Think city trips aren’t for kids? From interactive museums to sprawling parks, city breaks can be an exciting and enriching experience for the whole family.
Whether you venture close to home or half-a-world away, put on some comfortable walking shoes and start exploring these kid-friendly cities!
Planning City Breaks for Families
The beauty of city travel is that everything you could want is at your fingertips: museums, parks, restaurants, sights, and public transit.
Choose central accommodations
When choosing where to stay, do some research and see where your accommodation is located in relation to major attractions — especially if you’re planning to stay in a local Airbnb. Cities can be sprawling, and you may not realize how far away you are from places of interest.
More affordable accommodations may be further away, so balance cost with convenience. No one wants to spend their entire vacation commuting to and from the things they’re there to see!
READ MORE: How To Book the Perfect Group Stay
Navigating public transportation with kids
One of the benefits of a city break is the convenience of public transit. Plus, watching the world go by from a streetcar or a double-decker bus is part of the fun for younger kids.
If that’s how you and your family plan to get around, take time to research how the systems work ahead of time, including purchasing tickets. Some transit systems are free for children, or you can conveniently tap to pay with your credit card.
If you’re planning to get around by taxi or rideshare, make sure you use a reputable provider and that there are working seatbelts for all passengers.
Balance structured activities and free time
It’s tempting to try to tick everything off your list when visiting a new city. But if you’re traveling with kids, you’ll need to be realistic and build flexibility into your schedule. Kids (and adults) will need some time to decompress and rest, so plan just one or two major activities per day.
You know your kids best. If you’ve got teens who aren’t early risers, you may want to schedule activities for later in the day. Conversely, younger kids could be full of beans earlier in the day.
Types of Kid-Friendly City Activities
Cities have it all. You'll have a plethora of unique, engaging, kid-friendly activities to do during your family's city trip.
Interactive museums and science centers
Interactive museums and science centers are ideal city activities for kids, with hands-on activities and opportunities to learn more about the world. Most major cities should have at least one museum or science center appropriate for children.
For example, consider the Exploratorium in San Francisco, which has six indoor and outdoor galleries with hundreds of exhibits for kids of all ages.
If your kids love space and flight, they'll love the Science Museum in London. There are interactive galleries to keep them entertained, plus an IMAX theatre.
The Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, New York appeals to the whole family. A major highlight is the museum’s interactive arcade, where you can play retro video games.
Outdoor play areas and parks
Outdoor play areas and parks are perfect for kids to run off a little steam, have impromptu picnics, or just enjoy some downtime in your day.
New York City’s Central Park has plenty of activities for kids, including 21 playgrounds, boat rides on the lake, and old-fashioned carousel rides.
Jardin du Luxembourg is a charming park in the center of Paris. Kids' activities include puppet shows, pony rides, and model boats that kids can sail in the park’s pond.
Themed attractions and tours
Look into other unusual, quirky attractions and tours. For example, sign up for gladiator school in Rome, watch medieval knights battle in Toronto, visit the Ghibli Museum in Tokyo, play with slime at the Sloomoo Institute in Chicago, or visit Jurassic Land in Istanbul.
City Essentials for Family Travel
Packing light during a trip to the city is generally your best bet. If you forget anything crucial, you're surrounded by shops.
Pack light for urban adventures
Be strategic with what you pack when traveling with kids — especially younger ones.
Travel with a compact, lightweight stroller that has a basket for holding essentials. Small backpacks are easier to manage than handbags and fit snacks and water more easily.
Be realistic about what you’ll need for the day out so you don’t drag too many things around.
Use tech tools to enhance your trip
Gone are the days of unfolding maps on a busy street corner! Navigation apps with real-time notifications help you get around by foot or via public transit. Try translation apps like Google Translate or DeepL to help you understand local languages.
You might consider booking family-friendly tours and day-trips through Klook or Viator. These travel sites offer adventures like walking with a viking in Reykjavik or ghost tours of New Orleans.
Prepare for emergencies in the city
If you’re visiting a place you’ve never been before, it’s wise to research ahead of time and know the location of nearby hospitals and pharmacies.
You should also learn whether there are any areas you should avoid or specific scams targeting tourists.
READ MORE: Child Safety Tips for Family Travel
Tips for Finding Kid-Friendly Activities in Any City
Online blogs and a little research can help you plan your next favorite city adventure.
Research before you go
There are plenty of travel blogs dedicated to family travel where you can get advice from families who have already been. Many major cities also have a tourism website with suggestions for families and kids.
Alternatively, visit travel forums on Reddit or Tripadvisor to ask specific questions and seek advice.
Ask locals for recommendations
With a bit of online sleuthing, you’ll probably find a blog written by someone in the city you plan to visit. These are a great resource for local recommendations for families, from kid-friendly restaurants to local parks and hidden gems like smaller attractions or beaches.
Join group tours designed for families
Hop-on-hop-off buses are a terrific way to orientate yourself in a new city and see the sights. Climbing on a double-decker bus in London can also be great fun for little ones.
Guided walking tours tailored for children are a fun way to learn the history and culture of a new place while seeing it up close.
Best Cities for Kid-Friendly Breaks
Whether you're looking abroad or closer to home, there are lots of great options for your family's next city break.
London, England
Young or old, London is an incredible city to explore. There’s no shortage of activities that will keep kids interested and entertained.
Highlights include the London Eye and the Tower of London, where England’s royal history comes to life. Meanwhile, Potterheads will want to visit the Warner Bros. Studio Tour and step into Diagon Alley.
Other attractions include the Museum of Natural History and the London Aquarium. The city is also renowned for its parks, including Hyde Park and Kew Gardens. Or, go see a family-friendly production in the West End, like Matilda.
Montreal, Canada
If you live in North America, there’s no need to venture as far as Paris for a taste of French living. Montreal, Quebec is packed with kid-friendly activities and culture.
Kids will love visiting the Planétarium, Insectarium, and Biosphère, which are part of a complex of natural science museums. Montreal’s Science Centre in the Old Port is filled with interactive activities and an IMAX theatre.
Young foodies will also love this city. After all, it’s home to the Montreal bagel and poutine (don’t knock it until you’ve tried it!). Juliette & Chocolat is a great place to take kids for crepes and hot chocolate. The city has good public transit and although it’s officially French-speaking, most people also speak English.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amsterdam is a compact city, making it easy for families to navigate. Rent bikes and get around like the locals, or rent a boat and cruise through the canals.
The city is known for its traditional pancakes, so take kids to The Pancake Bakery for sweet or savory dishes, or sign up to cook (and eat) a meal at the Kinderkookcafe.
At the NEMO Science Museum, kids can learn about energy and get hands-on at the science lab. Try coloring a masterpiece at the Van Gogh Museum, or read Anne Frank’s diary at the Anne Frank House.
San Diego, California
Sun, sea, and sightseeing; there’s plenty for families to enjoy in San Diego.
The New Children’s Museum is dedicated to helping kids think, create, and play. It’s filled with colorful exhibitions for kids, including a sensory-friendly room if they need a break. LEGO-loving kids will also want to check out LEGOLAND.
San Diego is also a great place to see nature. Visit the Children's Pool, a small beach protected by a seawall, where you might be lucky enough to see the harbor seals. Or visit the San Diego Zoo, where kids can explore wildlife such as koalas, grizzly bears, and pygmy hippos.
Bangkok, Thailand
If you plan to visit Thailand, there’s lots to keep kids entertained in Bangkok. See the massive, reclining Buddha at Wat Po, learn more about Thai culture at Museum Siam, take a boat ride along the Chao Phraya River, or explore the Chatuchak Weekend Market.
Many of the city’s large shopping centers have activities for kids, like glow-in-the-dark bowling and an ice rink.
Depending on how adventurous your kid’s palate is, there’s a lot of incredible (and inexpensive) food in Bangkok. Slurp noodles at a street side stall or food court, or take a cooking class as a family.
FAQs About City Breaks with Kid-Friendly Activities
How can I keep kids entertained during city sightseeing?
One of the best ways to keep kids entertained when sightseeing is to plan appealing activities.
You can also turn tours into a scavenger hunt for older kids, or pack activities for young children that will keep them occupied, like coloring books or puzzles.
Are there public transportation passes for families in major cities?
Many major cities offer public transport passes for families, including free transit for kids.
A family pass will save you time and money, and the best way to find out if your destination offers this is to search online ahead of time.
What’s the best way to find kid-friendly restaurants in a new city?
To find kid-friendly restaurants that still appeal to the whole family, check local tourism sites for recommendations, visit travel blogs, or pose a question on Reddit.
Many cities have online publications where they post round ups of family-friendly restaurants.
Are guided tours worth it for families with young children?
Guided tours are great for engaging young kids and meeting other families, plus they come with the added benefit of security in a sight-seeing group.
It’s a good idea to check the age recommendations for the tour. If you’re traveling with toddlers, consider booking guided tours for the rest of the family that align with nap time, and ask if it’s stroller-friendly before booking.
TL;DR: Planning City Breaks with Kids
City breaks can be an incredible experience for families with the right planning and activities. Choose destinations with diverse attractions, prioritize kid-friendly amenities, and involve children in the adventure to make the trip unforgettable.
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