The best child friendly holiday destinations
Planning a family holiday means finding somewhere that suits everyone – from tots to teens. We’ve rounded up what we think are some of the best family holiday destinations, so you can create lasting memories for the whole family.
Tips for choosing a child-friendly holiday destination
Whether you’re travelling with toddlers, older kids or teens, holidays should be fun for both the adults and the kids too.
Luckily, there’s a wealth of child-friendly destinations to choose from that cater to all. From Spanish seaside towns to gorgeous Greek resorts and wintery wonders in Lapland, take your pick from our round up of some of the top family holiday destinations.
Spain
Sun-kissed coastlines, amazing cities and magical islands – Spain is one of the best holiday destinations for families. With medieval towns straight from a storybook in the south and stretches of golden beaches in the north, there’s something for everyone here. Relax in Torremolinos, tuck into delicious delicacies in Barcelona’s local food markets, or tour Roman ruins in Segovia.
Balearic Islands
Spain’s beautiful Balearic Islands are some of the best family holiday destinations in Europe. Sunny climates, stunning beaches and short flight times from the UK. Make a splash at Mallorca’s waterparks, snorkel in Menorca’s shallow waters or explore Formentera’s gorgeous greenways by bike. Don’t discount Ibiza either – the quieter resorts offer a tranquil experience for families too. Head to Santa Eularia, Cala Tarida and other regions on the east coast for seaside resorts and electrifying water sports.
Greece
Greece is famous for its welcoming people, incredible food and crystal-clear waters. You’re never short of things to do here, with endless activities for kids of all ages across the Greek Islands. Cruise Corfu’s rugged coast in glass-bottom boats, spot loggerhead turtles in Zakynthos, or climb Santorini’s Caldera. Whether you’re seeking luxury family travel in a beachfront villa or thrilling water sports in Crete, look no further than Greece. Best of all, it’s practically on your doorstep with some of the islands just a three-hour flight from parts of the UK.
USA
Rip-roaring rides, world-class cities and sun kissed coastlines – the USA has it all. No two states are the same, and there’s a lot of ground to cover - it’s one of the best family holiday destinations for variety alone. Thrill-seekers and Disney fans alike will adore Walt Disney World and Universal Studios in Orlando. Arrange meet-and-greets with the kids’ favourite heroes, enjoy white-knuckle rollercoaster rides and make a splash at the waterparks.
Older kids will be mesmerised by an unforgettable trip to New York City, jampacked with museums, shopping, and restaurants. While the West Coast offers cool Californian charm on the cable cars of San Fransisco and beachside fun in Santa Monica.
Lapland
A winter wonderland for kids and adults alike. Located in north Finland, here a white Christmas is almost guaranteed. Little ones can meet Santa, get involved with activities run by elves, and ride in a sleigh pulled by a reindeer. There’s also skiing, hiking, snowmobiling and other snow-stoppers to enjoy. And if you head further north to Saariselkä, you might even spot the Northern Lights. It’s one of the best family holiday destinations for sparking the imaginations of kids young and old.
What to look for when planning a child-friendly holiday?
Whether you’re travelling with excitable young kids or hard-to-please teens, there’s a lot to consider before booking your dream family holiday. Having the following in mind can help to make it an unforgettable getaway for everyone.
Kids clubs
Booking a hotel or resort with a kids club can help to meet everyone’s needs. Many international hotels and resorts put on group activities for kids such as arts and crafts, music and dancing, water sports, cookery experiences and more. Booking accommodation with a kids club gives you a bit of free time too, while offering kids fun and friendship.
All-inclusive resorts
Some of the best family holiday destinations feature all-inclusive resorts – and it’s easy to see why. With an all-inclusive hotel, all of your food and drink is all included at the resort, so you can focus on relaxing and enjoying your holiday without worrying about budgets and where to go for dinner each night.
Close to the beach
There’s no better feeling than waking up and walking to the beach just a few minutes away. Staying close to the beach means there’s a whole host of family activities on your doorstep. From swimming to water sports, sunbathing and cycling along the promenade, being beachside means there’s always something fun to do. Plus, it can be a cheap way to keep the kids entertained by buying a bat and ball from the shop, or a snorkel to check out the marine life.
Evening entertainment
There’s still fun to be had when the sun sets, and resorts with evening entertainment can be found at the best family holiday destinations. Entertainment options usually range from live music to tribute acts and movie nights. They’re great for having something to look forward to each night and it gives you a chance to unwind while the kids are occupied with the show.
Day trips and excursions
Dolphin-spotting boat trips, shopping at local markets and thrilling days at theme parks – there’s a magic to enjoying your holiday to the fullest. Finding a destination where there’s plenty to do is a must when holidaying with kids.
Family vacation ideas closer to home
You don’t need to head overseas to have an unforgettable vacation. Some of the best family holiday destinations can be found right on your doorstep.
Cornwall
With vast, sandy beaches, picturesque villages and breathtaking coastal views, it’s no surprise Cornwall tops the list of vacation ideas for families. Looe is great for families with small children. Investigate rockpools in East Looe Beach and zip-line across the old quarry lake. For older kids and teens, Newquay has a cool surf scene and a kilometre of golden sand to relax on. Or head to Bude in the north for its famous seawater sea pool and canal-side galleries and eateries – perfect for the whole family.
The Lake District
The Lake District is a must visit area for active families. The whole region is an adventure playground, with exciting outdoor activities come rain or shine. Paddle along Lake Windermere, star gaze in the remote valleys of Ennerdale, or discover art sculptures in Grizedale Forest. There are tons of wildlife to spot too. The Lake District Wildlife Park is home to over 100 species of exotic animals, while Alpacaly Ever After allows you to trek with Llamas.
London
Between the striking architecture, kid-friendly museums and idyllic parks, London is one of the best holiday destinations for families in the UK. There’s no shortage of things to do, and after a week in the capital, you still wouldn’t scratch the surface of this bustling city. Marvel at the city’s iconic skyline on the London Eye, meet wild parakeets at Kensington Gardens or travel back in time at the British Museum. Kids will love the London Zoo and the SEA LIFE aquarium. For older kids and teens, the Harry Potter Studio Tour and Thorpe Park aren’t far away either.
Organising currency for a family trip
If you’re heading overseas, a prepaid travel card makes it safe and easy to manage your spending money. From cheap family breaks to luxury holidays, stick to your holiday budget with a Sainsbury’s Bank Travel Money Card.
Our prepaid Travel Money Card allows you to:
- Enjoy fixed exchange rates
- Make secure, contactless payments
- Load up to 15 currencies at any one time
- Withdraw local currencies at cash points.
It’s always handy to carry cash on your travels too, especially in countries that prioritise cash payments. At Sainsbury’s Bank, you can buy foreign currency for over 50 countries. Just check our currency converter for our exchange rate and place an order. And if you have leftover cash after your family getaway, don’t worry! We also buy back foreign currency to give your spare cash new life.
Travel insurance for your family trip
Before you jet off with your family to make memories, make sure you have your travel insurance sorted to protect the whole family.
Sainsbury’s Bank offers a range of single, multi and extended trip policies – with optional extras to protect you and your family against holiday mishaps.
FAQs
Where is a good place to take kids on holiday?
Where you take your kids on holiday depends on your budget and preferences. Locations like the Balearic Islands, Greece and Spain offer year-round sunshine. If you’re travelling further afield, Florida is the theme park capital of the world, with hundreds of rides and attractions that kids will love.
What is the best age for children to travel?
Children of all ages can benefit from travelling abroad. If you’re holidaying with toddlers and young kids, consider closer destinations like Spain, France or Italy. Older kids and teenagers are more independent and will appreciate the holiday much more. Wherever you travel, the destination and itinerary should cater to all ages.
Where is the cheapest place for a family holiday?
It depends on your budget, where you want to go and when. If you do your research, you can find cheaper family holidays abroad in locations not too far from home, including Spain, Italy, Greece, the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands. Each location offers budget-friendly restaurants and hotels, as well as free or inexpensive activities. There are also a range of more affordable package holidays and cheaper all-inclusive deals available online.