Every parent wants to give their child the best childhood possible. Luckily, this doesn’t require exhaustive efforts, just a willingness to explore the world together. If you’re looking for travel ideas, our bucket list for kids will surely help you to plan your next adventure.
Traveling with little ones can be an adventure in itself! With that in mind, we’ve compiled a list of adventures that are sure to make your child’s childhood unforgettable. So read on discover some travel ideas that go beyond Disneyland and the beach.
Unforgettable Travel Adventures: A Bucket List for Kids Beyond Disneyland and the Beach
Explore Ancient Maya Ruins
Take a trip to Mexico or Belize to discover the rich history of the Maya civilization. Exploring ruins, climbing temples, and learning about ancient cultures is a fascinating and fun way for kids to discover history.
Go on a Wildlife Safari
Head to Africa or Asia and see some of the world’s most magnificent animals in their natural habitats. Teach your little ones about the importance of wildlife conservation and experience trekking in the wilderness.
Swim with Sea Turtles
Adventure to Hawaii or Baja, Mexico and snorkel with sea turtles in their natural habitats.
Sleep in a Treehouse
Some hotels and resorts offer treehouse suites, where your little ones can sleep up in the trees, surrounded by nature.
Go Glamping
Say goodbye to basic tents and upgrade to glamorous camping, with yurts, teepees, and luxury tents that come with all the amenities.
Take a Road Trip on the Pacific Coast Highway
California’s Highway 1 is one of the world’s most iconic drives, with stunning views of the Pacific coast.
Go Whale Watching
Chart a boat out of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, or out of Vancouver Island, British Columbia and see the whale migration up close.
Hike Through a National Park
Discover America’s natural wonders by hiking through famous parks like Yellowstone or Yosemite.
Ride in a Hot Air Balloon
Take to the skies with a bird’s-eye view of landscapes, mountains, and valleys from a hot air balloon basket.
Visit a Volcano
Explore amazing volcanoes like the ones in Hawaii, Iceland or St. Kitts. Kids will love the adventure of trekking around lava fields and looking at bubbling, steamy craters.
Stay on a Houseboat
Rent a houseboat and enjoy water activities like fishing, paddleboarding, and kayaking. Plus, have the peaceful sounds of the water at night.
Take a Disney Cruise
A Disney Cruise is a magical experience for kids. With themed dining, pools, and entertainment, your child will feel like they live in a fairy tale.
Visit a Castle
Travel to Europe and visit real-life castles like Windsor Castle in England or Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany.
Stay in an Igloo
Take a trip to Lapland, Finland, and stay in an Igloo. Build snowmen or go dog sledding.
Go Dog Sledding
Head to Alaska, Canada, or Norway, and go dog sledding through serene landscapes.
Visit a Glacier
Travel to Patagonia or Alaska to see massive glaciers up close. Moreover, learn about the importance of global warming and climate change.
Go Scuba diving or Snorkelling
Discover the amazing underwater world by snorkeling or scuba diving. Destinations like the Great Barrier Reef, Maldives, Bali or Riviera Maya will leave kids in awe.
Explore Caves
In Mexico, Belize and Kentucky, there are caves where you can discover spooky formations, creatures, and underground rivers.
Take a Beach Vacation Over Water
Ahhh, the Caribbean! Snorkel and scuba in turquoise waters, enjoy a sand beach, and enjoy the food, sun and sea.
Go Surfing
Kids can learn to surf in places like Costa Rica, Hawaii, or Bali. Surfing is a skill that will make memories for a lifetime, and kids will be excited to show off to their friends back home.
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Explore a rainforest
Travel to Costa Rica, Indonesia, or Ecuador and trek through the jungle, zipline over the canopy, and see fascinating plants and animals.
Spend a night in a desert
Whether it’s the Sahara in Morocco, the Atacama in Chile, or the Gobi in Mongolia, spending a night in a desert camping or glamping is exciting.
Visit a waterfall
Hike to a stunning waterfall like Niagara Falls, the Iguazu Falls in Argentina/Brazil or Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe/Zambia.
Rest in a hobbit hole
Staying in a hobbit hole can be a unique and magical accommodation experience for fans of J.R.R. Tolkien’s beloved tales. Many places around the world, such as New Zealand and the United States, offer hobbit hole experiences.
Go on a road trip
Plan an epic road trip with your kids and stop at landmarks, scenic routes and local attractions. The American Southwest is a great destination for this plan.
Ride a rollercoaster
From Disneyland to Cedar Point and Universal’s Islands of Adventure, rides are memories of a lifetime.
Visit a wine region
Visit wineries in Sonoma or Napa Valley, California or in Chianti, Italy, learn about the wine-making process and perhaps sample some refreshing wines.
Go on a sailing trip
Charter a sailboat or yacht and spend days on the water, exploring islands and coves.
Take a cooking class in a foreign country
Kids can learn cooking from chefs around the world. Teach your little ones how to make Japanese sushi, Indian curries, Thai stir-fry, Moroccan tagine, or Mexican tamales.
Visit a planetarium
Learn about the stars and the universe in the comfort of an indoor space.
Walk on a suspension bridge
These bridges are thrilling, and the views are breathtaking. Travel to Capilano, Canada, or Golden Gate, or Hakone in Japan.
Visit a lighthouse
Explore lighthouses in Cape Cod or Nantucket, where your child can learn about the history and science of these landmarks.
Go on a river rafting trip
Head to Costa Rica, Colorado, or Nepal and have an adrenaline-filled experience.
Visit a NASA Space Center
Learn about space exploration at NASA centers in Florida or Houston, Texas.
Swim under a waterfall
Visit Waterfall Bay in Arran or discover some of the falls in Sapa, Vietnam where falling water provides a refreshing cool-off in the hot months.
Drive on the Autobahn
Take a road trip through Germany and experience the thrill of speeding through the country with no general speed limits.
Go to a Sports Game
Take your little ones to a sports game and experience the atmosphere of whether it be Baseball, Football or Soccer.
Hang-glide or para-glide
Soar through the air on a tandem glide or master the skills yourself. Destinations like Rio de Janeiro or Glenwood Springs in Colorado offer excellent opportunities.
Run through a field of sunflowers
Sunflower fields in Europe, Japan, or even Texas in Summer are a beautiful and unforgettable experience.
Visit a Christmas Market
Germany and Austria are famous for their Christmas Markets, with stalls selling homemade crafts and treats.
15 More Amazing Travel Bucket List Destinations for Kids You Don’t Want to Miss
Explore a Coral Reef
Discover the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, the Red Sea in Egypt, and learn about the importance of protecting our reefs.
Take a helicopter ride
Go on a scenic helicopter ride over beautiful landscapes of places like Bora Bora or the Grand Canyon.
Go on a Trip on the Ring Road
Explore the Ring Road in Iceland, driving past coastal towns, glaciers, and waterfalls.
Visit Machu Picchu
Trek the Inca Trail to visit one of the world’s greatest wonders in Peru.
Watch a Meteor Shower
Stay up late and watch the sky light up with shooting stars. Be sure to bring some blankets and hot cocoa.
Go to Mardi Gras
Head to New Orleans and experience the wild and colorful street parades and festivities.
Go on a kayaking trip
Paddle through jaw-dropping scenery like the fjords in Norway or the Patagonian glaciers.
Visit a Glow Worm Cave
Head to New Zealand or Australia to experience the magical glow worm caves.
Take a trip on the Orient Express
See the world in luxury on this historic and famed train.
Go Skiing or Snowboarding
Learn to ski or snowboard in places like Whistler, Canada or Zermatt, Switzerland. Embrace the winter and enjoy the snow.
Visit a Carnival
Experience the color, music, and excitement that characterize the world’s biggest carnivals, like in Venice, Brazil or Trinidad.
Sleep in a Bubble Hotel
Stay in a unique, transparent bubble hotel where you can admire the stars and nature in the comfort of your bed.
Try Sandboarding
Experience the thrill of snowboarding on sand dunes in places like Dubai, Qatar, or Namibia.
Visit an Ice Hotel
Discover the world’s ever-changing ice hotels where you can ski, sled, and ice skate.
Go on an Island Hopping trip
Visit unique island destinations like the Galapagos, Maldives, or Philippines, and see incredible wildlife and coral reefs.
Bucket List for Kids Bliss: Creating Unforgettable Adventures for Kids of All Ages
The ultimate bucket list for kids requires a sense of adventure, and we hope these travel ideas will inspire you to make your child’s childhood unforgettable. From exploring ancient ruins to snorkeling with sea turtles and camping in luxury, there are countless options to make your next family vacation one to remember.
So pack your bags, grab your little ones, and explore the world together! Be sure to capture all the memories along the way through lots of photos and videos. With these travel ideas, you will give your kids lifelong memories, unparalleled experiences, and appreciation for other cultures.
Before you go... Looking for a summer bucket list? Check out our list of things to do to make this summer the best one yet! Related: Summer Bucket List for Kids: The Ultimate Guide