Despite what many think, traveling with kids doesn’t always have to mean a pricey trip to Disney World. There are a wide range of destinations and activities perfect for pint-size jetsetters, if you know where to look. Seeing the world through your child’s eyes is an experience like no other, that’s why these five trips are perfect for parents looking to take their kids on a vacation sure to create memories that will last a lifetime.
Head on an RV Road Trip
What child wouldn’t be excited about driving in a house! You don’t have to own an RV to hit the road, rent one on Outdoorsy.com, the Airbnb for RVs. You’ll give your kids a unique experience and see how beautiful America is for an affordable price.
We flew into Las Vegas for our RV road trip and then drove throughout Utah and Arizona. We first visited Zion National Park, followed by Bryce Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley and ended in the Grand Canyon before driving back to Vegas.
Our kids loved making new friends at the RV campsites and especially loved sitting by the fire pit in the evenings making s’mores. They were also able to become Junior Park Rangers at the various national parks we visited.
Fort Myers & Sanibel Island
Skip Orlando and head to the West Coast of Florida to explore Fort Myers and Sanibel Island, located just two hours from both Fort Lauderdale and Tampa International Airports. Fort Myers Beach has tons of water activities including parasailing, jet-skiing, stand up paddle boarding, or simply relax while the kids build sandcastles.
Take a day trip over to Captiva Island where you can spot dozens of wild bottlenose dolphins putting on shows for the boats as they sail past. There are also tons of secluded beaches where you can go hunting for some of the most beautiful shells around.
Like the outdoors? Rent a bike a ride over to the Sanibel Lighthouse. You can also rent canoes at Lovers Key State Park and try to spot some manatees. Don’t forget to stop at Zoomers, it’s an arcade with go-karts, rides and mini-golf!
Costa Rica
Whether your kids like adventure or you guys just want to relax, Costa Rica is the perfect destination. There is so much to do in Costa Rica that you could easily spend a month, but a 7-day trip is still perfect for an amazing family adventure.
La Fortuna offers gorgeous waterfalls, the Arenal Volcano, hanging bridges, zip-lining, and even the opportunity to go on a night tour to see some epic nocturnal animals. Hot springs are a big deal in Costa Rica, and thankfully Baldi Springs has an entire kids section so even the little ones can enjoy this experience.
Not into hot springs? Go white water rafting with older kids or take surf lessons, or maybe even head out on a boat for an afternoon to spot some wildlife and go snorkeling in Manuel Antonio. The possibilities are endless – and fun!
An African Safari
There is nothing like taking your kids to the continent of Africa. Contrary to the negative stereotypes often associated with Africa, the entire population is not poor and sick. There are plenty of African countries that do not require vaccines, and if you’re worried about the long flights don’t be, just prepare yourself with these tips.
Our family decided to do our safari in Kenya, staying at various lodges that were all kid friendly, many with pools and playgrounds on site. We chose a private safari for flexibility and our safari company even provided car seats. My children have not stopped talking about the trip, and because of all the animals they saw and learned about, they think they are certified safari guides. Most importantly they traveled to a country where mostly everyone looked like them and learned about their history, which is a powerful thing!
Take a Ski Trip
We know a lot of families like to chase summer, but there is something magical about kids experiencing snow. Most ski resorts allow kids to take ski lessons starting at 3-years-old as long as they’re potty trained.
Besides skiing, most resorts have tubing for kids of all ages, sleighing, and some even have snowmobiles kids as young as four can experience. There are even resorts that go above and beyond for kids, with igloos and snow forts that kids can run through, and what kid doesn’t like ending the day warming up in front of a fireplace sipping hot chocolate and eating cookies!
Monet Hambrick is the mom and writer behind The Traveling Child blog where she shares tips on traveling with kids and how to afford travel as a family. Her motto is “if kids live there kids can visit” and she and her husband have taken their 2 and 4 year old to 21 countries on 6 continents. You can follow along their family adventures on Instagram.
