Family-Friendly Travel Activities for All Ages

While we go on vacation to relax, sometimes you can’t keep everyone in your family happy at every moment — especially if you have kids who are different ages. 

But having a range of ages in your family doesn’t mean you can’t have fun on vacation together. From toddlers to teens, there are age-appropriate activities that everyone can enjoy! 

Tips for Planning Family Activities

If you’ve got a mix of younger and older kids, it may feel difficult to find things that everyone will enjoy on your trip. But it is possible to plan a family vacation that keeps everyone happy. 

Here’s how to make sure no one feels bored or left out of the fun.

Research age-specific recommendations

Before your next family trip, ask your community for help. Talk to friends with kids about their vacation experiences, especially if their kids are the same age or a bit older than yours. 

Online communities are incredible resources as well. Blogs, forums, and travel review sites offer a wealth of information about kid-friendly travel activities. Plus, you can get tips on your particular age groups.

Choose inclusive activities

One of the first steps to kid-friendly travel is to pick things everyone can enjoy. For example, miniature golf is something that kids of all ages and adults can play. 

Outdoor, nature-based activities are great for including everyone in the family, too. Hit the hiking trails, have a picnic, go to the beach, or find a park with a playground where the adults can lounge on a bench while the kiddos run.

Rotate activity priorities

Offer each child in the family the opportunity to plan a day’s activities. Say you’ll be in your destination for four days. If you have three kids, give each kid the chance to pick the main activity on one of those days. 

It’s possible to “divide and conquer” as well — if one parent and one kid have a particular interest in an activity like zip-lining, they can do that excursion while the rest of the family hangs out at the pool. You don’t need to spend every second together. 

Schedule downtime together

Since traveling can be exhausting, you should build some downtime into your vacation. This helps prevent burnout and lets you all enjoy yourselves more.

Spend time making simple meals, watching movies, or relaxing by the pool or beach. Don’t feel every minute needs to be packed with activity. 

Check in with each kid and family member to find out their preferences for downtime, too. 

Prepare kids for new experiences

For anything that’s completely new to your children, prepare them ahead of time. Whether you’re heading to France and want to practice a few handy French travel phrases or your kids have never flown before, try to see the trip through their eyes. 

You can help prepare younger (or older) kids for new experiences by reading about them, watching travel videos, or picking up related toys. 

This is especially important if your child has special needs, but it’s good advice for everyone. Talk to them about what to expect and help them to see the fun in new experiences. 

Family-Friendly Activities by Age Group 

Here are some starting points for planning things to do with your kids on your next vacation. 

Toddlers and preschoolers

For young children, be sure to let them get their bodies moving, but also account for shorter attention spans:

• Physical and sensory activities at playgrounds and splash pads 
• Animal attractions like the zoo, aquarium, or wildlife sanctuary
• Rides or short walks in parks
• Outdoor concerts where they’re not expected to sit still or be quiet  

School-age kids

Elementary-aged kids can be more independent and focus for longer periods. They also may have more specific interests, so take those into account when you’re planning things to do.

• Museums with interactive exhibits and hands-on activities
• Nature and outdoor exploration through hiking trails, treasure hunts, or beach activities like shell collecting or building sand castles
• Creative workshops with educational and fun activities tailored for kids
• Escape rooms, miniature golf, and bowling 

Tweens and teens

Kids from around age nine through the end of their teen years can participate in more exciting vacation activities. As always, keep their interests in mind. 

• Adventure and thrill-seeking experiences like zip-lining, whitewater rafting, and high-adrenaline rides at theme parks
• Cultural and historical tours, including ghost tours, landmarks, or attractions like Ripley’s Believe It or Not! 
• Pro sporting events, Broadway shows, and comedy acts

Dealing With the Unexpected

As every traveler — and every parent — knows, things don’t always go according to plan when you’re traveling. 

Weather can trip up your outdoor activities, someone could get sick, or an attraction could close unexpectedly. Here are some tips to help:

• Be flexible. This isn’t easy, especially if your heart is set on a specific activity, but don’t freak out if your family can’t do everything you’d planned. Changed plans are an opportunity to demonstrate resilience to your kids. 
• Find alternatives. You’ve probably got your phone with you, so use apps to search for nearby alternatives. You could look for a great restaurant or wander around a local mall if the weather derails your plans. 
• Use unexpected downtime creatively. A sudden change of plans is a chance to get creative by keeping it simple. You could pick up ingredients for an impromptu ice cream bar, pull out the board games, or have a picnic.

FAQs About Planning Kid-Friendly Activities

TL;DR: Planning Age-Appropriate Travel

When there’s more than one child in your family, you need to plan kid-friendly activities that fit everyone’s interests. It can be a challenge, especially when they’re all different ages, but a little creativity and flexibility can ensure everyone has fun.

One day, your kids when your kids are traveling on their own or with their children, just think how glad you’ll be that you created these lasting travel memories together.

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