Kids love to explore – it’s an expression of the curiosity that defines childhood. Travelling the world with your tots to fun and exciting destinations is a sure-fire way of encouraging this inquisitiveness that inevitably leads to lots of unexpected learning opportunities in the midst of all the enjoyment.
If you understand the value of travel for your little ones and want to know where you can take them to nurture their thirst for knowledge, you’ve come to the right place.
The following seven kid-friendly travel destinations are ideal for bringing out your child’s inner explorer while bonding with the family and having a delightful time while at it!
Are you ready to hop on board with us?
1. Catch the sunrise at Mount Fuji, Japan
Respectfully known as “Fujisan” by the Japanese, Mount Fuji is not just the highest mountain in Japan, but also one of the most beautiful in the world.
At a soaring 3,766 metres high, this active volcano is topped by eight peaks at its summit! Climbing this iconic mountain with your little ones will teach them many amazing lessons. Biology and geography will come to life as the kids spot endemic flora and fauna.
They will also gather valuable soft skills such as grit and determination as they hike up the mountain with you. And as you watch the rising sun peep over the horizon from the top of Mount Fuji with your kids, you will experience love and bonding like never before.
Mum tips and fun facts
- The summit of Mount Fuji has a tundra climate and is almost always covered in snow.
- Be well-prepared for your climb up this mountain with your kids with plenty of warm clothes and good hiking shoes for the whole family!
- Visit the National Museum of Science and Nature in nearby Tokyo and spend an afternoon time-travelling from the past to the future.
2. Discover the Pyramid tales in Cairo, Egypt
At the Giza Pyramid complex, you and your little one will be able to see three pyramids complexes, the Sphinx and the Tomb of Queen Khentkaus.
Teaching your kids the entire history of Egypt in a few days is a tall order. But by showing them these marvels of history and architecture, you’re certainly well on the way to bringing this chapter from the past to life!
Don’t forget to look at their faces light up with wonder when they see the pyramids for the first time, soaring up from the sand to the sky!
Mum tips and fun facts
- Take your little archaeologist around Cairo to marvel at some of the oldest remaining artifacts in the world.
- The Great Pyramid is not only the oldest Ancient Wonder of the World, it’s also the only one still standing.
- The granite coffer inside the main chamber of the Great Pyramid is made out of a single slab of granite which is larger than the passageway leading to the pyramid. This means that the pyramid was built around the coffer and not the other way around!
- Pick a family friendly-hotel. The Holiday Inn® Cairo Maadi is just a 30-minute drive from the Great Pyramids!
3. Walk with wild animals in Kruger National Park, South Africa
The dream of all young wildlife enthusiasts will come true at Kruger National Park, home to the Big Five (lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant and Cape buffalo). Here, they will witness biology lessons in three-dimension as they observe animals in their natural habitat.
Don’t forget to talk to your child about concepts such as the food chain and eco-systems while you are here. This will give real-life context to text book terms, making learning truly come alive.
Mum tips and fun facts
- Before heading to this destination, speak to a doctor about getting your kids vaccinated against Malaria.
- While there, learn about the park rangers’ conservation efforts to protect the park’s animals.
- The park is huge – there are 14 different eco-zones, but you just need to enter via the Crocodile Bridge Gate (the southern end of the park) to see plenty of wildlife!
- The park covers a sprawling 19,633 km² making it approximately 27x the size of Singapore or 450x the size of New Delhi!
- It first opened in 1927 and only admitted three cars to enter that year! Now, the park is visited by thousands of nature lovers every day!
4. Dive into the Great Barrier Reef, Australia
The Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef in the world, and in fact, it is the largest single structure made by living organisms. Sadly, this gorgeous living, breathing reef has suffered greatly at the hands of global warming, with large areas of the coral dying in recent years.
Your little marine biologists could help turn this around when they grow up, so amidst the fun you have while you are there, don’t forget to talk to your kids about the importance of protecting our planet.
Mum tips and fun facts
- Stay at the Holiday Inn® Cairns Harbourside. Cairns is the closest Australian city to the Great Barrier Reef which means more time exploring the reef’s beauty!
- Astronauts can see the Great Barrier Reef from space!
- Ten percent of the world’s total fish species can be found just within the Great Barrier Reef.
- Australian oceans are home to some of the most poisonous critters in the world. Tell your kids to strictly avoid touching jellyfish and octopus.
- Don’t forget to pack flotation devices for younger kids.
5. Transport back in time at Jebel Jais mountain range, UAE
Ras Al Khaimah, where you’ll find the Jebel Jais Mountain Range, is a close neighbour to the much more popular Dubai. There are many similarities between the two when it comes to beautiful beaches and an immense desert.
However, Ras Al Khaimah is more in tune with its history and natural beauty compared to hyper-modern Dubai.
Take a trip through the past and imagine what life was once like living in the castles and towers of Ras Al Khaimah.
Discuss with your kids about saving water, how the people of the past fed themselves and how their lives are different as you explore the 18 historic fortifications, castles and towers still standing in Ras Al Khaimah.
Mum tips and fun facts
- A viewing deck will be opening later this year on the summit of Jebel Jais sitting 1,300 metres above sea level. Here, you will get to see an awe-inspiring 360-degree view of the surrounding mountain range.
- If you decide to drive, it’s best to hire a sturdy four-wheel drive vehicle that can power up the winding roads!
- You can also rent a navigation system and car seats for your kids.
- At 1900 metres, Jebel Jais is definitely the UAE’s tallest mountain!
6. Meet the Man Of the Forest in Borneo, Indonesia
Borneo is home of the oldest rainforests in the world – estimated to be around 130 million years old – making it the prime place for young nature lovers to see animals in their natural habitats.
Unfortunately, human disregard has caused a significant disturbance in the ecosystem and led to many species being placed on the endangered animals list.
While you are in this ancient rainforest, take the opportunity to teach your little ones about the importance of environmental conservation.
You could also talk to your kids about how different species of animals and birds have certain physical features that allow them to survive in this habitat. A good example is the tiger, whose stripes break up the outline of its body and make it hard to be seen by its prey.
Don’t forget to also talk to your children about how orangutans interact with each other and build their society in this lush environment.
Mum tips and fun facts
- Orangutans can only be found in the rainforests of Borneo and Sumatra . Orangutans once lived all over Southeast Asia and even southern China with a population over 200,000 a century ago. But they have lost at least 55% of their natural habitats over the past few decades causing the sharp decrease in population.
- Borneo is home to over 1,000 species of mammals, birds, amphibians and fish including 100 species that are not found anywhere else in the world such as the adorable Bornean Pygmy elephant and Sumatran tiger, a smaller species than their other African and Asian counterparts.
- This island is administered by three different countries: Brunei, Indonesia and Malaysia.
- In Borneo, you’ll also find Southeast Asia’s highest mountain, Mt. Kinabalu.
- Ask your little ones to sniff out the largest flower in the world – the Rafflesia Arnoldii – which has a characteristic ‘fragrance’ of rotting meat!
- Please take plenty of mosquito repellent and dress your little ones in light, cotton clothing.
7. Walk with the dragons in Komodo National Park, Indonesia
Some kids have a fascination with reptiles, and if your little ones are like this and passionate about our scaly friends, then Komodo National Park is the ideal destination for them!
Komodo National Park in Indonesia primarily occupies three large islands. Although it was founded specifically for the protection of the Komodo Dragon, today it is used for protecting many other species of animals such as wild boar and water buffaloes. These large mammals are often hunted down as prey by the largest lizard in the world – the Komodo Dragon.
Talk to your little one about the food chain while you are here, reminding them that the Komodo Dragon is a top predator, and therefore, right at the top of it!
Mum tips and fun facts
- The Komodo Dragon’s saliva contains around 50 strains of bacteria, ensuring the eventual death of their prey if it does not die immediately.
- There are nearly 6,000 komodo dragons across the three major islands.
- Komodo dragons are cannibals and newly hatched Komodo dragons make up 10% of an adult dragon’s diet.
- A male Komodo dragon can reach up to 10 feet long and weigh around 200 pounds!
- Within the national park, keep a close eye on your kids and do not let them wander off on their own.
- Remind your kids to listen to the guide’s instructions very carefully.
- The waters around Komodo Island are infamous for their strong currents. Keep this in mind if you are planning to go swimming or snorkelling with the kids. It’s best to speak to the guide or a local for advice on this.
Have we inspired you to head to one (or all!) of these seven incredible destinations with your kids? You can be sure a visit to any of these places will make for a holiday of a lifetime that is enriched with both beautiful memories and insightful learning for your whole family.
Don’t forget to download our gorgeous infographic here and pin it to your fridge or desk for helpful planning reminders!
This article was brought to you by Holiday Inn®. Plan your next family adventure with travel tips at www.LittleBigTravellers.com. At 1,200 Holiday Inn® Hotels and Holiday Inn Resorts®, kids 12 and under stay and eat for free. Discover the Joy of Travel with Holiday Inn® today.