18 Summer Vacations to Take Before Your Kids Grow Up

Eighteen summers. It seems like a long time, especially when you’re a parent in the thick of raising a family. Some days, just getting out of the house is a major accomplishment. Getting on a plane — well, you might as well be moving mountains. Traveling, with or without kids, isn’t easy, but we do it again and again because seeing the world comes with knowledge that’s hard to master any other way.

Eighteen years packed with school, sports games, Halloween costumes, dances and driving lessons will go by in an instant, so making every summer count doesn’t start when your children are school-age or teenagers; it starts the day they are born. In that spirit, we’ve come up with 18 bucket-list trips to enjoy with kids. Some are better to take with tweens and teens, others are universal, but whether it’s waking up to a rainbow in Kauai or seeing that first giraffe on safari, all are priceless family memory makers.

Best Summer Vacations with Kids: 18 Bucket List Ideas

U.S. National Parks

America’s 63 national parks, spread coast to coast, are all the reason you need to get outside. Demand boomed during the pandemic and has only grown stronger since then. Summer tends to be peak park season, but some, such as Yosemite and Yellowstone, are equally stunning in winter, spring and fall. At Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, you can walk through a 500-year-old lava tube or explore a petroglyph field, and be sure to visit after dark for the nighttime “Glow Show” at the Jaggar Museum & Overlook. The lava fume cloud, from an active vent located in the Halema’uma’u Crater, is wow-worthy.

And that’s only three national parks. Imagine what’s waiting at the other 60.

United Kingdom

Whether it’s watching the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, following in the footsteps of Harry Potter or chasing the Loch Ness Monster, the United Kingdom wins the hearts of all ages. Major cities such as London and Edinburgh are lively in every season; fairytale castles and idyllic farms reward families who venture into the countryside. Explore the unsung beauty of Wales, the slow pace of England’s Lake District or the rugged terrain of Scotland’s Hebrides. A bonus: With no language barrier, the U.K. is ideal for getting kids’ feet wet on a first trip to Europe.

Japan

Japan is a great place to introduce kids to a new culture without compromising the modern amenities they are accustomed to at home. Kyoto boasts 1,600 Buddhist temples and 400 Shinto shrines, meaning that wandering will always deliver beautiful surprises and, often, history lessons. Make the trip to bustling Tokyo on the Shinkansen (bullet train) in less than three hours. Tokyo is large and spread out, so don’t bite off more than you can chew — prioritize sightseeing by neighborhood. The world-famous Tsukiji Fish Market, the Imperial Palace East Garden and Tokyo Disney are on many families’ must-see lists. In addition to summer, consider visiting during spring break to catch the cherry blossoms in all their splendor.

Hawaii

There’s no place quite like Hawaii. Its six main islands offer distinctly different family vacations, and regardless of which island you choose, it’s hard to go wrong. Oahu has bustling Waikiki, and a visit to Pearl Harbor teaches an important history lesson. Kauai, the oldest island, is home to Waimea Canyon (often called the Grand Canyon of the Pacific) and the towering cliffs of the Na Pali Coast. It’s a good fit for a family who likes to spend time outdoors.

See the sunrise at the summit of Maui’s Haleakala National Park, then spend the day on Ka’anapali Beach, swimming with turtles at Black Rock, parasailing or jet skiing. Larger than all the other islands combined, Hawaii Island — a.k.a. the Big Island — is home to Kilauea, one of the world’s most active volcanoes. Make the drive from Kona to Hilo, munch on malasadas (Portugese doughnuts) and be sure to stop and see a waterfall or two along the way.

Galápagos Islands

Nature is at its absolute best on the Galápagos Islands, where animals have no fear of humans. Interactions with sea lions, giant tortoises and blue-footed boobies can change the way kids look at and treat the world around them. Any time of year is a good time to visit, making scheduling a trip around school holidays a bit more doable. A small-ship cruise is the easiest way to navigate the region; Ciao Bambino maintains a vetted list of family-friendly cruises that our Travel Advisors can book.

Italy

There’s a good reason Italy is Ciao Bambino’s most-requested destination for families: You could spend every summer here and still find reasons to come back for more. Well-known-and-loved destinations like Rome, Florence and Venice are surefire hits, but you’ll find old-world charm, local color and incredible gelato throughout the entire country. Italy’s outdoor spaces are phenomenal (and perfect for kids to work out their wiggles), from the piazzas of Rome to the streets of Pompeii and the beaches of the Amalfi Coast. And since Italians adore kids of all ages, it’s a perfect place to take babies and toddlers.

Safari in Africa

An African safari is a once-in-a-lifetime trip — the memories you’ll take home are limitless. Family-focused tour operators help parents and kids navigate the terrain and local culture, and specialize in unforgettable experiences like having breakfast with giraffes or hot-air ballooning over the Maasai Mara. Lions, elephants, hippos and zebras, the menagerie of childhood dreams, represent just a few of the interactions with nature.

Greece

Beaches and the blue Aegean Sea are a given when planning a trip to Greece with kids in tow, but they’ll be blown away by the history and distinctive culture as well. Most trips start in Athens, whose bike- and pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods are sprinkled amid ancient sights with name recognition, like the Acropolis and the Parthenon. Crete’s biggest city, Heraklion, lends itself to wandering, meeting fishermen along the way selling baskets of freshly caught sponges and shiny abalone shells. For time on the water and unforgettable views, head to Santorini or Naxos and Paros.

Antarctica

Savvy, well-traveled parents often call Antarctica one of the most transformative journeys of their lives. A cruise, ideally expedition-style, is the best way to explore, though charter flights are an option for those wary of rough seas (like the infamous Drake Passage). These expeditions focus on education and environmental conservation, offering unforgettable activities like hiking among penguins, kayaking near seals, skiing across pristine glaciers and touring scientific research stations. You’ll leave not only with incredible memories, but also with a deeper appreciation for the planet and a newfound resolve to protect its most fragile places.

New York City

New York is a bottomless well of iconic sights, cultural immersion and under-the-radar gems for kids and parents alike. Big-name attractions like the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, Central Park and the Natural History Museum are just the start, and don’t forget all the other museums, markets, Broadway shows, pizza, bagels, dim sum and shopping neighborhoods. For something big and bold, check out the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum on an actual aircraft carrier floating in the river. With endless options and something for every interest, the city makes it easy for kids to dive into whatever they love.

Australia – Great Barrier Reef and Uluru

When most folks think of Australia, koalas and kangaroos come to mind, but even the cuddliest of critters have a tough time competing with the Great Barrier Reef. You don’t have to be a diver to soak it all in — snorkeling will do the trick. While the outer reef may be more photographed, consider a sailing trip to Low Isles. It’s still the Great Barrier Reef, just a shallower, gentler version on the Inner Edge, complete with a sandy beach for breaks in the sun.

Both Cairns (pronounced “cans”) and Port Douglas serve as gateways to the reef. Port Douglas has a homey feel that parents with young kids will appreciate, while the more urban Cairns moves to a beat that suits tweens and teens. Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park in the Northern Territory, home to the iconic red monolith Uluru, is another must-see with the kids.

Peru – Machu Picchu

Although some may ask why parents would consider taking their kids to Machu Picchu, at Ciao Bambino we ask, why not? With the breathtaking Incan ruins plus so much else to do in Peru, deciding where to begin can be overwhelming. You can never see it all in one trip, but with planning, seeing a great amount is possible and enjoyable. If you have the time, combining Machu Picchu with the Galápagos will not disappoint.

Egypt

There’s no way to do justice to the wonders of Egypt in words — you have to see them in person to truly absorb their monumental presence and ancient mystique. In Cairo, explore the Egyptian Museum’s vast collection with a private Egyptologist and marvel at the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx, maybe via camel ride or boat cruise. A felucca sail on the Nile and a visit to Khan el-Khalili market add cultural depth. Beyond Cairo, a Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan unveils ancient temples and the Valley of the Kings. And for a welcome break after all that history, unwind at Red Sea resorts like Sharm El Sheikh, known for snorkeling and desert excursions.

New Zealand

A family trip to New Zealand is like jumping into an epic adventure movie … literally, since it was the setting for The Lord of the Rings films. The North Island is buzzing with energy, home to Auckland’s top museums, family-friendly fun and easy escapes into lush rainforests and wildlife parks. Down south, the vibe chills out in Christchurch, the perfect base for outdoor thrills like bungee jumping, jet boating and kayaking. Together, the pair creates a wild, welcoming wonderland that’s totally kid-approved.

Southeast Asia – Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand

Stunning and full of mystique, Southeast Asia truly immerses kids in a new and unfamiliar culture. Take a bath with an elephant at a sanctuary in Thailand or relax on the country’s beautiful beaches. Hike through the Cambodian jungle, then go scuba diving on Koh Rong Island off the southern coast. For American families visiting Vietnam, the historical connection is strong. Kids will enjoy the endless number of cooking classes available in places like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, and might even be inspired to spend more time with you in the kitchen at home.

Iceland

Is your family lured by the call of adventure and nature? Iceland should be on your must-see list. Chase waterfalls, trek along on the backs of Icelandic ponies and marvel at spectacular glaciers and black-sand beaches. Activities like off-road buggy tours and dogsledding are a hit with older kids, and be sure to save at least a few hours to float in the famous Blue Lagoon. If winter works better than summer for an Iceland getaway, there’s a good chance you’ll get to marvel at the Northern Lights and their pulsating ribbons of color.

The Maldives

The Maldives isn’t just for honeymooners anymore — it’s becoming a dream destination for families too. Getting there is a long journey, to be sure, but it’s worth every hour of flight time. Calm, crystal-clear waters are perfect for little swimmers, and the sea life is like snorkeling in a tropical aquarium. For extra fun, hop on a seaplane for incredible views or visit the Marine Discovery Center to learn about local wildlife. Just a heads-up: If you’re eyeing an overwater bungalow, double-check age rules as some don’t allow young kids.

Swiss Alps

Fans of Heidi, the classic story about a girl from the Alps, may feel a happy sense of déja vu when visiting scenic Switzerland. Take advantage of the country’s excellent train system to visit lakes, mountains and storybook Swiss villages in the Berner Oberland and beyond. For families who enjoy skiing, a visit to Zermatt — to hit the slopes and play in the shadow of the famous Matterhorn — is a must. Zermatt and many other mountain hamlets also are car-free, meaning they’re not only eco-friendly but charming and safe for wandering with little ones.

Relevant Links:

Browse all ideas for family vacations worldwide on Ciao Bambino

The best travel destinations for every age and stage

10 family vacations that will change kids forever

Our top travel tips for all age groups

Family vacation planning simplified: A school year’s worth of travel in 6 easy steps

Editor’s note: This post was accurate when published. We advise checking independently for the latest information and updates. Ciao Bambino does not accept responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in, or for any actions taken based on, the information presented.