When traveling with children under the age of ten, planning tours around nap times, finding family-friendly arteries, and finding cheap lodging may seem like Herculean chores.
However, going on a family vacation while you have a young child might also be the greatest experience because it combines lots of quality time with the best adventures.
Here is my selection of vacation spots for kids under the age of 10.
- Portland, Oregon
Visit Portland to enjoy a ton of hiking in the fresh Portland air and a ton of outdoor activities without giving up the comforts of city life.
You may find a range of laid-back, family-friendly activities in Portland, which is renowned for its “exclusively casual atmosphere,” which includes hiking paths.
Hikers of all ages are welcome at Mt. Hood, and there are plenty of rangers on duty to guide you and recommend routes.
In the summer, many people like visiting Skibowl, a resort with thrilling outdoor rides, including mountain coasters and zip lines.
In addition, there are several playgrounds with wide open spaces and attractive public parks where kids can play.
After play is over, head downtown and have some lunch at Voodoo Donuts or one of the neighborhood brewers that welcome families.
- Vienna, Austria
Any European city would likely be on the bucket list of the majority of individuals, and Vienna is no exception. The value is much better when you consider how family-friendly Vienna is.
From the lovely Schonbrunn Palace to the vibrant Naschmarkt Night Market, Vienna has full of interesting locations to explore.
Other than a children’s museum, a bakeshop where you can make strudels, and a Baroque maze that has been rebuilt from the original design in the 1720s, the Habsburgs’ home of Schonbrunn offers a variety of family-friendly entertainment; check out the Prater amusement park, and don’t forget to check out the Rollercoaster Restaurant with its recognizable “maitre’ds” – robots on roller coaster tracks!
If you have time, check out Kinderhotel Almhof’s fun kids’ activities and skiing instruction.
- Venice and Sarasota, Florida
When thinking of Florida vacation ideas for young children, Orlando and Disney’s world immediately come to mind, but Florida is much more than these places.
The West Coast is one of the top areas to take your kids if you want a quiet, carefree beach vacation.
In Venice and Sarasota, there are several tranquil beaches and good restaurants that might satisfy even the pickiest eaters.
Rankings of the top beaches in the world typically include Sarasota’s Siesta Key Beach.
You can also visit the Mote Aquarium, a research and animal rehabilitation facility, where you may treat your kids to the unforgettable joy of petting baby sharks, stingrays, and manatees from the area.
There’s a chance you’ll find some fossils if you’re lucky.
- Chicago, Illinois
Although the Magnificent Mile in Chicago is bathed in glamour, the fun for the whole family is still a priority.
Take the kids to sights like the Field Museum of Natural History to see the largest T-rex in the world or the Shedd Aquarium to witness fascinating creatures in 5-million-gallon tanks.
The Navy Pier is a fantastic location to take the kids along Chicago’s Lake Michigan waterfront, where they may ride the Ferris Wheel or one of the many tour boats.
Take your kids to a game at Wrigley Field if they have what it takes to be the next Sammy Sosa.
If you don’t mind getting a rush of adrenaline, go to the 1353-foot-high Skydeck for the stunning city views; otherwise, take some time to relax and enjoy Millenium Park’s collection of public art.
- Victoria, British Columbia
The lovely gardens and outdoor spaces in charming Victoria offer lots of space for playing.
Your 4-year-old will appreciate the color and brightness of The Fisherman’s Wharf, a family favorite that is full of colorful waterfront homes, delicious seafood, harbor seals, and water taxis that do “water ballets” (on occasion).
Chinatown, the second-oldest district in North America, is a great spot to shop and eat noodles. You can also find Fan Tan Alley here, the country’s narrowest street.
You would also want to take your child to the Victoria Bug Zoo, which has tanks filled will real bugs from all over the world.
Children may have fun with interactive exhibits at the Royal British Columbia that will teach them about more than 550 million years of natural history.
- Albuquerque, New Mexico
Albuquerque, located in the U.S. state of New Mexico, offers year-round family-friendly activities. The state is renowned for its luxurious spas and magnificent Spanish colonial buildings.
The city’s primary draw is the Balloon Fiesta, which takes place in the fall, and it is when the majority of the families travel here.
Visit the ski areas in the winter when children can take special sledding and skiing lessons.
Fantastic other locations include the ABQ BioPark on the riverfront, the Petroglyph National Monument, where you can see carvings dating back to the 1300s, and Old Town, where you can shop, eat, and drink.
You can enjoy the three swimming pools, waterslide, and other facilities at the Hyatt Regency Tamaya, as well as excursions like horseback riding, leather stamping, baking fresh bread in a pueblo oven, seeing dance performances, and reading stories beneath the stars.
- Legoland, Florida
Kids between the ages of 2 and 12 will have an amazing holiday at Florida’s Legoland, which is a universe unto itself.
No matter where you are, Legoland is one of the best destinations for families, with lots of locations throughout the globe.
Along with the classic amusement park attractions, shows, and Lego landscapes, Legoland offers enjoyable roller coasters that are designed to be thrilling enough for the older riders while still being kid-friendly enough for the younger riders, who are less accustomed to the adrenaline rush.
There are attractions from the Lego Movie World, including Masters of Flight, Unikitty’s Disco Drop, and the Battle of Bricksburg (the Shiite for water battles).
Stay at one of the nearby hotels with a Legoland theme if you want to experience the fun that goes beyond the rides at the amusement park.
- Dude Ranch
Dude Ranch is a great choice if you have kids who are 4, 5, or 6 years old.
The abundance of family downtime at Dude Ranch allows you to bond as a whole while also providing a wide range of outdoor activities exclusively for the kids. This allows you to take a well-earned rest with your partner.
The cherry on top is that Dude Ranch is all-inclusive, saving you money and relieving you of the stress of planning dinner stops each night.
Additionally, there will be more chances for your family to socialize with other families and meet new friends.
- Frisco, Texas
If your family enjoys sports, Frisco, the proud home of the Dallas Cowboys, is a fantastic choice.
Nearly every sport, digital and non-digital, is covered between The Star, the National Soccer Hall of Fame, and the National Videogame Museum!
KidZania, a globally renowned interactive theme park for children, opened its doors in Frisco in 2019. This makes Frisco the first American city to host the brand. Kids can be pilots, physicians, or whatever else they want to be in KidZania, and they can even get paid in KidZos (the virtual money).
Go to the Dr. Pepper Ballpark in the summer to witness a thrilling Frisco RoughRiders game or unwind on the lazy river.
- Dinosaur Valley State Park, Texas
If your children between the ages of 5 and 11 enjoy dinosaurs (let’s face it – what child doesn’t?), taking them to the Dinosaur Valley State Park is a great option. It is situated about 75 miles southwest of Dallas.
You may spend as much time as you like at this state park, which is home to the best-preserved dinosaur tracks in the whole world. You can walk, ride a mountain bike through the trails, or take a covered wagon trip.
Once you’ve explored the footprints near the Paluxy River, try fishing with the help of the park’s Tackle Loaner Program.
Also, consider visiting the numerous museums in downtown Glen Rose, Texas, the “Dinosaur Capital.”
Pitch a tent or leave your vehicle there if you want to have a genuinely unique experience.
- Disney World, Florida
Surely, your trip will be memorable for both you and the kids when you go to the real deal, original, and first-ever Disney World in Florida.
Disney World has always mesmerized children of all ages, whether they are 2 or 80.
Children will enjoy watching their beloved Disney characters come to life, and they will be in awe of the fireworks show over Cinderella’s Castle.
Start with the Magic Kingdom’s famous rides, then explore the Animal Kingdom, which recently celebrated its 20th anniversary.
Fans of Star Wars and Toy Story must also visit Disney Springs.
Although it makes sense to stay at Disney, Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld is also a fantastic alternative for families on a budget.
- San Diego Zoo, California
The San Diego Zoo in California, one of the top zoos in the world, is one of the only places in the United States where you may see the smallest bears and their huge panda cousins!
Take the Panda Trek to witness these not-so-cute furry creatures. Let your child experience the Elephant Odyssey to see real-life Dumbos, or take the Northern Frontier to see arctic foxes and polar bears.
Africa Rocks is a popular display that has baboons, lemurs, and leopards.
The majority of the city’s hotels provide excellent discounts when the “Kids Free San Diego” season begins in October.
If you visit during the off-season (or any other time), consider staying at the Manchester Grand Hyatt (located next to The New Children’s Museum) or Catamaran.
- Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
Your family will surely have a blast when you visit the “water park capital of the world.”
You have a ton of options for water-based entertainment in the city, like Noah’s Ark, America’s largest water park, a popular attraction among children aged 2 to 14, and the Kalahari, an African-themed wet-and-wild resort.
Take your kids to Mount Olympus’ Lost City of Atlantis, which has geysers, slides, and, of course, gigantic trash cans if they love submerged cities.
A few options for affordable, family-friendly accommodations include the Hilton Garden Inn, Alakai, or Day’s End Motel. These establishments are also a lot more tranquil than well-known resorts with water parks.
