters of Flight, to name a few.

Stay at one of the Legoland-themed hotels on-site for fun that extends beyond the amusement park rides!

Recommended Hotel: LEGOLAND® Florida Resort

8. Dude Ranch

1122 12th St, Cody, WY 82414 (307) 587-2339 Visit Website Social Media Open in Google Maps

If you’ve got kids who are 4, 5, or 6 year olds, also known as “the age when they still love mom and dad but are cool enough to be on their own”, Dude Ranch is an excellent idea!

Dude Ranch presents a great combination of plenty of family downtime where you can bond and a plethora of outdoor activities just for the tots—they can enjoy their independence while you catch a much-deserved break with the spouse!

The cherry on the cake is that Dude Ranch is all-inclusive, which not only saves you money but also does away with the worry of figuring out meal stops each night.

Your family will also have more opportunities to meet other families and make new friends.

Recommended Hotel: Northern Hotel

9. Frisco, Texas

Frisco, TX (972) 292-5250 Visit Website Social Media Open in Google Maps

The proud home of the Dallas Cowboys, Frisco is a great option if you’re a family of sports lovers.

Between The Star, the National Soccer Hall of Fame and the National Videogame Museum, almost every kind of sport is covered, both digital and non-digital!

Frisco also holds the distinction of being the first American city where KidZania, an internationally-renown interactive theme park for tots, set up shop; the brand threw open its doors in Frisco as recently as 2019.

KidZania is of, for and by the kids—tots can be pilots, window-washers, doctors, whatever they wish, and earn KidZos (currency) for it, too.

Come summer, head to the Dr. Pepper Ballpark to catch an exciting Frisco RoughRiders game, or enjoy a leisurely float on the on-site lazy river.

Recommended Hotel: Omni Frisco Hotel

10. Dinosaur Valley State Park, Texas

1629 Park Rd 59 Glen Rose, TX 76043 (254) 897-4588 Visit Website Social Media Open in Google Maps

Situated around 75 miles southwest of Dallas, the Dinosaur Valley State Park is an excellent idea if your tots are between the ages of 5 and 11 and love dinosaurs (let’s admit it—which kid doesn’t?)

Home to some of the world’s best-preserved dinosaur tracks, you can explore as much as you want at this state park by taking a tour in a covered wagon, mountain biking through the trails or simply walking.

Explore the footprints near the Paluxy River; once you’re done, go fishing with poles that you can rent as part of the park’s Tackle Loaner Program.

Also, consider exploring the many museums in Texas’ Dinosaur Capital—downtown Glen Rose.

For a truly unique experience, camp at the park; pitch a tent or park your RV.

Recommended Hotel: Hilton Garden Inn Granbury

11. Disney World, Florida

Orlando, FL 32830 (407) 939-5277 Visit Website Social Media Open in Google Maps

If you’re visiting the real deal, original, first-in-the-world Disney World in Florida, you can rest assured that the vacation is going to be special for you and the tots alike.

Whether 2, 20 or 80, Disney World has always captivated kids of all ages!

Little ones will love seeing their favorite Disney characters in flesh and blood while the fireworks display over Cinderella’s Castle will have them gasping in awe.

Start with the classics at the Magic Kingdom, after which, you can explore the Animal Kingdom that’s fresh off its 20th-anniversary celebrations.

Disney Springs is a must visit for the Star Wars and Toy Story fans (yes, I’m talking about mom and dad!).

Staying at a Disney property is a good idea (duh!); another family-friendly, budget-friendly option to consider is Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld.

Recommended Hotel: Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort

12. San Diego Zoo, California

2920 Zoo Dr San Diego, CA 92101 (619) 231-1515 Visit Website Social Media Open in Google Maps

One of the best zoos in the world, California’s San Diego Zoo is one of the few places in all of the United States where you can see the world’s tiniest bears and their cousins—giant pandas!

Embark on the Panda Trek to see these not-so-little furballs; choose the Elephant Odyssey for your little one to catch sights of real-life Dumbos or the Northern Frontier to see arctic foxes and polar bears.

Africa Rocks is another popular exhibit, where you can see leopards, lemurs and baboons.

Come October, the “Kids Free San Diego” fervor takes over and most hotels throughout the city offer excellent deals.

If you’re visiting off-season (or any time in the year, really), consider staying at the Manchester Grand Hyatt (right next door to The New Children’s Museum) or Catamaran (for water sports rentals).

Recommended Hotel: The US Grant, a Luxury Collection Hotel, San Diego

Related: Restaurants: San Diego

13. Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin

Wisconsin Dells, WI (800) 223-3557 Visit Website Social Media Open in Google Maps

When you’re visiting the “water park capital of the world”, you know some good times are in store for your family vacation!

A hit among kids aged 2-14, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to water-based fun in the city—you can get a day pass and make the most of America’s largest water park (Noah’s Ark) or enjoy an African-themed, wild-and-wet resort stay at the Kalahari.

If sunken cities are more to your little one’s liking, head to the Lost City of Atlantis at Mt. Olympus, replete with geysers, slides and, of course, monster dump buckets!

Some of the budget-friendly, family-friendly picks to consider for accommodation include the Hilton Garden Inn, the Alakai or Day’s End Motel; these are also much quieter than the popular resorts with water parks.

Recommended Hotel: Delton Grand Resort and Spa

Related: Restaurants: Wisconsin Dells

Vacationer’s Guide 

Comparing destinations: which one is right for you.

When choosing the most fun places to go with your kids, consider your desired experience and interests.

Also, check and compare each destination’s drawbacks and limitations.

The Portland Marriott Downtown Waterfront offers a convenient downtown location with stunning views and various kid-friendly activities.

However, one drawback of this hotel is its pricing, as it tends to be expensive.

The Park Hyatt Vienna is a luxurious hotel that impresses with its upscale rooms and multiple dining options.

But it has limited on-site kid-friendly activities.

Cedar Cove Resort & Cottages offers a relaxing and peaceful ambiance and provides various beach and water activities.

However, certain amenities and services have additional charges, which can be a downside to other guests.

If you’re seeking a more luxurious alternative to Cedar Cove Resort & Cottages with many amenities and activities, go to Four Seasons Chicago.

Its only drawback is that noise levels can be high during peak tourist season.

How I Picked The Destinations 

I love traveling with my family, and we always choose the best places kids will love.

As we stayed in different destinations, I thoroughly studied each place’s services and other offerings.

I also interacted with other families and travelers, and we talked about their experiences.

Likewise, I asked them for some insights and tips about each property to make my reviews more credible.

Our Rating Method 

I rate these vacations based on the following criteria:

• Safety: I use this criterion to evaluate the overall safety of every vacation destination. Does it have a strong safety record? Does it provide child-friendly safety measures? These are the questions I ask myself when evaluating safety.
• Kid-Friendly Activities: I use this criterion to evaluate the availability and quality of kid-friendly activities. Does the destination offer a variety of engaging activities? Is it near theme parks, zoos, museums, nature parks, and beaches? Is it both educational and fun? I consider these factors when rating this criterion.
• Affordability: This assesses the affordability of the family vacation. Is it expensive? Are the accommodations, activities, meals, and transportation affordable? Are there family-friendly discounts? These are the questions I take into account to rate affordability.
• Ease of Travel: I use this to rate the accessibility and ease of getting around the area. Is it easy to navigate? Does it offer family-friendly transportation options? Do we need to fly to get to the destination? I ask myself these questions in order to evaluate ease of travel.
• Accommodation Options: This assesses the availability and quality of accommodations. Does it provide spaces that separate adult and child sleeping areas? Are there amenities like a kitchen, laundry, and swimming pool available? These are the questions I ask when evaluating accommodation options.
• Food Diversity: This criterion evaluates the availability of kid-friendly food options. Does it cater to different dietary preferences? Are there child-friendly menus? I consider these factors when rating food diversity.

Frequently Asked Questions 

What is the best holiday for kids.

The best holiday for kids is typically considered to be Christmas, as it brings joy and excitement with gifts, decorations, and the magical atmosphere of Santa Claus.

What Are Some Recommended Theme Parks Or Amusement Parks That Are Suitable For Children Under 10 Years Old?

Some recommended theme parks or amusement parks that are suitable for children under ten years old are LEGOLAND California, Universal’s Islands of Adventure, and Sesame Place.

Conclusion 

Overall, these destinations offer the best vacations for kids under 10 years old.

We had a great time exploring Vienna, thanks to Park Hyatt Vienna’s convenient location.

It was a cultural delight, and my youngest was enchanted by the horse-drawn carriage rides.

At Cedar Cove Resort & Cottages, I enjoyed kayaking with the family and swimming in the crystal-clear waters.

We had a fun-filled day of snorkeling and building sandcastles.

This resort’s peaceful ambiance also allowed us to unwind and create lasting memories together.

We also had a relaxing time at Four Seasons Chicago, with its luxurious and spacious room.

But the Portland Marriott Downtown Waterfront was the best among these hotels and resorts.

From the swimming pool to the game room, my family was entertained throughout our stay.

The hotel staff was also incredibly friendly and accommodating, making sure that we felt welcomed and cared for.

Through every destination, we forged invaluable family memories and, yes, the occasional challenge of traveling with young kids.

Itineraries for Disney World 4 and 5 year olds (all four parks)

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Every Disney movie you watch features one similarity… they all have Cinderella’s Castle in all her glory before the video! 

Needless to say, my kids knew to expect Cinderella’s Castle at the beginning of every Disney movie we watched, and would get mad if I skipped past it.

And for most preschoolers, they’ve already picked out a favorite character, know who Mickey Mouse is, and have probably watched Disney World fireworks and parades on Youtube! 

So planning a trip, and an itinerary for your preschooler, seems like the natural thing to do! And if this is your first trip, know you can’t go wrong with a no pressure, no agenda vacation to all four parks. In that case, just grab this list of rides for preschoolers and call it planned!

This itinerary is more for those parents and caregivers that want to hit up a number of rides and shows in a more strategic way.

That way you get the most out of an expensive vacation, or for lots of memories since it might be a once in a lifetime vacation! Especially since the Disney site leaves a lot of things out when it comes to their preschool section.  And yes, I really do think all kids will enjoy disney world, but if you’re wondering if a 4 year old will enjoy disney, understand all the things that work to your advantage!

Either way, you’ll find the preschool itinerary below for a 5 day trip to Disney World. We recommend 5 days , since you’ll have arrival and departure days (days 6 and 7) and we also recommend at least one “off” or “vacation” day where you don’t have plans. Rounding out that trip, you’ve got a magical 8 day vacation to Orlando, Florida and lots of pictures and memories to boot! 

If you can only come for one day, two days or three days, you will still have a blast!

➡️➡️ Need to let the kids run wild? Here’s the play places you can find in each Disney World Park.

Table of Contents

• How to use this Preschool Disney World Itinerary
• Magic Kingdom
• Hollywood Studios
• Animal Kingdom

Quick pitfalls you’ll need to consider for this itinerary to work.

I could just throw an itinerary at you, but this is less about spoon feeding you and more about helping you make the right choices for your family. 

First up, Should You bring a Stroller? I say yes, with three kids of my own, even when I take them by themselves its a lot of walking. See more pros and cons to Strollers for Preschoolers at Disney in this post. Strollers help with all the stuff you seem to gather, like drinks and snacks and bubble wands.

The big elephant in the room is the weather. In the ‘winter’ months of January- March, you’ll find bitter winds and bitter rain that make it uncomfortable on your sunburned face. 

In June- September, Central Florida gets 60% of it’s yearly rainfall (yes it rains all year, but these days it rains almost every.single.day!) and you might even get to experience a hurricane. 

Weather is a MAJOR player in itineraries, since a regular day is going to look way different than a rainy day. If you come to Disney World, A. bring ponchos and B. make backup plans in case it rains like this rainy day Magic Kingdom itinerary.

The other big factor for your success, is knowing what type of people you are, especially on vacation. What does that means? Are you sleeping in? Going to bed early? Does your preschooler get a nap or quiet time? 

These are all really important things to factor in so you don’t loose money by being so exhausted at the end of your trip that you just skip a day or two at the park (and Disney knows this and does take advantage of it with multi day discounted tickets!) 

You’ll want to choose the right itinerary based on your habits (not based on what someone else told you- this is a vacation after all!) 

The preschool itineraries for Disney trip with your preschooler! 

Here’s how to use this guide:

• Pick three items that are important to you, your preschooler, and other family members. These are the ‘can’t miss’ items. Make sure to do this can’t miss items before lunch OR make sure you have time planned in the afternoon/evening to accomplish these goals.
• Look through the itinerary and pick out the sequence that you think works best for your family. Consider how much time is required to walk between the park (5-10 minutes with medium crowds and no stops).
• Transportation is a huge time expense. Plan for at least 30 minutes, if not an hour to get inside the parks if you are using Disney Transportation.
• End of the night gets busy when it comes to transportation. I recommend staying after park close to do the shopping, last minute eating and avoid the rush of crowds (or leave 45 minutes before park close)

Included below is time slots for character meals and greets- see tips here for toddlers and preschoolers meeting characters and how to make the most of your time!

Magic Kingdom Preschooler Itinerary- two days (early start, late start) 

Early Start Magic Kingdom Preschool Itinerary 

Get Inside the Park early to get pictures in front of the Castle

park opening Rope Drop Peter’s Pan’s Flight or Jungle Cruise Depending on which you’d like more. Both of these get long lines during the day.

Then head to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad or Splash Mountain

After check on Pirates of the Caribbean. If it’s shorter than 20 minutes head there, or go to Tomorrowland Speedway instead.

Right now is a great time to meet Characters like Merida, Pooh or Buzz lightyear. (I’d recommend meeting Mickey at Town Square and The Princesses at Fairytale Hall after lunch or after dinner when wait times are lower and the A/C is welcoming!)

If you are in Tomorrowland (for the speedway) Consider some of the rides there based on the lowest wait time- popular kid rides include Astro Orbiter, Buzz lightyear (great if the wait is below 30 minutes) and the People Mover (which should be below 20 minutes- if not- wait till later).

Lunch at Jungle Navigation Co or The Plaza Restaurant with a Reservation. If you are planning quick serve, grab some snacks and mobile order/wait till lines are shorter. It’s best to mobile order from 10-11 am or 1-3 pm, but not at noon as there is quite a crowd.

In the early afternoon, spend time in the New Fantasyland area. This includes the TeaCups, Winnie the Pooh, The Barnstormer and Dumbo the Flying Elephant.

Plan to spend 30-45 minutes at the Casey Jr. Splash Pad (has bathrooms for changing!) to get cool and let off some steam.

Kids not into the Parade? Skip to the alternative option…

The afternoon parade is at 3, and you can walk over to a spot right by the Castle to get an incredible view.

After the Parade, Walk over to Under the Sea- Journey of the Little Mermaid, or skip this ride to go do some of the shows if it’s rainy or the heat is too much. Great shows include Mickey’s PhilharMagic, The Carosuel of Progress, and the Hall of Presidents.

Not interested in the Parade? Do this instead.

Leave the Splash Pad around 245, walk behind the castle to FrontierLand and Adventure Land (because the parade crowds will have you blocked in). You can catch a small boat to Tom Sawyer Island and play on the playground, or play on the playground at the end of Splash Mountain. You can ride the Flying Carpets (similar to Dumbo) and catch the Tiki Room Show in AdventureLand.

5pm is a great time to catch a break or let the kids run around. Go shopping, meet characters, or let the kids nap.

Dinner and enjoy evening catching rides or characters before the evening shows (be sure to check the App or the Map for exact times on your day!) . 

Favorite rides for the evening include the Regal Carrousel, meeting the Disney Princesses, Riding Tomorrowland Speedway, Riding the People Mover, The Barnstormer and any rides on your Can’t Miss List.

Late Start Touring Plan for Magic Kingdom with Preschoolers  (best for weekdays) 

If you are starting later, or coming over from another park, I’d recommend heading straight to Fantasyland!

Catch rides like The Barnstormer, Dumbo the Flying Elephant (has indoor play area!), The Little Mermaid and then play at Casey Jr. Splash Pad (has bathrooms for changing!) 

After you are done there, head over to Tomorrowland in the afternoon for more rides Astro Orbitor, People Mover, Buzz Lightyear. If it’s really hot, or the weather is rainy, now is a great time to stand in line at Princess FairyTale Hall to meet Princesses. Another Character Meet I’d recommend is a Character Meal at Crystal Palace to meet Pooh and Friends.

After Dinner Decide which rides you’ll still like to do based on wait times. Jungle Cruise, Seven Dwarf Mine Train and Peter Pan all typically have long lines (so if you see them under 40 minutes, that’s a good wait!).

Fun rides to do at night that have lower wait times include:

Big Thunder Mountain, The Barnstormer, the Regal Carrousel,Dumbo,Pirates of the Caribbean

The enjoy the evening catching rides or characters before the Evening/Nighttime shows (be sure to check the App or the Map for exact times on your day!) . 

There are several places to stand to watch the Fireworks.

I prefer to stand on the bridge by TomorrowLand, or the Bridge by AdventureLand, so I can make a quick escape to rides in that area after the fireworks.

My 5 year old daughter, who loves the show, prefers to stand in the crowds in front of the castle. You’ll need to get here about 30-45 minutes before hand on weekdays, and over an hour before hand on weekends/holidays/high crowd days, and pack your patience!

Another good location is by the Tomorrowland Bathrooms (literally right next to The Plaza Inn Restaurant, like smooshed up against the restaurant windows) Those don’t fill up as fast, you can get there about 25 minutes before the show and theres a decent view.

Hollywood Studios One Day Touring Plan with Preschoolers 

Since Hollywood Studios has some new additions and players in the game, there’s a seperate post detailing the HOW to do a day at Hollywood Studios with young kids (and if you want to make it the full day- you’ll need this post!)

Arrive at least 30 minutes before Park Opening.  

Slinky Dog first thing (or save it for the very end of the night… I vote first thing!) If you go to do the Genie+ Lightning Lane Service, this will fill up the fastest! This is a roller coaster and it’s more intense than Barnstormer and Seven Dwarf Mine Train. My 4 year old loved it and my 6 year old hates it.

While your here, check out the times for the other Toy Story Rides. If you can find Toy Story Mania under 30 minutes, ride it! Same with Alien Swirling Saucers. If Toy Story Land is totally packed, you can try the rides at the end of the night when there’s typically much lower lines (And less heat and sun)!

Next head over to Galaxy’s Edge. Here you can enjoy Millennium Falcon:Smuggler’s Run. The line for this can get longer, but typically doesn’t until mid morning.

OR you can head through Galaxy’s Edge and go over to meet Olaf and Mickey and Minnie. These two meet and greet locations have some wild high wait times, if this is on your list, go earlier in the morning or save it for the afternoon. (Look at the closing times here too! They close well before the park closes!!!)

Catch the Motorcade coming down the road by Olafs meet and great, and the Muppet*Vision 3D or skip those and head to one of the several quick service lunch spots on the left side of the park. Then you can head to the first showing of the Indiana Jones.

Otherwise let’s head over to Sunset Blvd. Here you can get your family pictures in front of Mickey and Minnies Runaway Railway, or further down Tower of Terror in the Background.

Down Sunset Blvd you can go to Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy (which is a great option for A/C. If your 4 or 5 year old is over 40′ inches, enjoy Tower of Terror (but it can be scary! We skip it till they’re older).

Or watch the Beauty and the Beast Show! This show is outside and is affected by the weather. I highly recommend the live Beauty and the Beast Show, followed by the Frozen Ever After Sing Along (The Beauty Show rarely goes over time as it’s scripted, but the Frozen show is full of comedic timing and may go over the schedule!)

At this point you’ll need to plan your meal for dinner and figure out the rest of the day! There’s lots of quick serve places, but I’d recommend a reservation to Hollywood and Vine for Characters, or 50’s primetime for just good food!

Rise of the Resistance is an option for most 4 and 5 year olds. It’s the one instance I’d recommend purchasing a ride skip the line (known as Lightning Lane!). This ride is notorious for breaking line and having sporadic lines, something that’s hard for a younger kid to understand.

I’d recommend going back to the middle of the park, and meeting Characters at the Disney Jr. Dance Spot. Then Watching the Frozen Ever After Show at the Hyperion before riding Mickey and Minnies Runaway Railway. Grab Dinner, catch a ride or two that you missed, and work your way back down Sunset Blvd to wait for Fantasmic.

 Animal Kingdom Preschool One Day Itinerary 

Rope Dropping at this park is wild. People line up over an hour before hand, and they are mostly all headed to Pandora (Avatar Land) to get in line for Flight of Passage or Navi River Journey.

(Pro Tip: Avoid the long Rope Drop lines with an early reservation to Tusker House Restaurant. Get in, have a meal and meet Characters, and then start your day without the crowding. I’d recommend starting at the Safari!).

So you can Rope Drop Flight of Passage (must be 44 inches or taller), or Navi River Journey  (their will be HUGE lines here, they are headed towards Flight of Passage. Let Cast Members know you *just* want to ride Navi River Journey so you don’t get swept up in the lines).

Navi is a VERY short ride, and while fun, it’s not worth more than 30 minutes or so online. You can always watch it on youtube if you are conflicted, but my kids are not amused. Flight of Passage is great if your child is tall enough and trust worthy! This is a simulation ride where the child will be next to you, but in their own vehicle. My daughter was ready at 5, but my son needed till he was 6.

Personally, I like to go the opposite direction and go to DinoLand. There we can ride Dinosaur and Triceratops spin with no waits.

Then walk back towards the Tree of Life and head to Africa. There get in line for the Safari to see the Animals.

Then Consider the Wildlife Express Train. This takes you to a stop where there is a long walk to the Affection Section ( a petting zoo). While this is very educational, it’s also exhausting, so we typically get off, walk for a few minutes, and then walk back to catch the next train. (At the end of the walk is where you’ll find the Animation Station for learning to draw Disney Characters).

Take the Train Back and grab lunch at the quick serves nearby while enjoying the entertainment. You want to be done by 11:30 to get in line for The Lion King Show.

Lion King Show then consider what’s next.

You could do the Kali River Rapids (height requirement 38 inches) which is a water type ride, or walk all the way around to Finding Nemo: The Big Blue and Beyond Show.

After the Show, head to DinoLand USA again, and let the kids ride rides or play in the Boneyard Play Area. I recommend letting the kids run and play in the playground and Bone Yard for 30 minutes or so, then freshen up to go wait in line to see Mickey and Minnie! This is the only location you’ll find them always together for a meet and greet and photo. Check the app for times to make sure you don’t miss it!

If you skipped Pandora earlier, now is a great time to walk back through Pandora and then exit while viewing the tree of life show. Animal Kingdom is not open super late, so consider this an early evening and get some sleep, or park hop/resort hop/ or head to Disney Springs! If you want to continue the Dino adventures, T-Rex restaurant in Disney Springs is a good option.

EPCOT 

Epcot Preschool Itinerary  is the wild card- could easily do two days but one day is listed for your vacation 

When it comes to an Epcot vacation, you have no choice but to start ‘late’ as the World Showcase doesn’t open up till 11. Most days, the beginning of the park (World Nature, World Celebration and World Discovery) opens up at 9, but you’ll need to check your vacation dates to confirm the hours for this one!

Early Start (arrive 45 minutes before park opening) 

Head straight to Test Track OR Frozen depending on your child and your Can’t Miss List. When in doubt, I’d recommend Frozen, and then double back to do Test Track.

After Frozen, you can meet Anna and Elsa there at the Royal Summerhaus in Norway, explore Norway, and then head to Grand Fiesta Tour inside Mexico.

Come back down to World Nature for ride Soarin and Living with the Land inside the Land Pavilion (and you can grab food here too!).

The Adventure Planet Show inside the Land Pavilion is nice and my kids enjoy it, but it’s really just something to keep them entertained. Not a necessity.

Next door is the Seas with Nemo and Friends. Ride Nemo and then you’ll exit to a small play area, an aquarium, Turtle Talk with Crush (so funny and great for the littles!)

After that, head out to The Imagination Pavilion to ride Figment, then meet Vanellope from Wreck it Ralph, Joy from Inside out, and Mickey Mouse Himself! (this is my fav Mickey Mouse greet as his in his tux, and the lines are less than 30 minutes long). You’ll also find the meet and greet here if you have a Disney Visa (credit or debit card). This is an exclusive meet.

If you need a playground, you are close! Over by the Connections Shop, out to the side is a large playground. Instead of turning right to go to World Showcase, head straight past the shop and you’ll see it on the left.

I would skip Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind for most 4 and 5 year olds, here’s a list of rides your kids should enjoy and love before trying Cosmic Rewind.

Then walk up towards the World Showcase and head to the right towards Canada. Our goal here is to head towards France where you can watch the Beauty and the Beast Sing Along and then get in ride for Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure. This is a pretty short ride though, so if the line is longer and it’s not on your list, you can skip it.

Around World Showcase, see the countries, participate in the Kidcot Adventures, and meet Princesses.

Ride Frozen or Grand Fiesta Tour again or head to the Seas Pavillion to do Finding Nemo again. This is also a good time to do SpaceShip Earth as wait times will be lower.

Find a spot for the nighttime entertainment! 

Most Importantly, Have Fun!

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Get up and go: These are the best family vacations to take with kids at every age

Where should we go on vacation is a great debate in family living rooms around the world.

Should we go visit grandparents or head to the beach? Maybe we should visit a theme park or take a cruise? Or perhaps we should trek to a far-flung exotic destination with lots of hiking?

There's an endless list of possibilities and factors to consider, with one of the important being the age of your children. Each developmental stage certainly presents its own challenges, but you can still have a fun-filled, memorable trip if you know how to handle those challenges and decide which family vacations are best suited for kids in each age group.

TPG surveyed real-world parents and staffers for their first-hand advice on navigating family travel to bring you the best family vacations with kids at every age and stage.

Best types of trips with an infant

Travel challenges.

Congrats — you have a new baby in the family! The good news is babies don't need much in the way of formal entertainment, though traveling with an infant isn't without its challenges.

While it isn't always picture-perfect at this stage, don't discount traveling with a baby. Once babies have a pretty solid sleep schedule, they can make for great travel companions.

If you are planning a long road trip, you'll need feeding supplies, diapers, wipes and multiple "just in case" changes of clothes for yourself and your baby. For a trip that involves flying, you'll need to find out the airline's policies for flying with an infant and bringing baby equipment like strollers and car seats.

No matter your method of travel, you'll want to choose a destination with baby-friendly amenities, a relaxed atmosphere and maybe even bonus perks like onsite babysitting so you can enjoy a parents' night out.

All-inclusive beach resort

A vacation where everything is taken care of ahead of time and you don't have to venture away from your resort is the epitome of convenience for new parents.

Many all-inclusive resorts , including Cancun's Finest Playa Mujeres , have dedicated water play areas for kids and complimentary baby care amenities like cribs, strollers and baby monitors.

If you want to get away for a walk on the beach or a romantic meal, infant child care with nannies accredited by the International Nanny Association is available at resorts like Beaches Negril .

When it comes to accommodations, a multibedroom suite or room with a separate area where your baby can sleep in a dark, quiet atmosphere will help keep that schedule you've worked so hard to create from getting too far off track. If you can't get an entire separate room, some family travel veterans have been known to make unconventional spaces like oversized closets and bathrooms work as makeshift nurseries .

Related: Best all-inclusive resorts you can book with points

Mountain cabin rental

Consider a peaceful cabin rental in the Great Smoky Mountains, Big Bear or the Rocky Mountains if you prefer a cool mountain breeze to the salty sea air. Most cabins offer full kitchens and many comforts of home -- and maybe even game rooms or hot tubs..

With the help of a home rental service like Vrbo or Airbnb , you can easily filter out cabins that are too small or large until you find one that's just right for you and your family. You may even consider making it a multigenerational trip that includes the grandparents so they can bond with their new grandchild.

Road trip to visit the grandparents

Alternatively, for that first trip away from home, you could hop in the car and take a road trip to visit your child's grandparents in their hometown (especially if it's as picturesque as the above destinations). Depending on your family dynamics, it can be a great way to get some practice in on packing and sleeping away from home, but with some friendly faces and arms waiting on the other side.

Some parents may be ready for a visit like this right away, while others may feel more comfortable waiting until they've mastered the basics of baby care. One thing's for sure, though: You can't beat the built-in babysitting.

Advice from parents who've been there

If you've recently had a baby, going on vacation is probably the last thing on your mind, but once you've settled into a routine and are feeling up to it, a change of scenery may be just what the doctor ordered.

TPG's director of travel content and mother of two, Summer Hull, remembers that, for some, the 3-6 month range is a golden window when going almost anywhere is doable with a baby who has a good sleep schedule. "Just put them in a carrier, and away they go," Hull said.

Once they become mobile, everything changes, so take advantage of their lack of mobility while you can.

Best trips to take with a toddler

As infants transition to toddlerhood, they become more aware of the world around them and require more entertainment and stimulation throughout the day.

That can be difficult while buckled up in a car or in an airplane seat for hours. A backpack full of board books, mess-free coloring kits and a trusty tablet can help alleviate the boredom. We're going to be honest, though: Of all the ages, the 18 months to 3 years range is the hardest for travel , as it requires the most active work from the parents.

You may also be in the midst of potty training and wondering how to manage such a monumental task while away from home.

Plan ahead by packing extra clothing, emergency pull-ups and possibly a portable potty chair if you are camping or traveling by car. If you know you have a big trip coming up, you may want to tackle potty training before your trip (still pack those emergency pull-ups just in case).

Despite these challenges, there is also plenty of joy that can come from traveling with kids at this age. After all, this is the time when they're full of wonder.

Because toddlers are inquisitive and energetic, any destination where they can explore their little heart out should fit the bill.

Beach vacation

Whether you opt for a beachfront resort suite or a home-away-from-home rental, a spot at the beach is an easy place to set your toddler to safely dig, splash, collect shells and search for sea life.

Although it won't be the same as the relaxing beach vacation you enjoyed pre-baby, taking a trip where you can observe your toddler indulging their sense of curiosity is still pretty fun. Just be sure you do all that is necessary to ensure water safety.

You probably won't want to spend the entire day in the sun, so choose a destination with other family-friendly activities to fill your time. In addition to its award-winning beaches, St. Petersburg, Florida , offers proximity to Fort De Soto Park, the Clearwater Marine Aquarium and the Sunken Gardens' tropical botanical gardens. Meanwhile, San Diego boasts its world-famous San Diego Zoo, museum-filled Balboa Park and the USS Midway Museum.

The 30-A section of Florida is also a fantastic, laid-back place to vacation on the beach with the whole family.

Legoland Resort is the only theme park specifically designed for families with kids age 2 to 12.

With locations in California, Florida and now New York, each Legoland park has attractions, shaded play areas, interactive exhibits and on-site hotels that cater to younger children, including toddlers. Staying on-site puts you steps away from the fun and comes with special perks like free breakfast, early theme park entry and character interactions. (But remember, perks vary by location.)

Mitchell Stoutin, TPG's director of engineering, took a unique approach to travel with his toddler.

Before visiting Sitka, Alaska, with his then 2-year-old and 4-month-old, Mitchell prepared for a struggle to keep his kids seated without getting fussy. Since neither child liked being strapped into a car seat, Mitchell purchased a Thule Chariot multiuse stroller and bike trailer to use while traveling around the small island. "We arrived with the stroller and rented bikes from the bike shop downtown so we could tow the kids around," he said. "We spent the week exploring trails, sipping coffee, eating fresh seafood and hanging out by the water."

This could be a stellar option if you are traveling to a similar destination that's easy to get around.

Related: Guide to flying with kids of every age

Best trips to take with a preschooler

Preschoolers are generally easier to travel with than toddlers because they have longer attention spans. However, they also sometimes see themselves as tiny adults.

This means stronger opinions, self-determination and the subsequent tantrums that come with not getting their way. To manage unexpected outbursts, keep your schedule loose and flexible, include plenty of breaks and pack more snacks than you think you'll need.

Your child may also be getting to the age where you debate leaving the stroller at home rather than lugging it around on vacation. Consider the amount of walking you'll be doing each day and whether you'll be out and about during nap time or after bedtime when the stroller can be used to hold your sleeping child.

If you want to test out leaving the stroller behind, research stroller rental options at your destination ... just in case.

As kids get older, more mobile and more independent, a whole new world of vacation options opens up. Now's the time to try new things on an extra-special family vacation.

Disney park

A Disney vacation can be fun at any age, but preschoolers are at that magical age where they believe in, well, magic.

It also helps that they are old enough and tall enough for many of the attractions. When you hit something they are not ready to do, Disney offers a rider switch service so parents can experience attractions their kids are too short for without having to wait in line twice.

Whether you visit Walt Disney World in Florida or Disneyland in California, max out the magic by staying on-site, booking a character meal and packing their favorite Disney character costume to wear in the parks.

But remember, these kiddos are still pretty young, so you'll want to build in lots of downtime for swimming and resting at your hotel to avoid the aforementioned tantrums, even if your kid has otherwise outgrown regular naps.

Ski vacation

For the most part, preschoolers are too young to be overly scared of trying something new. That makes now the perfect time to take them to the mountains for a ski vacation .

Look for a ski resort that offers ski school with small classes for this young age or even private lessons. In some cases, the length and cost of private lessons is reduced for children in that 3- to 5-year-old age range. For example, at Winter Park, Colorado, a half-day lesson for children age 6 and up starts at $699, while that same lesson for younger kids is $404.

Look for family-friendly lodging — preferably with a hot tub for soaking sore muscles — that offers on-site dining and easy access to groceries and other necessities. If there's ever a time to spring for a room at the best spot on the mountain, it's now. The Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort and Spa , which sits just steps from Beaver Creek's ski school, can be booked with points for an excellent rate.

Go on a cruise

Once a kid is 3 years old and potty trained, the world of complimentary kids clubs, including ones on several cruise ships, begins to open up.

Certain cruise lines are a better match for families than others thanks to their exceptional kids programming. Norwegian Cruise Line's free program for preschoolers includes activities like treasure hunts, arts and crafts projects and parades. Norwegian also has fun family amenities like bowling lanes, a miniature golf course and waterslides.

MSC Cruises offers similar child care and family activities, with its kids clubs divided into small age ranges, such as the Mini Club for kids age 3-6. This line also has a partnership with Lego, meaning your little ones will enjoy access to Lego play areas in the kids club and a dedicated Lego-themed day during each cruise.

Then, of course, there's Disney Cruise Line , which excels at keeping kids entertained. Onboard activities range from Disney cartoons showing in the movie theaters to character meet-and-greets to the Oceaneer Club, which is available to kids ages 3-12.

While traveling with his boys in preschool, Michael Gum learned that his kids especially loved hotel rooms with bunk beds and electronic drawing tablets for inflight entertainment.

Florida-based writer and mom Dani Meyering recommends parents invest in TSA PreCheck to breeze through security, as children 12 and younger can accompany parents with TSA PreCheck through the expedited security lane. Lots of credit cards you may already have in your wallet even offer a credit toward getting PreCheck.

On a recent trip, Meyering and her husband kept everything in order at the airport by designating one parent to manage the luggage and the other to be in charge of their son.

Both Gum and Meyering extolled the value of packing more snacks than you think you'll need. "It's survival mode on travel day," Meyering said. "Bring plenty of snacks."

Best trips to take with elementary-age kids

The biggest obstacle at this age is finding the right balance of fun and hands-on activities without overtiring them.

This is also the age where school absences and working around an academic calendar become realities for many families. While planning your vacation, be conscious of your child's limitations and don't book too many back-to-back activities. Even though these kids can make it through a busy day at home, leave time for some rest and recuperation in between marquee activities.

Best types of trips

At this age, kids are largely self-sufficient and able to handle a full day of adventures. By age 6 or 7, you can start mixing in more active outings like hiking, horseback riding and exploring new cities by foot.

Dude ranch or glamping resort

Dude ranches and glamping resorts let you experience all the fun of the great outdoors while staying in luxurious accommodations. Most offer a wide range of activities like fishing, boating, archery, cycling and swimming in an idyllic, natural atmosphere.

Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo in Polk County, Florida, (about an hour south of Orlando) has air-conditioned glamping tents and luxe covered wagons, among other accommodation options, plus a weekly rodeo. The Ranch at Rock Creek in Philipsburg, Montana, offers skiing and snowmobiling in the cooler months and mountain biking and hiking during the warmer months.

If you have some Hyatt points to spend, the Rawah Ranch in Colorado has a kids program for those ages 4-10.

Bahamas resort

If you are ready to venture a bit farther from home for a beach vacation, the Bahamas is a worthy contender. Resorts like Baha Mar in Nassau have multiple hotels to choose from, some of which offer fun amenities like water parks and are bookable with World of Hyatt points , such as the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar.

The Atlantis resort complex, which sits just a few miles away, is also an option that has thrilled kids for decades. Since some of the towers are affiliated with Marriott, you can reserve select accommodations with Marriott Bonvoy points.

International adventure

This is an opportune time for your child's first big trip out of the country.

They're old enough to handle a long-haul flight (and yes, even kids love lie-flat seats !), and they are better able to appreciate the defining characteristics of your chosen destination, whether that's snorkeling in Bora Bora or enjoying afternoon tea in London.

Jessica Stephens, a mom of two, warns parents not to over plan. "Go in with an open mind and have a short list of things you must accomplish on your trip," Stephens said. "The other fun things you get to do are just bonuses!"

Best trips to take with tweens

When kids get into the double digits, they will probably want more space and privacy than they did when they were younger. If toddlers are the toughest age to travel with logistically, tweens may be the toughest age group to please.

If possible, you'll want to seek out accommodations with individual bedrooms or even a living room with a pullout sofa where your child can unwind at the end of a long day. Finding a space with an extra bathroom or two wouldn't hurt, either.

These kids are also entering an age where fun with others their age can outrank fun with mom and dad or younger siblings. This makes the tween years a great time to double up and take a trip with another family or cousins or go somewhere that has a club specifically for the tween age.

Even in the world of theme parks, resorts and cruise lines, some are better suited for tweens than others.

Outdoor adventure

If you've been holding off on long-distance hikes or other iterations of "roughing it," now might be the time. A U.S. national park is a good place to start.

From mule treks in the Grand Canyon to beachfront camping in Florida's Dry Tortugas National Park to discovering dinosaur fossils at Dinosaur National Monument in Colorado and Utah , each U.S. national park offers something special for everyone, including tweens. Remember that the National Park Service also makes park passes available for free to those in the fourth grade.

Speaking of (almost) free, kids in fourth through sixth grade qualify for a $59 Colorado ski pass that's valid at a variety of resorts .

Universal Orlando Resort

You can certainly bring younger kids to Universal Orlando Resort , but by the time they reach the tween years, they should often reach the height requirements for most attractions and won't be as scared off by the tall, looping coasters that far surpass the intensity of even Disney's most thrilling rides.

We recommend staying on-site in one of Universal's Premier Hotels since they are closest to the parks and provide everyone in your party with complimentary Universal Express Unlimited access to skip the standby lines during your visit. If you want to enjoy a real treat, go all out on a Universal VIP experience .

Disney Cruise Line

Disney Cruise Line knows how to make guests of all ages feel special, but tweens can be a tough group to charm.

Luckily, Disney has this down to a science thanks, in part, to their club for guests aged 11-14. Tweens will feel like teens while making fun projects with provided art supplies, partaking in dance parties, singing karaoke, watching movies, playing video games and more.

Mom Shana Loveday advises parents to let their tweens help plan the trip. She also recommends teaching them the invaluable skill of reading a paper road map. "Teach them how to read the map and let them have markers to track progress," Loveday said.

Best trips to take with teens

Like so many aspects of parenting a teen, the biggest travel challenge with this age group can be getting them excited and willing to participate. Balancing their potentially busy school and work calendars can be tough, too. Asking for their input on where you travel and what you do while there can go a long way. Allowing them to bring a friend may even earn you non-sarcastic "cool parent" status for at least a few days.

The sky's the limit at this point in terms of where you go and what you do. The training wheels are gone, and you can probably take the types of trips you used to go on before you had kids — just with a teenage twist to the plot.

New York City

There is so much to see and do in New York City. Not to mention, there are quite a few opportunities to sneak in U.S. history lessons while you're there.

We can help you choose a hotel and from there, it's up to you and your teen to decide which Broadway shows to see, museums to visit and landmarks to go to the top of for perfect panoramic views of the city for social media.

California road trip

California is well known for its theme parks and beaches, but it's also one of the best states for an epic road trip.

In addition to its general travel tips and visitor information, Visit California (the state's tourism board) offers a variety of road trip itineraries for every type of traveler. You can stick with the Highway One Classic road trip for unparalleled views of the California coast, or you can choose a trip that satisfies your family's specific interests, such as the Amazing Desert Oddities road trip or a Movie Locations Tour .

European adventure

Nobody wants to deal with jet lag, but it is true that teens are probably better equipped to handle it than their younger counterparts.

If your teen is taking European language classes in school, you could choose a destination where they could get in some real-world practice. Or, you can bounce from country to country, which is surprisingly convenient and affordable by train or plane.

Writer, podcaster and parent Jana Seitzer loves letting her teens help plan their vacations. "We've found over the years that when they are invested, they enjoy the trip more," she said. "When everyone gets to provide input on activities and locations, everyone gets at least something they want."

Best trips to take with your college-aged 'kids'

If your college-age kids have flown the coop, planning a vacation where they have the freedom they are used to can be difficult. Keep them involved throughout the planning process and try to keep the reins loose during your trip, with pre-arranged meeting times throughout the day. As long as you land on something that sounds mutually enjoyable that works for their schedule, odds are they'll be thrilled to take a trip on their parents' dime — especially if a friend can come along.

Consider how your kid in college likes to spend their free time, and tailor your plans to their favorite activities. You could spend a day lounging on the beach or trying more active pursuits like zip-lining or parasailing.

All-inclusive resort

Because the cost includes (almost) everything, an all-inclusive resort gives everyone the freedom to do what they want, when they want, without worrying about money.

Excellence Resorts in Cancun, Mexico; Punta Cana, Dominican Republic; and Montego Bay, Jamaica; are ideal options for families with kids in college. The adults-only section of Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya is another terrific option, as it caters to guests 18 and older. There are plenty of points-friendly all-inclusive properties, too, such as the Hyatt Ziva Cancun .

Multigenerational ski vacation

Whether you've been skiing together for years or you're all learning together for the first time, the college years are an excellent time to bring the grandparents (and maybe some cousins, aunts and uncles) along for a big multigenerational ski vacation .

Rent a spacious ski home close to the slopes so everyone has plenty of room to spread out when they're not shredding powder on the mountain as often as they choose during the day. You can even book a semi-private ski lesson for your whole group and tailor it to your current skill level.

Seitzer is an enthusiastic proponent of multigenerational trips, no matter your kids' ages. "Multigen travel is a fantastic way to spend quality family time with multiple family units making memories together," she said.

Traveling with kids of different ages

If you have multiple kids with significant age gaps in between, your biggest challenge will be finding a destination with a wide range of activities that will entice children from various age groups. Your best bet is a cruise or resort where the activities and entertainment are built right in.

Adventures by Disney

While you may feel sticker shock when you initially see the price tag, if you have a mix of ages in your family and the budget to support it, Adventures by Disney vacation packages can be a fantastic solution.

They offer guide-led trips on land and by cruise to destinations ranging from Wyoming to Antarctica . They take care of most of the details and work, and the price covers all meals and outings. Additionally, there are likely families there with kids of all ages so your group could blend right in.

Hawaiian resort

A sprawling resort with lots of activities and accommodations designed for large families will ensure everyone has an enjoyable vacation. The Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa is an amazing deal with Hyatt points. Plus, it offers daily activities like yoga, lei making and golf, as well as one of the best family pool complexes in the U.S.

There's also a kids club (for a fee) if you find yourself in need of child care for the younger members of your travel party.

Travel writer Sarah Gilliland has 10-year-old twins and a 2-year-old son. Her advice is to save her older kids' favorite activities for their little brother's nap time.

"When he sleeps in the stroller or I head back to our hotel with him for a nap, it's go-time for them," Gilliland said. "It helps their time with us feel special, especially since they had our undivided attention for eight years." She also recommends having a grandparent, another family member or a babysitter travel with you so they can help care for the younger kid(s) while you spend time with the older ones.

Mom Christy Kelley shared a helpful tip for keeping the boredom away while en route to your destination. "A friend once suggested that I take paper lunch bags and fill each with one activity and one snack for each hour of the trip so the kids always have something to look forward to," she told TPG. "It's great for kids of any age."

Bottom line

Naturally, these recommendations aren't set in stone. Some kids and families are ready to level up their travel early, while others like to keep things simple for a little longer. There's no right or wrong time for most types of trips, just general age ranges when some things tend to be easier than others.

If you want to head to Europe with your toddler, go for it. Or, if you want to head to Disney World with your grown kids, do it. Odds are high that great memories will be made no matter what you take on, as long as you're willing to go with the flow and keep your kids' wants and needs high on the priority list.

So, where to next?

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From theme parks to national parks, we found 40 vacation spots the whole family will love

Remember what a typical day in your childhood looked like? Probably not, but we bet you can vividly recall a family trip that blew your young mind. While many of us are contemplating our big travel plans for the next year, now might be an excellent time to let those long-dreamt-about family vacation ideas come to fruition.

If you want your child or teenager to experience the same magic on vacation , take them to any of these family vacation destinations. From glaciers to beachfronts , dinosaurs to Disney characters, there's something here for everyone — even the kid that's hard to please.

Theme parks and activity centers | Beaches | Outdoorsy adventures | Major cities | Historical outings

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Best family-friendly vacation spots of 2024

Shop today favorites:, aspen snowmass, colorado, cedar point amusement park, cooperstown, new york, denver, colorado, disney world.

• Florida's Space Coast

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Jackson hole, wyoming, miami beach, florida, niagara falls, new york, plimoth plantation, massachusetts, san diego zoo, sesame place.

• The Strong National Museum of Play

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

• Waikiki Beach

Theme parks and activity centers

" Cedar Point has gorgeous views of the Lake Erie shore, especially from the top of some of the best roller coasters around. There’s also a water park that’s fun for everyone." — Laura Millar, an NBC Page at Shop TODAY

Best for ages: 6-18

Why go? It’s the roller coaster capital of the world with more than 10 miles of track!

What to do: Ride the Blue Streak — a historic wooden roller coaster dating back to 1964. Or, opt for more modern thrills like the Millennium Force (rated one of the best steel coasters around), suspension coasters (your feet dangle from the floorless Raptor) and — new for 2024 — Top Thrill 2, the world’s tallest and fastest triple-launch strata coaster. Younger kids will find fun at Snoopy’s Space Race and the Kite Eating Tree.

Where to stay: Cedar Point’s Hotel Breakers , located on Lake Erie beach, offers early entry into the park. Five miles inland, Great Wolf Lodge has an indoor water park.

More info: CedarPoint.com

"Of all the places to take kids, Disney probably requires the most amount of planning. The two biggest things that helped make the trip enjoyable for us was using a free (!) Disney concierge planner — they have intimate knowledge of everything from restaurants to lesser-known gems hiding in the park, like a great place to sit to watch fireworks — and designating someone in the group to become a pro at understanding and executing the Fast Pass, Lightning Lane-type offerings. Disney World is massive; we took it slow to prevent meltdowns, and even baked in days to just recover at the hotel in between park visits." — Rebecca Brown , a deals editor at Shop TODAY

Best for ages: 2-14

Why go? You’ll never forget the first time your princess-loving child catches their first glimpse of the real Ariel or Belle or watches fireworks explode over Cinderella’s Castle. Disney is fun for parents, too!

What to do: Check the Magic Kingdom classics off your list first, then head over to Disney’s Animal Kingdom . At Disney Springs , experience the Vintage Amphicar and Aerophile.

Where to stay: Good times at Disney’s properties — including Disney’s Beach Club Villas — are always a given, or try the Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld for rooms at half the price.

More info: DisneyWorld.Disney.go.com

Florida’s Space Coast

"If your kid is into space and planets, this corner of Florida is a must-visit. There are several cities that compiles Florida’s Space Coast , including Cocoa Beach and Port Canaveral, but Cocoa Beach is probably my favorite. They have the Westgate Cocoa Beach Pier, where locals meet to watch the spaceship launches and the Kennedy Center is also nearby. It’s a wonderful place for all ages and kids will definitely enjoy the space tours, the beach and the sightseeing." — Jannely Espinal , a commerce writer at Shop TODAY

Best for ages: 5-15

Why go? Where else do you get to be an astronaut for a day?

What to do: You can feel what it’s like to rocket into the stratosphere on the Shuttle Launch Experience flight simulator . Take mission control tours, have lunch with an astronaut and even train with one in a family Astronaut Training Experience (ATX) program.

Where to stay: Both the Homewood Suites by Hilton Cape Canaveral and the waterfront Hampton Inn Cocoa Beach have pools and breakfast. The Radisson Resort at the Port isn’t oceanfront, but there’s a pool with a built-in playground!

More info: VisitSpaceCoast.com

Legoland, New York

Best for ages: 2-12

Why go? Kids (and kids-at-heart) won’t be able to resist the colorful attractions and hands-on exhibitions, all revolving around the iconic playset series.

What to do: Play all day! The theme park destination is currently open for their festive Holiday Bricktacular through Dec. 31, but their newest — and wettest — attraction, the Water Playground , allowing kids to splash, slide, build and get doused with a gigantic 318-gallon water bucket, is well worth another trip. The park has also become a Certified Autism Center , partnering with The International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) to train employees and providing low-sensory guidance and accommodations to children with cognitive disabilities.

Where to stay: The park’s namesake resort — Legoland Hotel — extends the family fun everyone is having, from offering nightly entertainment to crafting the perfect build in the Creative Workshop. For something a little more low-key and affordable, Sleep Inn & Suites Monroe provides free breakfast every morning and is in close proximity to sites like Bear Mountain and Woodbury Commons .

More info: legoland.com/new-york

"The San Diego Zoo ended up being much bigger than I’d imagined. One thing we did that really stood out to me was making a lunch reservation ahead of time. We sat outside near a waterfall and honestly it felt like a vacation in it of itself. It was great to have a place to plop down and just recharge." — Rebecca Brown , a deals editor at Shop TODAY

Best for ages: 1-11

Why go? It’s one of the world’s best zoos — and one of the few places in the U.S. to see the world’s smallest bear.

What to do: Don’t miss Elephant Odyssey and Northern Frontier to see polar bears and arctic foxes. Also noteworthy is the Africa Rocks exhibit (baboons, leopards, blue-eyed lemurs, etc.).

Where to stay: In October, “Kids Free San Diego” features dozens of hotel deals. Year-round, Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa has great water sports rentals and Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego is practically next door to The New Children’s Museum .

More info: SanDiegoZooWildlifeAlliance.com

"I grew up going to Sesame Place about once every summer and have fond memories of lounging on the lazy river! I have two young nephews now who had a blast on a day trip there last year." — Francesca Cocchi Zabloudil , a senior editor of partnerships at Shop TODAY

Best for ages: 2-5

Why go? The world’s best park for toddlers and preschoolers is scaled to young fans of Elmo and the gang.

What to do: Spend your time on water attractions like The Count’s Splash Castle, Big Bird’s Rambling River and Bert & Ernie’s Splashy Shores during the summer. Then dry off and do the rest: Take a dizzying ride in Flying Cookie Jars, ride Flyin’ Fish and Peek-A-Bug (in Elmo’s World) and explore Sesame Neighborhood via Oscar’s Wacky Taxi Rollercoaster. Plus, new for 2024: the imaginative and interactive 123 Playground!

Where to stay: The pet-friendly Red Roof Inn Philadelphia Oxford Valley is affordable, or get a little more space at Langhorne’s top-rated hotel, SpringHill Suites Philadelphia Langhorne .

More info: SesamePlace.com

The Strong National Museum of Play, New York

" This place is a kid’s (and adult’s) paradise. You and the family can spend all day here and still not scratch the service. From the Barbie exhibit to the slew of nostalgic pinball games, guests will be in their glory. There is even a mini Wegmans where kids can (pretend) shop and play cashier!" — Allie Wise , a Rochester, New York native and an associate editor at Shop TODAY

Best for ages: 4-12

Why go? It’s devoted to every kid’s favorite thing to do!

What to do: Celebrate superheroes at the museum’s American Comic Book Heroes exhibit or walk through the world’s largest pop-up book in Reading Adventureland. Visit the Toy Halls of Fame and play your way through the history of video games at eGameRevolution.

Where to stay: Book a room at the Hyatt Regency Rochester , which is a five-minute drive or short walk to the museum. Other family-favorite hotels include the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Rochester , which features a large indoor pool, and the Hilton Garden Inn Rochester University & Medical Center which is connected to the College Town shopping complex.

More info: MuseumOfPlay.org

"The Wizarding World of Harry Potter has rides and experiences that’ll satisfy everyone in the family. Enjoy thrill rides like 'The Forbidden Journey' or relax with a butterbeer at the Leaky Cauldron in Diagon Alley. Being there really makes you feel immersed in the world of Harry Potter. I’ll never forget buying a wand at Ollivanders!" — Laura Millar, an NBC Page at Shop TODAY

Best for ages: 8-13

Why go? Your Potter lovers will go Hog(warts) wild to see Hogsmeade and Hogwarts recreated in amazing detail.

What to do: Get there first thing in the morning. Ride Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey first: Muggles meet Dumbledore, join a Quidditch match and encounter a Whomping Willow. Next, conquer the ultra-fast Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure coaster and the tamer Flight of the Hippogriff; then go wand shopping at Ollivanders (if you’re lucky, the wand will choose you).

Where to stay: On-site properties like Hard Rock Hotel and Loews Portofino Bay Hotel offer guests free Universal Express Unlimited passes to skip lines. Or, for about half, you can stay at the JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes — the kids’ club has a 500-acre scavenger hunt.

More info: UniversalOrlando.com

Wisconsin Dells

Why go? It’s the water park capital of the world, year-round!

What to do: Get a day pass for Noah’s Ark Water Park (America’s largest) and race down the Raja, which ends in the mouth of a king cobra. Or book one of the wet and wild resorts, like the African-themed Kalahari (the Sahara Sidewinders looping slides literally drop you through the roof) or Mt. Olympus (the Lost City of Atlantis water fortress has slides, geysers and monster dump buckets). Afterwards, kids won’t get enough of the robust (and cheesy) offerings at Macs .

Where to stay: In addition to the resorts with indoor water parks, there are quieter options like Black Hawk Motel , Wingate by Wyndham and Hilton Garden Inn .

More info: WisDells.com

Beach vacations

"I grew up in Miami for 20 years and going to the beach every weekend was a ritual. There are many family-friendly spots including 17th street and Collins avenue, or you can stroll around Lincoln Road Mall and stop for a coffee break. The Botanical Garden is also a nice escape from the party scene, and if you want a more bohemian experience, take your family to Nikki Beach during lunch time. The food at this restaurant is exquisite (try the pistachio affogato dessert if it’s still on their menu) and the beach is just a few steps away." — Jannely Espinal , a commerce writer at Shop TODAY

Best for ages: 8-12

Why go? Although it’s often associated with a party crowd or retirees, Miami Beach also has plenty of kid-friendly activities.

What to do: Miami Beach has the most tropical beaches in the continental United States. As you drive to Miami Beach from Miami, you hit must-see attractions like Wynwood Walls and the Pérez Art Museum Miami . Indoors, the Miami Children’s Museum shares an island with Jungle Island .

Where to stay: At the north end of the island, Ritz-Carlton Bal Harbour has the best kids’ beach club. At the south end, Hilton Bentley Miami/South Beach has direct beach access and sits between two public parks.

More info: MiamiandBeaches.com

Best for ages: 12-17

Why go? Hailed as “the next Costa Rica,” this Central American country is enjoying a transformation.

What to do: Fly into Managua , and from there, head to the Spanish colonial town of Granada on the shores of Lake Nicaragua — the 19th largest lake in the world and home to two island volcanoes you can hike. In Cerro Negro near Leon, kids can sandboard (basically snowboard) down the volcanic ash sides. End your trip at One Love Surf School in the Pacific coastal town of San Juan Del Sur or head to the Caribbean side to explore the Corn Islands.

Where to stay: With its private beach, private farm and resident monkeys and sloth, there’s no place on earth quite like Morgan’s Rock Hacienda and Ecolodge . At Jicaro Island Ecolodge Granada , you feel like you have the island to yourself — until the birds wake you up in the morning.

More info: VisitNicaragua.us

Riviera Maya, Mexico

More info: NPS.gov/glac

Best for ages: 4-14

Why go? Snorkel in freshwater cenotes (natural pools), swim with manatees and climb ancient Mayan ruins all before the sun sets.

What to do: Fly into Cancun and then head to Playa del Carmen, the perfect launching point for all of Quintana Roo’s adventures. Float the underwater river at Xcaret Eco Theme Park and stay late for the musical show, “Xcaret Mexico Espectacular.” Then, taxi or bus to Dolphin Discovery in Puertos Aventuras where the kids can splash and play with dolphins, manatees and even sea lions! Finally, explore the clifftop ruins in Tulum. Further inland, take a day trip to Chichen Itza . For beach time, check out Aloha Paddle Club’s water sport rentals in Playa del Carmen or take the ferry to nearby Cozumel.

Where to stay: Outside of town, Barcelo has everything from its impressive all-inclusive Barceló Maya Tropical (five family-friendly hotels in one, plus an adults-only one for a parents’ weekend away) to its more intimate Allegro Playacar where babysitting is always available. In Cozumel, Allegro Cozumel has a pirate-themed water park on site.

More info: VisitMexico.com

Best for ages: 10-18

Why go? This Caribbean Island has the world’s only “drive-in” volcano.

What to do: Rent a car and head for the crater! After hiking around La Soufriere Volcano ’s hot springs, let the kids throw mud at each other in a mud bath. (You can relax in the mineral waters beneath a waterfall.)

Where to stay: Zoëtry Marigot Bay St. Lucia has a kids’ activity program and a tween-driven mani-pedi spa. Bay Gardens also ranks well for its activity-loaded water park and beach access.

More info: StLucia.org

Virginia Beach

Best for ages: 5-17

Why go? It’s got beaches, boardwalks, American history and a military aviation museum.

What to do: First, take a ride in an open cockpit biplane at the Military Aviation Museum . Then, hit the beach and Neptune’s Park where the kids could compete in a sandcastle building contest if your timing is right. Finally, drive to Fredericksburg to walk in the footsteps of our first president at his boyhood home, Ferry Farm .

Where to stay: The top-rated hotel choice is the oceanfront Hyatt Place , which is within walking distance of boardwalk attractions. Barclay Towers Resort Hotel is a bit farther, but every room is a suite.

More info: VisitVirginiaBeach.com

Waikiki Beach

" Waikiki Beach looks exactly like how you would imagine Hawaii to be! On the beach, you can rent surfboards and try out surfing for a few hours. Waikiki is actually perfect for learning how to surf since the water is pretty shallow for what feels like ages. You look out into the water and surfers are everywhere trying to catch the perfect wave. The neighborhood is incredibly walkable with stores, hotels and shops dotting the entire road. Pick a direction to walk and I guarantee you’ll stumble upon the classic ABC convenience stores filled with everything from snacks to souveniers and even spam musubi! Major bonus is that Waikiki is under 30 minutes from the hotel, making it convenient to get to." — Anita Chomenko, a social media video producer at Shop TODAY

Best for ages: 11-16

Why go? Thanks to warm, shallow and relatively calm waters, there’s no better place to take your first surf lesson.

What to do: Sign up for a lesson at one of the Star Beach Boys stands , located on the sand in front of the statue of Duke Kahanamoku. (This Hawaiian hero is considered the father of modern surfing.) Or try one of the local surf schools, like Big Wave Dave and Surfer Girl Academy . While on Oahu, visit the Pearl Harbor Historic Sites including the USS Arizona Memorial .

Where to stay: With its airport transportation, on-site pool and free breakfast, Hyatt Place Waikiki Beach could not be more convenient. Further inland, the Oasis Hotel offers boutique vibes.

More info: GoHawaii.com/Islands/Oahu

Outdoorsy adventures

An alaskan cruise.

Best for ages: 9-16

Why go? Besides heli-tours, cruising is the closest you can get to Alaska’s calving glaciers.

What to do: Crystal Cruises , the first cruise company to complete the entire Northwest Passage, has several options. For example, its Glacier & Gold Cruise visits the Inside Passage where it parallels the tallest coastal mountains in the world. On port days, kids can learn about the historic Gold Rush in the frontier town of Skagway or go dogsledding or take a floatplane to fish in a remote inlet.

Where to stay: Book a stateroom on the luxurious, all-inclusive Crystal Serenity or Crystal Symphony . If you extend your trip and check out Denali National Park where you can see Mt. McKinley, consider Aurora Denali Lodge .

More info: TravelAlaska.com

"I just went on a trip to Aspen and it’s no secret it’s a huge ski town, however, it’s also kid friendly! If you’re looking for a family ski trip, Buttermilk Mountain offers group or individual ski lessons, and Panda Peak is so cute. The kids can hold little stuffed animals on the ski lift! I was tempted to ask for one on my first run down on the bunny slopes." — Shannon Garlin , an associate commerce editor at Shop TODAY

Best for ages: 4-18

Why go? Between its four different mountains, Aspen Snowmass has something for all skiers and snowboarders.

What to do: First, check out the resort’s daily child-friendly programming and packages . Then, drop the 2-4-year-olds at The Treehouse Kids Adventure Center for their lessons and then head to Camp Aspen with the older kids and preteens. In the afternoon, meet up to ski together, go tubing or take a free naturalist tour. End the day with schnitzel and burgers on the mountain or family dogsledding and dinner at a remote cabin.

Where to stay: If you don’t want to rent a car, stay at Stonebridge Inn , a Destination by Hyatt Hotel where everything Snowmass-related is within walking distance. Or reserve a room at the town’s only ski-in, ski-out property, The Little Nell . Sometimes you can get two complimentary ski passes for each night you stay!

More info: AspenSnowmass.com

Canada’s Rockies by Rail

Best for ages: 8-15

Why go? If your kids haven’t outgrown their fascination with trains, you’ll be parent of the year in their eyes.

What to do: Book Fresh Tracks Canada’s Vancouver to Toronto train trip. It’s an 11-day itinerary stretching across the Canadian Rockies. Begin in Vancouver on a drive along the Sea-to-Sky Highway. Then, travel by rail across the country, watching the glaciers turn into cowboy country, wheat fields and finally, the city of Toronto. Older kids will demand extra time to see the Stanley Cup at the Hockey Hall of Fame and get their hearts rate up at the Stingray Experience at Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada .

Where to stay: Spend all 14 nights in a Prestige cabin on VIA Rail’s flagship transcontinental train, The Canadian. If you just want to explore Western Canada, Rocky Mountaineer makes a great home away from home.

More info: CanadianTrainVacations.com

Colorado Springs

Best for ages: 7-13

Why go? Nestled at the base of America’s peak, this town showcases Colorado for kids.

What to do: Watch athletes train for upcoming events at the Olympic Training Center . Then, hand-feed the giraffes at the country’s only mountain-top zoo, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo . Older kids can hike to the summit of Pikes Peak — the mountain that inspired the lyrics to “America the Beautiful” — and cross North America’s highest suspension bridge at The Royal Gorge. Finally, explore the geological wonders of Garden of the Gods .

Where to stay: Ride mules up to your cabin or fire tower accommodations at Cloud Camp , part of The Broadmoor Resort . Down in Colorado Springs, the Great Wolf Lodge boasts the state’s first indoor water park.

More info: VisitCOS.com

Dinosaur Valley State Park, Texas

Best for ages: 5-11

Why go? This state park just 75 miles southwest of Dallas boasts some of the best preserved dinosaur tracks in the world.

What to do: In addition to walking in the humongous footprints left in the Paluxy River, take a covered wagon tour, mountain bike the trails, borrow a fishing pole from the park’s Tackle Loaner Program and visit the museums in downtown Glen Rose , the Dinosaur Capital of Texas.

Where to stay: Pitch your tent or park your RV at Dinosaur Valley State Park, or consider Best Western Dinosaur Valley Inn & Suites .

More info: Texas.gov

" Volcanoes is not the easiest to get to, but the views are worth the journey! Located on the island of Kona, you could truly spend days exploring this national park. You can drive to overlooks, explore flat pathways, hike down into a crater, explore lava tubes and maybe even see an active volcano! If you’re prioritizing the park, you should stay on the eastern side of the island. You can drive from the west but it is more of a trek. Either way, you should also make a stop at Punalu’u Bake Shop, the southernmost bakery in the United States for sweet breads!" — Anita Chomenko, a social media video producer at Shop TODAY

Best for ages : 11-16

Why go? Two massive volcanoes are here, including Kilauea — one of the world’s most active. Trails take you past smoking steam vents, black lava rock and enormous craters.

What to do? Stop at the Kilauea Visitor Center to pick up maps, check current conditions and learn how the volcano came to be. Ask if rangers are leading walks or set out on your own hike. The Earthquake Trail (Waldron Ledge) is an easy hike with great views of the Kilauea Caldera. Don’t miss the Thurston Lava Tube, an underground tunnel where the hot stuff once flowed. (Drive there, then hike in, through a mossy fern forest.) Return to the park at night to see the gorgeous glow from the Halema’uma’u Crater.

Where to stay: For a dramatic crater view from your room, stay across the street from the Visitor Center at the Volcano House . If you don’t mind staying 29 miles outside of the park and want to be closer to town, one of Hilo’s top properties is SCP Hilo Hotel .

More info: NPS.gov/havo

Glacier National Park, Montana

Best for ages: 8-18

Why go? Thanks to climate change, North America’s few remaining glaciers are disappearing.

What to do: Hike! The Going-to-the-Sun Road — one of the most scenic in the world — is also fun to bike, but it's best ridden early or late in the season when car traffic is minimal. The open-top Glacier Park Red Bus Tours (open seasonally) allow kids to see wildlife from a safe distance. To get out on the glacial lakes, rent canoes or kayaks or book a boat tour with Glacier Park Boat Co .

Where to stay: Spend a few nights in a cabin at the no-frills Apgar Village Lodge . Then, splurge at the luxurious, all-inclusive and dog-friendly The Resort at Paws Up located on the edge of the scenic Flathead National Forest.

Grand Canyon National Park

Best for ages : 8-13

Why go? This great gorge is 277 miles long and 6,000 feet deep in some spots, with rocks that are millions of years old.

What to do: Don’t just stand there! Bike along the South Rim (rent from Bright Angel at the visitor center) or hike into the canyon on free ranger-led tours. To explore by mule with Xanterra , reserve at least a year in advance.

Where to stay: The Grand Hotel at the Grand Canyon is only one mile from the popular South Rim entrance. At the bottom of the canyon, check into a cabin at the historic Phantom Ranch .

More info: NPS.gov/grca

" Jackson, Wyoming is for the outdoorsy kid who loves skiing, snowboarding or simply building a snowman. I’ve only visited during winter time and is one of the most beautiful places I’ve been. They have the National Elk Refuge and is an iconic place to take pics and watch wildlife up and close. My favorite activity was riding on a fat bike and just enjoying the scenic views with the Teton Mountain Range as the backdrop." — Jannely Espinal , a commerce writer at Shop TODAY

Best for ages: 6-16

Why go? Jackson Hole is home to Grand Teton National Park and a world-class ski resort.

What to do: Jackson Hole boasts more outdoor activities than there are hours in the day. You can raft the scenic Snake River , tube down the runs at Snow King Resort or explore the magical ice castle and ice skate in Teton Village .

Where to stay: Hotel Terra Jackson Hole and Teton Mountain Lodge & Spa are within walking distance of the chairlifts. Both properties have ski packages in the winter and national park packages in the summer.

More info: VisitJacksonHole.com

" Niagara Falls is breathtaking, especially the first time you see it. The backdrop offers unbeatable photo opportunities for the whole family, too." — Laura Millar, an NBC Page at Shop TODAY

Best for ages: 5-12

Why go? Six million cubic feet of water thunders over the massive falls every minute.

What to do: Bring your passport so you can view them from the Canadian and American sides; to visit both, cross Rainbow Bridge. Kids who aren’t afraid of heights will love the view from Skylon Tower .

Where to stay: The most exciting option is the Sheraton Fallsview with its family suites complete with bunk beds! Its Reef Beach Club has a shark tank and a coral reef lagoon, and is attached to the Rainforest Café .

More info: Niagara-USA.com ; NiagaraFallsTourism.com

Pacific Coast Highway Drive

Why go? Curvy Highway 1 winds along California’s craggy coastal cliffs, high above the ocean.

What to do: Take it slow and make lots of stops — whether you conquer the whole thing (about four days) or just tackle small portions. Kids will be wowed by the Santa Cruz Boardwalk (ride the wooden coaster!); Monterey (go kayaking and see the Aquarium ); Carmel’s Pt. Lobos State Natural Reserve (otters, seal lions and whales hang here); Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park (great hiking and camping); Hearst Castle , in San Simeon, and the elephant seals on the beach just north.

Where to stay: The pet-friendly boutique Laurel Inn is in San Francisco’s Pacific Heights neighborhood. In Southern California, stay within walking distance of Disneyland at the Courtyard by Marriott Anaheim , which has a waterpark and rooms with bunk beds.

More info: CentralCoast-Tourism.com

Redwood National & State Parks

Why go? The California parks are home to the tallest, most majestic trees on earth.

What to do: Stroll through the mile-long Lady Bird Johnson Grove, a mossy jungle of sky-high sequoias — some of them 2,000 years old (kids can crawl through the hollow ones). See if Roosevelt elk are grazing in Elk Meadow, then pick up the path to Trillium Falls. On coastal trails, take guided tide pool walks. You may spot whales from December through April.

Where to stay: The Best Western Plus Northwoods Inn is located right off of Redwood Highway and includes breakfast. View Crest Lodge has cozy cottages for less than $200 per night.

More info: NPS.gov/redw

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Michigan

Why go? You’ll never see sand dunes like these! Some are nearly 500 feet high, with views of Lake Michigan and the Manitou Islands from the top.

What to do: Climb the dunes, of course! Run (or roll) down these majestic sand mountains. Cool off with a swim at Esch Road Beach where the pristine Lake Michigan water is brisk but refreshing. There’s great kayaking and tubing on the warmer Platte River (gear up with Riverside Canoe Trips ). Or, sign the kids up for a freshwater surf lesson from Sleeping Bear Surf .

Where to stay: Duneswood Resort is a short walk to the Dune Climb, and they rent bikes, buggies and strollers. If you’re based in Traverse City , stay at Great Wolf Lodge for its indoor water park.

More info: NPS.gov/slbe

The Black Hills, South Dakota

Best for kids ages: 5-15

Why go? Mount Rushmore ! Plus, these mountains and badlands are some of the most underrated destinations in the country.

What to do: The kids will love the hands-on American history lessons offered at Mount Rushmore. (Stay for the evening flag ceremony during the summer.) There’s also buffalo to be seen, ghost towns to be explored and the world’s largest collection of reptiles .

Where to stay: Stay at the KOA camping resorts in Rapid City , Mount Rushmore or Badlands/White River . Or, find modern rooms at the Hampton Inn Deadwood at Tin Lizzie Gaming Resort .

More info: TravelSouthDakota.com

Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota

Best for ages: 6-12

Why go? North Dakota just may be the most underrated and understated state!

What to do: Sleep under the stars in the national park named for Theodore Roosevelt , who once lived here. These dramatic badlands are home to the Painted Canyon; see who can spot the most bison or elk. Prairie dog barking is audible and just outside of the park is Medora , a town where horses are still a form of transportation.

Where to stay: Lodging is pretty limited, but it’s got character! The Rough Riders Hotel in Medora has a pool and a two-story rock fireplace. Badlands Hotel , also in Medora, is further from downtown but the rooms are slightly bigger and it’s only two blocks from Medora Children’s Park.

More info: NDTourism.com

Yellowstone National Park

Why go? It’s America’s very first national park and has the highest concentration of geysers in the world!

What to do: See Old Faithful , which shoots steam sky-high every 90 minutes, and then move on to the other geysers, stinky mud pots and multicolored hot springs within walking distance. Bison, elk, bears, wolves and Bighorn sheep all hang out here. In winter (when it’s easiest to spot wildlife), take the kids on their first snowcoach tour . In summer, fly high at Yellowstone Aerial Adventures .

Where to stay: The Summit at Big Sky puts you just outside the park. A more rustic option is Chico Hot Springs .

More info : NPS.gov/yell

Yosemite National Park

Why go? This national park is a scenic superstar: Think thundering waterfalls in spring and early summer and seriously steep granite cliffs.

What to do: Get your bearings on the free park shuttle around Yosemite Valley — home to famous sights like the Half Dome, El Capitan and Yosemite Falls; hopping on and off as you please. Set aside a half day to hike the Mist Trail alongside majestic Vernal Falls, climbing 600 granite steps to the top. (Pack a waterproof poncho!) Raft the rivers around the area with Zephyr Whitewater Expeditions .

Where to stay: The charming mountain town of Mammoth Lakes makes a great home base, or check out the highly-rated Juniper Springs Resort or The Village Lodge . Both properties have a pool!

More info: TravelYosemite.com

Major cities

" Denver is definitely for the adventure-friendly family. There’s so much to see and explore in this city, and the food is A plus. Denver Biscuit Co. is my go-to spot when I visit for juicy biscuits smothered in gravy. Also, you can make it a half day of outdoor activities and take a drive through Guanella Pass — one of the most scenic byways in United States." — Jannely Espinal , a commerce writer at Shop TODAY

Best for ages: 8-16

Why go? The Mile High City has tons of experiences for the 48-inches-and-under crowd.

What to do: One of Denver’s top attraction is the Denver Zoo . It’s more than 100 years old! At the Children’s Museum of Denver , younger kids can experiment in a test kitchen, cool off in an outdoor splash zone and dance in a room of bubbles. Older kids will appreciate the exhibits and the Phipps IMAX 3D Theater at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science . When they get tired, ride in the free open-air Denver Trolley.

Where to stay: The Limelight Hotel is in the heart of downtown (and a stone’s throw from Union Station). The Hyatt Regency Denver at Colorado Convention Center is just one block from the 16th Street pedestrian mall and has an indoor pool.

More info: Denver.org

Millennium Park, Chicago

Why go? It's an amazing green gathering place.

What to do: Strike a pose in the reflective Cloud Gate sculpture (affectionately known as The Bean). Splash around in the animated Crown Fountain, which literally makes faces at you. Join one of the free activities (family yoga, anyone?) on the big lawn or rent bikes from Bike and Roll Chicago or Divvy Bikes Millennium Park to ride to nearby Navy Pier .

Where to stay: Both the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel and the Swissotel Chicago on the Riverwalk are within three blocks of Millennium Park.

More info: ChooseChicago.com

New Orleans’ French Quarter

Best for ages: 3-17

Why go? The Mardi Gras spirit lasts all year long in this family-friendly city.

What to do: There’s lots of free PG-rated fun in Jackson Square , where magicians, jugglers, mimes and jazz bands make the street their stage. Grab an outside table at Café du Monde , famous for its sugar-covered beignets . A stroll along the Mississippi River leads to the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas and the Audubon Butterfly Insectarium . Hop the St. Charles streetcar to the lovely Garden District and the Audubon Zoo where kids can feed giraffes.

Where to stay: The Homewood Suites by Hilton in the heart of the French Quarter has free buffet breakfast. The pet-friendly Quarter House rents suites with fully equipped kitchens.

More info: NewOrleansOnline.com

Tenerife, Spain

Why go? This Canary Island is home to Europe’s No. 1 water park, its most visited national park and world-class beaches featuring sand imported from the Sahara!

What to do: Head to Siam Park , voted the best water park in Europe. Ride the water slide that travels through a shark tank or relax at the world’s biggest wave pool. Drive a rental car across the island to paddle board, kayak and snorkel with Teno Activo at Los Gigantes . Also check out Loro Parque and visit the volcano in Teide National Park .

Where to stay: In between Siam Park and the beach, Iberostar Selection Anthelia has a free breakfast buffet and a kids club. Or, rent a poolside apartment from Apartamentos Casablanca .

More info: WebTenerife.com

Historical outings

Buckingham palace.

Why go? When you tell kids a real king lives here, their ears will perk up!

What to do? Start monitoring flights months in advance and consider European airlines. (Low-cost carrier Norwegian Air often has round-trip, nonstop London flights from several major U.S. cities for less than $500.) On your first full morning in London, check out the Changing of the Guard where the soldiers march out in their trademark red coats and fuzzy black hats. It starts at 11 a.m. (10 a.m. on Sundays) but get there at least a half-hour early so the little ones can see. If the royal flag is flying, the King is in residence. St. James Park is a stone’s throw away and has a lovely playground.

Where to stay: Located opposite the Royal Mews, The Rubens at The Palace could be to London what the Plaza Hotel was for Eloise. The Resident Victoria is just steps from Buckingham Palace.

More info: Royal.uk

"If you’re a baseball family, the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown is a can’t miss destination. The Hall of Fame is interactive, informative, and perfect for the young all-star in your family to dream big about making their mark in the MLB. As the little sister in the family I got dragged to too many baseball games to count, but this museum remains one of my favorite family trips to date." — Kate McCarthy , the senior social media editor at Shop TODAY

Best for ages: 8-17

Why go? It’s home to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum .

What to do: Practice those swings at Barnyard Swing Miniature Golf . Climb aboard the Cooperstown and Charlotte Valley Railroad or cruise Otsego Lake on the Glimmerglass Queen .

Where to stay: Stay on the water at Lake ‘N Pines Motel where guests have an outdoor pool, an indoor pool and a video arcade room. Downtown, The Railroad Inn has lofts that comfortably sleep families of six.

More info: ThisIsCooperstown.com

The National Mall

Why go? If there’s ever a place to instill a sense of American pride in your young one, it’s here.

What to do: In spring during the famous Cherry Blossom festival, The National Mall is where most of the action and colors are. Hit the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History , the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture and the Smithsonian National Museum of American History . There are also several art museums — ideal for older kids — and the International Spy Museum .

Where to stay: With a No. 2 ranking on TripAdvisor, The River Inn near Foggy Bottom metro station is a great affordable option. Closer to the National Mall, you a comfortable room at Sofitel Washington, D.C.

More info: Washington.org

“As a Massachusetts native, Plimoth Plantation was a hot field trip destination during my school years, and for good reason. The outdoor recreation of a 17th-century village makes kids (and adults) feel like they’re stepping back into time. The best part is that there are actors who fully stay in character like it’s the year 1627, so while there are plenty of moments to learn about what life was like then, kids will also get a kick out of asking them questions about modern life and seeing the confusion on the actor’s faces.” — Kate McCarthy , the senior social media editor at Shop TODAY

Why go? It’s like stepping back in time to the 17th century, when the pilgrims arrived here from England.

What to do: Get a look at Plymouth Rock, where colonists first set foot on American soil. You won’t believe how tiny it is. Costumed actors recreate what it was like on the crossing and in the settlement. Learn about Native American cooking, crafts and culture at the Wampanoag Homesite. Visit the nearby Plimoth Grist Mill where you can see how they grind corn and even buy it to take home!

Where to stay: Pilgrim Sands on Long Beach has a waterfront view of Warren Cove. In colder months, consider the Hilton Garden Inn Plymouth , which has a great indoor pool.

More info: Plimoth.org

Accommodations

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The Best Disney World Itinerary for a 5-Year-Old

A vacation to Walt Disney World takes a lot of planning, organization, and patience! Don’t fret. We’re here to help!

We’re going to dive into a 5-day Disney World plan to help prioritize your must-do attractions, your core memory opportunities, and some pretty epic meals, all while experiencing the magic through the eyes of your kindergartener.

There’s a lot to cover at each of the four Disney World parks.  But we’re going to go through each park to give you an idea of the best restaurants, attractions, and events that you might consider checking out with your tykes.  While you may not get to  everything  on each itinerary, it will definitely help get your plans in motion!

Kid-Specific Planning

And we’ll preface this by saying that you know your kid best . We might recommend some typically kid-friendly attractions, but if you know your child is deathly afraid of bears — then the Country Bear Jamboree is probably best skipped. You know what we mean.

And similarly with your kid’s specific schedule. You’ll want to keep them as close to their home routine as you can in terms of meal times, naps, and bedtime to keep them at their peak happiness levels and avoid some potential meltdowns. This might get tricky with time zone changes and that added excitement of being in Disney World, but plan ahead and just do your best — and give your kid (and yourself!) some grace! So, manage those expectations of what you think you can get done in a day, and don’t push little ones (or yourself) too far, thinking you can get in one more attraction before the nap, because, trust us, that doesn’t end well.

Remember your kid’s taste palate. Disney is filled with restaurants with amazing food. But sometimes kids prefer the familiar, and would rather eat some standard chicken nuggets (we love those, too!) than try Mr. Kamal’s Seasoned Fries (more for you, though!), so be prepared to scope out those menus in advance to make sure there are options for your kiddo.

Finally, be aware of your child’s exact height measurements so you can know in advance which rides he or she can or cannot ride. Though height varies wides, the typical 5 year is about 43 inches tall. Make sure you know their height in their standard tennis shoes (the ones they’ll be wearing on vacation). And avoid layering socks, fluffing hair, or other sneaky ways to alter your child’s height. Keep in mind that these restrictions are for the safety of your child and in their best interest, and it’s better to be prepared in advance for which rides may not be an option for your kiddo than to experience tears of disappointment from being turned away, or even worse, an injured kiddo!

But never fear, your friends here at AE have put together a list of your attractions with height restrictions for you , so you can plan ahead and manage those expectations!

Magic Kingdom:

• Barnstormer : 35 inch minimum
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad : 40 inch minimum
• Seven Dwarfs Mine Train : 38 inch minimum
• Space Mountain : 44 inch minimum
• Splash Mountain : 40 inch minimum
• Tomorrowland Speedway: 32 in minimum

• Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind : 42 inch minimum
• Mission: Space Orange : 44 inch minimum
• Mission: Space Green : 40 inch minimum
• Soarin’ Around the World : 40 inch minimum
• Test Track : 40 inch minimum

Hollywood Studios:

• Alien Swirling Saucers : 32 inch minimum
• Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run : 38 inch minimum
• Rise of the Resistance : 40 inch minimum
• Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster : 48 inch minimum
• Slinky Dog Dash : 38 inch minimum
• Star Tours : 40 inch minimum
• Twilight Zone Tower of Terror : 40 inch minimum

Animal Kingdom:

• Avatar Flight of Passage : 44 inch minimum
• Dinosaur : 40 inch minimum
• Expedition Everest : 44 inch minimum
• Kali River Rapids : 38 inch minimum

Basic Disney Planning Tips

There are some decisions you’ll need to make before you skip down Main Street, U.S.A., like whether or not you plan to use Disney’s Genie+ planning tool or are willing to purchase Individual Lightning Lanes for those high-demand attractions. Your budget and your priorities will be the ultimate deciding factor in whether or not this tool will work for you. The two parks we think you can get the most value out of the Genie+, and Individual Lightning Lane options are in Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios, which are both heavy hitters in terms of attractions.

Though, you can still get a lot accomplished without it, if your goal is complete as much as each park has to offer, you’ll want to take advantage of Early Theme Park Entry and Extended Evening Hours  if you can.

If you’re traveling with little ones who might not meet some of the height requirements for some attractions, you’ll also want to take advantage of Disney’s Rider Swap , so no one has to miss out on their favorite attractions while someone stays behind with the tyke or folks who just might not some of those thrilling rides.

You’ll also want to pre-plan any table service meals you plan to enjoy during your Disney World vacation. Advanced  Dining Reservations for Disney World table service restaurants open up 60 days prior to your vacation, and the most popular dining locations books up quickly!! 

So, that means not only do you want to figure out which spot you want to eat as early as you can, but you may also want to set an alarm on your calendar to book those reservations as early as 6AM (EST) on that 60-day mark!

Magic Kingdom

The Magic Kingdom is where you’ll find classic Disney attractions, iconic snacks, and loads of Disney characters.

For many guests, this is the most magical theme park at Disney World! This park has the  most attractions, so if you only have one day to spend here, it might be worthwhile to splurge on getting Genie+ to make the most of your time here. And you’ll also want to make sure you get here as early as you can!

Here are some of our favorite must-do’s at Magic Kingdom.

Attractions

Now, we’re not going to list every, single attraction in Magic Kingdom, though we certainly love them all for different reasons. Here’s a quick overview of the ones we think you should prioritize, and of course, your mileage may vary based on your family’s interests and potential restrictions .

The most popular are the more “thrilling” rides, which are also the ones that will often have the longest lines. If you’re planning to utilize Rider Swap so the adults can experience these more thrilling rides, then you’ll still want to plan to hit those up, first.

• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
• Splash Mountain
• Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
• Space Mountain
• TRON: Lightcyle Run (opening in 2023)

Another option is to split up! Dad can take Junior over to ride the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, while Mom gets her thrill on at Space Mountain. Just make sure you have a plan and a place to meet up once you’re done. Once you’ve mastered those big hitters, then you’ll want to fit in some of those classic Disney rides:

• Pirates of the Caribbean
• Haunted Mansion
• Jungle Cruise
• Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
• “it’s a small world”
• Peter Pan’s Flight
• Dumbo the Flying Elephant
• Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid
• Mad Tea Party
• Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin

If you’re going to opt into the Genie+, then these attractions are the ones you’ll want to plan for. If this is gonna be your kiddo’s first experience on any kind of attraction, we’d recommend checking out some ride videos on YouTube ( we have several ), so your little one has a bit of an idea of what to expect. And again, be aware of their sensitivities. If they’re super afraid of the dark, then Haunted Mansion probably isn’t their jam.

Once you’ve marked all of these iconic rides off your list, there are other “filler” attractions that you can work into your day. In our opinion, the PeopleMover is a MUST.

• Astro Orbiter
• Tomorrowland Speedway
• Tomorrowland Transit Authority People Mover

If it’s a hot day, you may especially want to plan for a show or two, so you can get some much-needed air conditioning and time off your feet. We highly recommend Mickey’s Philharmagic and Carousel of Progress!

• Enchanted Tiki Room
• Hall of Presidents
• Mickey’s Philharmagic
• Country Bear Jamboree
• Carousel of Progress
• Monster’s Inc Laugh Floor

The hits with younger kiddos are Monster’s Inc Laugh Floor and Mickey’s Philharmagic. Sometimes the loud thunder in Enchanted Tiki Room can frighten little ones, and may not be old enough to fully appreciate the nuances of the Hall of Presidents. However, if you can hit Hall of Presidents or Carousel of Progress around nap time, you might be able to entice a drowsy toddler to sleep in those comfy, air-conditioned shows.

The Best and WORST Rides in Magic Kingdom

And while you’re in this magical kingdom, you may want to make time to meet some of your favorite Disney pals!

• Meet Ariel at Ariel’s Grotto
• Meet Belle at Enchanted Tales with Belle
• Meet Merida at Fairytale Garden
• Meet an assortment of Princesses (usually Rapunzel , Elena of Avalor, Cinderella , and Tiana ) at Princess Fairytale Hall
• Meet Mickey & Minnie at Town Square Theater

You can sometimes find other characters roaming the park, like spotting Peter Pan near his attraction, Pooh & Tigger near The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, and Aladdin & Jasmine in Adventureland, so keep your eyes out or check My Disney Experience App for who you might see!

If you don’t want to wait in line, you can always wave at characters as they pass by in cavalcades or the Festival of Fantasy Parade .

Now that we’ve addressed all of the attractions you need to prioritize and some of the characters you might want to see and where to find them let’s talk about FOOD!

PHOTOS & VIDEOS: The Festival of Fantasy Parade is BACK in Disney World!

Dining & snacks.

Magic Kingdom is home to some of the most popular restaurants, too. If you’re dying to eat  inside a castle, then you’ll want to make sure you earmark your 60-day window to book reservations at either Be Our Guest (dining in the Beast’s Castle) or Cinderella’s Royal Table (inside THE Cinderella Castle)! Just be aware that in addition to being super popular, they are also pretty pricey and can eat up some serious park time, so plan wisely!

Some other table service restaurants we enjoy (dare we say even more!) are Crystal Palace for a buffet with Winnie the Pooh and friends ,  or Liberty Tree Tavern , if you’re craving some homestyle cookin’.

If you don’t want to spend your precious park hours sitting at a table service and are looking more for a meal on the go, there are some great quick service options that keep us coming back time after time! We love having a cinnamon roll for breakfast at Gaston’s Tavern , corn dog nuggets over at Casey’s Corner , or the scrumptious Nutella Fruit Waffle from Sleepy Hollow Refreshments.

But some other quality eats can be found at Columbia Harbour House , if you’re looking for a nice salad or some fish and chips options. Pecos Bill delivers if you want something to fill that Tex-Mex craving, Cosmic Ray’s has those theme staples of burgers, fries, and chicken nuggets.

Also keep in mind that you can exit the park and take the monorail to a resort to eat. If your kiddo needs a break from the park, heading to a resort for lunch or dinner could be a great option. Check out these posts for more info on monorail resort dining options:

• What to Eat at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
• What to Eat at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort
• Why You Should Leave Magic Kingdom to Eat (And Where You Should Go)

The Best And Worst Restaurants in Magic Kingdom

Nighttime shows.

Can you imagine any other way to end the day in Magic Kingdom than with an epic firework show? Disney Enchantment is currently dazzling the Magic Kingdom sky, but we recently learned that a reimagined Happily Ever After will soon be returning !

The fireworks are magical and amazing, but they’re also loud. If your tyke is sensitive to loud noises, you may want to plan to view the show from further back, closer to the Train Station, and maybe even plan to bring some headphones or earmuffs to help shield those sensitive ears.

VIDEO: Watch the DEBUT of Disney Enchantment Fireworks in Magic Kingdom

Soared on Dumbo — Check! Sang along to “it’s a small world” — Check! Hugged or high-fived some Disney friends — Check!? That wraps up our perfect day in Magic Kingdom, and now time to prepare for our next perfect day in EPCOT!

EPCOT is home to  Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure ,  Frozen Ever After , and the newest attraction to open in Disney World, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind .

It also has World Showcase, the best place at Walt Disney World for food and drinks. This park is large and very spread out. Even though it might have literally been years since your kindergartener was in a stroller, you’ll want one for your Disney trip, because those parks are big, and there’s a lot of walking, and those little legs will wear out quickly. So be sure to have your stroller A-game ready, because you’re gonna need it!

There is a lot to see and do in EPCOT, but not a ton of attractions. So though you can definitely use Genie+ here to skip some of those longer lines at the most popular attractions, you probably don’t need it to check off everything on your list.

Guardians of the Galaxy , Soarin’ Around the World , Mission: Space , and Test Track all provide some decent thrills and have height requirements, so if these are on the list of must-dos for adults in your party, be sure to take advantage of Rider Switch or plan for where to meet up afterward.

Disney World’s newest attraction opened here in Spring 2022, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, a groovy indoor coaster with an even groovier soundtrack. It’s currently using the Virtual Queue or Boarding Pass system , so you won’t be able to just hop in line here, you’ll have to study up and have quick fingers on your phone to secure a spot in the Virtual Queue at either 7AM or 1PM. Your other option is to come out of pocket and pay for an Individual Lightning Lane .

The most popular rides you should prioritize are:

• Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
• Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
• Frozen Ever After

After you’ve completed these must-dos, there are some other classic EPCOT attractions you should make time for:

• Living with the Land
• Spaceship Earth
• Soarin’ Around the World
• Gran Fiesta Tour with the Three Caballeros
• The Seas with Nemo and Friends
• Mission: Space
• Journey into Imagination with Figment

If you need an escape from the heat or maybe a spot to sit down and enjoy a show, resting your weary tootsies, there are some beautiful shows that capture the education, culture, and creativity EPCOT was built on:

• Awesome Planet
• Disney & Pixar Short Film Festival
• American Adventure
• Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along
• Turtle Talk with Crush

Each show tends to run about 20 minutes long, so you won’t have time to do them all in one day plus all of the rides and pavilions you’ll want to be sure to check out. But these are nice and entertaining respites from the walking and the heat and might help give you some time for digesting in between snacks around World Showcase. Disney & Pixar Short Film Festival and Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along are probably the most kid-friendly shows. And we definitely recommend Turtle Talk with Crush , which is part show, part character meet, and completely fun for everyone!

After you’ve found Nemo on The Seas with Nemo & Friends, and learned how to speak Turtle with Crush, exploring SeaBase Alpha is another great experience for kids. Plenty of “controlled” space for them to wander at their own pace and explore the aquariums, and explore this underwater wonderland! And you can grab a free Finding Dory Scavenger Hunt and explore the aquarium finding new fishy friends (and bonus: it comes with STICKERS!).

There are also plenty of other interactive experiences you can see throughout EPCOT, so keep your eyes open and scroll through the My Disney Experience App in case something appeals to you and your family. And there’s more coming soon, like Journey of Water and the Play! Pavilion !

And, of course, you’ll also find various entertainment around World Showcase like the Mariachi Cobre in the Mexico Pavilion and Sergi in the Italy Pavilion. These entertainers don’t just add some zip to their pavilions but are amazingly talented and worth stopping to appreciate.  Each World Showcase pavilion has a Kidcot Station for kiddos to learn a bit about that country’s culture and do a fun little activity. So your tyke might really enjoy visiting each one!

AllEars TV: The BEST and WORST Rides in Disney World’s EPCOT

EPCOT is also home to some of our favorite Disney Pals. Check your My Disney Experience App to see who’s out and about and where you can find them!

• EPCOT Entrance: Goofy and Pluto rotate shifts in Future World
• Imagination Pavilion: Joy from  Inside Out  and Vanellope von Schweets from  Wreck It Ralph
• Morocco Pavilion: Princess Jasmine from Aladdin
• Norway Pavilion in Royal Sommerhus : Anna & Elsa from  Frozen
• United Kingdom Pavilion: Alice and Mary Poppins
• France Pavilion: Belle and Princess Aurora
• Mexico Pavilion: Donald all decked out in his Mexican attire
• World Showcase Gazebo: Minnie Mouse
• China Pavilion: Mulan
• Germany Pavilion: Snow White

If you’d rather avoid standing in line to meet characters,  you can always book a Character Meal.   Garden Grill has Mickey , Pluto , Chip , and Dale in their farmer’s outfits greeting their guests. And Akershus Royal Banquet Hall is host to a number of rotating Disney princesses where you can usually find Ariel , Snow White , Aurora , Belle , and Jasmine .

You might find some characters wandering the grassy knoll outside the Imagination Pavilion, near the International Gateway in between the UK Pavilion and France, or on the outskirts of the American Adventure Pavilion. So keep your eyes open!

PHOTOS: The HIDDEN Disney Characters You Can Find Around EPCOT!

There is no shortage of dining options in EPCOT, whether you’re looking for luxury table service meals or quick snacks, you can find a wide variety during your day at EPCOT. And luckily, there’s such a wide variety, that your kiddo will find something to enjoy, too!

Since EPCOT is host to some of the most popular dining experiences, this is another situation where you’ll want to mark your 60-day calendar to book those reservations. For those must-do table service meals, we recommend   Space 220 (if you have a budding astronaut on your hands), Via Napoli (because pizza is always a crowd-pleaser), Biergarten (for an all-you-care-to-enjoy Oktoberfest celebration), and we’ll always sing the praises of Garden Grill for its food and its character interactions!

If you want something a bit quicker, Regal Eagle Smokehouse in the American Pavilion delivers some tasty BBQ; Les Halles in France is a great spot for a sandwich, quiche, or pastry; Yorkshire County Fish Shop in the UK offers classic fish n’ chips; and Connections Cafe & Eatery has a very broad menu!

If you do visit EPCOT during one of its four festivals , explore the menus to find some tapas-size snacks. You can make a meal out of just snacking around the world. It’s also a manageable way to introduce your kiddos to some new foods without spending a fortune or potentially wasting uneaten food, since the portions are snack-sized. EPCOT is home to some of our favorite snacks as well, like the School Bread at Kringla Bakeri Og in Norway or the caramel popcorn from Karamell Kuche in Germany.

What to Eat on a $50 Budget at the EPCOT Food & Wine Festival

Night time show.

Now that you squeezed in all of those must-do attractions, enjoyed some classic shows, and filled your tummies with international delicacies, what better way to end the night than with a celebration of cultures, music, and fireworks!

And it’s not just fireworks. This show includes pyrotechnics, lasers, LED screens, lights, and moving fountains. It’s all choreographed to classic Disney songs sung and accompanied by artists from more than a dozen different countries and cultures from around the world.

The show is put on in the center of World Showcase Lagoon, so there are plenty of spots to get a view, And we’ll reiterate that if your kiddos have noise sensitivity, you may want to venture away from the lagoon or bring those headphones to soften the fireworks. Or you can skip the fireworks altogether and just enjoy the Beacon of Magic show that lights up Spaceship Earth.

How to Get the Best View of Disney World Fireworks and Shows

Your family has met some characters, expanded their palates with some international flavors, and ridden some fun rides! That wraps up our perfect day in EPCOT, and now time to prepare for our next perfect day in Hollywood Studios!

Hollywood Studios

Welcome to the Hollywood that never was and always will be, as the idealized version of Hollywood in the 30s and 40s. At Hollywood Studios, your family can travel alongside your favorite movie heroes through an immersive adventure!

This park contains some of Disney World’s most popular rides, like Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance ,  Tower of Terror , and  Slinky Dog Dash , and is the other park that we’d recommend you consider getting Genie+ for if you want to fill in all of the attractions. But it’s an option you can skip if you’re focusing exclusively on toddler-friends attractions. We’ve listed some of the must-do experiences you’ll want to prioritize for your day in this park.

Hollywood Studios is packing some thrills, well, Disney-style thrills, so you’ll want to review those height requirements and Rider Switch options .

The big hitters in this park are:

• Rise of the Resistance
• Slinky Dog Dash
• Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster
• Twilight Zone: Tower of Terror
• Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway

Of these popular attractions, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway is the only one without a height restriction and is fully family-friendly. The others can utilize Rider Swap if the adults want to experience some thrills while someone hangs out with the tykes.

Once you’ve secured your plan for fitting these into your day, there are some other attractions you’ll want to add in:

• Star Tours – The Adventure Continues
• Millenium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run
• Toy Story Mania
• Alien Swirling Saucers

All of these have height requirements as well, except for Toy Story Mania . So measure your little one and prepare your expectations for what they can and can’t do. And it couldn’t hurt to prepare them as well, so you can try to avoid a meltdown for not being able to ride Tower of Terror or Alien Swirling Saucers .

Even if your kid does meet the height requirement, you might want to review the ride for other potentially intense moments. Tower of Terror not only has a big drop (and keeps dropping you over and over) but it’s got a spooky theme, so active imaginations might be extra scared at the thought of ghosts and creepy music. Rise of the Resistance has stormtrooper firing blaster guns all around you, and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster is fast, dark, and goes upside down (even some adults may not enjoy that)!

And since this is Hollywood and all about “on with the show,” then, of course, there are some amazing shows to consider, and lucky for you — no height requirement for shows, so everyone can enjoy them all. Or parents can take the kiddo to enjoy the Lightning McQueen Racing Academy while the other adults take on Rock N Roller Coaster .

• MuppetVision 3D
• Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy
• Frozen Sing Along Celebration
• Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular
• Mickey Vacation Shorts
• Beauty & the Beast Live On Stage

Once again, these shows can run from 20 to 40 minutes, so they offer a nice break from the heat and hustle of park touring, but also take up a huge chunk of time. Our universal recommendation is MuppetVision 3D . Even though the 3D effects are a bit dated, the Muppets are classic, and we never pass an opportunity to visit!

Ranking the Rides of Disney’s Hollywood Studios

While visiting Hollywood, it just makes sense to run into some celebrities!

• Red Carpet Dreams : Meet Mickey & Minnie
• Celebrity Spotlight : Meet Olaf from  Frozen
• Star Wars: Launch Bay : Meet BB-8 , Darth Vader , and Chewbacca
• Toy Story Land : Meet Bo Peep , Jessie , Woody, and Buzz Lightyear
• Disney Junior Dance Party! : Meet Doc McStuffins , Vampira , and Fancy Nancy
• Walt Disney Presents : Meet Mike & Sully from  Monster’s Inc

And though you won’t necessarily get time for a photo and autograph, you can several Star Wars characters in Galaxy’s Edge, like Kylo Ren , Rey , Stormtroopers , and Chewbacca . You may also spot some classic Disney characters like Pluto , Goofy , or Chip and Dale around Echo Lake.

Hollywood and Vine offers a buffet for breakfast, lunch, and dinner with character meetings, if you prefer to dine with celebrities. Breakfast hosts characters from Disney Junior , so perfect for pre-schoolers and the little tykes. Lunch and dinner switch up for Minnie and friends in seasonal outfits.

A Few Beloved Characters Are Returning to Disney’s Hollywood Studios SOON

Hollywood Studios may currently hold the title on Disney thrill rides, but it is not known for providing thrilling food. There are some noteworthy snacks that we keep coming back to, and some fun restaurants where we honestly enjoy the experience more than the food.

For those fun dining experiences and pretty good food, there’s 50’s Prime Time Cafe , where you dine on down-home cookin’ with your “relatives;” Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater , where you eat classic diner food in a stylized drive-in theater show quirky film clips; and, as we mentioned above, Hollywood & Vine for a character buffet perfect for young kids who want to meet their favorite Disney Junior character for breakfast or the Fab Five for lunch and dinner..

For quick bites, the selection here is pretty standard, nothing super noteworthy. Woody’s Lunchbox has some tasty sandwiches, but limited seating, so be prepared for that. The Ronto Wrap in Galaxy’s Edge is really good (we like the breakfast version, too!). If you like hot dogs, Fairfax Fare has you covered. And for snacks, we gravitate toward the Carrot Cake Cookie at Trolley Car Cafe , Wookiee Cookie at Backlot Express , and Lunchbox Tarts over at Woody’s Lunchbox .

You can find some good food here, but it doesn’t really compare with the selection available at EPCOT or Disney Springs.

Eat Here, Not There in Disney’s Hollywood Studios!

Nighttime show.

Fantasmic! has a huge fan following, and your kids will love seeing all of the Disney characters, but may be scared when some of the Disney villains join the show.

This epic nighttime spectacular returned after a long hiatus with some new music and new scenes! This packs in the action with Disney characters, water projections, laser shows, and good triumphing over evil.

The action for this show is kinda far away and little attention spans go wandering. Still, there is a great scene near the finale with dozens of Disney characters waving to the audience from a riverboat. It’s cute, and tykes will like that part, but that one scene might not be worth trying to wrestle your wiggly or exhausted kiddo for 20 minutes or so.

Here’s What CHANGED at Fantasmic! in Disney World

You caught the shows, the fun, and met the unique Disney characters, so that means you’ve had a COMPLETE day at Hollywood Studios for tykes. That wraps up our perfect day in Hollywood Studios, and now time to prepare for our next perfect day in Animal Kingdom!

Animal Kingdom

It might actually be a toss-up between which park kids prefer, Magic Kingdom or Animal Kingdom. Magic Kingdom is colorful, has some fun rides, and has friendly characters. But Animal Kingdom has amazing animals, beautiful landscapes and trails, and space that allow kids a bit more freedom to explore and exercise some independence.

Animal Kingdom isn’t overflowing with rides, but there’s plenty to see and do.  Similar to EPCOT, if you keep your eyes open and let yourself wander, you never know what hidden treasure you might stumble across.

The main attractions here are… well, the animals (hence the name, we suppose), but there are some you’ll want to hit up bright and early to avoid some long lines.

• Avatar Flight of Passage
• Kilimanjaro Safaris
• Na’vi River Journey

Only Flight of Passage has a height requirement from this list, so you can easily Rider Swap this one or plan to split and reconnect if adults want to SIVAKO! Tykes will enjoy the Na’vi River Journey , which is a boated dark ride (think “it’s a small world,” Pirates of the Caribbean, or Gran Fiesta Tour) gliding through the rainforest of the Mo’ara Valley. Colorful and pretty, but dark.

Some other attractions might sporadically have long lines, but usually, they’re pretty moderate:

• Expedition Everest
• Triceratops Spin
• Kali River Rapids

Triceratops Spin is the only one free of height requirements, it’s essentially a Triceratops-themed Dumbo ride.

If adults can’t pass up an opportunity to challenge the Yeti on Expedition Everest, there is Rider Swap or a Single Rider line to….er….expedite your expedition.

Take time to explore the Discovery Island Trails , Gorilla Falls Exploration Trails , or Maharajah Jungle Trek to see all of the unique animals, creative theming, and storytelling and chat with a Cast Member in the area to learn about these amazing animals. This is where your tyke can stretch their legs and spend some time exploring the habitats.

And for a full range freedom experience, take them over to The Boneyard , where kids under 10 can climb prehistoric theme jungle gyms, slides, or dig up “bones” in the sandbox, while parents can watch and sit at shaded picnic tables.

Then finally, the shows!! Animal Kingdom shows rival those over at Hollywood Studios (and we might even like Festival of the Lion King better than anything because — TUMBLE MONKEYS!)! Festival of the Lion King and Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond!  are both Broadway-style musicals with beautiful costumes, impressive puppetry skills, and fun, toe-tapping tunes.

The two other shows in Animal Kingdom, It’s Tough to be a Bug and Up! A Great Bird Adventure immerses guests in the worlds of these fascinating and talented animals. Up! A Great Bird Adventure is thoroughly charming, but It’s Tough to be a Bug deals with creepy-crawlies in a dark theater. Unless your kiddo absolutely LOVES bugs, you prolly wanna skip this one to avoid a lot of tears!

For those animal lovers out there, take the train from Harambe Village up to Rafiki’s Planet Watch where families can wander along trails, learn about animals and how the Disney vets take care of them, and even get to pet some of the cutest little goats and pigs at the Affection Section .

Not to worry, parents, there are plenty of handwashing and hand santization stations so your kiddo doesn’t smell like their new goat best friend all day.

AllEars TV: The BEST and WORST Rides in Animal Kingdom

We all know that the animals are the big stars of the show here, and though you can’t hug a tiger here, you can still spot your favorite Mouse for a hug, high-five, or quick howdy.

• Adventurers Outpost : Mickey and Minnie in their safari outfits.
• Donald’s Dino-Bash : Donald , Daisy , Goofy , Chip, and Dale make regular appearances
• Discovery Island : Kevin, that precocious bird from Up, wanders around regularly.

You’ll also be able to wave at characters as they cruise around the Animal Kingdom waterways on  flotillas . We’ve classic and unique characters on these festive barges like: Mickey , Minnie , Chip and Dale , Pocahontas and Meeko , Russell  and Dug , and Baloo and King Louie .

Though not a traditional meet-and-greet, it’s fun to see some Disney friends sometimes when you least expect it!

Kevin from Up! Spotted in Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Animal Kingdom has a strong game when it comes to unique dining options and experiences! The table service options might be a little too unique for young palates, unless you visit Rainforest Cafe . Not bagging on Rainforest Cafe, but since you can find them in so many cities nowadays, it’s not exactly a Disney-exclusive experience.

Yak & Yeti offers a huge menu of Asian-fusion inspired dishes. If you’re looking for something a bit unique, you can find it here, but for those pickier eaters, there are also some more familiar eats. Tusker House is the character meal with Donald and the gang greeting diners in their safari outfits. As a buffet, this is also a good spot for picky eaters to wander through and get those familiar foods, while also having the opportunity to try some African-inspired dishes. Tusker House (as a character meal) is super popular, so make sure you secure that dining reservation right at that 60 day mark.

For quick service, picky eaters can find their bliss at Restaurantosaurus (for burgers, sandwiches, and fries) and Flame Tree BBQ has some tasty smoke BBQ that you can literally smell all around Discovery Island. Or if you’re looking for something a bit more unique, Satu’li Canteen (for those delicious cheeseburger pods and protein bowls!) or Yak & Yeti Local Local Foods Cafe has some familiar Asian-inspired meals (like fried rice and sweet & sour shrimp). And so many snacks!! Eight Spoons Cafe has baked mac and cheese we can’t get enough of! Isle of Java has a Tiger Tail pastry for sweet tooth cravings, Mr. Kamal’s has some seasoned fries that are shareable (but you won’t wanna share), Pongu Pongu has a Pongu Lumpia sweet pineapple cheesecake style eggroll that is different but delicious. Or for other pineappley cravings, Tamu Tamu is the spot for those Dole Whip lovers.

Are you hungry, yet? See? We told you, Animal Kingdom packs in the flavor!

Review: Satu’li Canteen lunch on Pandora at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Because of the animals at Animal Kingdom, you won’t find any fireworks here. This might work well for toddlers as well for a mellower (but still beautiful) way to end the day.

But we do recommend staying after sunset to watch the Beacon of Light projection show on the Tree of Life. The park icon lights up, and a projection show tells the story of some animal friends as they come to live from the tree and interact together. It’s a peaceful, magical show that is the perfect way to wind down after your day exploring nature and appreciating all of these amazing creatures.

AllEars TV: The Secret to Having the Best Day in Disney World’s Animal Kingdom

You’ve toured through Mo’ara Valley in Pandora, and coasted down the Na’vi River, flew high on the back of a Triceratops, and seen some amazing animals on the safari and trails, so you’ve had a COMPLETE day at Animal Kingdom. That wraps up our perfect day in Animal Kingdom, and now time to prepare for our next perfect day in Disney Springs & the Resorts!

Disney Springs

Sometimes considered a fifth park for all it has to offer, Disney Springs won’t require any Genie+ access, though you may still want to have your phone handy for Mobile Order at some of the dining locations.

But just because you won’t find classic dark rides or thrilling coasters, doesn’t mean that there aren’t some fun attractions here. let’s take a look at how you can spend some of your day at Disney Springs!

There are actually a few “rides” in Disney Springs, but you will have to pay to ride these options:

• Amphicars at The BOATHOUSE

If you looking to cruise the Sassagoula waterway in a unique way, head over to The BOATHOUSE and snag a ticket to ride in one of the zippy Amphicars. Or if floating through the air is more your style, the Aerophile balloon will lift you up 300 feet in the air for sweeping views of the Disney World property. Will your 5-year-old enjoy these? Well, the Amphicar, probably, but as much as warrants the cost? Prolly not. They’d probably get just as much of a thrill on the free boat transportation from Disney Springs to Port Orleans.

If you prefer to keep your feet on solid ground, Disney Springs has some great shows for you, as well. There is the AMC Dine-In Theater to take in a flick, or  Cirque du Soleil: Drawn to Life , which is probably a bit much for young ones.

If you don’t want to set aside several hours for these shows, you can also catch live music all throughout Disney Springs in the evenings. Or, if you’re up for a bit of friendly competition, check out Splitsville , which not only has an extensive menu but is also a bowling alley!

And there are a lot of shopping and dining opportunities in Disney Springs with some one-of-a-kind shops and the world’s largest Disney Store!

There’s no shortage of restaurants at Disney Springs! The only limit is the size of your stomach (and the depth of your wallet). Some restaurants in Disney Springs that you and your kiddo might enjoy are

• Homecomin’ by Chef Art Smith
• Raglan Road
• The BOATHOUSE
• Rainforest Cafe

T-Rex Cafe is much like Rainforest Cafe , but with dinosaurs (mindblowing, right?), but be aware that during your meal, as the threat of extinction looms near, a meteor shower thunders through the restaurant, which can be loud and scary for little ones. But it’s a fun and vibrant experience for kids with familiar meals that are super approachable for kiddos.

But there’s so much to see and do, maybe you just want a quick but quality meal? Well, buckle up because Disney Springs brings their A-Game with quick service options like:

• Earl of Sandwich
• Chicken Guy!
• D-Luxe Burger
• Blaze Fast-Fire’d Pizza

To satisfy your sweet tooth, Disney Springs has everything from over-the-top donuts, to cookies so good they require a virtual queue, and Dole Whip flights.

• Swirls on the Water
• Gideon’s Bakehouse
• Everglazed Donuts
• Salt & Straw
• Amorette’s Patisserie

If you crave it, Disney Springs has it!

Every Restaurant In Disney Springs And Who Should Go There

Disney resorts.

If you’re spending the money to stay at a Disney Resort Hotel, you may as well make some time to enjoy some of the amenities that you’re paying for, right?

Some come with an extra charge (like carriage rides or horseback riding), but other things you can do for free! Let’s see what some of the resorts have to offer!

Each Disney Resort Hotel has a different theme and story, and some of those amenities are uniquely themed to fit into those environments. All the resorts have pools , gift shops , fun-themed lobbies , dining areas , movies under the stars , and expansive (and immaculate) grounds and jogging trails. Depending on your resort level, you could also have access to fitness centers , lounges or bars , coffee shops , meeting areas , outdoor firepits , and live entertainment .

Visit Fort Wilderness for archery lessons, horseback riding trails, and carriage rides at Tri-Circle D Ranch. Visit Saratoga Springs or the Grand Floridian for spa treatments and  massages.

20 Best Things to Do in Disney World Without a Theme Park Ticket

When you’re dining with young kids, you’re probably looking for a meal that 1) they’ll eat, and 2) they’ll sit still for while you eat. Cue the character meals and engaging dining experiences at the Disney resorts!

The Disney Resorts have some of the best dining experiences (yeah, we just said that about Disney Springs… and EPCOT… and Animal Kingdom… and we mean it every time)!

For those magical Character Meals, you can always count on Chef Mickey’s (at the Contemporary Resort), Cape May Cafe (at the Beach Club), and Story Book Dining at Artist Point (at Wilderness Lodge).

If you have some big eaters and need an all-you-care-to-enjoy experience, check out Trails End (at Fort Wilderness),  Whispering Canyon (at Wilderness Lodge), Boma (at Animal Kingdom Lodge), and ‘Ohana (at the Polynesian).

For more casual quick service options, some of our go-to’s are:

• Mara at Animal Kingdom Lodge
• BoardWalk Deli   at the BoardWalk Inn
• Contempo Cafe at the Contemporary
• Primo Piatto at the Riviera
• Gasparilla Island Grill at the Grand Floridian
• Capt Cook’s at the Polynesian
• Sassagoula Floatworks at Port Orleans French Quarter
• Geyser Point   at Wilderness Lodge
• Roaring Fork at Wilderness Lodge

So whether you’re staying at one of these resorts, or just passing through, don’t pass up the opportunity to grab an epic meal at one of these locations!

FULL LIST of Character Dining Restaurants that Are Back to “Normal” in Disney World

PHEW! That’s four perfect park days, plus a bonus day at the Disney Resorts and Disney Springs. These are our top picks for how to construct the perfect Disney World trip for you and your 5 year old. We’ve given you all of the pieces, and now you can put it all together in a day that works for you and your family!!

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What is your 5-year-old’s favorite thing to do in the Disney Parks? Let us know in the comments below!

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The 51 Best Vacations for Kids in the U.S. for 2024

From national parks to amusement parks and everything in between.

PureWow editors select every item that appears on this page, and the company may earn compensation through affiliate links within the story. All prices are accurate upon date of publish. You can learn more about the affiliate process here .

Traveling with children can be a challenge, especially when it comes to deciding where to go next and what to do there. But whether you’re in search of a camping adventure or a thrilling amusement park , there are plenty of places right here in the U.S. perfect for your next family trip —many of which are easily accessible by car.

But keep in mind that booking early is important as there is a surge of vacation-hungry travelers hoping to enjoy the summer as much as you are (be especially prepared with rental cars and flights). We’re all ready for a little travel, whether it’s one hour away or straight across the country, and the more thoroughly you plan the trip, the more enjoyable it will be for the whole fam.

From camping in national parks to exploring cities like Boston and San Francisco, here are the best vacation ideas for kids of all ages right here in the U.S. for 2024.

The 7 Best Places to Travel in July

Best for All Ages

1. Chicago, Illinois

• Why We Recommend It: Lively, family-friendly, scenic
• Pro Tip: Visit in the spring or fall to avoid the crowds (and the cold)
• Where to Stay: Omni Chicago Hotel , Four Seasons Hotel Chicago

Climb aboard an actual submarine at the Museum of Science and Industry , gawk at the underwater beauty at the Shedd Aquarium and try to count how many dots make up George Seurat’s iconic A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte at the Art Institute. Chicago can be done in all types of weather (ask the locals), but summer means comfortable walks through the free Lincoln Park Zoo and beachside lounging on Lake Michigan’s Oak Street Beach. Grab a room at one of the recommended places above for a family-friendly stay that caters to kids and offers close proximity to all the big city action.

2. San Francisco, California

• Why We Recommend It: lots to do, good for all ages, adjacent to nature
• Pro Tip: visit during the fall when it’s unexpectedly sunny and warm
• Where to Stay: Fairmont Heritage Place Ghirardelli Square , Radiant Home Near Ocean Beach

Explore California’s northern city with young kids or teens, enjoying the museums, amazing restaurants and ferry boats, which can take you to Sausalito or Alcatraz, depending on your mood. Spend an afternoon at the Exploratorium at Pier 15, an interactive museum that replicates tornadoes and earthquakes. For a splurge, stay at the Fairmont Heritage Place Ghirardelli Square , which gets you up close and personal with the Ghirardelli Chocolate Factory.

3. Waikiki Beach, Hawaii

• Why We Recommend It: beachy, fun, can be all-inclusive
• Pro Tip: take a day trip to Kualoa Ranch, where Jurassic Park was filmed
• Where to Stay: Oceanfront Condo in Paradise , Grand Waikikian by Hilton Grand Vacations Club

If the beach isn’t enough of a draw, Waikiki, a boisterous strip of Honolulu, has tons to see and do, from a lively zoo to hula shows. Nearly every hotel in the area is welcoming to kids and there are some great vacation rentals, too, but the Grand Waikikian by Hilton Grand Vacations Club is a good bet for families who want a kitchen and separate bedrooms. Plus, there are five pools and a kid’s club. Not too shabby. Nearby, visitors can ascend the Diamond Head Crater or pay a visit to the museum at Pearl Harbor.

4. Florida Space Coast

• Why We Recommend It: unique, beachy, nice weather
• Pro Tip: plan your trip around a rocket launch, which can be viewed from multiple spots along the coast
• Where to Stay: Four Points by Sheraton on Cocoa Beach , Salt Life Oasis

The area surrounding the Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station makes for an engaging family vacation, with beaches, rocket launches and several towns to explore. There are tons of vacation rentals and condos available, but if you prefer a hotel check out the Four Points by Sheraton on Cocoa Beach , which is a short drive to all of the nearby attractions.

5. Virginia Beach, Virginia

• Why We Recommend It: outdoorsy, laid-back, beachy
• Pro Tip: late May and early September are great times to visit if you want to avoid crowds
• Where to Stay: Holiday Inn & Suites North Beach , The Seaglass Cottage

Virginia Beach welcomes visitors to its sandy shores with a top-notch boardwalk, the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center and the Ocean Breeze Waterpark . Keep the kids happy at the Holiday Inn & Suites North Beach , which boasts three pools, a lazy river and nautical-themed guest rooms (with kitchenettes), or opt for a more private stay at a cozy vacation rental.

6. Boulder, Colorado

• Why We Recommend It: outdoorsy, scenic, good for all ages
• Pro Tip: pair your trip to Boulder with a visit to Estes Park, located a short drive away
• Where to Stay: The Boulder Marriott , A-Lodge Boulder

Nature lovers will find access to hiking, kayaking and biking in Boulder , a picturesque town at the foot of the Rockies with a pedestrian mall and lots of parks and playgrounds. The Boulder Marriott is a good bet for travelers who want to keep things central and easy, but if you want a bit more adventure, the A-Lodge Boulder has an outdoor pool, film screenings and group hikes to accompany its creek-side cabins.

7. St. Louis, Missouri

• Why We Recommend It: lots to do, can be budget-friendly, lively
• Pro Tip: visit between May and September, when the weather is nice and there is more to do outside
• Where to Stay: Hyatt Regency St. Louis at The Arch , The Urban Refuge

St. Louis has the kid essentials of any good city—the Saint Louis Zoo , the Saint Louis Science Center, the Magic House children’s museum—but it’s also got a slew of things for parents, from great restaurants to a buzzy night scene. Get up close to the famous arch at the Hyatt Regency St. Louis at The Arch , a hotel that’s also super close to Busch Stadium and Gateway Mall.

8. Portland, Maine

• Why We Recommend It: culinary scene, lots to do, good for older kids
• Pro Tip: expand your vacation with a road trip along Maine’s coast
• Where to Stay: The Press Hotel , Cornelia Waterfront Penthouse

Get away from the daily stress in Portland, a historic city filled with lighthouses, beaches and a chic West End area, as well as a children’s museum and horse-drawn carriage rides. Don’t hesitate to book The Press Hotel , a chic property located in the former Portland Press Herald offices. For dinner, stop into OTTO, a local pizzeria with unique toppings.

9. The Hamptons, New York

• Why We Recommend It: laid-back, beachy, bucket list
• Pro Tip: if you prefer not to rent a car, the Hampton Jitney delivers visitors to several destinations daily
• Where to Stay: Gurney’s Montauk Resort & Seawater Spa , Tranquility at the Water’s Edge

The posh set heads to the Hamptons every summer, renting massive beach houses and dining in pricey seafood restaurants, but family-friendly areas like Montauk and Southampton aren’t just for the rich and famous. Book into a vacation rental or opt for a hotel, like Gurney’s Montauk Resort & Seawater Spa , which welcomes kids.

10. Highway 1, California

• Why We Recommend It: adventurous, fun, easy to plan
• Pro Tip: ff the kids can’t make it long distances in the car, plan outings inland along the way
• Where to Stay: Carmel River Inn , Hotel Carmel

Take a road trip along Highway 1 , a coastal road that journeys from San Diego to Big Sur, stopping in spots like Santa Barbara and Carmel along the way. Pismo Beach makes for a scenic pit stop, especially for beach lovers, but it’s Carmel where you should stay the night. Try the Carmel River Inn or Hotel Carmel , both boutique properties walking distance from the ocean. The Monterey Bay Aquarium is also a must-do for animal lovers.

11. Seattle, Washington

• Why We Recommend It: sightseeing, culinary scene, urban adventure
• Pro Tip: plan your itinerary ahead so you can see the city and the nearby natural attractions, like Mount Rainier.
• Where to Stay: The Kimpton Palladian Hotel , Homewood Suites by Hilton Seattle Downtown

If the Space Needle isn’t enough to get your kids excited for Seattle , the Seattle Aquarium, the Woodland Park Zoo and the Pike Place Market’s fish throwers should do the trick. The Kimpton Palladian Hotel has a great location downtown with options of connecting rooms and rollaway beds, or you can opt to save some money at the Homewood Suites by Hilton Seattle Downtown , which includes breakfast and two separate bedrooms in all the guest suites.

12. Nashville, Tennessee

• Why We Recommend It: lively, culinary scene, great music
• Pro Tip: book concert tickets in advance, especially if you plan to bring along the kids
• Where to Stay: Omni Nashville , Cambria Hotel Nashville Downtown

Music is the thing in Nashville , a thriving city with the top-notch Adventure Science Center, a great kids’ theater and the ever-popular Treetop Adventure Park. Be sure to take in a country show at the famed Ryman Auditorium. Downtown is the best place to stay with kids, so look for the Omni Nashville or the Cambria Hotel Nashville Downtown . Oh, and be sure to grab barbecue at Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint.

13. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

• Why We Recommend It: beachy, easy to plan, good for older generations
• Pro Tip: plan in advance as Myrtle Beach can be very popular during the summer and over holidays
• Where to Stay: Marriott Myrtle Beach Resort & Spa at Grande Dunes , Dunes Village Resort

The upbeat beach town of Myrtle Beach is known for its vibrant boardwalk and arcades and beautiful coastline, which is best enjoyed from one of the local resorts or vacation rentals. Kids will love the water sport options, from kayaking to swimming, and parents will appreciate the laid-back atmosphere. Book a room at the Marriott Myrtle Beach Resort & Spa at Grande Dunes , which boasts seaside access and great amenities.

14. Boston, Massachusetts

• Why We Recommend It: lots to do, historic, good for all ages
• Pro Tip: summer brings nice weather, but fall is an especially scenic time to enjoy New England
• Where to Stay: Boston Marriott Long Wharf , Harvard Square Home

Head to New England for amazing seasons and lots to do in Boston, a city with museums, parks, the Freedom Trail and, of course, great seafood. The Boston Children’s Museum is also a good bet, especially when visiting during the freezing cold winter. The Boston Marriott Long Wharf sets you up with easy access to all sites, including the impressive New England Aquarium. If you need a little more space and quiet, drive out of the city to one of Cape Cod’s picturesque beaches.

15. Indianapolis, Indiana

• Why We Recommend It: lots to do, good for all ages, budget-friendly
• Pro Tip: rent bikes to navigate the city, which doesn’t offer much public transportation
• Where to Stay: Conrad Indianapolis , Black Barn Indy

You’ll never run out of activities in the thriving metropolitan area of Indianapolis, with the Indianapolis Zoo , the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis (the largest in the world) and Corner Prairie , a massive outdoor, interactive museum. The centrally-located Conrad Indianapolis notoriously caters to small travelers, and the property is connected to the Circle Center Mall, making it perfect for grabbing a snack—or bribing the kids with a new toy.

Best for Kids Under Age 10

16. Outer Banks, North Carolina

• Why We Recommend It: laid-back, beachy, good for older generations
• Pro Tip: rent your beach house as early as possible to get the best choice
• Where to Stay: Pelican’s Paradise , Home in Salvo Outer Banks

Rent a vacation house along the shore in the Outer Banks, a group of barrier islands with picturesque stretches of sand, charming towns and numerous activities for kids. Don’t miss Jockey’s Ridge State Park , which boasts the East Coast’s highest sand dune, and the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island. This is a great pick for families who want to avoid crowds.

17. San Diego, California

• Why We Recommend It: nice weather, family-friendly, lots to do
• Pro Tip: For a nearby hike, check out Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve
• Where to Stay: Hilton San Diego Resort & Spa , Luxury Oceanfront Condo

Who can say no to the number one zoo in the world? Yep, from the  San Diego Zoo  to SeaWorld to Sesame Place San Diego to family-friendly resorts,  San Diego  has a lot to offer young travelers. Not to mention the weather is always on point, which makes wandering through the hip Gaslamp District especially appealing. Stay at the  Hilton San Diego Resort & Spa , located along the water and equipped with an inviting outdoor pool or book one of the many beachfront vacation rentals for a homier stay.

18. Sesame Place, Pennsylvania

• Why We Recommend It: good for younger kids, easy to plan, fun
• Pro Tip: download the park’s free app to keep track of wait times and buy add-ons
• Where to Stay: Courtyard by Marriott , Radisson Hotel Philadelphia Northeast

Young travelers will love Sesame Place , a theme and water park located in Langhorne, Pennsylvania, where favorite Sesame Street characters are the basis of every activity. The town itself is not super chic, but hotels like the Courtyard by Marriott and the Radisson Hotel Philadelphia Northeast welcome all Sesame Street fans (and are official partners with the theme park).

19. Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

• Why We Recommend It: historic, unique, good for older kids
• Pro Tip: this can be a good add-on to a longer trip to Washington, D.C. or Virginia Beach
• Where to Stay: Williamsburg Lodge , Guest Suite in Williamsburg

Jump back in time to 18th-century Virginia, where visitors can explore historical shops and homes and learn about trades like glass-blowing and blacksmithing. Get in on the old time vibe at the Williamsburg Lodge , a four-star hotel set in a Colonial-era mansion (with a much more modern swimming pool). And once you’ve done the Colonial thing, families will be pleased to know that Busch Gardens is another nearby attraction that serves up modern-day thrills.

20. Hershey, Pennsylvania

• Where to Stay: Hersheypark Camping Resort , Lothlorien Tree House

Travel to the home of Hersheypark , a massive amusement park dedicated to chocolate, where visitors will also find the kid-friendly ZooAmerica and Hershey Gardens . The town of Hershey, known as “the sweetest place on Earth,” has some neighboring towns with lovely vacation rentals, as well as the Hersheypark Camping Resort , where families can bunk up together in a log cabin.

21. Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin

• Why We Recommend It: fun, good for all ages, family-friendly
• Pro Tip: don’t miss one of the scenic boat trips around the Dells
• Where to Stay: Great Wolf Lodge , Chula Vista Resort

Family vacations are the thing in Wisconsin Dells, a city with numerous theme parks and waterparks, including Mt. Olympus Water and Theme Park , Chula Vista Resort or the “best and largest waterpark in the Dells,” Noah’s Ark. Stay in the popular Great Wolf Lodge , an indoor waterpark resort with tons of activities, shopping and dining options—and, of course, waterslides.

22. Dinosaur Valley State Park, Texas

• Why We Recommend It: outdoorsy, fun, good for all ages
• Pro Tip: visit during the winter for less crowds or during the spring for the best weather
• Where to Stay: Trails Edge Lake House , Farm House in Glen Rose

There’s no greater moment than stepping into an actual dinosaur footprint, one of the many activities you can seek out in Dinosaur Valley State Park , located outside Fort Worth, which also boasts the memorable amusement park Dinosaur World. You could find a nearby hotel or vacation rental, but the park’s campgrounds are a better way to immerse the family in the area if you don’t mind roughing it a little. Reserve a campsite ahead of time online, looking for one with electricity and showers if needed.

23. Huntsville, Alabama

• Why We Recommend It: good for all ages, less crowded, lots to do
• Pro Tip: the Huntsville Attractions Pass offers discounted rates for local attractions
• Where to Stay: Hampton Inn Huntsville , Peaceful Treehouse

The U.S. Space & Rocket Center is the main draw for kids in Huntsville, but the Alabama city is also home to the Huntsville Botanical Garden, the EarlyWorks Children's History Museum and the Altitude Trampoline Park. Book a room at the budget-friendly Hampton Inn Huntsville , which has a playground, an indoor pool and a location that’s walking distance from several restaurants.

24. Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky

• Why We Recommend It: adventurous, good for all ages, outdoorsy
• Pro Tip: if you plan on camping, book your campsites in advance
• Where to Stay: The Lodge at Mammoth Cave , The Birdhouse Treehouse

Venture inside real-life caves in Mammoth Cave National Park, which boasts the longest known cave system in the world. There’s also boating, hiking and a place called Dinosaur World, which you’ll obviously need to visit. Keep the outdoor spirit at The Lodge at Mammoth Cave , which has nice picnic areas and is walking distance from the park entrance.

25. Legoland Florida Resort, Florida

• Why We Recommend It: family-friendly, easy to plan, good for all ages
• Pro Tip: bring a change of clothes for the kids as they will likely get wet in the theme park
• Where to Stay: LEGOLAND Florida Resort , Tiny Lego Home

Enjoy the theme park and water park attractions at LEGOLAND’s Florida outpost , a massive resort with three colorful, themed hotels. Select the LEGOLAND Beach Retreat , which has colorful bungalows and an outdoor pool. The area of Winter Haven is also less than 30 miles from Walt Disney World, which means you can hit two theme parks in one magic-filled vacation.

Best for Tweens

26. Orlando, Florida

• Why We Recommend It: Convenient, family-friendly, bucket list
• Pro Tip: Use an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner to book your trip (it won’t cost you anything)
• Where to Stay: Orlando World Center Marriott , JW Marriott Orlando Grande Lakes

The home of the happiest place on Earth really is worth it for a memorable family vacation—especially since Disney World has expanded with Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and Universal Studios is serving up an immersive Harry Potter experience that will make fans of the franchise weak in the knees. If you want to be a little savvy, stay “off-campus” at one of our favorite nearby Marriott resorts , which have so much on offer (mermaids lounging by the pool, water slides, face painting events and more) that you might decide you don’t even need the theme park experience at all. If you do hit the parks, though, be sure to avail yourself of speed passes, like the Disney Genie+ service, which allow groups to bypass the lines and families to get more bang for their buck.

27. San Antonio, Texas

• Why We Recommend It: lots to do, good for all ages, less crowds
• Pro Tip: grab the Pogo Pass for entry into 35 attractions around San Antonio and Austin
• Where to Stay: JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa , Marriott Riverwalk

San Antonio  is a cultural hub that boasts historical sites, including the Alamo, and several theme parks, like Six Flags Fiesta and SeaWorld San Antonio. The renowned River Walk is a great place to explore the city’s serious, diverse food scene, and visitors can embed themselves right in the center of things at the  Marriott Riverwalk or enjoy the many kid-oriented amenities at the JW Marriott Hill Country Resort and Spa .

28. Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

• Why We Recommend It: fun, outdoorsy, good for all ages
• Pro Tip: the park entrance fees will be cash-free from June 1, 2023
• Where to Stay:  Cabin in Estes Park , YMCA of the Rockies

Outdoorsy types will love Rocky Mountain National Park, a short drive from Denver , which has hiking, horseback riding, scenic drives and lots of wildlife viewing. Book into the YMCA of the Rockies in nearby Estes Park, which has everything from archery to arts and crafts. Plus, the cool cabins are great for family bonding. Due to current construction projects, Rocky Mountain National Park currently has a timed-entry system, where reservations will be required for visitors to the park in 2024.

29. Glenwood Springs, Colorado

• Why We Recommend It: outdoorsy, budget-friendly, adventurous
• Pro Tip: check out Iron Mountain Hot Springs as well as the main Glenwood pool
• Where to Stay: Hotel Glenwood Springs , Lucky 7teen Cozy Cottage

Located in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, the small town of Glenwood Springs is home to a massive hot springs pool, whitewater rafting and the memorable Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park . Stay in the Hotel Glenwood Springs , which has an indoor waterpark and adjoining suites for larger families. Adventurous visitors should follow the trails to Hanging Lake, one of the area’s most popular hiking destinations.

30. Aulani Resort & Spa, Hawaii

• Why We Recommend It: lots to do, indulgent, bucket list
• Pro Tip: claim your poolside chairs as early in the day as possible
• Where to Stay: Disney’s Aulani Resort , Beachfront Bliss on Tropical Acreage

Slap the name Disney on it and you know the kids will go crazy, but Disney’s Aulani Resort is actually worth the splurge, with pools, activities and its own private beach. During your stay don’t miss character experiences with Mickey and Minnie, boat excursions around O’ahu and even family spa treatments, which mean you can relax alongside your kids.

31. The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter, California

• Why We Recommend It: good for all ages, bucket list, magical
• Pro Tip: purchase Universal Express passes to skip the lines
• Where to Stay: Sheraton Universal Hotel , The Garland

Universal Studios Hollywood is the gateway to Hogwarts, where kids and adults can sip on butterbeer, ride a Hippogriff-themed roller coaster and shop in Hogsmeade. Universal Studios also has tons of other attractions, like the WaterWorld Stunt Show and the relatively brand new Jurassic World: The Ride. If you’re visiting for a few days, snag a package deal with park passes and a stay at one of the nearby hotels.

32. Cooperstown, New York

• Why We Recommend It: historic, fun, sporty
• Pro Tip: parents will love the Cooperstown Beverage Trail, which hits several breweries
• Where to Stay: Otesaga Resort Hotel , Oaks Creek Cottage

Baseball fans should book a trip to Coopertown, home to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum —as well as numerous other kid-appropriate attractions, like the Farmers’ Museum and the Fenimore Art Museum . For something extra special, stay at the incredible Otesaga Resort Hotel , which was built in 1909 and overlooks the picturesque Otsego Lake. Score your timed tickets to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum ahead of time online.

33. Lake Winnepesaukah, Georgia

• Why We Recommend It: Lots to do, scenic, can be budget-friendly
• Pro Tip: Visit in October to enjoy the park’s Halloween-themed events and activities
• Where to Stay: The Read House , Gamekeeper Hut

Lake Winnepesaukah , called “Lake Winnie” by those in the know, is one of the U.S.’s best amusement parks, featuring rides, games, a waterpark and lots of picnic spots for a lunch break. There are plenty of chain hotels and eateries located near the park, both in Georgia and neighboring Tennessee. For something more historic, The Read House in Chattanooga is a charming hotel near the Tennessee Riverwalk and the Tennessee Aquarium.

34. Cedar Point, Ohio

• Why We Recommend It: easy to plan, family-friendly, fun
• Pro Tip: Cedar Point is open daily during the summers, but has limited opening hours the rest of the year
• Where to Stay: Lighthouse Point , Our Happy Place

Known as the “coaster capital of the world,” Cedar Point is where you go for some serious thrills—and, potentially, for a memorable family vacation. The location on Lake Erie offers the possibility for boating, swimming and fishing, and Castaway Bay is a nearby indoor waterpark with a tropical theme. Book a cabin at Lighthouse Point , a lakefront site with an outdoor pool and early daily access to Cedar Point.

35. Mackinac Island, Michigan

• Why We Recommend It: scenic, historic, good for older generations
• Pro Tip: wear comfortable shoes as the island requires a lot of walking (some of it uphill)
• Where to Stay: Grand Hotel , Bicycle Street Inn and Suites

Located in Lake Huron, Mackinac Island is a charming destination with historic Fort Mackinac, Victorian-style shops and hotels and no cars, so you can travel by horse and buggy or bike. The historic Grand Hotel is the obvious choice when staying on the island, especially if you have kids who like to dress up for afternoon tea, however the Bicycle Street Inn and Suites is better for those on a budget (and it has fridges and microwaves in the rooms). Note that visitors need to take a ferry to access Mackinac Island, but it’s an enjoyable ride.

36. Joshua Tree National Park, California

• Why We Recommend It: outdoorsy, peaceful, budget-friendly
• Pro Tip: preload your map or bring a paper one as cell service can be spotty
• Where to Stay: La Cave , Joshua Tree Getaway

Camp under the stars in Joshua Tree National Park, located not far from Palm Springs , where the Mojave and the Colorado deserts meet in an unearthly landscape. Be sure to stop by Pioneertown, a historical Western town with a restaurant and music venue called Pappy and Harriet’s. Enjoy the sunrise at the Jumbo Rocks Campground , known for its scenic rock formations. Jumbo Rocks requires reservations during its busy season, which runs from September through May.

Best for Teens

37. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, Montana & Idaho

• Why We Recommend It: outdoorsy, budget-friendly, fun
• Pro Tip: Buy an annual National Parks Pass if you plan to visit multiple parks this year
• Where to Stay: New Rustic Mountain Retreat , Bison Creek Lodge

Home to legendary geyser Old Faithful, Yellowstone National Park is an ideal spot for camping, hiking, fishing and just getting away from it all for some quality family time. Camp out at the Mammoth campsites, located near Mammoth Hot Springs, where RVs and tents are welcome or enjoy a cushier stay at one of the recommended vacation rentals that provide easy access to the park.

38. New York City, New York

• Why We Recommend It: lots to do, lively, good for all ages
• Pro Tip: learn to navigate the subway, which is a great way to save on taxis
• Where to Stay: Fun-themed Family Duplex , Beautiful Redone 6-Bedroom Brooklyn Oasis

The Empire State Building, Central Park, the Statue of Liberty, the Met and the awe of seeing your very first Broadway show—need we say more? For a great bonus adventure for visitors staying in Brooklyn, the Botanical Gardens, Prospect Park Zoo and Brooklyn Children’s Museum should not be missed. It’s worth planning way ahead when it comes to scoring Broadway tickets, especially if you’re coveting the front row at  Hamilton .

39. Miami Beach, Florida

• Why We Recommend It: beachy, nice weather, laid-back
• Pro Tip: Book a beachfront hotel to make the most of the location
• Where to Stay: Loews Miami Beach Hotel , 1 South Beach

Miami Beach is way more than just beaches, from an Everglades airboat tour at Sawgrass Recreation Park to graffiti touring at the Wynwood Walls to the Miami Children's Museum , and the cool hotels are appealing to parents who want more than the usual resort. The Loews Miami Beach Hotel has tons of kid-related amenities, including a kids club, and the 1 South Beach is a hip spot with daytime activities for young ones.

40. Sanibel Island, Florida

• Why We Recommend It: laid-back, less crowds, scenic
• Pro Tip: visit between December and April when there is less rain
• Where to Stay: Luxury Island Home , The Turquoise Turtle

This small, relaxed island off the coast of Florida is notably family-friendly, with great places to stay, scenic beaches and tons of outdoor activities, like biking, fishing and boating. If it rains, head to the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum , which has activities for young visitors. The hotels on the island tend to be minimal, so look into a beach cottage rental instead.

41. Black Hills, South Dakota

• Why We Recommend It: outdoorsy, budget-friendly, low-key
• Pro Tip: if you prefer not to drive from home, fly into Rapid City Regional Airport and rent a car there
• Where to Stay: Under Canvas Mount Rushmore , Bluebird Retreat

Mount Rushmore National Memorial is a bucket list sight, and the Black Hills have a plethora of other things to see and do, from Custer State Park to Devils Tower National Monument. Plus, amazing camping, which you can do at Under Canvas Mount Rushmore , a glamping site perfect for those who don’t want to truly rough it.

42. Grand Canyon National Park

• Why We Recommend It: outdoorsy, good for older kids, bucket list
• Pro Tip: don’t miss Bright Angel Point Trail, one of the most popular hiking trails
• Where to Stay: Maswik Lodge , Sunset Ridge Log Cabin

Grand Canyon National Park offers a Junior Ranger program for young visitors, as well as biking and hiking trails, a geology museum and river rafting (for teens). Camping is the best way to experience the park—look for the North Rim campground—or book a room at the Maswik Lodge , a rustic hotel not far from the canyon’s edge. Note that a few of the park entrances remain closed, so check online ahead of your visit for any updates.

43. Blue Ridge Parkway

• Why We Recommend It: laid-back, outdoorsy, budget-friendly
• Pro Tip: extend your vacation with a road trip along the Blue Ridge Parkway
• Where to Stay: Spacious Skies Bear Den , Modern Alpaca Farm Stay

Experience the great outdoors by hiking in the Blue Ridge Mountains or rafting down the Chattooga River, all in an area that’s perfect for families with kids of any age. Settle down for the night at the Spacious Skies Bear Den , which has campsites and cabins that cater to both young and old travelers.

44. Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska

• Why We Recommend It: outdoorsy, scenic, bucket list
• Pro Tip: koin one of the ranger programs in the park, which include sled-dog demos
• Where to Stay: Riley Creek Campground , Denali Bear Cabin

Older kids will love the vast stretches of wilderness in Alaska’s Denali National Park and Preserve, an area that welcomes travelers from May to September to hike, spot wildlife and camp. It’s camping only in these parts, but  Riley Creek Campground  has good amenities and access to the main road (it’s recommended to reserve campsites in advance). There is a small fee to enter Denali National Park and Preserve, which you can  pay ahead of time  online.

45. Arches National Park, Utah

• Why We Recommend It: outdoorsy, fun, good for older kids
• Pro Tip: temperatures in mid-summer can be above 100, so visit during the spring or fall for the best weather
• Where to Stay: Red Cliffs Lodge , Moab Glamping Luxury Tent

The brilliant red landscape of Arches National Park is a memorable spot for any traveler, but especially for those who enjoy camping, rock climbing and bouldering and exploring endless hiking trails through the rocky vistas. Moab features a range of accommodations, from campgrounds to chic hotels, so it’s really a matter of preference where to stay. For something really scenic head to Red Cliffs Lodge , a Western-inspired property right on the Colorado River. When visiting Arches National Park during busy summer periods, arrive as early as possible since trailhead parking lots can fill up quickly.

46. Williams, Arizona

• Why We Recommend It: wildlife, scenic, adventurous
• Pro Tip: The animals at Bearizona are more active in the mornings, so arrive early
• Where to Stay: Under Canvas Grand Canyon , Cobalt Cabin

Drive through Bearizona Wildlife Park in Williams, where visitors can spot animals like wolves, bears and bison. Bonus: Williams is on historic Route 66, which leads you right into Grand Canyon National Park. The hotels around Williams are rustic, to say the least, but Under Canvas Grand Canyon boasts amazing glamping tents with far better amenities than some of the local motels and there are cozy vacation rentals aplenty.

47. Niagara Falls, New York

• Why We Recommend It: lots to do, good for all ages, bucket list
• Pro Tip: plan to experience both sides of the Falls during your stay
• Where to Stay: Sheraton Niagara Falls , Doubletree Hilton

Head north to Niagara Falls, where your family will enjoy Fallsview Indoor Waterpark , a Hornblower boat cruise around the iconic falls and the Niagara Butterfly Conservatory. The Doubletree Hilton will keep kids happy with some indoor splashing fun, but is nice enough for adults to enjoy too. Across the border, be sure to check out Sheraton Niagara Falls .

48. Stowe, Vermont

• Why We Recommend It: outdoorsy, lots to do, good for all ages
• Pro Tip: come in the fall to enjoy the colorful trees (as well as less crowds)
• Where to Stay: The Lodge at Spruce Peak , Two Bedroom Trapp Villa

Stowe, known for its ski resort, is best in the winter, but the small town is also great for adventurous travelers in the warmer months, with hiking, fishing and kayaking at the ready. Family lodging is available throughout Stowe Stowe and The Lodge at Spruce Peak is a favorite amongst travelers thanks to the full kitchens in each room and the ski-in/ski-out location. It also has its own ski school, in case you want to ditch the kids for a morning on the slopes.

49. Yosemite National Park, California

• Why We Recommend It: adventurous, budget-friendly, scenic
• Pro Tip: Yosemite welcomes travelers all year, so plan your visit according to what you want to do
• Where to Stay: Apex Yosemite East Modern Duplex , Housekeeping Camp

The scenery alone should draw you to Yosemite National Park, which is nestled in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains, but it’s the wealth of things to do that make it an ideal vacation, even if your family isn’t that into camping. Of course, if you are willing to rough it, Housekeeping Camp features pre-built tents with electricity and running water, and each can sleep up to six. Day visitors need a ticketed reservation to enter Yosemite National Park, which can be made online , while overnight guests will need to show a hotel or campground reservation when they head in.

50. Las Vegas, Nevada

• Why We Recommend It: lively, lots to do, unexpected for kids
• Pro Tip: skip the rental car and take the Las Vegas Monorail or quick Uber rides
• Where to Stay: Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel , Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino

Sin City isn’t just for grown-ups with Cirque du Soleil, the Big Apple Coaster and Adventuredome Theme Park. There are numerous bargain-friendly hotel rates to be had, especially at the fun-loving Circus Circus and Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino (which has its own aquarium). Don’t forget to visit the Flamingo Wildlife Habitat, obviously located in the Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel .

51. Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, Oregon

• Why We Recommend It: outdoorsy, quiet, good for all ages
• Pro Tip: prepare for all types of weather, even during the summer months
• Where to Stay: Magnolia Pine , North Cascades Haven

The scenic Columbia River runs through the Pacific Northwest, creating a beautiful expanse of mountains and waterfalls, perfect for a holiday trip away from crowds. There are tons of great campgrounds dotted along the river, so it’s easy to find a place to stay the night in the midst of the wilderness. Many of the campgrounds, like leafy Eagle Creek , can be booked in advance online.

22 Kid-Friendly Airbnbs to Rent for Your Next Family Vacation

Freelance PureWow Editor

The Best Vacations for Kids at Every Age: A Trip Guide for Parents

By CNT Editors

All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

For those of us who live to travel, making sure we raise Good Global Citizens is maybe even more important than sending them to a Good College. Did we just say that out loud? But during the darkest hours of new parenthood when you can hardly remember to brush your teeth, that fantasy of trekking through the Himalayas with bouncing baby on your back feels about as plausible as learning how to play the cello at 40. And suddenly the old adage you thought would never apply to you starts to make sense: The days, especially those early sleepless ones, are long and the years, between Little League and prom night, are short.

So when we cut to browsing the aisles of Bed Bath & Beyond to pick out XL twin sheet sets for the kid’s college dorm and we find ourselves asking: How did we get here? Or more importantly, where did those 18 summers go? We’ll want to have a good answer. Did we pack their heads, hearts, and palates with enough color, texture, spice, humanity, compassion, self-reliance, and grit before sending them off into the world? Did we outfox urban ennui by dragging them to see that temple, that waterfall, or even that roadside dinosaur? Or did we default to the path of least resistance, surrendering to our fears of disrupted sleep schedules or arched-back refusal to be strapped into the stroller mutiny in the middle of the Papal Apartments and settle for the all-inclusive beach resort with human-sized cartoon characters?

The secret to successful family travel is, truthfully, all of the above. It’s an endurance game which, like parenthood itself, requires symphonic pacing—the highs, the lows, the fasts, the slows—and an against-all-odds sense of ambition, improvisation, and patience in order to push through the tough stuff.

What follows is a little nudge from some of our contributors, all of whom are currently immersed in various stages of family travel. We tapped them for their tips, tricks, and trip recommendations for different age groups (trust us, that destination that miraculously worked when they were 6 months old might not be such a success once they reach 6 years old). Plus, the gear you absolutely have to pack before hitting the road. You likely will, at some point, be that family with the screaming baby in bulkhead, but remember, we were all babies once. —CNT Editors

For longer flights, travel specialist Hannah Cote recommends breaking up the journey with a stopover.

You’re taking trips, not going on vacations.

Talk with parents and one thing becomes abundantly clear about travel with kids between 0 and 2: It’s hard. “Expect the worst and enjoy the small wins,” says Traveler contributor Melissa Liebling-Goldberg. No matter how thoughtfully you schedule a trip, you may need to drop everything to make sure the youngest traveler in your group is able to simply eat or sleep. There is a silver lining to this, though: Kids under two usually have a pretty simple set of needs. And as Regan Stephens, a Traveler contributor and mother of three based in Philadelphia, notes, they are also quite portable. “We took our first daughter to Nantucket , Dallas , Bermuda , even to Italy.”

Lots of prospective parents might write off further flung travel (“Now you’re taking trips, not going on vacations,” says Stephens), but they need not. Hannah Cote of Legacy Travel , a travel specialist with a focus on Hawaii , has a good tip that may seem counterintuitive if you want to take a longer trip: “I try to recommend a stop over if parents aren’t sure how their child will react to being on a plane for that long. On our last trip to Maui we stopped in Los Angeles for a night to break up the trip so it wasn't too hard on the kids.”

Several parents I talked to, though, found slightly less ambitious trips were the most successful with kids this age. Road trips were a popular choice, and they do have a lot going for them: You can run entirely on your own schedule (or, more likely, your toddler’s schedule), you’re sure to have room for everything you want to pack, and they allow for easy tangents. That sort of adaptability is the most important asset for parents making their first trips with infants and toddlers. As one parent put it to me: “Kids can get interested in just running up and down a ramp. So don’t stress that they aren’t getting to that cool thing you want to show them.”

As I learned on my son’s first flight when he was 6 months old, even when they aren’t doing much, kids need a lot of stuff. But nothing is more important than making sure a child that young can sleep. The Slumber Pod can keep a new hotel room or Airbnb dark, comfortable, and hopefully a little quieter.

Buy now: The Slumber Pod, $170, slumberpod.com

—Noah Kaufman

For ages 3-5, trips packed with interactive activities are key.

It’s all about creating moments to learn new things—and still having fun.

CNT Editors

Blane Bachelor

Kyler Alvord

When asked about the best trip she’s taken with her 3-year-old twin sons, Marquita Wright instantly says Sarasota, Florida. “When we went to Sarasota, visiting the Mote [Marine Laboratory] was an absolute must. Being able to actually touch the stingrays, starfish, and sharks, absolutely blew my mind. Also, the Wild Kratts Ocean Adventure there offered interactive activities to help the boys learn about marine life; they loved the conveyor belt exhibit that teaches how sharks lose their teeth when they eat. They could not get enough of it.”

The trip, which took place over the twins birthday, wasn’t limited to educational activities, though. Wright was able to take the boys to Siesta Beach , known for its powder white sand and crystal blue water, and take advantage of the kid-friendly restaurants populating the area.

But blending education and fun in an easy to navigate way doesn’t have to be limited to domestic trips for the 3 - 5 age group, either. I have traveled a lot as a duo with my son, who was born in Poland and has spent the first four years of his life traveling at mine and my husband’s side. As a family, we prioritize cultural connectivity—our son had been to Greece, Portugal, Spain, and Egypt before he could walk or talk. However, one of the most memorable trips we have taken together was to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, just before he turned 3. We stayed right in the middle of it all: walking distance to the Central Market, the beautifully colorful Sri Mahamariamman Temple, and the huge outdoor shopping market Petaling Street. He was so excited to look at all of the colors, and people at Central Market liked to offer him free treats. I’m also a stickler for consistency and directly across the street from our hotel was a restaurant called Banana Leaf Curry House, where we shared big plates of curry with potatoes and sautéed cabbage, always washed down with mango lassis.

Another highlight? When we rode the Hop-On, Hop-Off bus stop, a double-decker bus that allowed my son to see almost every inch of the city without actually having to do anything. We passed through places like Little India, KL Bird Park , and the breathtaking Jamek Mosque. I just loved watching my son's eyes light up as he gleefully pointed out everything new he discovered.

I’ve found it imperative to have a tablet of some sort while traveling with ages 3-5. The Amazon Fire 7 has parental controls and you can download a ton of educational games, cartoons, and activities to keep the little ones busy throughout long journeys.

Buy now: Fire 7 tablet, $50, amazon.com

—Imani Bashir

Jermaine and Sarah Griggs took their three children on a yearlong journey around the world.

It's the golden time for family travel, when your little kid morphs into a big kid.

Kids have an innate ability to be impressed by the world—one that also has an expiration date. So use travel to capitalize on your child’s sense of wide-eyed wonder now, before the tween years steal it away.

“The 6-10 year old range is the sweet spot for families,” says Cate Caruso , an adviser for luxury travel agency network Virtuoso and the owner of True Places Travel . “Their mind is open, and travel can be truly formative.”

Cruises and safaris, Caruso says, offer the ultimate bang for your buck, and she recommends more intimate cruises like Lindblad Expeditions , which offer personalized tours through destinations like Alaska and the Galápagos . “Raising global citizens is in [Linblad’s] DNA,” she says. “They get the young traveler, they understand you should never underestimate your children’s abilities to experience the world, and they push kids to do things that their family may have thought they couldn’t do.”

Landlubbers should consider safaris with operators like Micato and Abercrombie & Kent , both of which can move at a family’s unique pace. For ages 6-10, Caruso recommends safaris in Africa’s southern region, where in addition to marveling at animals, kids can also interact with the local community and connect to history. South Africa, she says, hits all the marks.

“That’s where Gandhi became a global citizen with his race consciousness, and it’s an ideal way for families to help kids connect the dots,” she says. “It’s also mind-blowing—you’ll see lions, giraffes, and elephants, but also meerkats, penguins, and pangolins.”

Traveling with this age group also presents a great opportunity for teaching responsibility. When Jermaine and Sarah Griggs took their three kids on a yearlong journey around the world , Jadyn Griggs was 11, Layla was 7, and Brendan was 6. They played a game called “fun versus fact” on the road, pairing every educational outing with a fun one like a trip to a water park. But each child was responsible for packing and carrying their own luggage. “Even Brendan was able to pull his own suitcase,” says Jermaine. “Once we made that switch, they became travelers. It increased their maturity.”

Stories bring the world to life for school kids, so load up on simple chapter books that are set in your destination to help your young reader feel connected. Allow your child to pack and carry their own kids-size roller suitcase —and don’t forget an iPad or tablet to make long plane flights a breeze.

Buy Now: Lil Flyer suitcase, $140, younglingz.com

—Debra Kamin

If a resort or beach trip is where you land, pick a multi-dimensional place like Maui, which has plenty of activities for pre-teens.

The key to a great trip? Make them feel like true partners rather than just along for the ride.

Finally! Your kids more or less eat the same food as you and keep roughly the same hours. They can pack for themselves and lug around their own suitcases. They’re curious, smart, semi-helpful, and—early onset ennui notwithstanding—they still want to spend time with the family. Now, you just have to pick the type of trip and destination that will capitalize on this so-called honeymoon period of family vacationing.

This may sound a little Brady Bunch, but call a family meeting to discuss trip ideas. Have everyone come with at least one type (like adventure, nature, or ocean) and two destinations (one close by and one farther flung). You’ll make the final call that works with your budget, schedule, desire, but it goes a long way to hear where and what the junior family members are excited about. Even if the three-week South Pole adventure isn’t feasible, elements of it, like wildlife spotting or crazy nature, can likely get worked into whatever trip you decide on in some form. From there, keep them involved in the planning process, and get them excited about the destination—guidebooks and fiction or movies set in the location are great windows into a place, its people, and culture.

The beauty of this age group, however, is that just about any type of trip and any destination is on the table; they can handle long haul flights, endless hours in the car, real hikes, and pounding the urban pavement. The strategy, as compared with younger age groups, is planning enough rather than scaling back, and engaging rather than distracting. (An hour splashing in the pool and a visit to the kids club will no longer cut it.) If a resort or beach trip is where you land, pick a multi-dimensional place like Maui where, in addition to pool time and a stable of different types and priced accommodations, there’s amazing hiking and wildlife, small towns and inland farms for day visits, opportunities for independence (walking to another resort for a shaved ice, meeting other kids), a robust local food movement, manageable museums, and countless water activities (surf lessons, snorkeling, kayaking, fishing excursions).

But this is also prime time for a first big cultural trip. Kids in this age group have had some formal exposure to world history, music, or art at school, and chances are, some place that they’ve studied really resonated with them, whether it's Senegal for drumming or Rome for ancient architecture or Tokyo for anime. Let their curiosity and passion lead. If they’re interested and engaged, it’s going to be a great trip for you, guaranteed.

Blissfully, this age group doesn’t really require any fancy gear or gadgets. If they’re curious about marine life and you’ll be near the ocean, invest in a reasonably-priced but quality snorkel set rather than relying on whatever the resort has. Cressi makes a fin and snorkel set specifically for this age group. Or, if they’re into wildlife, get them a decent but affordable pair of real binoculars that are lightweight and durable.

Buy now: Cressi Youth Junior Snorkeling Set, $45, amazon.com

Buy now: Celestron Nature DX 8x32 Binoculars, $109, amazon.com

—Rebecca Misner

Active vacations are particularly popular with parents traveling with teens, says luxury travel advisor Josh Alexander.

Adventure and excitement are the secret sauce.

The good news? Traveling with older teenagers is almost the same as taking a trip with honest-to-goodness adults. The bad news? Well, we did say almost.

But let’s focus on the positives first: Luxury travel advisor Josh Alexander, who works for Protravel International , has many clients with children this age booking the most adventurous vacations out of anyone. “We see a lot of National Parks trips, biking trips through specialized companies like Backroads and DuVine Cycling and Adventure Co. ; they’re vacations with scheduled outdoor time that offer ways to be active,” says Alexander. Yellowstone is among his most popular destinations, especially because it’s easy to tack on Bozeman or Jackson Hole to the itinerary.

On the other end of the spectrum, late-stage teens are also old enough to appreciate the history, culture, and culinary delights of an urban vacation. Alexander has many families with teenagers opting for history-filled cities like Charleston , Savannah , and New Orleans . Atlanta-based author and chef Nandita Godbole has traveled frequently with her 17-year-old daughter since she was an infant, and now finds they can do activities together, as opposed to choosing something that only appeals to one of them. “We sometimes go antiquing, do scenic drives, or even stop at the local farmers market if we see one,” she says.

The best strategy, regardless of where you go, is to plan trips that keep teens curious and energized. Elizabeth Thorp, a communications strategist and writer based in Washington, D.C., has three teenage daughters with whom she travels frequently. “The vacations that are the most successful are destinations that they’re interested in and where there are activities for them,” she says. “They haven’t done as well when they’ve just sat on a beach; they need external stimulation.” One of the family’s recent favorites was a trip to Jamaica, where the girls were excited to test out all the water sports they’d researched ahead of time.

As for that “almost” we mentioned earlier? Don’t forget the snacks. “You have to make sure they’re fed or they get grumpy right away,” says Thorp.

Thorp makes sure that all three of her girls never leave for a trip without their Mophie power banks. That way, they can document their travels without worrying about their phones dying. “I borrow it from my teens,” she says. “When you’re out and about, your phone can run out so quickly.”

Buy now: Mophie Powerstation, $70, zagg.com

—Juliet Izon

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15 fantastic travel toys for a five-year-old.

What to pack and be prepared for traveling with a 5-year-old

Once they got old enough, our children loved to help plan upcoming adventures and vacations, especially when the destination included fun things for them to participate in. At around the age of five or six, most kids begin to take an avid interest in travel and the process of getting to and from a magical new place. 

I often think of the range of 5-8 years old as the “Golden Age” in a child’s adolescence.  They’re fully potty trained , in school full-time, and generally responsible enough (and willing) to help with younger siblings – and before the more stubbornly strong tweens kick in! 

Don’t get me wrong – any long road trip or flight in our family is still peppered with several “Are we there yet?” questions. Still, five-year-olds are much better about keeping themselves entertained or participating in a side-splitting round of Would You Rather . 

In this article, we’re going to explore the Best Travel Toys for 5-Year-Olds to take with you on your next vacation. We’re sure that these fun, engaging, and humorous options will add some pizazz to your next trip!

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TL;DR – Summary of Perfect Travel Toys for a Five-Year-Old

This post is part of our tried & tested travel gear reviews and our best travel toys collection, tips for travelling with a five-year-old.

Before we dive into the fun part, we’d like to take a few minutes to offer some suggestions for taking a family vacation with a five-year-old.  These are based on personal experiences and advice from friends with families, and we hope they’ll help with upcoming family vacations.  

Pack a Spare Set of Clothes: Even though most five-year-olds can make it to the bathroom with no accidents, there are times when a toilet is not easily accessible.  Additionally, sometimes children will try to “hold it” because they’re nervous about going to the loo mid-flight. 

It’s helpful to talk with your five-year-old before a long flight or car ride to let them know that everything will be okay if they do have an accident.  It also never hurts to pack a few pull-ups to give them an added sense of security. 

Give Them Some Responsibility: When each of our own children was around five years old, we began to give them more responsibilities when we went on family trips, such as packing their own backpacks or travel bag to figure out what they could easily carry and what needed to stay home.  

From this experience, we designed our own “Kids Travel Packing List” – subscribe to our mailing list, and you can download your own copy to use with your kids totally FREE! You’re welcome : )

Provide Several Options for Activities : Five-year-olds may be a somewhat less hyper version of being four , but they still need plenty of travel toy options to keep them entertained along the way.

We recommend a car seat tray table for long car rides so that everything is close by, and these can also work well for flights. 

You may also be interested in our thoughts around whether you need a stroller or not for a 5-year-old . We go through the pros and cons of still taking a stroller traveling with a preschooler and what alternatives to a stroller you can use with bigger kids.

Best Travel Toys for a 5 Year Old

8.5 inch lcd writing tablet doodle board, skillmatics educational game: dots and mazes, educational insights kanoodle jr. brain boosting puzzle game for kids, coloring books, paint by sticker kids: zoo animals, classic tomy water game, melissa & doug deluxe water wow activity pads, i spy gold challenger: a book of picture riddles, melissa & doug fashion design activity kit, don’t let the pigeon finish this activity book, tangoes animals, spot it junior animals card game, fat brain toys shape game, amazon fire hd 8 kids tablet, 8″ hd display.

We highly recommend this LCD Writing Tablet as one of the best travel toys for 5-year-olds because it’s mess-free, and portable, and the screen can be cleared with the simple push of a button. 

This doodle board comes with an easily replaceable, built-in battery that lasts for up to 6 months.  Your child can use the attached stylus to draw endless masterpieces on the large, glare-free screen.

These Skillmatics reusable activity mats are a surefire way to cure hours of boredom while traveling.  This perfect travel toy comes with six double-sided sheets and a skilly billy pen that can be wiped clean with the included duster cloth. 

Your five-year-old can build several core skills with multiple engaging activities that can be completed again and again.  This is an excellent toy to be handed down to other children.

The Kanoodle Jr. encourages the development of crucial skills, such as spatial reasoning and critical thinking. The portable puzzle board also acts as a case for all the puzzle pieces and a 60-page booklet to keep everything organized. If this one’s not to your liking, check out this page for a range of age-suitable, compact puzzle toys that would work equally as well on road trips. 

Nothing beats travel boredom like a good, old-fashioned coloring book.  If your five-year-old loves to create vibrant and unique pictures, check out options like this Unicorn Coloring Book or Coloring Books for Boys . 

Each book is appropriate for ages 4-8, meaning they’re versatile enough for several children to use them in one trip.  The illustrations are simple enough so that it’s easy to stay inside the lines but also provide a variety of engaging pictures to keep your child entertained for hours.

Don’t forget your marker pens too! Look for the type that clicks together easily or stores in their own case so they don’t go missing so easily, and washable, of course!

Paint by Sticker books are a less-mess alternative to paint by numbers, and they’re very travel-friendly, making them ideal for younger children on a long car ride.

This zoo animals version allows your child to create ten beautiful sticker paintings and helps them to work on both counting and hand-eye coordination skills. The quality cardstock also has perforated edges so that they can be gifted to friends and family alike. 

The best travel toys for five-year-olds are ones that present different scenarios every time, and this portable water game does just that.  Your child must tip the toy so that all three rings are on the dolphin’s nose.  It’s more complicated than it looks! 

The game is straightforward to set up–just fill with water and push the button to play.  Empty the water before going through airport security and fill it up again before your flight.  If you’re travelling with multiple children, see who can capture the rings the fastest!

These Melissa and Doug Deluxe Water Wow! Activity Pads are a go-to for our family trips, and for a good reason.  They’re lightweight, reusable, and appropriate for a wide age range (trust me, even my tween, when she’s bored, joins in!)

You can refill the water pen repeatedly, and the coloring pages clear up as they dry.  Each pad comes with a red lens to find hidden pictures, and the spiral-bound pad keeps everything together. 

They come in many different sets suitable for older toddlers and up. Some of our favorite options for slightly older kids include Around Town , Adventure , and Fairy Tale .  

If your five-year-old loves puzzles and using problem solving skills, this enchanting I Spy Book of Picture Riddles is a great option that will keep them coming back again and again to discover new items on each page.

The book is filled with vibrant, eye-catching photographs taken by Walter Wick, and author Jean Marzollo has filled each page with riddles to challenge even the most determined riddle-solver in your family. 

The budding fashion designer in your family will love this activity kit with interchangeable fashion plates that allow them to create endless designs.

Each rubbing kit comes with nine double-sided design plates, coloring utensils, and a carrying case, making it perfect for designing on the go. The kit doesn’t include paper, so remember to grab a blank writing pad for your child’s travel case as well. 

Mo Willems is known for his wacky children’s books, and this hilarious activity book is an extension of his popular series.  The Bus Driver provides instructions for each activity, while the pigeon tries to convince the reader to put the book down and do something else. 

We’re in love with this particular travel item because it provides a wide range of activities for your child and helps them develop a relationship with the character within making it a great travel toy.

Who knew so much fun as possible with just seven different shapes?  The Tangoes Animal book is an ideal travel toy for five-year-olds because it provides 48 tangram challenges and a magnetized board to reduce the chance of pieces getting lost along the way. 

The attached challenge cards are arranged in three different challenge levels; each picture resembles a familiar animal.  You’ll also find yourself drawn into the fun with this refreshing take on the ancient Chinese Tangram puzzle, which is great for fine motor skills and little hands that love a challenge.

One of our tried-and-true family travel toys has been several different versions of Spot It!  Spot It! is especially fun to play on a long flight, in the terminal, or on train rides; everyone can participate. 

This fast-paced travel toy works on symbol recognition and eye association because each card is filled with eight colorful animals of different sizes. 

Regardless of the combination, two cards always have a matching symbol, allowing endless playing options making it one of our favorite travel toys for its versatility and compact size.

The shape game is another intriguing puzzle option for your five-year-old (and maybe you!).  It’s comprised solely of heavy-duty activity cards and wooden blocks, so we recommend storing it in a plastic bag for travel.

 This travel toy aims to follow the stars to arrange the blocks in different challenging combinations.  The Shape Game encourages spatial reasoning, logic, and critical thinking skills, to name a few.  It’s also appropriate for ages 3-6, so younger siblings can also join in the fun. 

Traveling for any length of time with little kids can be exhausting, and sometimes both parents and children need a mental and physical break.  That’s where the Amazon Fire 8 Kids Tablet with an 8” display comes in.

Download a few of your five-year-old’s favorite apps or take advantage of the included year of Amazon Kids+. The tablet also easily connects to in-flight Wi-Fi to stream appropriate movies, and Bluetooth capabilities make it easy to pair with your child’s favorite headphones.

Speaking of which…. headphones and tablets should always go hand in hand. Your 5-year-old will be at that age where they’re between specialized toddler headphones and using proper kids’ headphones. Here are a few of our favorites for this age group.

More ideas for entertaining young kids on long trips

Even with all the toys and tech you can throw at young children to keep them happy on the move, sometimes what they simply want is YOU! Often easier said than done if you’re driving or have younger siblings keeping your hands full.

It is really important to remember, though, just because your 5-year-old is more self-sufficient and a much better traveling companion than most young tots, some one-on-one time doesn’t go astray. Some engaging games without toys should be used too, why not try:

Family car games – some favorites even 5-year-olds will understand are

• I-spy (though you may need to do colours or phonetics rather than the alphabet)
• The Alphabet game – great for learning your ABCs. Go through everything you know, starting with A is for ….., then B, C etc. Take turns around your group – you could try animals, foods or people’s names with a 5-year-old. Older kids, you can advance this game by trying countries, cities, and movies.
• Would you rather? – a classic car or queuing game for kids, no tools needed, just some inspirational and fun questions to get your little one thinking (e.g. would you rather a per crocodile or a pet lion – the more nonsensical, the better!) – we’ve even come up with our own printable “Would You Rather?” kid questions which you can grab for your next long car trip

We have a comprehensive list of family games perfect for long journeys here.

Audiobooks – sharing an audiobook or podcast is a great family activity. You can get absorbed in the story whilst also chatting or explaining parts too. Audiobooks need not be something you simply plug your kids in, grown-ups can love them too – here we choose all our family favourites , plus podcasts the whole family can tune in to .

Take some snaps! – Let your kids take control of the camera for a bit. Most 5-year-olds can probably operate a camera better than you can; let them record the journey from their perspective. It can actually be great fun looking back at what they think was important to record or seeing the view from the back seat! We watch these back at our meal breaks, and it’s loads of fun for us all.

Snacks! – It doesn’t seem to matter what age kids are. Snacks are the stuff of travel dreams. My Master L can remember pretty much any place he’s been simply by the snack he ate there (not bad for a fussy eater ).

The important thing when traveling with your 5-year-old, space out the treats. Whilst it’s tempting to give them sweets if they haven’t asked “Are we there yet?” for 30 minutes, all parents should know the result of too many sugary sweets and being cooped up in a car or plane… Not saying never; just space them out and try and keep snacks healthy for longer-lasting energy.

More tips for pre-schooler travel

This is honestly a great age to travel with kids. They really get so much easier and so much less gear to contend with! If you’d like more from our blog on travel tips and products you might need from the pre-schooler to a grade school kid age group, why not check out:

• Best gifts for outdoor-loving kids – embrace your little one’s love for the outdoors with these include non-toy gifts for outdoor-loving kids
• Camping toys for kids – taking their love of nature further, these are the best travel toys when you’re on a family camping adventure
• Helping kids sleep on planes – the best airplane sleep devices helping kids to spread out and rest well on a plane
• 15 steps to conquer jet lag – beating the menace of long-haul holiday joy the easy way
• 45 essentials for family road trips – don’t leave home without all of these items for your car, your kids and your sanity!
• Best Ride on luggage – preschoolers are the perfect age to get a kick out of ride-on luggage, or check out our selection of the best luggage scooters – yes, they’re a thing!!
• Neck pillows for a comfortable ride – your 5-year-old will still enjoy a nap on a long journey. Get them cosy with these ideal kid-sized neck pillows and seatbelt comforters
• The best beach games for families – enhance your next trip to the beach with these fun beach & water games for all the family

Helpful? Bookmark this page or pin it for later

Don’t miss our latest travel toy guides:

• Best travel toys for every age group
• Tried & tested travel toys for a 1-year-old
• Travel toys perfect for your 2-year-old
• Terrific travel toys for a 3-year-old
• Fabulous travel toys for a 4-year-old
• Engaging toys for toddlers on road trips
• Best kids toys for the beach
• Top toys and games for occupying tween travellers

Disclosures: We are participants in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. You can read our full disclosure policy here.

© Our Globetrotters | Feature Images CanvaPro

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2 thoughts on “ 15 Fantastic Travel Toys for a Five-Year-Old ”

Kids Travel Toy Box is one of my son’s favorite toys when we go on long trips, he always takes it with him. Holds legos, other building toys, or snacks. There are fantastic.

Such a great contraption isn’t it! A bit bulky for international travel but my youngest still uses it on domestic car trips

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25 Best Girls' Weekend Getaway Destinations to Visit With Your Besties

Boston, Seattle and Palm Springs are only a few destinations you all will find affordable and fun.

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Quality time spent with your closest girlfriends is a necessity. Whether you all have the chance to catch up over drinks or plan a night in ordering takeout and watching your favorite rom-coms, the bonding experience of enjoying the company of your besties is always time well spent. It’s because of these unforgettable moments that planning the ultimate girls' weekend getaway should be at the top of your agenda this year.

All-inclusive resorts, cozy hotels and vacation home rentals help you make planning a bachelorette trip , birthday trip or reunion weekend stay in any location a total no brainer. All that’s left to do is to grab your girl squad and go. Happy travels!

Nantucket, Massachusetts

If you need a mental reset, Nantucket is the place to go. Although the idyllic island is quiet, you won't find yourself bored. Enjoy morning runs along the beach, strolls through the historic cobblestone streets and drives on the sandy white beaches. Nantucket has a surprisingly sprawling food and drink scene. Cisco Brewers is a fun spot to grab a drink and Millie's serves up great margaritas and fish tacos. Don't leave without grabbing a cup of coffee from Handlebar Cafe —the cute shop was featured on an episode of HGTV's Island Life . Stay at Nantucket Hotel & Resort , which offer suites and cottages big enough for all your girl pals.

Napa Valley, California

Home to more than 400 wineries, a trip to Napa is as close as you can get to wine country heaven. The valley is just a two-hour drive north of San Francisco, which makes it easy to get to while still offering the feel of a distant vacay. Perfectly landscaped rolling hills and bright green vineyards will greet you upon arrival. Recently renovated, The Meritage Resort and Spa in Napa is the ideal home base for your girls' weekend. Between wine tastings, dine at some of the valley's Michelin-starred restaurants, unwind during a spa treatment or partake in some retail therapy.

EXPLORE NAPA VALLEY

Savannah, Georgia

Craving some Southern hospitality? Head to Savannah, Georgia, to enjoy a slower and more meaningful pace of life. It's easy to walk around this historic city while taking in the beauty of the live oaks and magnolias. Because the city is known to be one of the most haunted in the United States, there are plenty of ghost tours worth taking if you dare. The vibe at the Thompson Savannah on the city's riverfront is 100 percent.

EXPLORE SAVANNAH

Austin, Texas

Home to some of the best barbecue in the country, Austin has become an increasingly popular destination for bachelorette parties and weekend getaways. Visitors love venturing out to Rainey Street for a fun scene and craft cocktails. Plan to spend an afternoon walking along South Congress Avenue, where there's ample shopping, restaurants and music venues. Odd Duck is a popular dinner spot and Stiles Switch BBQ & Brew is loved by locals. The new EVEN Hotel Austin is budget-friendly, well-designed and fun!

EXPLORE AUSTIN

St. Michaels, Maryland

Maryland's Eastern Shore is an overlooked travel destination—and it shouldn't be! While visiting, you can set sail on a sunset cruise or hire a captain to take you out on a yacht. If you're looking for a place to stay, consider the Inn at Perry Cabin , which served as the main filming location for Wedding Crashers. The luxury resort is set on the waterfront, offering guests sweeping views and easy access to boating activities. While staying at the resort, practice your tennis game, play a round of golf or relax by the pool.

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New York City, New York

The Big Apple truly has something to offer every type of traveler — Broadway shows, strolls through Central Park and shopping on the Upper East Side. Bemelmans Bar is a special place to indulge in a cocktail and light bites — it's located inside The Carlyle Hotel and features murals by Ludwig Bemelmans, the creator of the classic Madeline children’s books. Brunch in the city is also a good vibe, but nothing is better than a traditional New York bagel.

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Cape May, New Jersey

Just a few hours driving from Manhattan, Cape May is an easy place to escape the madness of city life. The seaside town is located at the southernmost tip of the Jersey Shore but the whimsical charm will make you feel like you're walking through the pages of a storybook. Stay at Beach Plum Farm for a cozy and unique experience. The 62-acre property has five cottages that you can choose to rent during your stay. Guests get their own personal golf carts to use throughout their trip and love the attention to detail provided by staff members, like having fresh doughnuts and coffee delivered to the porch each morning. Shop at the local boutiques, take a walk along the sandy beach, buy some chocolates from Louisa's , and enjoy dinner and a Cape May Mule at The Ebbitt Room .

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Scottsdale, Arizona

Head to Scottsdale if you’re in the mood for a party scene. The old town area is packed with clubs and casual bars and the dining provides some of the best eats in the southwest. Toca Madera is a must-try—order guacamole for the table, which has pomegranate seeds mixed in it for a unique flavor. If you want to break a sweat without suffering through the Scottsdale heat, sign up for a FloatFit Fitness yoga class at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess . The workout class is held on a paddle board raft in the hotel’s pool.

EXPLORE SCOTTSDALE

Washington, D.C.

Got a history buff in your group? D.C. will offer them their fix while catering to every type of traveler's needs. Beyond the basics of checking out the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument, go undercover and explore the world of espionage at the International Spy Museum or tap into your creative side at the Smithsonian American Art Museum . (Keep in mind that many DC museums still require advance reservations.) The Georgetown area is an excellent place to stay and eat! Wolfgang Puck's CUT is located in the Rosewood Washington D.C. in Georgetown (which offers townhouses for a dreamy girls' weekend in the city). Brasserie Liberté serves up scrumptious French cuisine and cocktails while Bourbon Steak at the Four Seasons Hotel has cuts of beef that will melt in your mouth and a female executive chef to boot. Over in the Navy Yards area, where the Washington Nationals play, Osteria Morini wows with its brunch favorites, including mimosas in several flavors and divine ricotta pancakes.

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Palm Springs, California

For a winter or spring girls' getaway, Palm Springs shines. Book one of the many charming hotels with a pool so you and your girlfriends can lounge outside with mimosas in hand. With a large heated pool, 21 casitas and suites with massive California hand-painted flower murals and a guest-only speakeasy champagne rosé bar, the Fleur Noire Hotel fits the bill. As far as activities around town go, check out the shops in downtown, explore the city on a Jeep tour , or get sporty with a round of golf at a nearby course—there are more than 100 courses in the area.

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Denver, Colorado

Denver is a no-brainer if you're eager to travel somewhere that offers the perfect combination of city and nature. Hike at Red Rocks Park, attend a Rockies or Broncos game, check out art displays in the RiNo District , brunch downtown or kayak in Evergreen Lake, all within a 30-mile radius. Be sure to stop by Washington Park —which many refer to as Denver's Central Park — for a picnic. If downtown isn't really your scene, the Cherry Creek neighborhood boasts a variety of boutiques, bars and restaurants without the busy city feel. Stay at the Curtis Denver, a budget-minded pick which has fun themed rooms and suites for pop-culture buffs.

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San Diego, California

If you're traveling to San Diego sans kids or conferences, zero in on the Gaslamp Quarter and Little Italy. These two neighborhoods near downtown are packed with restaurants, bars, shops and boutique hotels, like the Pendry San Diego. In Little Italy, the food and atmosphere at Kettner Exchange makes for the perfect girls-night-out vibe. Order the Dirty Verde, which is made with tequila, lime, cucumber, poblano chile liqueur and paprika oil — it's one of the best cocktails they serve.

EXPLORE SAN DIEGO

Palm Beach, Florida

Giving off major Lily Pulitzer vibes, Palm Beach is a classy and feminine place to spend a girls' weekend. Travelers rave about the rooms and overall vibe of The Colony Palm Beach . The property has a retro beachy feel that makes it super Instagrammable. Grab lunch at Honor Bar and plan a spa day or sign up for tennis lessons at The Breakers .

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Woodstock, Vermont

Flock to Woodstock, Vermont, in the fall to catch sight of some stunning foliage. Colonial character meets New England countryside in this quaint town. The Woodstock Inn & Resort , which is set against the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Park, is a popular choice for travelers to call home while visiting. Perfectly manicured landscaping and authentic New England craftsmanship greets guests upon arrival. The onsite spa offers services like a Himalayan salt stone massage and an espresso mud body scrub, tempting guests to never check out. The hotel can also assist with registering you and your group for a cooking class.

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Watch Hill, Rhode Island

If Taylor Swift owns a house in Watch Hill then it must be a good girls' trip spot, right? Consider this one of the most picturesque destinations in the United States. Local businesses like cute coffee shops and boutiques add a special touch to this seafront town. Spend your days relaxing on the beach, biking along perfectly paved paths or reading poolside. Whether you stay at a hotel like Ocean House or a house rental, stream rom-coms at night to complete the vibe.

EXPLORE WATCH HILL

Chicago, Illinois

A trip to Chicago isn't complete without posing in front of the famous bean at Millennium Park or taking a boat tour through the Chicago River. Art and design fans will surely fall in love with the city's architecture and character. Fresh from a glow-up, the Hyatt Regency Chicago — right on the Chicago Riverwalk– is a convenient home base. Nearby, 360 Chicago is a trendy place to enjoy a craft cocktail while taking in the city's views from 1,000 feet up.

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Boston, Massachusetts

Luxury and history collide in the city of Boston. Walk the historic neighborhood of Beacon Hill, one of the most photographed areas in the city. Round up your girlfriends and shop around the cute local boutiques on Newbury Street, then grab a latte from one of the trendy cafes in the area. You can find some delicious cannolis in Boston's Little Italy, which locals refer to as North End— Mike's Pastry is a go-to. The Whitney, a boutique hotel in the Beacon Hood neighborhood, has two-bedroom suites so your whole girl squad can join the fun.

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Lexington, Kentucky

Head to the horse capital of the world and you'll find yourself immersed in country beauty with the added benefit of Southern hospitality. For unique accommodations, stay just outside of Lexington at The Kentucky Castle , a 100-acre farm that has just 15 rooms. One must-do activity during your stay: Split the cost of a rental car with the rest of the gals in your group and take a drive through the rolling hills and whimsical country side.

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Seattle, Washington

Seattle provides visitors with a home base for both city and island adventures. You heard that right—Bainbridge island, just a 45-minute ferry ride from the city, is a fun place to wine taste and explore while in Seattle. Plan to spend a day on the island and be camera-ready for the views of Seattle on your ferry ride back. The rooftop bar at the Thompson Seattle is a local hotspot. Another reason to stay at the hotel: It's a short walk to Pike's Place Market, chock full of interesting eats.

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Montauk, New York

There's a reason New Yorkers love to flee to the Hamptons — it's the perfect place to unwind during a long weekend. The seashell-lined beaches are just as inviting as the bar scene. Frequent visitors rave about the luxe beachside accommodations at Gurney's Montauk , but even if you don't book a room there, make sure you swing by their Beach Club. It's a 2,000-foot long private beach that non-resort guests can also enjoy — rent a day bed or lounge sofa, or hang out by the bar.

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5 Days in New York City with a 5-Year-Old—Shopping, Dining & Exploring NYC with kids

Traveling to New York City with a 5-year-old doesn’t mean you have to give up everything you love about the city, like shopping, theatre, and dining. It just means your options are going to be slightly—altered.

My husband and I took our 5-year-old son Harry to the Big Apple this summer, and he loved every minute of it. We did, too. (For more tips on successful sightseeing with a 5 year old in New York, check out Part 1  of this series that includes great NYC spots to visit with kids like One World Observatory.

Probably the most important step you can take in planning a trip to New York City with kids is to alter your expectations. Here’s how—and a few more tips and tricks for your trip. We spent 5 Days in New York City with a 5-Year-Old and have lots of advice to share. Read on to see what we recommend for a fun family adventure in NYC with kids:

Family Adventures in New York City Kids!

You’ll still get to do plenty of shopping; it’ll just be for toys and candy. New York offers great options for the younger shopper.

There’s a Lego Store and NBC Experience shop in Rockefeller Center and a mega Disney Store right in Times Square, where Harry picked up a Minnie Mouse dressed up as the Statue of Liberty. It’s a different kind of shopping than I was used to in New York, but definitely still fun.

Checking out the food scene can still be a big part of your experience in New York City, but you’ll probably go to different restaurants than you would as a couple. Harry loved trying legendary NYC cheesecake, pizza and bagels. We went to the famous Shake Shack as well as Junior’s for the most fabulous cheesecake . John’s Pizza offers classic New York-style pizza in the theater district, but our favorite place to eat was Ellen’s Startdust Diner , where the singing wait staff serenades you through the dining experience.

Finding a nice, comfortable hotel in New York is key. You’re not going to spend a lot of time there if your busy sightseeing, but you’ll want to make the most of it when you do. I tell my friends to make sure to get a hotel room near where you want to sightsee. We were big fans of the Westin Times Square . We used our Starwood SPG points and booked a fantastic suite, which was really large and comfortable. Harry had a pull-out bed in a separate divided part of the room, where he could go zone out with his own TV in between long sight-seeing days. Everything about it was convenient for families—with the lights of Time Square, the subway, and convenient stores all right there. I also appreciated that the suites were large and newer compared to most of the old New York hotels.

Below are  more key tips & tricks for traveling to New York with kids 5 or younger:

Bring a stroller.

Even though your kid probably doesn’t use a stroller anymore for everyday life, bring an umbrella stroller. You walk everywhere in New York. You could walk a mile just getting around the subway. The stroller will come in handy—trust me. It’s also helpful when you’re walking through extra crowded areas. Put your little one in the stroller and push ahead. The kid can look around without getting separated from you.

Plan your day loosely.

Seeing the city of New York through the wonder of a young kid’s eyes—you don’t know where it’s going to take you or what your kid will want to do. Make only a couple of plans each day, and just see where you end up.

Put the Uber app on your phone.

Living in Chicago, we’re used to using Uber, but the car service has been the best thing to happen to Manhattan. In the past, New York taxi drivers were a mean bunch, but we’ve had really pleasant experiences using Uber. Drivers offered us everything from cold water to advice about things to do and see.

If you have never used Uber before, you can use code 515ba or   use this link for $5 off your first ride!

Bring an ID tag for you kiddo.

Pin it in their pocket or pin it to their clothing in case you get separated. Make sure they know where it is, and have a plan if you get separated. Every morning before we left our suite, we reviewed our plan with Harry: to find a mommy or a police officer, and show them their tag so they can find us.

Give your kid a camera of their own or let them take photos with your phone.

There are so many people, places, and things to photograph in the city. Harry loved taking pictures of the buildings and the larger-than-life animals at the toy store.

Beware of characters.

I’m not talking about people on the street. I mean the myriad Mickeys, Minnies, Statues of Liberty, and Sponge Bobs who stand outside of the toy stores or in Times Square just waiting to take a picture with your family—and then charge you for it. When we first got to Toys R Us, an Olaf jumped in for a photo with Harry, who definitely wanted a picture with one of his favorite characters. But then Mickey came over…and Sponge Bob…and the Statue of Liberty. And after we took the photo, they each demanded $5. It can be intense, so be ready.

Dress for the city.

Carry a small, cross-body purse with essentials or a backpack with extra clothes, but nothing of value. New York City is huge, and you’re going to be paying attention to your kid, less so your surroundings. Travel light, and make sure you’re safe. We never felt unsafe, but I always like to be prepared for anything.

When we flew back to Chicago five days after arriving in New York, we were all sad to leave. There were a lot of things on our to-see lists that we just didn’t get to. And two months later, Harry is still talking about all that we did. Who would have guessed we’d have so much fun in New York City with a 5-year-old?!

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Sarah is a Chicago-based luxury travel influencer, Virtuoso luxury travel advisor, luxury family travel writer, an Oprah Daily Ambassador, and the founder of WellTraveledKids.com. Sarah’s best travel companion is her sweet 12-year-old son, Harry. Her favorite getaways include a luxe hotel stay, quality family playtime, champagne & chocolate-covered strawberries.

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• Pingback: 5 Days in New York with a 5-Year-Old | Well Traveled Kids

Sounds like a great trip! That is sad about FAO Schwartz though. Ellen’s Stardust Diner sounds pretty cool, my kids would probably dig it! Oh and I totally hear you on the character thing! They have them in Las Vegas too…so annoying.

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12 Best Places to Vacation with Tweens and Teens

Want to wow your big kid? From cities and swanky resorts to nature trails and national parks, these are the top family vacation destinations.

Once your child stops needing a nap and a stroller, a world of new vacation possibilities awaits. But you have only so many school breaks before your kid flees the nest. And when it comes to picking a vacation spot when your child enters their middle school years, planning can be tricky! Here, travel experts share their top iconic places you've just got to visit with 12 or 13 year olds and beyond, plus planning tips to ensure your kid has the best time ever.

Book the earliest ticket you can (usually 9:30 a.m.) to ascend to the top of the Eiffel Tower . Show up 90 minutes ahead of time to take pics at the base when it's relatively uncrowded. (Grab breakfast at a nearby café before returning close to your assigned time.) When you're done, walk along the Seine River to the Musée d'Orsay , an art museum in a former railway station. Kids who love ballet will delight in the paintings of Degas, while Dr. Who fans might recall the Van Gogh gallery that was featured in an episode. It may be a little mobbed, but it's still worth going to the Musée du Louvre to see the Mona Lisa and so much more. "If you have time, spending a day at the Palace of Versailles , a quick train ride from Paris, is wonderful," says Catherine McCord, author of Smoothie Project , who took her 8-year-old daughter to Paris. "Walk through the mazes before you go inside."

Feel like a local : Book a walking tour with a local guide to explore off-the-beaten-path areas. Look at GetYourGuide.com for options that focus on neighborhoods (like the Latin Quarter) and themes (such as vintage shopping, chocolate tastings, or secret passages).

2. New York City

Reserve a ticket to visit the Statue of Liberty's crown—climb 162 steps to the top via a winding staircase—because same-date spots are rarely available. In Times Square, Broadway (and Off-Broadway!) shows beckon— The Lion King, Wicked, and Aladdin are great picks for kids of all ages (ask for the free "My First Broadway Show" sticker sheet at the theaters). And head over to Central Park to sail remote-controlled boats and climb on the Alice in Wonderland statue, suggests Beth Beckman, founder of LittleKidBigCity.com .

Feel like a local : Venture outside of Manhattan! Beckman, who has a 7-year-old, suggests Brooklyn's Prospect Park for its catch-and-release fishing clinics and paddleboats.

Take a goofy selfie squeezed into a red telephone booth with your kid while explaining that once upon a time, people actually stood inside those things to make calls. "My kids were also amused by the black taxis and how the seating arrangements inside were so different from everywhere else," says Sajay Garcia, a travel blogger who posts YouTube travel videos at Growing Up Garcia . "The Changing of the Guard and the historic carriages near Buckingham Palace also kept my kids entertained."

Feel like a local : Sit alongside Londoners at the open-air theater in The Regent's Park . "Buy food from a neighborhood grocer and have a picnic at the park before the show," suggests Emily Goldfischer, an American mom of two living in London. "And if you're going to The British Museum , check out the adventure playground at nearby Coram's Fields," she says.

4. St. Louis

Ride to the top of the Gateway Arch , then check out the visitors' center. It houses America's largest terrazzo floor map, showing North America's historic rivers and trails so that you can trace pioneers' journeys to the West. (Sneak in that learning!) Burn off steam on the walking and biking trails along the banks of the Mississippi River. Nearby, the St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station features 13,000 animals, including 80 sharks and stingrays, plus touch pools to get up close and personal with the animals.

Feel like a local : Head to City Museum , a playspace with more than two dozen slides constructed from repurposed materials. Even tweens who think they've outgrown playgrounds will have a blast. "My 9-year-old loved zipping down a ten-story spiral slide into a cave," says multimedia journalist and parent blogger Brandon Billinger .

5. Turtle Bay Resort, North Shore, Oahu, Hawaii

Great for kids who : Love dogs

As if it weren't already rad enough to learn how to stand-up paddleboard in Kawela Bay, where The Hunger Games: Catching Fire was filmed, Turtle Bay Resort gives kids a trained surf dog to keep them company on the board during their lesson. Afterward, they can make a TikTok with a centuries-old banyan tree in the background. Can you imagine the likes? Other experiences include horseback riding (even pony rides), kayaking tours where you can spot Hawaiian green sea turtles, and epic star gazing, where an expert astronomer will guide your family through the universe with a high-powered telescope.

6. Gaylord Opryland Resort, Nashville

Great for kids who : Are obsessed with water parks

There are only two options for your family vacay vibe at this resort: chill or thrill. The kids will deem the cool blue tones and 4,000-plus potted plants at Soundwaves Water Park to be the nicest they've ever seen. They'll also be impressed by a huge wave pool with live music, a zen lazy river, and the Rapid Remix ride that zips you through a vortex-loop complete with LED lights and speakers.

7. Hard Rock Hotel, Los Cabos, Mexico

Great for kids who : Want to be a rockstar

Adults and kids ages 12 and over can perform onstage in front of an audience and fulfill their rock-star dreams at the Hard Rock Hotel's Music Lab . Whether they play an instrument or opt to sing, a Rock Specialist will help guide their performance. It would be so fun if you did it as a family!

8. Club Med Cancun Resort, Yucatan, Mexico

Great for kids who : Were born to be daredevils

At the all-inclusive Club Med Cancun's trapeze school , a trained aerialist will guide your budding circus performers through moves on a legit trapeze. (Of course, they are safely harnessed.) The kids practice daily and will get to perform at least one time during your stay.

9. Glacier National Park, near Columbia Falls, Montana

Great for kids who : Want to spy a glacier

You don't have to head to Alaska, there are 26 active glaciers in Montana to explore. Look for a few easy ones first, like catching a great view of Jackson Glacier from an overlook on Going-to-the-Sun Road . Salamander Glacier is also visible from your car as you drive into the Many Glacier area. The next day, fuel up for a 7-mile round-trip hike to see Piegan Glacier . It starts at the Siyeh Bend Trailhead on Going-to-the-Sun Road and crosses a wildflower meadow.

10. Grand Canyon National Park, near Fredonia, Arizona

Great for kids who : Want to ride a mule

Your family will relish the breathtaking 10-plus-mile trek down the Grand Canyon's North Rim to Phantom Ranch, historic cabins near the Colorado River. "My 14-year-old is a little nervous about heights, but he was so overwhelmed by the beauty and charmed by his mule that he forgot all about his fears and the fact that we had no cell service," says Amy Mayhue, an advisor at Magnolia Travel Group, in Madison, Mississippi. Kids must be at least 9 years old to ride, but Mayhue recommends waiting until they're 10 or 11 because the ride takes more than five hours each way.

11. Yosemite National Park, near Mariposa, California

Great for kids who : Love to rock climb

With slabs of granite surrounding lakes, forests, and lush meadows, this park is a wanna-be climber's wonderland. Michael Moebes, who blogs at Dadcation.com , booked a private full-day lesson with the Yosemite Mountaineering School & Guide Service for his family of five. (Kids need to be 12 years old for group lessons, but there are no age restrictions for private ones.) Even Moebes's 9-year-old was able to climb Munginella, near Yosemite Falls, for a great view of Half Dome.

12. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Gatlinburg, Tennessee

Great for kids who : Love to go glamping

Under Canvas glamping resorts have popped up at more than a half dozen national parks, but the one here is the dreamiest of all since it's surrounded by a forest. The canvas tents have housekeeping services, a toilet, a shower, and a wood stove. You can book one with an "adjacent hive," a separate area with twin beds for kids. "After hiking 10 miles to see so many of the park's waterfalls, it felt great to come back here to sleep," says Moebes.

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The Ultimate Packing List for Flying With Kids

From activity books to wipes galore, everything you need for your next flight with kids.

Alesandra Dubin is an LA-based lifestyle writer and editor. As a veteran digital journalist, she's covered travel, food, parenting, and more for over 15 years. Her work has appeared in Travel + Leisure, TripSavvy, and countless other online and print outlets. An avid traveler, she often trots the globe with her husband and their twins. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter at @alicedubin. Alesandra holds a master's degree in journalism with an emphasis on cultural reporting and criticism from NYU, and a bachelor's degree from UC Berkeley.

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• Packing Checklist

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Travel + Leisure / Reese Herrington

The trick to flying with young kids? Careful preparation. Our writer has traveled the world with twins, and she knows that flying with children can be miserable if you don't bring the right items on board with you. But with the right tools, a flight with your youngsters is not just feasible but can even be fun. We've rounded up all the supplies you’ll need for feeding, cleaning, soothing, and entertaining little ones — plus transporting all that cargo. So use this guide to prepare properly for your next family flight .

Packing Checklist for Flying With Kids

We've broken down all categories of things you’ll need to pack when flying with children and included the exact items we’d recommend.

Read more about our specific recommendations below and start your own checklist, too.

Entertainment 

• Best Tablet: Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Tablet
• Best Headphones: Puro Sound Labs BT2200s Kids’ Bluetooth Headphones
• Best Tech Stand: Airglo Cell Phone and Tablet Holder
• Best Coloring Book: Unicorn Imagine Ink Magic Ink Book
• Best Book: "Where’s Waldo? The Fantastic Journey"
• Best Activity Book: On the Plane Activity Book
• Best Craft: Purple Ladybug Wax Craft Sticks
• Best Game: Magnetic Travel Games
• Best Set: Mini Voyager 4-7 Jetsetter Travel Kit
• Best Sound Machine: Frida Baby Portable 2-in-1 Sound Machine
• Best Pillow and Blanket: Roamwild Kids Travel Pillow and Travel Blanket Set
• Best Portable Bed: Flyaway Kids Bed

Food and Drink

• Best Reusable Water Bottle: Yeti 12-ounce Kids Water Bottle
• Best Lollipops: Ring Pops (20 Count)
• Best Snacks: Healthy Snacks Variety Pack
• Best Snack Activity: Fred Match Up Memory Snack Tray
• Best Changing Pad: SkipHop Portable Baby Changing Pad
• Best Multi-purpose Wipes: Hello Bello Unscented Baby Wipes
• Best Face Wipes: Baby Wipes by Boogie Wipes
• Best Surface Wipes: Lysol Disinfecting Surface Wipes
• Best Hand Sanitizer: Kinia 8-pack Hand Sanitizer Holders
• Best Diaper Bag: Dagne Dover Indi Diaper Backpack
• Best Crossbody Bag: Kibou Vegan Leather Fanny Pack Diaper Bag
• Best Kids Backpack: Herschel Backpack Kids 9L
• Best Wheeled Backpack: Jansport Driver 8 Backpack
• Best Carry-on Suitcase: Rockland London Hardside 20-inch Spinner
• Best Ride-on Suitcase: Jetkids by Stokke Bedbox 19-inch Ride-on Carry-on

Accessories

• Best Luggage Trackers: Apple AirTags
• Best First Aid Kit: PreparaKit Take Along First-aid Kit
• Best Storage Bags: Hefty Slider Storage Bags

T+L's Top Picks and Tips

Entertaining kids is absolutely critical to keeping the peace on any flight. For babies and younger kids, one rule of thumb is to think of entertainment in 15-minute increments; bring enough options to rotate activities often. For older or generally tech-minded kids? Well, the magic power of screens sure comes in handy.

Best Tablet

Amazon fire hd 10 kids edition.

Why We Love It: This tablet has plenty of storage space and comes in a virtually indestructible case.

What to Consider: This isn’t as full-featured as, say, an iPad, so kids will outgrow it eventually.

Tablets are great for long-stretch occupation — just be sure to download your child's favorite shows and movies ahead of time rather than relying on airplane wifi to stream. Amazon’s Fire for kids simpler and less expensive than standard adult versions, and it comes with an indestructible, kid-friendly case with a stand. The Fire HD 10 also includes a two-year guarantee and a yearlong subscription to Amazon Kids+. We find this to be a great investment to keep children from ages 3 to 5 occupied.

Best Headphones

Puro sound labs bt2200s volume limited kids headphones.

Why We Love It: These Bluetooth headphones have a safe maximum volume for kids.

What to Consider: They are pricier than some alternative kids' headphones.

In the same way that you’ll likely lean hard on that tablet to keep kids occupied, you'll depend on quality kids' headphones to go with it. This compact but powerful pair is made to protect early hearing damage by following the World Health Organization’s recommendation of an 85dB-limited volume range. The Bluetooth capability has a 30-foot range of movement so the child can feel free to move about the cabin, too.The lightweight, durable headphones come in nine fun colors.

Best Tech Stand

Airglo airplane travel essentials.

Why We Love It: This universal tech holder is a great hands-free solution for use in planes, cars, and more.

What to Consider: It might not be the most secure stand for larger phones or tablets.

This nifty gadget is the brainchild of a flight attendant who saw a need for a phone stand that would allow passengers to watch movies and TV shows on long flights. Now kids can also watch on your devices hands-free with this tool that fits any brand’s gadgets. It folds fairly flat when not in use, and this lightweight stand could also be repurposed to hang a bag on a chair or tray table.

Best Coloring Book

Bendon unicorn imagine ink magic ink book.

Why We Love It: This compact book is small, self-contained, and mess-free.

What to Consider: The cover is slightly misleading: This book isn’t actually full of unicorn themes.

These invisible ink activity books are self-contained — no crayon collection to roll under plane seats — and guaranteed mess-free. Kids just use the Imagine Ink marker to stay busy with 16 pages of games, all in a portable-size book just right for tossing in a travel bag. We've found invisible ink books particularly effective for children aged 3 to 6.

Where's Waldo? The Fantastic Journey Paperback

Why We Love It: This book is challenging for kids of all ages (including pre-readers) and delivers on a healthy dose of nostalgia for parents as well.

What to Consider: A book will never be as tempting as a tablet for tech-addled kids.

Books that challenge little ones keep them entertained. And Where’s Waldo does just that — even for kids who aren’t reading yet. The paperback book is not only small and lightweight for travel, but its journey motif fits in nicely with vacation adventures, too.

Best Activity Book

On the plane activity book.

Why We Love It: This lightweight book gets kids excited about their flight, with plane-themed games and activities.

What to Consider: You’ll need to bring and keep track of your own coloring implements.

Engage kids in the excitement of travel with this activity book that has an airplane journey theme. Think: spot the identical pilots on their way through the airport, true-or-false airplane and flying facts, and more. Just pack a pencil (or probably two).

Purple Ladybug Wax Craft Sticks for Kids

Why We Love It: This generously stocked wax stick kit has plenty of sticks to share between or among siblings.

What to Consider: You'll probably leave some sticks on the floor and in the seats.

This set of wax craft sticks will be a novelty for most kids, and waxy sticks won’t roll away as easily as crayons or markers. This kit comes with 300 sticks in 15 colors and two different lengths, plenty for multiple siblings to have a go. Kids can endlessly shape and reshape them with no noise and no mess.

The Purple Cow Magnetic Animal Homes Matching Puzzle

Why We Love It: Magnetic pieces keep this tin game set together for play on the go.

What to Consider: Pieces are only magnetic on one side.

Nothing’s more frustrating than trying to travel with a game that’s rendered immediately useless after some essential piece slides irretrievably under an airplane or car seat. This compact game set provides a frustration-free alternative with magnets that keep everything together. We recommend it for children over 2.

Mini Voyager 4-7y Jetsetter Travel Kit

Mini Voyage

Why We Love It: This kit combines a customized array of kids entertainment items into one grab-and-go bundle.

What to Consider: You may save money by finding and buying all of these items separately (if you have the time and inclination).

If creating a DIY bag of entertainment ideas for every flight seems like a lot of work, buy this kit, which compiles it all for you in one convenient bundle. Choose from multiple items to build your own customized pack based on your kid’s interests and ages, including stickers, books, toys, and games.

When kids don’t get adequate rest, the whole thing goes off the rails in a hurry — for everyone. In addition to comfy clothes and layers, these packable items help keep children warm, soothed, and rested on the plane.

Best Sound Machine

Fridababy 2-in-1 portable sound machine.

Why We Love It: This portable sound machine also has a nightlight, and it hooks onto a tray table hinge or arm rest.

What to Consider: It can be hard to differentiate the buttons in the dark.

This little machine produces five soothing sounds for kids, including shushing and a heartbeat. It has an adjustable strap, so you can hook it onto an arm rest or or tray table hinge, or a car seat or stroller once off the plane. During your flight, just but be mindful of using anything beyond pink noise in flight out of respect to your fellow passengers. Conveniently, it also has a nightlight with three glow levels which could help you locate items in a dimmed cabin, too.

Best Pillow and Blanket

Roamwild kids travel pillow.

Why We Love It: This cute and cuddly set is a pillow, blanket, and toy all in one.

What to Consider: While the sleeve-style cover adds comfort to an armrest, it’s still an armrest — so it may be too firm for some kids’ tastes.

A travel pillow and blanket are always useful tools in keeping children cozy for long flights. This one has a niche feature: After you remove the blanket, the sleeve-style toy slides over any armrest to transform it into a kids’ pillow. So, it’s a penguin toy, a comfy pillow, and a warm blanket, all in one cute and compact package.

Best Portable Bed

Flyaway kids bed.

Why We Love It: Not just a place to sleep, this comfy surface also keeps toys and accessories from rolling onto the floor.

What to Consider: You’ll be happy to have it on the plane, but then you’ll be committed to traveling with it for the duration of your trip.

When kids are overtired, everyone loses. And a tool like this can be just the ticket for helping them sleep on long flights. The bed for babies, toddlers, and little kids inflates in 90 seconds and deflates quickly, too. It comes in a carry bag with a pump included, and it can be wiped clean.

When it comes to traveling with kids, you’ll always need more snacks than you think. Think you’ve packed enough? Great, now double it. And don’t forget a refillable water bottle to kep your kiddo hydrated.

Best Reusable Water Bottle

Yeti rambler jr. kids bottle.

Why We Love It: This water bottle is impressively leakproof and made to withstand a beating.

What to Consider: The bottle itself is heavy, especially compared to its relatively small 12-ounce payload.

Staying hydrated with kids while traveling is a must, and this water bottle means business. The Yeti is durable, spill proof, and double-wall insulated to keep drinks cold (or warm) for hours. Plus, a straw cap makes it easy for kids to sip on the go.

Best Lollipops

Ring pop individually wrapped bulk lollipop variety party pack.

Why We Love It: It acts as both a snack and a bribe — er, reward , that is — and can help reduce ear discomfort on planes.

What to Consider: Nope, there’s no nutritional value here!

Lollipops and their ilk are a multifunction tool for traveling with kids: It’s a snack! It’s a reward! It keeps them busy! And the act of swallowing while sucking on them can also ease ear pressure on takeoff and landing. Even better, Ring Pops are a smart, toy-like alternative to stick lollies for hands-free holding.

Best Snacks

Stuff your sack healthy snacks variety pack organic care package.

Why We Love It: This variety pack includes 18 different flavors to keep kids interested.

What to Consider: The packaged snacks may be organic, but they are still processed food.

Having kids means having snacks handy at all times; traveling makes it all the more necessary to keep kids fed and comfortable to combat whining. This variety pack includes 25 organic packaged snacks from 19 different brands; 18 different flavors keep them intrigued as little surprises unfold throughout a long journey.

Best Snack Activity

Fred match up memory snack tray.

Why We Love It: Dispensing snacks this way keeps the experience fun for kids — and prolongs the process to keep them busy, too.

What to Consider: Make sure your child is able to push buttons.

Snacks serve two important functions: nutrition and amusement. For that reason, try to prolong these food breaks as a way to keep kids busy and amused. Try putting different snacks into this fun tray with compartments; it’s fun for littles to discover treats behind each door, and it adds time to the whole process. For slightly older toddlers and children, you can make a memory game out of it.

Keeping kids clean — and cleaning up after them — has long been a top concern among traveling parents. A global pandemic only underscored the importance of traveling with wipes and sanitizer.

Best Changing Pad

Skip hop pronto changing station.

Why We Love It: When you travel with your own changing pad, you’re guaranteed a non-public surface no matter where you are.

What to Consider: A separate changing pad may not be necessary if you have a diaper bag that comes with one.

Change a diaper on the go without fear of exposing baby to gross, public surfaces. This changing pad takes the form of a clutch, with a large mesh pocket that holds four diapers and accessories, plus a translucent wipes case. A front zipper pocket holds essentials like keys and cash. Drop it in any bag, or clip it on a travel stroller or luggage handle instead.

Best Multi-purpose Wipes

Hello bello unscented baby wipes.

Why We Love It: You can use these extra-soft baby wipes on just about everything.

What to Consider: These full-size packs aren’t tiny.

Is there nothing a baby wipe can't do? From diaper changes to on-the-go hand cleaning to wiping up half-eaten miscellany, traveling with baby wipes is a must. These are super soft with aloe and chamomile extract — and no alcohol, synthetic fragrances, phthalates, or parabens.

Best Face Wipes

Boogie wipes.

Why We Love It: These hypoallergenic, ultra-soft saline wipes are great for cleaning snotty faces and even clearing airways.

What to Consider: If you don’t want to pack a bag full of different wipe options, this specialty product might be the first to go.

With kids, runny noses are just about guaranteed for chunks of the year, and they're even more likely when you add in the fatigue and exposure from traveling. These hypoallergenic and alcohol-free cloths are designed expressly for nose-wiping, with gentle saline, vitamin E, aloe, and chamomile to soothe sensitive skin.

Best Surface Wipes

Lysol disinfecting wipes to-go pack.

Why We Love It: You’ll find tons of uses for this travel-sized package of wipes when traveling through public spaces with (or without) kids.

What to Consider: These are ideal for surfaces, but they are not for use on kids’ faces.

These germ-busting wipes are ideal for cleaning nonporous surfaces like a tray tables or seatback entertainment screens, and they're a must for both safety and peace of mind when traveling with littles known to touch everything.

Best Hand Sanitizer

Kinia 8 pack empty mixed kids hand sanitizer.

Why We Love It: These cute and colorful hand sanitizer holders keep gel easy to access for frequent cleanups.

What to Consider: Be advised these containers come empty, so you’ll need to fill with your favorite brand.

In addition to wipes, hand sanitizer is a must for quick cleaning on the go. Keep your gel handy by filling these colorful jelly wrap silicone carriers. The 1-ounce, flip-top-cap bottles attach with adjustable silicone cords to backpacks, diaper bags, and just about anywhere else.

Depending on kids’ ages and sizes, they may be candidates to tote their own cargo. Backpacks, rolling bags, and even ride-on options help keep the process moving smoothly. Adults, on the other hand, can benefit from bags that keep hands free in case they need to carry tired children or hold little hands along the way.

Best Diaper Bag

Dagne dover indi diaper backpack.

Why We Love It: This bag is sleek, chic, and unisex, and it delivers on functionality with tons of specialized compartments.

What to Consider: It's spacious and deep, so smaller items can be hard to spot in a hurry (and when are you not in a hurry when traveling with kids?).

Traveling with kids means prioritizing performance in a diaper bag ; we're huge fans of Dagne Dover because the brand fuses functionality with style so well. Done in chic, 100-percent vegan neoprene, this backpack-style diaper bag also clips to a stroller upon arrival. It includes a mini changing mat and extra pouches, with an extra zipper opening for easy access to wipes.

Best Crossbody Bag

Kibou diaper bag.

Why We Love It: This crossbody doubles as a compact diaper bag for hands-free convenience.

What to Consider: A diaper bag this small obviously isn’t a feasible option for longer outings or multiple babies, so consider your usage.

This vegan-leather waist pack, which extends into a crossbody, is a great choice for traveling through airports and wearing on the plane. The ultra-compact diaper bag has tons of features so you can travel hands free: A built-in waterproof pocket holds 20 wipes wet for up to a week, a detachable changing pad unfolds from the back flap, a hook holds a pacifier or key, slots secure credit cards or cash, and the nylon lining is wipeable and stain resistant. It's even possible to use this as a regular bag once your little ones are out of diapers, too.

Best Kids Backpack

Herschel heritage backpack | kids.

Why We Love It: Encouraging kids to carry their own backpack builds independence while keeping the family’s cargo moving.

What to Consider: This kid-size version is best for ages 3 to 7; move up to youth size for older kids.

Herschel has just the right size backpack for children preschool age and up to carry their own gear — both to help out the family and to develop a bit of self reliance. This kid-proportioned version is just 13 inches high and has a removable sternum support strap. The next size up is right for youths ages 8 to 12 and, at 15 inches high, it also features a 13-inch laptop or tablet sleeve.

Best Wheeled Backpack

Jansport driver 8 core series wheeled backpack.

Why We Love It: A rolling backpack keeps the weight off kids’ backs and holds a solid amount of cargo.

What to Consider: This well-equipped pack is substantially sized and a better bet for grade school ages and up.

This 21-inch rolling backpack is packed with features for bigger kids. It has two spacious main compartments plus skate wheels and a telescoping handle for a smooth ride. An exterior mesh bottle pocket stretches to fit large bottles, and a 15-inch laptop sleeve has a buckle to keep technology extra secure. It comes in an array of solid colors and appealing prints, and you can easily tuck away the shoulder straps when not in use.

Best Kids' Carry-on Suitcase

Rockland london hardside spinner wheel luggage carry-on.

Why We Love It: Kids can grow with this 20-inch spinner, small enough to manage but large enough to hold proper cargo.

What to Consider: A 20-inch spinner will be too large for preschoolers to easily maneuver.

When it comes to kids’ roller bags, we advocate for choosing a piece small enough for them to manage but large enough to hold a meaningful amount of cargo. To be worthwhile, it must be an efficient use of hands and bin space, not just a character-shaped gimmick that holds very little. Our writer's twins have these durable hardside cases, which they’ve carried independently since age 6 (going on three years and many miles and still going!).

Best Ride-on Suitcase

​​stokke jetkids bedbox.

Why We Love It: This wheeled ride-on suitcase transforms into a leg rest or bed in flight.

What to Consider: Not all carriers permit the use of items like these as leg rests while in the air.

This ride-on rolling suitcase has hidden talents beyond scooting through the airport: It transforms into a leg rest, or an in-plane bed, to help keep kids comfy and rested during the flight, too. Bonus: It even includes two sheets of stickers for kids to personalize their own luggage.

It may seem overwhelming to keep track of all the things you need to bring, especially after you've left home. GPS trackers can be lifesavers for locating your items during the journey, and a small first aid kit and plastic slider bags prepare for just-in-case moments and help clean up mid-flight messes, too.

Best Luggage Tracker

Apple airtag 4-pack.

Why We Love It: Track your kids’ stuff — or even your kids themselves — amid hectic environments like airports.

What to Consider: These tiny trackers are made to interface with Apple devices only.

In crowded, chaotic environments — especially when the dependability of baggage handling could use improvement — a small GPS tracking device tucked into a bag can make all the difference in reuniting with it after, say, a kid blithely walks away from their belongings after being distracted by a candy display. You can also use these tags on children themselves, with an array of specialty wristbands, keychains, and necklaces designed to incorporate the tags for wearability.

Best First Aid Kit

Preparakit small compact first aid kit for kids.

Why We Love It: This well-stocked first aid kit covers the basics in a compact, highly portable package.

What to Consider: You can save money if you choose to compile your own kit with customized supplies.

This TSA-approved mini first aid kit contains all the essentials for babies and toddlers in a package just about the size of a wallet. The curated array of 50 items includes bandages, gauze, tape, scissors, thermometer strips, and more. There’s also additional room to add your own prescription or over-the-counter medication.

Best Storage Bags

Hefty slider storage bags.

Why We Love It: They have a stand-up bottom for convenience.

What to Consider: They're less durable than sturdier bags made for freezer storage,

There are so many uses for slider storage bags while flying with kids: Use them within backpacks to organize cables, toys, and snacks. Or, use them to separate wet or soiled items, and to collect trash tidily. Plus, they’re super lightweight and waterproof.

Prioritize new or special items

When it comes to keeping kids entertained during a long flight, they’re most likely to stay engaged when playing with something that is new to them. Now’s the time to choose new or rarely used games, books, toys, and technology to pack in your kit for maximum novelty value.

Consider portability

You may be accustomed to your full arsenal of supplies at home, but carefully consider how portable and necessary each of these items is before committing to travel with it. Luggage fees add up, arms and hands quickly fill, and only the truly portable items are usually worthwhile to bring along on travels with kids.

Children over the age of two must have their own ticket, and therefore are entitled to the same baggage privileges of other ticketed passengers in the category. Check your airline and ticket class for the specific baggage allowances.

Formula, breast milk, toddler drinks, and baby or toddler food (including purée pouches) in quantities greater than 3.4 ounces are allowed in carry-on baggage, according to the TSA regulations ; these are considered medically necessary liquids. Just make sure to take these items out of your carry-on bag to be screened separately.

The same permission applies to breast milk and formula cooling accessories, like ice packs and freezer packs.

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

Alesandra Dubin is a career travel and lifestyle writer and a frequent traveler. She’s also a twin mom with plenty of hard-earned experience from world travels with kids.

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7 Memory-Making Mother-Daughter Trips To Bond with Your Teen

A mother-daughter relationship is precious and sometimes precarious. Nothing helps strengthen the bonds between a mom and daughters more than participating in activities shoulder-to-shoulder and sharing new experiences. Mother-daughter trips are a perfect way to accomplish both — and those long hours of travel time can be the perfect way to enjoy quality time and get even a recalcitrant teen to open up.

I started taking mother-daughter day trips with my girl when she was very young and we began lengthening those to mother-daughter vacations when she was six or seven. Over the years, our annual mother-daughter getaways have become a treasured tradition.

This precious time together has become absolutely priceless as she moves through her teenage years. Over the years, we have tried all sorts of trips (see my tips for planning a mother-daughter trip ) and each of them has hit home at various stages of her growth. I wanted to share a few of our favorites to give you memorable mother-daughter trip ideas to use in your own planning.

7 Best Mother Daughter Trips

I understand that sometimes it is hard to pull off a family vacation, let only a one-on-one trip. It is definitely easier for me because I only have one child. But I still think it is worth the effort, even if it can’t happen every year. These trips build a foundation for a strong relationship even when your daughter leaves home and goes off on her own.

1. The Adventure Trip

Teens love to be active and often seek thrills that we as moms would rather avoid. But I can tell you from experience that jumping in and adventuring together will gain you respect, empower you both, and generate stories for years to come.

Even if your trip isn’t ALL about adventure, it is easy to build a few adventurous activities into your trip. That can be paddle boarding, kayaking, horseback riding, zip lining, or tree-top adventure courses. Of course, you can hike just about anywhere but for epic views try one of the Utah National Parks .

Some of our favorite adventures include:

• White water rafting in Oregon
• Rock climbing in Smith Rock State Park in Central Oregon (Central Oregon is a great place for adventure — hiking, caving, rafting, climbing, tubing, and more.)
• Hiking in the Canadian Rockies (a trip that also included horseback riding and the exhilarating day climbing the Via Ferrata on Mount Norquay.)
• Hiking and horseback riding in the Black Hills and Badlands National Park in South Dakota

2. The Wildlife Trip

Tweens tend to be animal lovers and get excited about up close and personal animal encounters . We are both animal lovers and we have a lot of bucket list dreams that involve polar bears, pandas, and penguins.

While some of those dreams are a little inaccessible on the current budget, it is easy to build wildlife sightings or animal experiences into a mother-daughter trip.

For example, after reading the book Misty of Chincoteague together for a mother-daughter book club, I figured that a mother-daughter trip to see the wild ponies of Chincoteague would be a perfect idea. We huddled together against the cold wind and spray of water on our boat ride around the island, but soon we were both beaming when we spied our first pony herds.

Some of our favorite wildlife trips include:

• Wildlife viewing in Yellowstone National Park and learning about dinosaurs in Bozeman, Montana
• Watching the bison, burros, and prairie dogs in the Black Hills, SD
• Bear-watching cruise excursion in Alaska
• Dude ranch vacation
• Drive through safaris and zoos

3. The Cultural Trip

If you are looking for something more adventurous, that also wraps in culture, education, and yes some wildlife (in the form of a llama hike!), I would encourage you to look at GOOD Travel . This responsible travel company is founded by a mom and they run mother-daughter trips to Peru each summer.

Every aspect of the trip – from the hotels to the llama hikes to the chocolate making – has been designed to ensure that the local community, economy, and environment benefit from your visit. So it is a great way to have an amazing bonding experience (with other moms and daughters) in a positive way.

I think this would be perfect for a big birthday or moving up from grade school to middle school, middle school to high school, or even a graduation trip . If you sign up , be sure to note that you were referred by WE3TRAVEL (my affiliate code) and you will receive a 10% discount .

Of course, there are countless cultural trips you can take from learning about native culture in your own backyard to exploring a new part of the globe. One of the most immersive cultural trips we have taken as a family was to Morocco .

4. The Big City Trip

If wildlife and adventure aren’t your things, maybe a mother-daughter weekend getaway to a big city — like New York City, Los Angeles , or San Francisco for shopping, eating, and visiting the theater and museums is more your deal. These trips are great for all ages and can even become an annual tradition as most cities have so much to offer and interests change as your daughter gets older.

One of our first mother-daughter getaways was to Baltimore, Maryland. Visiting a new city gives you a chance to explore together and share new experiences. We had a very special time wandering the city streets together and it allowed her a more active role in choosing which attractions and restaurants we visited.

I know that not only have these trips given us fun memories together, but it has also taught her skills about navigating a city, using public transportation, and how to keep yourself safe.

Some of our favorite U.S. cities to visit include:

• Nashville – music, murals, and food
• Atlanta – food, Coke, Aquarium, and history
• Milwaukee – festivals, art, and lakeside fun
• Minneapolis – Prince, shopping, art, and waterfalls
• Chicago – theater, views, and museums
• Philadelphia – history, zoo, and cheesesteaks

5. The Educational Trip

We spend a lot of time teaching our kids, but when you have an opportunity to learn together you are both on the same level and have another shared experience to reference and discuss.

We have taken a lot of educational trips together visiting historical sites, museums, and living history museums. Not every trip is themed around an educational topic, some just include an activity. But others, like our Civil Rights road trip , have been designed for a purpose and had a profound impact.

I think ages 8-14 are ideal for this type of trip. Some of our favorite educational destinations include:

• Colonial Williamsburg and Jamestown (paired with a fun day at Water Country USA )
• Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello in Charlottesville, Virginia
• Gettysburg including the National Battlefield — this was one of the first times that I could see her really taking in and processing everything that we learned and observing the impact that it had
• Memphis including an African-American History tour and visiting the National Civil Rights Museum

6. The Spa Trip

I thought spa resorts would require my daughter to be sixteen (and some do), but these days you can find spas that offer services for tweens and teens — from chocolate pedicures, blow outs, or massages for moms and daughters.

I’ll never forget her dreamy smile after her first massage! What a privilege to share this fun “first” with her. There have been a few times when we have added a spa experience to our trip, and I can’t wait to plan another spa getaway. I’m pretty sure I’ll be able to bribe her to go on a mother-daughter spa weekend even when she has moved out!

Our favorite spa experiences have been at:

• Sierra Grande in Truth & Consequences, New Mexico
• The Beach Plum Spa at the John Carver Inn in Plymouth, Massachusetts

7. The College Trip

Now that I have had a senior, we have added a new kind of mother-daughter trip to our repertoire — the college visit trip. While these can be stressful on both sides, and we don’t like to think about sending them off into the world, this is an incredible opportunity to be involved in one of the most important decisions your daughter will make so far in her life.

Sometimes, she may even listen to your point of view or gain some wisdom from your experience! But don’t make it all college and no play. Here are some great tips for turning a college trip into a mini-vacation. And as we have crisscrossed the country college shopping, I’ve also added some guides to visiting campuses on my sister site, Your Time to Fly, including:

• Planning a college visit to Washington DC
• Visiting Stanford
• Tips for visiting University of Michigan , University of Wisconsin-Madison , and University of Colorado-Boulder

These trips have created a bank full of cherished memories — for both of us! Even though planning a mother-daughter getaway with your tween or teen daughter may sound daunting or impossible, I encourage you to give it a try. Start with a day trip or shared experience and go from there.

Need more ideas? What about a cooking class, TV or movie location tour, food-themed trip, attending a sporting event, going to a musical performance, or something else that grabs her interest? The best mother-daughter vacations are ones where she has a say in what you do.

I would love to hear your ideas, suggestions, and experiences. Join our private travel with teens Facebook group !

PIN THIS FOR LATER

Tamara Gruber is the Founder and Publisher of We3Travel. A former marketing executive and travel advisor, Tamara is an award-winning travel writer and recognized expert in family travel. Tamara is a member of SATW and the Adventure Travel Trade Association, and serves on the Board of the Family Travel Association. She is also the publisher of YourTimetoFly.com and the co-host of the Vacation Mavens travel podcast.

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Publish Date: November 16, 2022

32 thoughts on “7 Memory-Making Mother-Daughter Trips To Bond with Your Teen”

Love these ideas. I haven’t done a spa trip with Cassie yet, and I definitely want to plan one. Gonna check into Beach Plum!

I’m in awe of your Norquay, Banff, via ferrata adventure. I’m a bit afraid of heights and that ferrata route is super challenging. Good on you for conquering it!

thank you!! I had my moments but when your teen is encouraging you, you don’t chicken out. I sure was exhausted and sore that night though!

Love this! I especially like the adventure trip idea, and not just because it features Crater Lake and Smith Rock…in my backyard!

Mother-daughter trips have been SO GOOD for my daughter and me in terms of strengthening our relationship and just plain having a whole lot of fun!

It sounds like so much fun! Eventually, I want to do a Jane Austen tour with her, but I think, for now, she’d rather we go to an adventure playground. Mother-daughter trips have been SO GOOD for my daughter and me in terms of strengthening our relationship and just plain having a whole lot of fun! One of my favorite travel memories was traveling with my mom as an adult child of 25 to Paris for the first time.

This is lovely, my mother and I did trips like this in my teens and now that I’m in my 30s we are doing them again. I took my mum on a northern lights trip recently which was so nice. It will be great when the tables turn and your daughter plans the trip and takes you!

I just went to Egypt with my daughter and it was amazing.

Having only just started in the “tween” world (she is 9) i am learning that i have to do special things with her, so loved this post for giving me inspo.

I’m so glad to hear it!

I traveled a lot with my daughter solo when she was smaller. Now that she’s bigger I think I need to plan another trip!

Love this! I especially like the adventure trip idea, and not just because it features Crater Lake and Smith Rock…in my backyard!

We loved that area. Crater Lake may be my favorite national park so far.

I like the SPA trip!

I haven’t done a mother-daughter trip yet with my 5-year old, but I’m hoping to do it this year before her THIRD little brother arrives! 🙂 It sounds like so much fun! Eventually I want to do a Jane Austen tour with her, but I think for now, she’d rather we go to an adventure playground. 🙂

A literary tour would definitely be a fun idea

Love these! Ours tend to be anything around food, coffee, or chocolate… 😉

Oh that reminds me of a chocolate tasting I did with her!

Cute! I love the photo of you two in your road trip t-shirts. I live in a house full of males, so I take girls-only trips with my mom. We love it.

Thanks! I imagine mother son trips could be very fun too! It is really just about doing things together.

Love this idea so much. One of my favorite travel memories was travelling with my mom as an adult child of 25 to Paris for the first time. It was a fantastic trip that I wish we could have done more often!

That sounds special! I hope my tween wants to keep our tradition going through her teen years.

I absolutely admire your long distance road trips with Hannah! For now, I try to always go to a nails “spa” with my 6-yr old:) and last year for Mother’s Day we had a yoga teacher come to our house for a mother-daughter private class. This year- we repeated the experience DIY style cause we already know the moves:)

That sounds so sweet! We would love mother-daughter yoga!

LOVE LOVE LOVE this! Hannah is just darling, first of all. I know Lucia would love the wild ponies of Chincoteague (so would I) and Gettysburg. You’ve given me some great ideas!

Yay!! And thank you!

I have only done city trips alone with my girls (I guess I’m most comfortable navigating cities by myself). I think a wildlife one sounds great though – I would love to see the Chincoteague ponies!

Wildlife ones are great for animal lovers

My favorite mother-daughter trip would be to the spa. My daughter is super girly and loves getting her toes, nails and hair done.

Mother Daughter Horseback camp at the Sugar and Spice Ranch at the Cowboy Capital of the world… Bandera TX!

Oh that sounds so fun and absolutely perfect for a horse loving girl too!

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21 Fun Travel Gifts for Kids (That They’ll Actually Use)

By Author Jurga

Posted on Last updated: January 9, 2024

If you are looking for gift ideas for kids , you probably already know how difficult it is to find a fun gift that they’ll actually like and use. What do you get for a kid who has so many toys already? In this article, we are sharing several ideas for travel gifts for kids that will make any kid happy. These are so much better than any toys, take my word for it.

This list contains many practical and affordable travel gift ideas for kids . While these are all related to traveling one way or the other, they can make a perfect gift for any child.

Some of these gifts are meant for toddlers or preschoolers , while most others – for boys and girls from 6 to 12 years old . You will find a few travel gifts for teenagers on this list as well. Read on!

Good to know: We have three kids and so all these kids gift ideas are based on our first-hand experience and lots of mispurchases… Our house is filled with toys and gifts that were very exciting on the first day but stayed in the box ever since. The kids gifts on this list are the ones that they actually use time and again. Find out!

READ ALSO: Best Family Travel Destinations Worldwide

These are some of the best travel gifts for children:

1. Binoculars

One travel gift for kids that you really cannot go wrong with is binoculars . Choose binoculars appropriate to the age of the child and they will love and use them for a long time.

I suggest you go for the better quality sturdy binoculars with decent magnification rather than toy binoculars.

For young children, I recommend sturdy kids binoculars that won’t easily break. For teenagers, it’s best to get decent, quality binoculars , that will last many years.

READ ALSO: Tips for Traveling with Kids

2. Kids Travel Bags

Kids travel bag, a rolling suitcase, or a backpack is a great travel gift for kids of any age. Young children love having their own bag to carry and for older kids, their own travel bag is simply indispensable on any trip.

Young kids will love ride-on suitcases or rolling kids luggage .

School-going kids usually love to have their own travel backpack, which also comes in handy for field trips and on other occasions. I can highly recommend this Osprey travel backpack – it’s a wonderful gift for any child and one they’ll use time and again.

If you are looking for a very practical gift for kids age 4 to 8, I can highly recommend Trunki BoostApak . It’s a backpack and a booster car seat in one and all our three kids have used these for years. We take them on every road trip abroad and we use them at home as booster seats as well.

READ ALSO: Best Travel Bags for Kids & Best Travel Booster Seats

A globe is a wonderful gift for all school-going kids, whether they are traveling or not.

You can find globes in all sizes, with or without a light, and even ones that have educational apps connected to them…

For young kids, a learning globe is a wonderful gift that will keep them engaged for years to come. 8 to 12-year-olds will probably appreciate a globe with the built-in light . For teenagers, I would suggest an educational globe with place names .

4. World Map or Scratch-off Map

A world map is an excellent gift for any child and encourages them to learn more about our world.

If you are looking for a very general map with the continents, check out this world map that’s more meant as a decoration for young kids’ rooms. A bit more educational, and perfect for young kids is this kids’ world map . Teenagers will probably prefer this high-quality classic world map .

For avid travelers, a scratch-off map makes a great gift. They can scratch off the places that they have visited and use it to dream about and plan new trips. There is a big variety of scratch-off maps available; here is one of the best-rated scratch-off maps that I found.

5. Kids Atlas

There is probably no better gift than a gift of learning. A book is always a great gift idea, but if you don’t know where to start and which books kids like, why not get an atlas instead. It’s such a great way to get the kids to read more, while at the same time also learning more about the planet we live on.

There are so many various kids’ atlases, so it’s not difficult to find one that suits any age. School-going kids will love this National Geographic USA road trip atlas or this Kids’ World Atlas by Lonely Planet .

READ ALSO: Best Travel Books for Kids

6. Waterproof Kids Camera

Kids want to be just like their parents and one travel gift they’ll really appreciate is a travel camera . There are some really affordable and good-quality cameras for kids, so you don’t have to worry about the budget.

For young children, I recommend choosing a more robust, waterproof travel camera like this .

Teenagers will be happy with an action camera and if you invest in a quality camera like a GoPro , they’ll use it for many years to come.

7. Travel Games

Travel games are fun, they don’t cost much, and they make for a great travel gift for kids.

Many of the all-time favorites are included in this 12-piece Magnetic Board Game Set . Other favorites are Travel Scavenger Hunt , UNO (or UNO Junior for younger children), and of course many more.

Pocket-sized creative story generator Story Cubes provides hours of imaginative play for all ages. Story Cubes are the perfect way to keep your kids busy and entertained not only during the trip but also at home.

UNO and Story Cubes are always in our luggage when traveling with kids.

READ ALSO: What to Pack in Kids’ Hand Luggage

8. Single-player Travel Games for Kids

Travel games are always fun, but our kids also love single-player games that require logical reasoning and planning skills. Our boys have some games from ThinkFun and SmartGames and it keeps them busy for hours.

There are so many single-player games that you will have no trouble finding one for a child of any age. Many of these games are very compact and easy to take with you and are therefore perfect to play at home or on the road.

For young kids, I recommend Rush Hour Jr , SmartGames Jump’IN , or Noah’s Ark Magnetic Travel Game .

For older kids and teenagers – games like Think Fun Tipover , ThinkFun Gravity Maze Marble Run , or ThinkFun Rush Hour .

Travel games are not expensive and are great for those looking for affordable kids’ gift ideas.

9. Travel Toys for Outdoors

We don’t often take many toys when traveling, but we try to take at least one toy for outdoors.

A ball is usually too big to pack on a plane but is something you can take when traveling by car. If traveling light, for example, a frisbee is a great alternative. It’s a perfect toy to keep children busy on any trip, and a foldable frisbee is so light to pack that you can always take it with you.

If there is one thing that our kids missed during our road trips when they were little, it’s beach toys. They are just too big to pack when traveling overseas, and so we never took any. However, recently I stumbled across this collapsable beach pail and shovel set that is so small to pack that it would make a great gift for any young traveler.

Other gift ideas for outdoor-loving kids include kids’ kites , fishing lines and nets , etc.

10. Twistable Crayons

If you are looking for a great gift idea for young children, I cannot recommend twistable crayons highly enough!

At home you can use any pencils, drawing markers, paint, or regular crayons, but when traveling, they are all pretty much useless.

Twistable crayons provide a frustration-free drawing experience for any young traveler. No broken crayons anymore, no paper to peel, no sharpener required, and the little artist’s hands stay clean.

11. Reusable Sticker Sets

Another great travel gift idea for young kids is a set of reusable stickers .

Young children love stickers and a fun reusable sticker set can keep them busy for a long time.

It’s a really great travel gift that is not just very affordable, and easy to pack. Plus, it also guarantees hours and hours of play fun for the little kids.

READ ALSO: Tips for Flying with Kids

12. Hand Puppets and Finger Puppets

Hand- and finger puppets make for another great travel gift for young kids.

Hand puppets are light to pack and can be very entertaining, especially for the youngest travelers.

Also finger puppets can be really fun for young children. They are even smaller to pack – perfect if you are traveling light.

13. Luggage ID Tags

If you are looking for a small, inexpensive, and original travel gift idea for kids, why not consider some fun luggage ID tags .

You can find luggage ID tags for Disney fans , luggage tags with monsters , Star Wars luggage ID tags , or some fun colorful luggage ID tags for teenagers .

14. Travel Journal

If you are looking for a gift for a child who travels, consider a travel journal . It’s such a wonderful way to document their journey and keep fun memories.

There are travel journals for girls and for boys , for younger children or for teenagers , and there are even some really creative ones .

No matter which one you choose, it’s a gift that they will keep and cherish for a long time.

15. E-reader

There is probably no better gift we have ever given our kids but the Kindle e-reader . They absolutely love their Kindles and they read so many books when we travel – something they wouldn’t be able to do otherwise, since packing a suitcase full of books is really not the best way to travel light.

In the car or on the plane, while waiting at the airport or even in the restaurant – an e-reader is such a great gift that anyone will use again and again.

We chose Kindle Paperwhite for our kids, which enables them to read in a dark room or in bright daylight. It’s a bit more expensive than most other kids’ travel gifts on this list, but they’ll use it for many years and it’s well worth the investment.

16. Swiss Knife Junior

A Swiss knife might not be the best gift idea for young kids, but a teenage boy will absolutely love it.

This original Victorinox Swiss Knife is a nice gift for a responsible, active teenager who loves to camp or spends lots of time outdoors.

17. Headlight or Pocket Light

Little adventurers just love to explore in the dark! Our kids are absolutely fascinated by their pocket lamps and it’s something they use just as much at home as they do when we travel.

There are so many pocket lamps available and even decent-quality pocket lights are quite cheap, so it’s no big deal if they lose one. This can also be a great stocking filler for kids!

A headlight is another really nice gift for kids who like outdoor activities like camping or hiking.

18. Digital Tablet

A digital tablet is probably the most expensive item on this kids’ gifts list and one that I think only parents should get for their children. After all, it’s up to them to decide when and how they introduce their kids to electronic games…

For young kids, I recommend very affordable and robust kids’ tablets . For older kids and teens – a digital tablet from Samsung . Samsung tablets are much cheaper than iPads, the battery lasts longer, and the price/quality ratio is excellent.

19. Luggage Scooter

If you are looking for a gift for traveling kids who have it all, a luggage scooter might be a fun idea.

Luggage scooters come in many different sizes and shapes, and the price tag depends a lot on the quality.

Here you can find some popular luggage scooters for kids .

20. Headphones

Headphones are a great gift idea for kids, from around 6 years and older. Not only will the kids love the idea of being able to listen to their own music, but parents will appreciate it as well. After all, we all have our own preferred music style, which is often very different from that of the rebellious teenager…

For younger kids, check out these headphones made especially for children . Teenagers might prefer wireless earbuds .

21. Reusable Water Bottle

Perfect gift for any traveler, a reusable water bottle is an environmentally-friendly gift that kids will appreciate as well.

Not only does it teach them to use less plastic, but it also encourages young kids to drink more water – good for the environment and for their health.

Choose a nice colorful model that suits the kids’ age and you have found a perfect gift that they will use every day.

So, these are some ideas for travel gifts for kids that you really cannot go wrong with.

Do you have some great, original gift ideas for children? Feel free to leave a reply below and share your kids’ favorites.

READ ALSO: Best travel gifts & Scandinavian gifts for everyone on your list

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Monday 22nd of March 2021

Thanks for these ideas. Globe is a great gift for kids older than 10 years old indeed! I have two tweens and got a globe for each of them. They both love it!

Tuesday 23rd of March 2021

I agree - our kids love it too! But I wouldn't say that a globe is only for kids over 10. I think that younger kids (6-7 and up) would already appreciate a gift like that, especially if they show interest in geography and travel.

Wednesday 25th of November 2020

Thanks for this selection, Jurga. It's so hard to find any gift ideas for my grandchildren, they seem to have everything and play with nothing. So I decided to try something different this year and will buy them a nice globe. Thanks again!

Friday 27th of November 2020

A globe is a great gift, Ruth! I'm sure they'll use it for many years and maybe it will even inspire them to explore the world later in life. ;)

Beth Bishop

Saturday 18th of November 2017

I love the idea of giving the kids (and adults) experiences as gifts! Creating special memories is the best kind of gift. We usually do a house decluttering and donations before the holidays to prepare. I’m definitelly using some of your ideas for inspiration. Thanks for sharing!

Sunday 19th of November 2017

House decluttering is something all of us should do more, Beth. Great idea to donate some of the unused stuff, we do it all the time too. We also try to get our kids more practical presents rather than toys, especially now that they are older. We find that books make great presents as well.

Monday 27th of March 2017

Great tips, I was thinking to buy a binocular for my kids because they love adventure and discovering new things in nature. :-)

Saturday 16th of July 2016

What great ideas for gifts for kids, especially traveling ones. I like some of them even for adults too. I am definitely a big fan of the globe and have been looking for ages to get one

Thanks for stopping by! Yes, indeed, many of these would make adults happy as well - a good pair of binoculars or a really nice globe...

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5-year-old girl raped, mudered at construction site in Goa

Panaji: A 5-year-old girl was found raped and murdered at a construction site in Vasco in south Goa on Friday morning, following which 20 suspects were rounded up for questioning, a senior police official said.

She was found unconscious at the construction site in Vadem area in the early hours of the day and was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital where doctors declared her dead on arrival, Superintendent of Police (South) Sunita Sawant told reporters.

"The post mortem report confirmed she was sexually assaulted and strangled. A rape and murder case was registered under Indian Penal Code, Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act and Goa Children's Act," the SP said.

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"Some 20 suspects, mostly labourers living in the vicinity, have been rounded up by Vasco police for questioning. Further probe is underway," she added.

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Kamarie Holland’s killer found guilty of capital charges in rape, murder of 5-year-old girl

• Published: Apr. 12, 2024, 4:02 p.m.

Kamarie Holland (Contributed)

• Howard Koplowitz | [email protected]

The man who raped and murdered Kamarie Holland, the 5-year-old Georgia girl whose body was found in an abandoned east Alabama home, was convicted Friday of four capital charges in connection with her killing.

A Russell County jury found Jeremy Williams guilty of killing a child under 14, killing a person during a kidnapping, killing a person during a rape and killing a person during sodomy, WRBL reported .

Williams, 39, earlier pleaded guilty to rape and murder charges in Kamarie’s death.

He faces the death penalty when he is sentenced Monday.

During the trial on Wednesday, jurors were shown graphic footage of Williams’ sexually assaulting the girl, WRBL  reported .

Some law enforcement personnel in the courtroom were fighting back tears as the footage was displayed, according to the station.

Williams confessed to raping and murdering Kamarie as well as his 1-month-old daughter in Alaska -- a cold case that was reopened after the confession, WRBL reported.

The confession was made during a five-hour interview with the Russell County Sheriff’s Office in 2021.

When a sheriff’s deputy asked Williams why he was confessing he said it was because he “wanted to get right with God before he’s executed,” according to the station.

Kamarie’s body was found in an abandoned home in east Alabama in December 2021.

Kristy Marie Siple, Kamarie’s mother, had a sexual relationship with Williams, who said he was tired of Siple and asked for Kamarie instead.

Siple allegedly asked for $2,500 for Kamarie when Williams countered with $1,300. Although Wiliams agreed, he never paid Siple the $1,300, WRBL reported.

Williams recorded the abuse of Kamarie, which included forcing her to perform oral sex and making the girl smoke methamphetamine with him.

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Man accused of beating girlfriend’s 5-year-old son for watching ‘PAW Patrol’

MIAMI (Gray News) – A man was arrested after allegedly beating his girlfriend’s 5-year-old son for watching the children’s show “PAW Patrol,” according to authorities.

Miami police said the alleged beating happened the day after Christmas in 2022.

Authorities said 36-year-old Keyyun Bryant grabbed the boy’s arm “super hard” before telling him that the show was “for girls,” WPLG reported.

A witness told the University of Miami Child Protection Team that Bryant came into the room while she and the little boy were watching the children’s show.

WPLG reported that Bryant allegedly grabbed the boy by the arm, neck, and hit him in the back of the head because he was in the “girls’ room.”

The little boy told officials that Bryant scratched him and wrapped both his hands around his neck. Bryant also allegedly threatened to take the boy to jail.

Miami police located Bryant last Tuesday. He was arrested and charged with one felony count of child abuse.

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An 11-year-old girl in Georgia was killed trying to rescue her puppy during a fire that ravaged her family’s home, her heartbroken family said.

Katelynn Simond and her pup, Little Man, both died despite her efforts during the blaze Saturday afternoon that ravaged the Sidney Drive home just outside the city of Griffin in Spalding County, Fox 5 Atlanta reported .

“She was worried about her dog upstairs, and she ran upstairs,” her stepuncle Charles Beecher told the news outlet. “Katelynn, she’s like us, an animal lover. She went upstairs and got that puppy.”

He said his niece “always had that smile on her face. That’s what I’m going to miss. She was a joy of life. She was a cheerleader. She was into everything.

“I mean, it’s heartbreaking. It’s hard,” Beecher added.

The Cowan Road Middle School student lived with her mom, stepfather and brother, WSB-TV reported .

Spalding County Fire Chief Mike Byrd said his department responded about 5:30 p.m. Saturday.

“When we received the call, it was very well advanced. It was visible from over a mile away,” he told the outlet, adding that firefighters knew someone was trapped upstairs.

When they located the girl, it was too late to save her, Byrd said.

“Her stepdad and her stepuncle tried to go in after her, and to no success. They couldn’t get in,” her stepaunt Tressia Perry told WSB-TV. “The family is struggling right now. They’re going through a hard time.”

The family and neighbors have erected a memorial for Katelynn outside the home.

“It’s hard knowing I am not going to be able to see her again,” Beecher told Fox 5 Atlanta. “It’s rough. I mean, 11 years old. Her life was just taken too early.”

One firefighter was injured and taken to a hospital for treatment, according to the outlet.

No foul play is suspected in the blaze but the investigation into the cause is ongoing.

A GoFundMe page was launched to help the family with funeral costs, as well as with housing and clothing.

“The outpouring of support by the community is overwhelming. It shows just how much Katelynn was a light in people lives, for those who have known her closely and those that have known her briefly,” organizer Meredith Smith wrote.

“Her visit here on earth was short, but her family will experience this for the rest of their lives,” she added.

The account had raised about $7,100 as of Tuesday morning.

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Teen Girls Confront an Epidemic of Deepfake Nudes in Schools

Using artificial intelligence, middle and high school students have fabricated explicit images of female classmates and shared the doctored pictures.

After boys at Francesca Mani’s high school fabricated and shared explicit images of girls last year, she and her mother, Dorota, began urging schools and legislators to enact tough safeguards. Credit... Shuran Huang

Supported by

By Natasha Singer

Natasha Singer has covered student privacy for The Times since 2013. She reported this story from Westfield, N.J.

• April 8, 2024

Westfield Public Schools held a regular board meeting in late March at the local high school, a red brick complex in Westfield, N.J., with a scoreboard outside proudly welcoming visitors to the “Home of the Blue Devils” sports teams.

But it was not business as usual for Dorota Mani.

In October, some 10th-grade girls at Westfield High School — including Ms. Mani’s 14-year-old daughter, Francesca — alerted administrators that boys in their class had used artificial intelligence software to fabricate sexually explicit images of them and were circulating the faked pictures. Five months later, the Manis and other families say, the district has done little to publicly address the doctored images or update school policies to hinder exploitative A.I. use.

“It seems as though the Westfield High School administration and the district are engaging in a master class of making this incident vanish into thin air,” Ms. Mani, the founder of a local preschool, admonished board members during the meeting.

In a statement, the school district said it had opened an “immediate investigation” upon learning about the incident, had immediately notified and consulted with the police, and had provided group counseling to the sophomore class.

“All school districts are grappling with the challenges and impact of artificial intelligence and other technology available to students at any time and anywhere,” Raymond González, the superintendent of Westfield Public Schools, said in the statement.

Blindsided last year by the sudden popularity of A.I.-powered chatbots like ChatGPT, schools across the United States scurried to contain the text-generating bots in an effort to forestall student cheating. Now a more alarming A.I. image-generating phenomenon is shaking schools.

Boys in several states have used widely available “nudification” apps to pervert real, identifiable photos of their clothed female classmates, shown attending events like school proms, into graphic, convincing-looking images of the girls with exposed A.I.-generated breasts and genitalia. In some cases, boys shared the faked images in the school lunchroom, on the school bus or through group chats on platforms like Snapchat and Instagram, according to school and police reports.

Such digitally altered images — known as “deepfakes” or “deepnudes” — can have devastating consequences. Child sexual exploitation experts say the use of nonconsensual, A.I.-generated images to harass, humiliate and bully young women can harm their mental health, reputations and physical safety as well as pose risks to their college and career prospects. Last month, the Federal Bureau of Investigation warned that it is illegal to distribute computer-generated child sexual abuse material, including realistic-looking A.I.-generated images of identifiable minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct.

Yet the student use of exploitative A.I. apps in schools is so new that some districts seem less prepared to address it than others. That can make safeguards precarious for students.

“This phenomenon has come on very suddenly and may be catching a lot of school districts unprepared and unsure what to do,” said Riana Pfefferkorn , a research scholar at the Stanford Internet Observatory, who writes about legal issues related to computer-generated child sexual abuse imagery .

At Issaquah High School near Seattle last fall, a police detective investigating complaints from parents about explicit A.I.-generated images of their 14- and 15-year-old daughters asked an assistant principal why the school had not reported the incident to the police, according to a report from the Issaquah Police Department. The school official then asked “what was she supposed to report,” the police document said, prompting the detective to inform her that schools are required by law to report sexual abuse, including possible child sexual abuse material. The school subsequently reported the incident to Child Protective Services, the police report said. (The New York Times obtained the police report through a public-records request.)

In a statement, the Issaquah School District said it had talked with students, families and the police as part of its investigation into the deepfakes. The district also “ shared our empathy ,” the statement said, and provided support to students who were affected.

The statement added that the district had reported the “fake, artificial-intelligence-generated images to Child Protective Services out of an abundance of caution,” noting that “per our legal team, we are not required to report fake images to the police.”

At Beverly Vista Middle School in Beverly Hills, Calif., administrators contacted the police in February after learning that five boys had created and shared A.I.-generated explicit images of female classmates. Two weeks later, the school board approved the expulsion of five students, according to district documents . (The district said California’s education code prohibited it from confirming whether the expelled students were the students who had manufactured the images.)

Michael Bregy, superintendent of the Beverly Hills Unified School District, said he and other school leaders wanted to set a national precedent that schools must not permit pupils to create and circulate sexually explicit images of their peers.

“That’s extreme bullying when it comes to schools,” Dr. Bregy said, noting that the explicit images were “disturbing and violative” to girls and their families. “It’s something we will absolutely not tolerate here.”

Schools in the small, affluent communities of Beverly Hills and Westfield were among the first to publicly acknowledge deepfake incidents. The details of the cases — described in district communications with parents, school board meetings, legislative hearings and court filings — illustrate the variability of school responses.

The Westfield incident began last summer when a male high school student asked to friend a 15-year-old female classmate on Instagram who had a private account, according to a lawsuit against the boy and his parents brought by the young woman and her family. (The Manis said they are not involved with the lawsuit.)

After she accepted the request, the male student copied photos of her and several other female schoolmates from their social media accounts, court documents say. Then he used an A.I. app to fabricate sexually explicit, “fully identifiable” images of the girls and shared them with schoolmates via a Snapchat group, court documents say.

Westfield High began to investigate in late October. While administrators quietly took some boys aside to question them, Francesca Mani said, they called her and other 10th-grade girls who had been subjected to the deepfakes to the school office by announcing their names over the school intercom.

That week, Mary Asfendis, the principal of Westfield High, sent an email to parents alerting them to “a situation that resulted in widespread misinformation.” The email went on to describe the deepfakes as a “very serious incident.” It also said that, despite student concern about possible image-sharing, the school believed that “any created images have been deleted and are not being circulated.”

Dorota Mani said Westfield administrators had told her that the district suspended the male student accused of fabricating the images for one or two days.

Soon after, she and her daughter began publicly speaking out about the incident, urging school districts, state lawmakers and Congress to enact laws and policies specifically prohibiting explicit deepfakes.

“We have to start updating our school policy,” Francesca Mani, now 15, said in a recent interview. “Because if the school had A.I. policies, then students like me would have been protected.”

Parents including Dorota Mani also lodged harassment complaints with Westfield High last fall over the explicit images. During the March meeting, however, Ms. Mani told school board members that the high school had yet to provide parents with an official report on the incident.

Westfield Public Schools said it could not comment on any disciplinary actions for reasons of student confidentiality. In a statement, Dr. González, the superintendent, said the district was strengthening its efforts “by educating our students and establishing clear guidelines to ensure that these new technologies are used responsibly.”

Beverly Hills schools have taken a stauncher public stance.

When administrators learned in February that eighth-grade boys at Beverly Vista Middle School had created explicit images of 12- and 13-year-old female classmates, they quickly sent a message — subject line: “Appalling Misuse of Artificial Intelligence” — to all district parents, staff, and middle and high school students. The message urged community members to share information with the school to help ensure that students’ “disturbing and inappropriate” use of A.I. “stops immediately.”

It also warned that the district was prepared to institute severe punishment. “Any student found to be creating, disseminating, or in possession of AI-generated images of this nature will face disciplinary actions,” including a recommendation for expulsion, the message said.

Dr. Bregy, the superintendent, said schools and lawmakers needed to act quickly because the abuse of A.I. was making students feel unsafe in schools.

“You hear a lot about physical safety in schools,” he said. “But what you’re not hearing about is this invasion of students’ personal, emotional safety.”

Natasha Singer writes about technology, business and society. She is currently reporting on the far-reaching ways that tech companies and their tools are reshaping public schools, higher education and job opportunities. More about Natasha Singer

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