Family holidays are a source of unforgettable memories for kids and parents alike. Children see the world differently from us, and as parents, it’s heartwarming to see their eyes light up in joy at a holiday experience they’ll remember forever.
Capturing that magical holiday essence is easy — there are so many amazing places to take your children on holiday. While travelling with little ones requires extra planning, it doesn’t mean you can’t make unforgettable memories with them before they grow up and become hormonal teenagers!
In fact, younger children are more likely to make lasting memories based on unique locations and positive emotions, often tied to engaging and fun activities — our list is brimming with these sorts of experiences!
From holiday safaris with your extended family to embracing luxury with a trip to Disneyland, today we’ll inspire you with these enchanting experiences that will leave your kids spellbound.
Island Hopping in Greece
If you enjoy family hikes, relaxing on sandy beaches, eating delicious food, and sailing on crystal-clear waters, the Greek Islands are the place for you. Greece is a magical family holiday destination with something for everyone.
Greece is easily accessible from the UK and has over 6000 islands to explore. These islands are steeped in fantastic history and are beautiful places to travel.
Family-friendly islands like Mykonos, Crete, and Santorini are all an exciting ferry ride away from each other or a short journey on a private jet charter if you’re looking to book all the magical experiences you can imagine. These islands have luxurious family hotels with kids’ clubs to enrich your children’s holiday happiness, private pools and restaurants, and more modest accommodations for families on a budget.
Kids will cherish the memories of the beaches, the sounds and bright colours, exploring the islands and the fun short hops on the ferry. Older family members will appreciate the natural beauty, friendliness of the locals and the sheer variety of things to do on each island.
Safari Holidays
If your kids are crazy about animals, then a safari holiday will be an absolutely unforgettable family vacation. Travel to the wilds of Africa and immerse yourself in unique cultural experiences that will educate and entertain you and your family.
Give your kids the opportunity to see exotic wildlife up close, a memorable experience that will stick with them for life. There are many national parks and game reserves across Africa, and every country has different animals to see, so there’s lots of variety.
You can take a guided tour or rent a car and drive around at your leisure. Guided bush tours educate along the way, and staying the night in a traditional safari lodge is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Ask your kids what animals they’d most like to see and then decide on a safari based on their answers. They’ll be overjoyed to see lions, elephants and giraffes in their natural habitats.
Visit Disneyland!
Visiting the most magical place on Earth is guaranteed to be an exciting and unforgettable experience for you and the kids. There’s an incredible amount of things to do at Disneyland Florida and Disneyland Paris — there are multiple parks with different rides and attractions, live shows, concerts and other fun events to keep you entertained for weeks.
Disney World Resorts are fun for the whole family, with exciting activities for teenagers, adults, and youngsters. It’s a world that kids dream of visiting, and they’ll be thrilled when they see their favourite characters walking around the park for the first time!
Why not fly private and make travelling abroad an easy and fun experience? Whether you visit for a day or spend a week, Disney World is a great place to spend some quality time together and immerse yourself in an enchanting and entertaining experience.
Harry Potter Studios
If it’s wonder and excitement you’re after, visiting the Warner Bros. Studio Tour can help transform any trip into a genuinely magical holiday. London is home to the immersive Harry Potter Studio Tour experience, where you can walk down the streets of Diagon Alley, fly on a broomstick, try casting spells and finish with a delicious Butterbeer (kid-friendly, although it’s chock full of sugar!)
This studio tour allows you and your family to see behind the curtain of movie magic — it’s educational and fun for big and small fans of the film franchise. There are sets to explore, costumes and props to see, and wizarding facts everywhere.
This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to immerse yourself in the wizarding world, with interactive exhibits and behind-the-scenes reveals of unbelievable special effects. It’s an exceptional experience you and your kids will never forget.
Swimming With Dolphins
This is an activity your kids will adore. Swimming with these beautiful creatures is guaranteed to stick with your children for life. It’s a popular thing to do in Portugal, Malta, Florida, Mexico and Spain.
You can find dolphin swim spots at aquariums or visit them in the wild with a professional guide. These interactive educational experiences give kids the opportunity to learn more about these fascinating creatures and then get in the water alongside them for a life-changing experience.
Typically, your child will be allowed to feed and pet the dolphins, give them a flipper shake, rub their belly, and, in some locations, grab their dorsal fin and take a fun ride around their enclosure! This activity isn’t limited to kids who can swim — all children have to wear a lifejacket, making it accessible to those who aren’t strong in the water.
Visiting Santa in Lapland
Your children will be mesmerised when they step off the plane into Lapland! Santa and his elves are ready and waiting to give your kids an experience that will stick with them throughout their childhood. Husky and reindeer sleigh rides, snowmobiles, ice skating, ice fishing, and meeting the man himself — this is a kid-centric adventure with fun activities for the whole family.
Seeing the Northern Lights is a beautiful experience that’s hard to beat, and your children won’t be able to contain their excitement as they get shown around Santa’s elves’ workshop.
You’ll also experience the incredible wildlife of Lapland, with its naturally diverse species of Arctic critters — great for any children who love animals! If you’re going in the winter, make sure to wrap up warm, as this is a snow-covered family paradise.
The Takeaway
Family holidays are the perfect time and place to create meaningful memories. Our list is a treasure trove of magical moments waiting to be discovered, from beach holidays to winter getaways. With such varied and amazing experiences available, you and your family can create memories that will last a lifetime.
Luciana joined our team as a mum blogger in 2020. A dedicated mum to a lively daughter and a dog, Luna, Luciana brings authenticity and passion to every post. Her expertise in parenting and lifestyle topics offers practical, relatable advice for real-life situations.