Traveling around the world lets you experience a different culture in each place you visit. Different cultures also mean that they celebrate holidays a bit different from what you are accustomed to. Here are some of the best holidays around the world for kids to experience.
Why Your Kids Should Experience the Outdoors
1. Physical Benefits
Let’s face the truth that our lives are now dominated by technology. You can do almost everything without going outside. Children are so engrossed with video games and movies, and TV shows. Going on outdoor adventures gives your children the chance to stretch and move a bit. This promotes good blood circulation and strong bones and muscle.
2. Mental Health Benefits
Going on outdoor adventures helps your children develop healthy mental well-being. It helps in alleviating stress, and it also relaxes them in some way. It brightens up your children’s mood making them less prone to anger. As a parent, these benefits apply to you too!
3. Enhances Social Skills
Going on outdoor adventures enhances the children’s social skills. It promotes a healthy relationship between your family by spending some time together and talking. They also get to meet new people and create new friends. These interactions can help in their social growth.
>> Traveling with a toddler? Make sure to bring their favorite toy.
4. Appreciation for Nature
It is easier to teach children to take care of Mother Nature when they experienced and enjoyed it. Our planet needs more care and having more children who know how to appreciate and care for nature is what we need.
Beach Getaways for Toddlers
Beach getaways are always a good vacation idea, especially for toddlers. Building sandcastles, basking under the sun, and chilling at the beach and the sea. If you need a quick idea for a vacation with your family, going to the beach will never miss.
Pros
- Relaxing atmosphere
- Lots of fun activities for the kids
- Great climate
Cons
- Health hazards after the trip (sunburn, etc.)
- Sea animals encounter (sharks, sea urchins, etc.)
- Large crowds, even during the offseason
Bondi Beach, Australia
Bondi Beach is one of the most famous beaches in the world. It is located 7 kilometers east of Sydney, and it is easily accessible within the city. There are lots of activities to do while in Bondi Beach and even the children will really enjoy it.
QT Bondi is a great hotel near Bondi Beach. They offer nice accommodations with available family rooms. The room rate is around 250-400 USD per night. It is facing Bondi Beach directly. There are a lot of great food options available near the hotel and the beach.
Highlights:
- Skate parks
- Surfing lessons
- Children’s pool
Great Places and Activities
Some of the great activities you can do include morning walks along the beach gives you a relaxing view. The Bondi Beach playground provides a nice view and a nice play area for the kids. There is also a children’s pool at the northern end of the beach. It’s a perfect spot for kids to have a quick dip and play with the sand without having the dangers of the open sea.
You can also try taking surfing lessons at the beach. The famous Bondi to Coogee walk lets you see stunning sceneries and great views of the dolphins. Other places to visit are the Cooee Aboriginal Art Gallery and the Bondi Markets.
Waikiki Beach in Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii
The Waikiki Beach in Honolulu is one of the best spots to bring your toddlers. It offers great views and nice waves to surf. They also have great restaurants and shops that make this destination one of the best places to travel with toddlers.
The Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa in Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii is a great hotel to stay at. The room rate starts at 240USD per night. You can enjoy the spectacular views of Mount Leahi and Waikiki Beach. They have the best seafood restaurants and steak restaurants for you to dine in and Hawaiian entertainment every night. They also have a surf school if ever you want to learn surfing.
Highlights:
- Great spot for surfing lessons
- A diverse selection of restaurants
- Historical spots like Pearl Harbor
Great Places and Activities
There are lots of activities to do in Honolulu. If your children love outdoor activities, try to visit the diamond head crater at the Mount Leahi Diamond Head. The Kapiolani Park and Gardens is also a good spot to visit then drop by the Honolulu Zoo while you are in the area. The US Army Museum of Hawaii is also in Honolulu, so you need to check it out.
Other spots to visit are the Hanauma Bay Nature Reserve and the Waikiki Aquarium. There are also great waterfalls in Honolulu, like the Manoa Falls near the Honolulu Watershed Forest Reserve.
Boracay Island, Philippines
Boracay Island in the Philippines is one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Crystal clear waters, signature white sand beaches, and great sights. Boracay has everything you would want on a great beach trip. Add to the amazing activities you can do, this beach trip is definitely one of the best places to travel with toddlers.
Looking for a place to stay? Check out the Henann Palm Beach Resort. It is near some of the landmarks in Boracay, and it offers great views and amenities. They also have a pool if you don’t like going to the beach. The front desk is also available for 24 hours for check-in and concierge services.
Highlights:
- Water sports activities
- Island hopping
- Glass-bottom boat tours
Great Places and Activities
There are lots of things to do while visiting Boracay. The most popular activities are water sports. Parasailing, wakeboarding, paddleboarding, and banana boat riding are just some of the best things to experience while in Boracay. You can also go cliff diving at Ariel’s Point. Check out the scuba diving spots to see the marine life of Boracay.
The sights of Boracay are also a treat. The white beaches of Boracay look majestic. Willy’s Rock is a great rock formation you can see when you visit Boracay. There are island hopping tours you can book to explore more of the islands. You can also check out the mangrove nursery in Boracay.
Trekking and Camping for Toddlers
Trekking and camping are the most exciting types of trips you can enjoy with your toddlers. They give you great opportunities to bond with your kids and have lots of fun. Campfire storytelling sessions are a great activity while going on trekking and camping adventures with your kids.
Just make sure you have enough food and lots of water when going on a camping trip. Keeping your kids well hydrated and well-fed is key to ensuring that they have fun during the whole trip. Bring bedtime stories and toys so you have something to keep them from going around when they get bored.
Pros
- Campfire stories
- Good physical exercise for your kids
- Survival skills lesson for children
Cons
- Unpredictable weather
- Wild animal encounters (bears, wolves, coyotes, etc.)
- Insect bites
Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park is one of the best national parks in the United States. It is primarily located in Wyoming, but it extends towards Montana and Idaho. It is one of the most geothermally active places in the US.
There are lots of campsites to choose from. Madison Campground, Grant Village Campground, Bridge Bay Campground, Canyon Campground are some of the main campsites in Yellowstone. Madison and Canyon Campgrounds are the most famous because of their location. Most of their campgrounds will be under a reservation system, so book your trips in advance. July is peak season so take note of that. You can also choose to stay at a nearby hotel for convenience.
Highlights:
- Hot springs and geysers
- Lots of campground options
- Wide variety of activities
Great Places and Activities
There are lots of great places to visit in Yellowstone National Park. The Old Faithful is one of the most famous geysers in the world since it has a regular time interval for each eruption. It erupts every 1 hour or up to 90 minutes. You can also visit the grand prismatic spring. A hot spring with bright colors because of the algae in the water. You can also check out the Mammoth Hot Springs and its majestic limestones.
Hiking trails are also abundant in Yellowstone. The Mystic Falls Trail, Hellroaring Creek Trailhead, and the Storm Point Trail are some of them. Other great spots in the park are Fairy Falls, Lone Star Geyser, and Artist Point.
Bear Mountain, New York
Bear Mountain is a New York state park. It is near the west bank of the Hudson River. Bear Mountain has a size of 5,205 acres. It was established in 1913, and it receives around two million visitors every year. It offers a great view of the Hudson River and features a wide variety of birds that bird watchers will surely enjoy.
The Bear Mountain Inn’s Overlook Lodge offers great accommodations for the visitors of Bear Mountain. Room rates start at around 180USD per night. They offer amenities like an outdoor pool, a snack bar, conference facilities and meeting rooms, and a salon with facials, manicures, and pedicures.
Highlights:
- Bird conservation areas
- Wide variety of activities
- Great trekking and hiking trails
Great Places and Activities
There are lots of things to do at the park. Go lake and river fishing, swimming in the outdoor pool, there are also hiking, biking, and cross-country ski trails available, and ice skating at the outdoor rink.
Some of the sites you can visit at Bear Mountain State Park include The Trailside Museum and Zoo, Perkins Memorial Tower at the top of Bear Mountain, Hudson Highland, and Harriman State Park. There are also Bird Conservation Areas throughout the whole park.
Yosemite National Park
The Yosemite National Park is located in California. It has lots of granite cliffs and waterfalls that are heavily featured on the hiking trails in the park. They offer a free shuttle system so park visitors can use them when traffic becomes congested during peak season.
The Ahwahnee is a great hotel to stay at when you visit Yosemite National Park. It has a great rustic but elegant look. It has a special design that highlights its surroundings of mountains and waterfalls. It offers a view of the mountains for everyone who will stay here.
Highlights:
- Magnificent waterfalls
- Picturesque mountains and cliffs
- Lots of hiking trails
Places to Visit
Some of the places you can visit in Yosemite National Park are Yosemite Village, the Pioneer Yosemite History Center, the Ahwahnee Historic Building, and the Tunnel View. The Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias is home to huge sequoia trees in the area. You can also visit Glacier Point for a great view of the whole park. El Capitan and Half Dome are also located within the park. Two rock formations famous within the area.
Check out the Lower Yosemite Fall Trail for a great view of the waterfalls. Other hiking trail includes the Four Mile Trail, Tuolumne Meadows, and the Nevada Falls Loop.
Other Outdoor Adventures for Toddlers
There are lots of other outdoor adventures you can go with your children. These are some of the outdoor activities that you and your kids can enjoy together. We included three destinations: Ski Resorts, Amusement and Water Parks, and a city adventure throughout Washington D.C. centered on museums and historical monuments.
Pros
- They can learn lots of things
- Lots of fun activities for the kids
- Perfect for a quick adventure
Cons
- Cold weather (Ski Resorts)
- Not as exciting as going to the beach or trekking and camping
- Long lines during peak season (Amusement Parks and Ski Resorts)
Ski Resorts
Ski lodges offer a variety of activities you can do with your kids. It is a great place to experience snow and enjoy skiing down the mountain. In New Hampshire, Bretton Woods is the largest ski area. It is near Boston, just two and a half hours away!
The Omni Mount Washington Resort is a great place to stay when visiting Bretton Woods. They have amazing accommodations with great views and amenities like hot tubs, heated pools, an outdoor pool, and a spa. New to skiing? Do not worry since they have ski rentals and a ski school to get you and your kids started. There are also plenty of other activities that your kids can also enjoy.
Highlights:
- Ski School
- Golf course
- Lots of activities for your kids
Great Places and Activities
One of the attractions you should check out is the Mount Washington Cog Railway. It offers a nice view of the natural scenery of Mount Washington. Visit the Mount Washington Observatory Weather Discovery Center to know more about the unique and extreme weather of Mount Washington. There are also hiking trails like the Sugarloaf Trail and the Caps Ridge Trail. Drop by Bebe River Falls to hear its amazing sound.
Try out the golf course located at the resort. They also have a tennis court, an archery range, and horseback riding for your kids. It wouldn’t be complete without going down the slopes of Bretton Woods. Skiing down the white mountains is the main attraction on this trip.
Amusement and Water Parks
Amusement and water parks are always fun, making it one of the best places to travel with toddlers. There are lots of rides and attractions you can enjoy with your kids. The one we suggest that would make your kids really happy is Sesame Place, located at Langhorne, Pennsylvania. It is not as expansive as other places like Disney World or Legoland, but they are child-friendly even for babies and toddlers.
The Sheraton Bucks County can be your place to stay when you visit Sesame Place. It is conveniently located 3 minutes away from the amusement park. They have nice room accommodations that are kid-friendly and also pet-friendly. They also have child-friendly buffets and kids’ meals available. Room rates start at 180USD.
Highlights:
- First Theme Park designated as Certified Autism Center
- Dining with Sesame Street characters
- Fun and safe rides for your kids
Great Places and Activities
They have lots of shows and parades happening throughout the park. You can meet Elmo, Bert & Ernie, Big Bird, Cookie Monster, and their other friends while you walk around the park. There are also magic shows and musical shows for your kids.
There are plenty of rides that you can experience no matter what your age is. Try out Elmo’s Cloud Chasers or the Count’s Fly By. Ride Oscar’s Wacky Taxi Roller Coaster for an exciting thrill! The water rides are also great, like Big Bird’s Rambling River and Ernie’s Waterworks. There is fun available for everyone!
Washington, D.C.
A trip to the nation’s capital is something that is fun and educational for our kids. Washington, D.C. is rich with historical landmarks, monuments, and museums that will surely enrich your children’s knowledge. Check out these Washington and East Coast tours you can book for guided tours.
Stay at the Conrad Washington DC since it is near to almost everything you would want to visit in the area. They have children’s activities that are family-friendly, and they are also pet-friendly. Prices start at 260USD per night.
Highlights:
- National Museum of Natural History
- Library of Congress
- Lincoln Memorial
Great Places and Activities
Places that you should visit while in Washington includes the National Museum of Natural History, Lincoln Memorial, and the Washington Monument. Drop by the Library of Congress, the largest library collection in the world. Check out the National Air and Space Museum to discover the evolution of flight for humans. From the Wright brothers to the Apollo Space missions, everything about the human flight is here. The National Archives Museum houses some of the rarest artifacts in the world, like the Declaration of Independence.
Final Notes
These are the best places to travel with toddlers. There are lots of other options to choose from when planning outdoor adventures with your kids. When you go through with your travel plans, just make sure that your house and pets are safe.
Going on outdoor adventures with your kids is something you should experience while they are still young. Cherish these nice moments you can share with them. Kids grow up so fast that you might miss your chance to bond with them.
What’s Next?
Ready for more outdoor adventures with your kids? Check out this next article here!