Summer Vacation Ideas for Families with Kids
Family vacations supply lifelong memories, but to make sure that every member of the family is satisfied and will have a good time, it's very important to pick the perfect locale. You could start by putting up a list of destinations that are highly praised by experts for offering activities at a reasonable rate that the whole family can enjoy. Planning a unique family vacation that pleases everyone in the family could seem like a Herculean task, but the key is to choose the right destination.
Planning ahead for your summer.
Your decision will mostly depend on the ages of your children. If you’ve got Infant, plan short stops or breaks to work in frequent feedings. And if you have the company of inquisitive six year olds, you’ll want to explore everything, and that’ll make children's museums and science centers as the prime spots. With grouchy teenagers, you might need a bit of coaxing for them, so perhaps a beach or an amusement park will do the magic. Picking a few top priorities will make it easier to narrow down the options.
One of the primary concerns for most families is Budget. Some vacation ideas for families - All-inclusive resorts are an excellent option! The initial price tag could be higher, but with food and drinks included; this kind of accommodation could turn out to be easier on your wallet. Such resorts and hotels also offer a wide range of children's activities while allowing the grown-ups some time off to relax on their own. Have you thought of Cruises? They can also be a great option for families, and again, the price tag could be the quite reasonable if realize it includes meals and entertainment.
Do your kids have their heart set on meeting Mickey and Minnie Mouse? Then, of course you’d be headed to Florida’s Walt Disney World and California's Disneyland for a bit more direction.
Still not able to make up your mind? Browse here our handpicked list of the top family vacation ideas. And remember: you can never ever take enough photos!
Best Places to Have Vacation with Kids
We bring you ideas for great family vacations that are also kid friendly vacations.
Grand Canyon - We all know that the Grand Canyon is admired universally as a family destination. You'll find heaps to do here that include kayaking, hiking, rafting and riding the Grand Canyon Railway. The Grand Canyon is also budget-friendly.
Honolulu – Oahu - Honolulu (especially Waikiki) has excellent child-friendly beaches and activities - swimming with dolphins, snorkeling and the Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park. Plus, a lot of hotels sit along the shore that means you don’t need to spend anything on public transportation or a vehicle.
Yellowstone - Kids will love watching Old Faithful erupt, and there could be nothing quite like an afternoon hike that’ll bring the clan together. Hotels inside the park could be expensive, so try to make this a BYOB (bring your own bed) vacation!
Orlando-Walt Disney World - It’s known for its timeless appeal, performances and thrill rides. Disney World has been engineered specifically for families, and this formula is very successful. But if you aren't the kind who’ll putt on mouse ears, don’t worry! Orlando also hosts a variety of other theme parks that are sure to excite your wee ones.
Yosemite - It’s excellent family destination and has numerous outdoor offerings- hiking, camping, mountain climbing and rafting. And, a bonus here is that this park boasts relatively easy accessibility (San Francisco is a few hours away by car).
Outer Banks - The beaches are uncrowded at the North Carolina coast and there are also plenty of historical sites for families to see- the Wright Brothers National Memorial. Families could also save on discounted lodging if they book a couple of months in advance.
Myrtle Beach - This coastal South Carolina city is a big hit with parents and kids, all thanks to the beach's calm waters and plenty of room. There are also heaps of other family-friendly attractions here like amusement and water parks, baseball games and mini-golf courses.
Destin - This place packs in plenty of fun in the sun and does not leave a major dent in your wallet. Bring your youngsters to Henderson State Beach Park or head right to Big Kahuna's Water and Adventure Park. You’ll be surprised when you see lot mini-golf and water rides!
Washington DC - The key to family appeal here is the National Mall, which is surrounded by free and kid-friendly museums and renowned monuments. If you got some extra time, you could spend a few hours at the National Zoo (which also is free entry) or treat your family at one of Georgetown's yummy cupcake shops.
Anahein- Disneyland - It has mouse-themed attractions to keep both parents and kids busy and smiling. Plus, it also has the added benefit of its California location, which sits in pretty close proximity to the beaches and sights of Los Angeles and San Diego
Clearwater, Florida - Clearwater is actually renowned for world-class golf courses; however it offers plenty for families with small children as well. Both parents and kids can enjoy gorgeous white-sand beaches, the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, dolphin-watching boat rides and nearby Busch Gardens amusement park.
Saint Petersburg, Florida - The Saint Petersburg area has one of the top beaches in the country, but wait, there’s also plenty of room for culture. Kids from all ages love the pier, with its children's museum, aquarium and shopping.
Winter Park Resort, Colorado - This is one of the top kid- friendly spots in the US and has an alpine slide, skiing, snow tubing and a climbing wall.
Acadia National Park - Nothing speaks family togetherness quite like the great outdoors. Families get to spend their days hiking or biking in the vast portions of the 45 miles of carriage roads before they can bond over an open fire. Plus, this is such a great cheap option!
Williamsburg - Colonial Williamsburg lets youngsters immerse themselves in history. If you're here in the summer, let the kids cool down at the Water Country USA or ride the coasters at Busch Gardens.
Ocean City - What draw families here to Ocean City, Maryland is the miles of sandy beaches and the activities that surround the boardwalk. It also has affordable options for lodging and dining; making families come back year after year.
Colorado Springs - Opportunities for family photos abound in Colorado Springs -from Pikes Peak to the Garden of the Gods, there’s plenty that nature has to offer. And when you want a break from the great outdoors, hop into the eclectic art galleries in Manitou Springs.
Niagara Falls, NY - The majestic waterfalls that straddle the U.S.-Canada border are definitely worth a 21st-century trip. Have you ever wondered what it's like to be a ducky in a massive bathtub? Then you have got to sign up for the Cave of the Winds tour. After finishing an elevator ride that’s 175 feet down into the Niagara Gorge, you'll be standing on the Hurricane Deck, where you'll be drenched from the 181-foot Bridal Veil Falls; the water falls here at a rate of up to 68 mph!
Family Trip Ideas
Whether you have toddlers, tweens or teens (or all the three!), summer means school’s out. For some this means the home got crazier and messier and you got to book a fun family escape. But if you can’t have plans yet for a summer family vacation, don’t fret: You can still plot a getaway or a trip—all within your budget! These are also great options for cheap vacations with kids.
Here are our top picks for family trip ideas- Although these run the gamut: rustic to luxurious and low-key to adventurous, all these trips all have one thing in common: They’re perfect for families. Who knows these could turn out to be the best vacations for kids.
Camping
Where: Yurt adventure - Sunset Bay State Park in Coos Bay, Ore
Camping is more fun in a yurt! Kids will love the run of the campground to explore, also there are tide pools nearby, whale watching and swimming to do. The sites are very private, so there’s no need to worry about packing tents or air mattresses or dealing with the chilly weather. Also, the yurts come equipped with beds, heat and electricity.
Animal-Centric
Where: San Diego - San Diego Zoo, San Diego Zoo Safari Park and Sea World
San Diego is a is a paradise for kids who love animals; the zoo has the largest number of pandas outside of mainland China, and there’s a children’s zoo where the younger tots could pet animals or do arts and crafts. At the Wild Animal Park, you could take a safari walk and see the elephants, lions and giraffes—or hop onto the Journey into Africa tram to get a glimpse zebras, buffalo and ostriches. This city is fairly spread out, so you’ll want to have a car for getting around. Family-friendly eating options are galore.
Amusement Park
Where: Walt Disney World, Orlando
Did you know 48.5 million people visit the Walt Disney World annually? This sprawling vacation destination has four parks, 24 themed resorts and two water parks. You could also say that it’s a 42,000-acre fantasyland.
If you are staying here for a week, you should check out a different park each day. And it’s got something for everyone—from the boat ride of It’s a Small World to the Rock’n’Roller coaster that’s perfect for teens. There’s an added bonus for Mom and Dad too! If you are looking for a night off, you could arrange for an in-room child care or drop the kids off at one of the children’s activity centers—while you have dinner at the Chef’s Table at Victoria and Albert’s or go and see a Cirque de Soleil show.
Cruise
Where: Princess Voyage of the Glaciers, departs from Anchorage.
What’re we doing here? At the Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve you can glimpse the glaciers from the deck while a naturalist will talk about the history of the park. There are also some shore excursions, like dogsledding and kayaking. Best part is that all the meals and entertainment are included. Mom and Dad can relax at the Sanctuary, which is an adults-only pool deck where they can have lunch and even get massages.
Active Family Trips
Where: Caribou Highlands Lodge, in Lutsen, Minn.
Say yes to endless activities—beginning from hiking trails in the state parks along Lake Superior to some exciting and guided kayak and canoe trips that would keep both the high-energy tots and teens occupied. There’s also bocce ball and horseshoes. What’s’ more? Some nightly bonfires with s’mores are sure to be a hit with kids. The mountain and lake vistas are equally pretty spectacular.
Enrichment Trip
Where: Farm stay -Lancaster, Pa
Who doesn’t love farms! Imagine all the running around, playing with animals and getting dirty!
Beach Trips
Where: Florida
In FLORIDA, have your gang stay at a Palm Beach-area or Miami resort and hit the spa! Also, don’t miss viewing the alligators in the Everglades! At the top of the famous Florida Keys is Key Biscayne; which is an excellent drive for families from Miami over the Rickenbacker Causeway, on the island of Key Biscayne.
Conclusion
We do understand that everyone’s schedule is jam-packed and therefore every vacation day and every vacation minute really counts. We know you are looking for memorable adventures and best family vacation time with your kids and grandkids too! These vacation ideas for kids along with some fun summer ideas for kids will help you take the kids as well as the grandkids and give everyone the best bang for your vacation buck and some lifetime memories! What’ll make it funner is to get the kids involved in your planning. Figuring out and planning where to go together can be a lot of fun too!
