If the thought of holidaying with toddlers or young children brings you out in a cold sweat, hot rash, or both, we’re here to let you know that it’s not just possible to experience an adventurous family holiday with little ones, but thoroughly enjoy it, too!
The secret to holiday harmony with under 5s is finding the perfect combination of engaging activities with sanity-saving downtime for all.
Pretty much anywhere in Asia is ideal for younger kids
Whether this is your first time travelling with young children, or as part of a family with older children too, here are some toddler-friendly holidays we KNOW work because we’ve done them with our own little ones. Get that passport processed, buy that airport-friendly scooter suitcase, and look where you could be heading for your next family adventure.
Self-drive in the Yucatan and travel at your own pace in child-friendly Mexico
Captivating and colourful, Mexico is a feast for the senses and won’t fail to keep the whole family effortlessly entertained. From exploring jungle-clad Mayan ruins or boating on turquoise lagoons, there are endless holiday activities for young children in this welcoming country (see our Mexico with Kids feature). The Yucatan Peninsula is the main focal point for our under 5s holidays and you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to which kind of coastal accommodation you prefer, from high-end beach resorts with kids’ clubs to more traditional boutique hotels. And, because Mexico has such a great infrastructure, taking a self-drive trip around the Yucatan (have a look at our Best of Mexico Yucatan Peninsula trip) can keep costs down and make the trip much more child-friendly by going at a pace that suits the little ones too.
Cooking lessons are fun for kids of all ages – and parents too!
Perhaps the most exotic holiday destination you can travel to in under 4 hours, Morocco ticks all the toddler-friendly holiday boxes. No jet lag? Tick! Loads of boutique hotels and riads with family-friendly rooms? Tick! A myriad of fun things to do? Tick! Delicious food? That too! Younger children will be equally entertained as older ones taking a horse-drawn carriage around Marrakech, a camel ride into the desert (toddler sits in front of Mum or Dad), or clambering over the ruins at Ait Ben Haddou. Sleeping under the stars in a Bedouin desert camp and toddler-friendly walk with mules in the Atlas Mountains, are also Moroccan memories you won’t forget. Want to know more? Look at our Highlights of Morocco trip for even more activities and also our Morocco with Kids Top 10 feature.
Thailand’s relaxed ethos makes it a great choice for families with younger children
Undoubtedly one of the most family-friendly destinations on the planet, The Land of Smiles lives up to its name, and not just from the grateful parents who visit here! Eternally welcoming, Thailand has been doing family-friendly holidays for longer than any other in South East Asia, so has a well-developed tourist infrastructure, transport system and a wide array of beautiful accommodation options to boot. Whether you prefer jungle adventures, relaxing in bath-warm turquoise seas, or a combination of both, there’s a vast amount of toddler and under 5s child-friendly holiday activities on offer here. Fabulous accommodation, an enviable climate, and divine food. Take a look at our Thailand with Kids Top 10 feature and our sample Thailand family adventure itineraries.
Wadi Rum Desert really has the wow factor, loved by kids of all ages
Introduce your toddlers to the ultimate sand pit (aka desert) and you can see why Jordan is a big hit with the under-5s. The fact that there’s a relatively short flight time from the UK (under 6 hours), has jaw-dropping archaeological sites such as Petra to explore, and incredible Red Sea beaches to end the trip with, only adds to its toddler-friendly holiday appeal. If you’re concerned about how little legs might withstand exploration of the main heritage sites, there’s always the option of hopping on a donkey, camel, mule, or 4WD, too. Want to know more? Check out our Highlights of Jordan trip and our Jordan with Kids Top 10 post.
Kids of all ages will love laid-back Greece
Families have been holidaying in Greece for decades, and who can blame them? Impossibly beautiful, gently sloping beaches surrounded by so-clean-you-can-see-the-bottom waters, delicious food and almost eternal sunshine make this short-haul European destination an all-round winner. The good news is that tourist infrastructure has moved on since the days of soulless mainstream hotels. Now, families, even those with toddlers and young children can choose from characterful hotels to super-chic villas, and apartments too. See our sample Greece itineraries. Family-friendly activities have also come on leaps and bounds so there’s far more than just archaeological sites and paddling on offer. Take a look at our Top 10 Greece with Kids and Crete with Kids blogs for inspiration. Yammas!
Boat trips are a fun way to explore with younger kids
If variety is the spice of life, then Vietnam is the shoo-in when it comes to something-for-everyone-far-flung-toddler-friendly-holiday-adventures. Offering vibrant, jungle, mountain and beach backdrops, delicious food, and welcoming locals who adore kids, no wonder this long, thin country is so captivating. Admittedly less visited than its Thai neighbour, Vietnam also has a well-developed tourist infrastructure with fabulous travel links (from sleeper trains and private transfers to tuk-tuks and rickshaws). Accommodation will most likely have a pool or colourful, family-friendly garden to relax in. As for what you and your toddler or under 5s can do, check out our family-friendly itineraries in Northern Vietnam or our Highlights of Vietnam. And see our Vietnam with Kids feature with many activities that can work with older kids too.
Sri Lanka is great for toddlers and young children where a timely ice lolly is always welcome
No wonder this beautiful island packs a big punch when it comes to toddler and child-friendly holidays. Flights to Sri Lanka are direct (yay), accommodation is boutique, beautiful and almost always comes with a pool (double yay). Travel distances are short so there are no ‘are-we-there-yet’ whimpers. The people are friendly and welcoming too, and the beaches are divine with warm waters. There’s also plenty of wildlife such as elephants, dolphins, whales, and monkeys to keep the whole family transfixed. Take a look at our sample trips, Sri Lanka in Summer and Sri Lanka at Christmas or Easter. We also recommend checking out our Sri Lanka with Kids Top 10 for even more ideas on what there is to see and do there.
Exploring Oman’s forts is fun for younger children
Exotic, easy to get around, clean and safe, Oman has soared in popularity as a child and toddler-friendly holiday option in recent years. Frankly, we’re not surprised. Easily self-driveable, with reliable weather and a myriad of toddler-friendly activities, the fact there are short, direct flights from the UK only adds to its parent appeal. Camp on the beach, having dinner cooked for you! Explore ruins! See turtles or dolphins! As well as diverse landscapes and activities, the quality of family-friendly accommodation is mind-blowing. No request is seemingly too big or small to accommodate, pushchairs and baby cots are available, and Western-style food is an option if required. We’ve two sample Oman itineraries to choose from and do check out our Oman with Kids Top 10 feature.
Blend R&R with sightseeing on a tailor-made trip for your family
Just over four hours separate you and your family from the sun-kissed beaches, fairy-tale landscapes and outstanding, family-friendly hospitality that makes Turkey (Türkiye) a fabulous destination. Offering that perfect blend of fascinating activities with all-important R&R, you can’t fail to be captivated by the cultural melting pot that is Istanbul, the lunar-like landscape of Cappadocia or the too-beautiful-to-be-true Turquoise coast. We can ‘toddler-ify’ any Turkish adventure, but do take a look at our Turquoise Coast Adventure or Highlights of Turkey sample itineraries. Best visited between Easter and October, here are some of the places in Turkey you can consider visiting.
Activities in Bali can be tailored to suit even the youngest family members
A paradise isle in every sense, Bali boasts palm-fringed beaches, verdant paddy field interiors, and a rich, fascinating traditional culture. Travel with your toddler or under 5 here and you’ll enjoy hotel pools, attentive staff, and tropical island surrounds. Sun, sea and sand are everywhere here in Bali, but young children will also love the Bird Park, Monkey Forest, and fabulous water park, too (see our Bali Top 10 for more)! There are no direct flights so you can make the most of a stopover in Kuala Lumpur or Singapore to stretch little legs! Want to know more? Check out our Relaxing Bali itinerary.
As parents ourselves, we understand that you’ll want to be as clued up as possible ahead of your trip. If you’re still unsure about something, do give us a call on 01728 752751 or email. If there are other countries, not covered here, and you’d like to visit with younger family members, ask us for the best way to do this. There are no silly questions!
If you are travelling with older family members too, ask us about Multi-generational holidays. You might also like to see our overview of family summer holiday destinations and the best places for family holidays at Easter.
Many of our holiday activities work for toddlers, teens, and in-betweens
Liddy Pleasants, MD Stubborn Mule Travel
I’m always interested to hear about your travels so do email me with your feedback and experiences of toddler-friendly holidays and travelling with younger children.