If you’re planning a family holiday with the kids, you have a lot more to choose from than just the attractions at home. From the theme parks of Australia and the United States West Coast to incredible New Zealand cities, there’s no shortage of exciting experiences for all ages. You can explore wildlife sanctuaries, rainforests, theme parks, historic sites and more with the kids, ensuring they have memories that will last a lifetime. Whether you want to stay close to home or venture to exciting new places, discover the best family holiday destinations around the world to plan your trip.
Gold Coast, Australia for exciting amusement parks
The Gold Coast is home to theme parks, wildlife attractions, outdoor fun and sunny beaches, making it perfect for a family holiday. You’ll have plenty of resorts to choose from that offer activities, pools and other amenities. Gold Coast is also home to some of Australia’s best theme parks, including Movie World and Dream World, which have rides and games for both young and old children. Kids will like the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, a wildlife attraction with native species and natural habitats to explore.
Copenhagen, Denmark for children's literary attractions
Copenhagen is a unique and fascinating destination for children. Home to one of the best-known children’s authors in the world, Hans Christian Anderson, Copenhagen has an array of attractions for kids that centre around the literary legend. You’ll also find quirky attractions, such as LEGOLAND, the Children’s Museum, the Viking Ship Museum and the National Aquarium, which is home to hundreds of global marine species.
Los Angeles, California for theme parks
Los Angeles is home to some of the best children’s attractions in the world, including the famous Disneyland. You can book resort stays at the Disney resorts for even more magical experiences, such as tours and activities. Los Angeles also has other theme parks, including Six Flags, Universal Studios and more. Kids will like the educational attractions as well, such as the Los Angeles Zoo, the California Science Centre and the Kidspace Children’s Museum. If you want more fun, take a ride to Santa Monica to spend time at the traditional amusement park on the pier with Ferris wheels and other rides.
Fiji for family resorts
Though often regarded as a romantic destination, Fiji has plenty of excitement for kids of all ages. Just a short flight from New Zealand, Fiji has numerous resorts that cater to families and offer activities, childcare services and events like talent shows and live performances. Many resorts also offer tours for snorkelling and sailing. Of course, there’s always the beach, which is a fun time for kids.
Wellington, New Zealand for kid-friendly museums
Wellington is a quirky capital city with a lot of activities and attractions for families. You’ll find a variety of museums with kid-friendly exhibits, such as Te Papa, an educational museum with hands-on activities. Kids will also like riding on the cable car up to the Botanic Gardens or exploring the playground, beaches and walkways on the waterfront. On your trip, be sure to stop at the Wellington Zoo and Zealandia to see all kinds of native wildlife. Another highlight is Capital E, a children’s museum with live performances, an interactive playground, climbing sets and digital workshops.
Auckland, New Zealand for sports and events
Auckland is New Zealand’s largest city and a must-visit for a family trip. The city not only hosts sporting events and concerts regularly, but you’ll also have activities on the harbours like ferry rides, volcano treks and bush walks. Other highlights include the Auckland Zoo and Sea Life Kelly Tarlton’s, 2 incredible wildlife attractions with encounters and demonstrations. For more fun, visit the Wynyard Quarter for dining, markets and children’s play spaces.
Rotorua, New Zealand for cultural experiences
Known for its geothermal wonders, Rotorua is a wonderful family destination that boasts geothermal walks, adventures and cultural experiences. The Redwoods Treewalk is an exciting experience that takes you on suspension bridges through an old-growth redwood forest for incredible views. There’s also aMAZEme, a huge maze with activities for all ages. Kids will also like Rainbow Springs, a theme park with animal encounters, wildlife shows and rides.