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The 51 Best Vacations for Kids in the U.S. for 2023

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family on vacation swimming near a river

Traveling with children can be a challenge, especially when it comes to deciding where to go next and what to do there. But whether you’re in search of a camping adventure or a thrilling amusement park, there are plenty of places right here in the U.S. perfect for your next family trip—many of which are easily accessible by car.

While the days of Covid-19 restrictions are largely behind us, it’s always important to check any local regulations when planning a trip. Booking early is also important as there is a surge of vacation-hungry travelers hoping to enjoy the summer as much as you are (be especially prepared with rental cars and flights). We’re all ready for a little  “revenge travel,”  whether it’s one hour away or straight across the country.

From camping in national parks to exploring cities like Boston and San Francisco, here are 51 vacation ideas for kids of all ages right here in the U.S.

The 7 Best Places to Travel in July

Crowds fill Main Street USA in front of Cinderella Castle at the Magic Kingdom on the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World, in Lake Buena Vista, Florida,

1. Walt Disney World Resort, Florida

  • Why We Recommend It: Convenient, family-friendly, bucket list
  • Pro Tip: Use an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner to book your trip (it won’t cost you anything)

The happiest place on Earth  really is worth it for a memorable family vacation—especially as it expands with Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. For ease, book into one of the resort’s many themed, family-friendly hotels, which include Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge and Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort . Or, you can be a little savvy and stay only a mile “ off-campus” to save over $200 on nightly rates. . A few things have changed since the pandemic, including the Disney Genie+ service, which allows groups to bypass the lines. Don’t worry, though, all the magic is still there.

yellowstone national park

2. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, Montana & Idaho

  • Why We Recommend It: outdoorsy, budget-friendly, fun
  • Pro Tip: Buy an annual National Parks Pass if you plan to visit multiple parks this year

Home to legendary geyser Old Faithful, Yellowstone National Park is an ideal spot for camping, hiking, fishing and just getting away from it all for some quality family time. Camp out at the Mammoth campsites, located near Mammoth Hot Springs, where RVs and tents are welcome (and there are flushing toilets). The campground is currently by reservation only, so be sure to book in advance.

new york city

3. New York City, New York

  • Why We Recommend It: lots to do, lively, good for all ages
  • Pro Tip: learn to navigate the subway, which is a great way to save on taxis

The Empire State Building, Central Park, the Statue of Liberty, the Met and the awe of seeing your very first Broadway show—need we say more? For a great bonus adventure, head to the Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria, Queens, where kids can learn about how movies are made and experience an exhibition on Jim Henson. It’s worth planning way ahead when it comes to scoring Broadway tickets, especially if you’re coveting the front row at  Hamilton .

chicago illinois

4. Chicago, Illinois

  • Why We Recommend It: Lively, family-friendly, scenic
  • Pro Tip: Visit in the spring or fall to avoid the crowds (and the cold)

Climb aboard an actual submarine at the Museum of Science and Industry , gawk at the underwater beauty at the Shedd Aquarium and try to count how many dots make up George Seurat’s iconic A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte at the Art Institute. Chicago can be done in all types of weather (ask the locals), but summer means comfortable walks through the free Lincoln Park Zoo and beachside lounging on Lake Michigan’s Oak Street Beach. Grab a room at the family-friendly Embassy Suites on the Magnificent Mile for close proximity to the Riverwalk, shopping and great food.

miami beach florida

5. Miami Beach, Florida

  • Why We Recommend It: beachy, nice weather, laid-back
  • Pro Tip: Book a beachfront hotel to make the most of the location

Miami Beach is way more than just beaches, from an Everglades airboat tour at Sawgrass Recreation Park to graffiti touring at the Wynwood Walls to the Miami Children's Museum , and the cool hotels are appealing to parents who want more than the usual resort. The Loews Miami Beach Hotel has tons of kid-related amenities, including a kids club, and the  1 South Beach is a hip spot with daytime activities for young ones.

san diego california

6. San Diego, California

  • Why We Recommend It: nice weather, family-friendly, lots to do
  • Pro Tip: For a nearby hike, check out Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve

Who can say no to the number one zoo in the world? Yep, from the  San Diego Zoo  to SeaWorld to Sesame Place San Diego to family-friendly resorts,  San Diego  has a lot to offer young travelers. Not to mention the weather is always on point, which makes wandering through the hip Gaslamp District especially appealing. Stay at the  Hilton San Diego Resort & Spa , located along the water and equipped with an inviting outdoor pool.

san antonio texas

7. San Antonio, Texas

  • Why We Recommend It: lots to do, good for all ages, less crowds
  • Pro Tip: grab the Pogo Pass for entry into 35 attractions around San Antonio and Austin

San Antonio  is a cultural hub that boasts historical sites, including the Alamo, and several theme parks, like Six Flags Fiesta and SeaWorld San Antonio. The renowned River Walk is a great place to explore the city’s serious, diverse food scene, and visitors can embed themselves right in the center of things at the  Marriott Riverwalk .

outer banks north carolina

8. Outer Banks, North Carolina

  • Why We Recommend It: laid-back, beachy, good for older generations
  • Pro Tip: rent your beach house as early as possible to get the best choice

Rent a vacation house along the shore in the Outer Banks, a group of barrier islands with picturesque stretches of sand, charming towns and numerous activities for kids. Don’t miss Jockey’s Ridge State Park , which boasts the East Coast’s highest sand dune, and the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island. This is a great pick for families who want to avoid crowds.

waikiki beach hawaii

9. Waikiki Beach, Hawaii

  • Why We Recommend It: beachy, fun, can be all-inclusive
  • Pro Tip: take a day trip to Kualoa Ranch, where Jurassic Park was filmed

If the beach isn’t enough of a draw, Waikiki, a boisterous strip of Honolulu, has tons to see and do, from a lively zoo to hula shows. Nearly every hotel in the area is welcoming to kids, but the Grand Waikikian by Hilton Grand Vacations Club is a good bet for families who want a kitchen and separate bedrooms. Plus, there are five pools and a kid’s club. Not too shabby. Nearby, visitors can ascend the Diamond Head Crater or pay a visit to the museum at Pearl Harbor.  

sanibel island florida

10. Sanibel Island, Florida

  • Why We Recommend It: laid-back, less crowds, scenic
  • Pro Tip: visit between December and April when there is less rain

This small, relaxed island off the coast of Florida is notably family-friendly, with great places to stay, scenic beaches and tons of outdoor activities, like biking, fishing and boating. If it rains, head to the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum , which has activities for young visitors. The hotels on the island tend to be minimal, so look into a beach cottage rental instead.

black hills south dakota

11. Black Hills, South Dakota

  • Why We Recommend It: outdoorsy, budget-friendly, low-key
  • Pro Tip: if you prefer not to drive from home, fly into Rapid City Regional Airport and rent a car there

Mount Rushmore National Memorial is a bucket list sight, and the Black Hills have a plethora of other things to see and do, from Custer State Park to Devils Tower National Monument. Plus, amazing camping, which you can do at Under Canvas Mount Rushmore , a glamping site perfect for those who don’t want to truly rough it.

rocky mountain national park

12. Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

  • Why We Recommend It: fun, outdoorsy, good for all ages
  • Pro Tip: the park entrance fees will be cash-free from June 1, 2023

Outdoorsy types will love Rocky Mountain National Park, a short drive from Denver , which has hiking, horseback riding, scenic drives and lots of wildlife viewing. Book into the YMCA of the Rockies in nearby Estes Park, which has everything from archery to arts and crafts. Plus, the cool cabins are great for family bonding. Due to the pandemic, Rocky Mountain National Park currently has a timed-entry system, where reservations will be required for visitors to the park through October 11, 2021.

sesame place

13. Sesame Place, Pennsylvania

  • Why We Recommend It: good for younger kids, easy to plan, fun
  • Pro Tip: download the park’s free app to keep track of wait times and buy add-ons

Young travelers will love Sesame Place , a theme and water park located in Langhorne, Pennsylvania, where favorite Sesame Street characters are the basis of every activity. The town itself is not super chic, but hotels like the Courtyard by Marriott and the Radisson Hotel Philadelphia Northeast welcome all Sesame Street fans (and are official partners with the theme park). In accordance with CDC guidelines, vaccinated guests are no longer required to wear masks at Sesame Place.

hershey pennsylvania

14. Hershey, Pennsylvania

Travel to the home of Hersheypark , a massive amusement park dedicated to chocolate, where visitors will also find the kid-friendly ZooAmerica and Hershey Gardens . The town of Hershey, known as “the sweetest place on Earth,” has a few resort hotels, as well as the Hersheypark Camping Resort , where families can bunk up together in a log cabin.

aulani resort and spa hawaii

15. Aulani Resort & Spa, Hawaii

  • Why We Recommend It: lots to do, indulgent, bucket list
  • Pro Tip: claim your poolside chairs as early in the day as possible

Slap the name Disney on it and you know the kids will go crazy, but Disney’s Aulani Resort is actually worth the splurge, with pools, activities and its own private beach. During your stay don’t miss character experiences with Mickey and Minnie, boat excursions around O’ahu and even family spa treatments, which mean you can relax alongside your kids. Again, heading to Hawaii means you’ll either need to be fully vaccinated or show a negative COVID-19 test (but it’s worth any hassle).

glenwood springs colorado

16. Glenwood Springs, Colorado

  • Why We Recommend It: outdoorsy, budget-friendly, adventurous
  • Pro Tip: check out Iron Mountain Hot Springs as well as the main Glenwood pool

Located in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, the small town of Glenwood Springs is home to a massive hot springs pool, whitewater rafting and the memorable Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park . Stay in the Hotel Glenwood Springs , which has an indoor waterpark and adjoining suites for larger families. Adventurous visitors should follow the trails to Hanging Lake, one of the area’s most popular hiking destinations.

san francisco california

17. San Francisco, California

  • Why We Recommend It: lots to do, good for all ages, adjacent to nature
  • Pro Tip: visit during the fall when it’s unexpectedly sunny and warm

Explore California’s northern city with young kids or teens, enjoying the museums, amazing restaurants and ferry boats, which can take you to Sausalito or Alcatraz, depending on your mood. Spend an afternoon at the Exploratorium at Pier 15, an interactive museum that replicates tornadoes and earthquakes. For a splurge, stay at the Fairmont Heritage Place Ghirardelli Square , which gets you up close and personal with the Ghirardelli Chocolate Factory.

the wizarding world of harry potter california

18. The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter, California

  • Why We Recommend It: good for all ages, bucket list, magical
  • Pro Tip: purchase Universal Express passes to skip the lines

Universal Studios Hollywood is the gateway to Hogwarts, where kids and adults can sip on butterbeer, ride a Hippogriff-themed roller coaster and shop in Hogsmeade. Universal Studios also has tons of other attractions, like the WaterWorld Stunt Show and the relatively brand new Jurassic World: The Ride. If you’re visiting for a few days, snag a package deal with park passes and one of the nearby hotels. Universal Studios Hollywood no longer requires masks for vaccinated guests, but recommends them in all indoor areas.

colonial williamsburg

19. Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

  • Why We Recommend It: historic, unique, good for older kids
  • Pro Tip: this can be a good add-on to a longer trip to Washington, D.C. or Virginia Beach

Jump back in time to 18th-century Virginia, where visitors can explore historical shops and homes and learn about trades like glass-blowing and blacksmithing. Get in on the old time vibe at the Williamsburg Lodge , a four-star hotel set in a Colonial-era mansion (with a much more modern swimming pool). Note that while vaccinated visitors don’t have to wear masks when visiting Colonial Williamsburg, all guests do need to wear one on the parking lot shuttle buses.

wisconsin dells

20. Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin

  • Why We Recommend It: fun, good for all ages, family-friendly
  • Pro Tip: don’t miss one of the scenic boat trips around the Dells

Family vacations are the thing in Wisconsin Dells, a city with numerous theme parks and waterparks, including Mt. Olympus Water and Theme Park , Chula Vista Resort or the “best and largest waterpark in the Dells,” Noah’s Ark . Stay in the popular Great Wolf Lodge , an indoor waterpark resort with tons of activities, shopping and dining options—and, of course, waterslides.

virginia beach

21. Virginia Beach, Virginia

  • Why We Recommend It: outdoorsy, laid-back, beachy
  • Pro Tip: late May and early September are great times to visit if you want to avoid crowds

Virginia Beach welcomes visitors welcomes visitors to its sandy shores with a top-notch boardwalk, the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center and the Ocean Breeze Waterpark . Keep the kids happy at the Holiday Inn & Suites North Beach , which boasts three pools, a lazy river and nautical-themed guest rooms (with kitchenettes).

boston massachusetts

22. Boston, Massachusetts

  • Why We Recommend It: lots to do, historic, good for all ages
  • Pro Tip: summer brings nice weather, but fall is an especially scenic time to enjoy New England

Head to New England for amazing seasons and lots to do in Boston, a city with museums, parks, the Freedom Trail and, of course, great seafood. The Boston Children’s Museum is also a good bet, especially when visiting during the freezing cold winter. The Boston Marriott Long Wharf sets you up with easy access to all sites, including the impressive New England Aquarium. If you need a little more space and quiet, drive out of the city to one of Cape Cod’s picturesque beaches.

grand canyon national park

23. Grand Canyon National Park

  • Why We Recommend It: outdoorsy, good for older kids, bucket list
  • Pro Tip: don’t miss Bright Angel Point Trail, one of the most popular hiking trails

Grand Canyon National Park offers a Junior Ranger program for young visitors, as well as biking and hiking trails, a geology museum and river rafting (for teens). Camping is the best way to experience the park—look for the North Rim campground—or book a room at the Maswik Lodge , a rustic hotel not far from the canyon’s edge. Note that a few of the park entrances remain closed, so check online ahead of your visit for any updates.

blue ridge mountains south carolina

24. Blue Ridge Parkway

  • Why We Recommend It: laid-back, outdoorsy, budget-friendly
  • Pro Tip: extend your vacation with a road trip along the Blue Ridge Parkway

Experience the great outdoors by hiking in the Blue Ridge Mountains or rafting down the Chattooga River, all in an area that’s perfect for families with kids of any age. Settle down for the night at the Bear Den Family Campground and Creekside Cabins, which has campsites and cabins that cater to both young and old travelers.

cooperstown new york

25. Cooperstown, New York

  • Why We Recommend It: historic, fun, sporty
  • Pro Tip: parents will love the Cooperstown Beverage Trail, which hits several breweries

Baseball fans should book a trip to Coopertown, home to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum —as well as numerous other kid-appropriate attractions, like the Farmers’ Museum and the Fenimore Art Museum . For something extra special, stay at the incredible Otesaga Resort Hotel , which was built in 1909 and overlooks the picturesque Ostego Lake. Score your timed tickets to National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum ahead of time online.

denali national park alaska

26. D enali National Park and Preserve, Alaska

  • Why We Recommend It: outdoorsy, scenic, bucket list
  • Pro Tip: koin one of the ranger programs in the park, which include sled-dog demos

Older kids will love the vast stretches of wilderness in Alaska’s Denali National Park and Preserve, an area that welcomes travelers from May to September to hike, spot wildlife and camp. It’s camping only in these parts, but  Riley Creek Campground  has good amenities and access to the main road (it’s recommended to reserve campsites in advance). There is a small fee to enter Denali National Park and Preserve, which you can  pay ahead of time  online.

florida space coast

27. Florida Space Coast

  • Why We Recommend It: unique, beachy, nice weather
  • Pro Tip: plan your trip around a rocket launch, which can be viewed from multiple spots along the coast

The area surrounding the Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station makes for an engaging family vacation, with beaches, rocket launches and several towns to explore. There are tons of vacation rentals and condos available, but if you prefer a hotel check out the Four Points by Sheraton on Cocoa Beach , which is a short drive to all of the nearby attractions.

arches national park utah

28. Arches National Park, Utah

  • Why We Recommend It: outdoorsy, fun, good for older kids
  • Pro Tip: temperatures in mid-summer can be above 100, so visit during the spring or fall for the best weather

The brilliant red landscape of Arches National Park is a memorable spot for any traveler, but especially for those who enjoy camping, rock climbing and bouldering and exploring endless hiking trails through the rocky vistas. Moab features a range of accommodations, from campgrounds to chic hotels, so it’s really a matter of preference where to stay. For something really scenic head to Red Cliffs Lodge , a Western-inspired property right on the Colorado River. When visiting Arches National Park during busy summer periods, arrive as early as possible since trailhead parking lots can fill up quickly.

indianapolis indiana

29. Indianapolis, Indiana

  • Why We Recommend It: lots to do, good for all ages, budget-friendly
  • Pro Tip: rent bikes to navigate the city, which doesn’t offer much public transportation

You’ll never run out of activities in the thriving metropolitan area of Indianapolis, with the Indianapolis Zoo , the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis (the largest in the world) and Corner Prairie , a massive outdoor, interactive museum. The centrally-located Conrad Indianapolis notoriously caters to small travelers, and the property is connected to the Circle Center Mall, making it perfect for grabbing a snack—or bribing the kids with a new toy.

huntsville alabama

30. Huntsville, Alabama

  • Why We Recommend It: good for all ages, less crowded, lots to do
  • Pro Tip: the Huntsville Attractions Pass offers discounted rates for local attractions

The U.S. Space & Rocket Center is the main draw for kids in Huntsville, but the Alabama city is also home to the Huntsville Botanical Garden, the EarlyWorks Children's History Museum and the Altitude Trampoline Park. Book a room at the budget-friendly Hampton Inn Huntsville , which has a playground, an indoor pool and a location that’s walking distance from several restaurants. When visiting the U.S. Space & Rocket Center bring along mask—they’re still required on certain attractions—and note that some exhibits are currently closed due to social distancing concerns.

lake winnepesaukah georgia

31. Lake Winnepesaukah, Georgia

  • Why We Recommend It: Lots to do, scenic, can be budget-friendly
  • Pro Tip: Visit in October to enjoy the park’s Halloween-themed events and activities

Lake Winnepesaukah , called “Lake Winnie” by those in the know, is one of the U.S.’s best amusement parks, featuring rides, games, a waterpark and lots of picnic spots for a lunch break. There are plenty of chain hotels and eateries located near the park, both in Georgia and neighboring Tennessee. For something more historic, The Read House in Chattanooga is a charming hotel near the Tennessee Riverwalk and the Tennessee Aquarium.

cedar point sandusky ohio

32. Cedar Point, Ohio

  • Why We Recommend It: Easy to plan, family-friendly, fun
  • Pro Tip: Cedar Point is open daily during the summers, but has limited opening hours the rest of the year

Known as the “coaster capital of the world,” Cedar Point is where you go for some serious thrills—and, potentially, for a memorable family vacation. The location on Lake Erie offers the possibility for boating, swimming and fishing, and Castaway Bay is a nearby indoor waterpark with a tropical theme. Book a cabin at Lighthouse Point , a lakefront site with an outdoor pool and early daily access to Cedar Point. Cedar Point currently requires reservations in advance, although social distancing and capacity limits are no longer in place.

dinosaur valley state park texas

33. Dinosaur Valley State Park, Texas

  • Why We Recommend It: outdoorsy, fun, good for all ages
  • Pro Tip: visit during the winter for less crowds or during the spring for the best weather

There’s no greater moment than stepping into an actual dinosaur footprint, one of the many activities you can seek out in Dinosaur Valley State Park , located outside Fort Worth, which also boasts the memorable amusement park Dinosaur World. You could find a nearby hotel, but the park’s campgrounds are a better way to immerse the family in the area. Reserve a campsite ahead of time online, looking for one with electricity and showers if needed.

williams arizona

34. Williams, Arizona

  • Why We Recommend It: wildlife, scenic, adventurous
  • Pro Tip: The animals at Bearizona are more active in the mornings, so arrive early

Drive through Bearizona Wildlife Park in Williams, where visitors can spot animals like wolves, bears and bison. Bonus: Williams is on historic Route 66, which leads you right into Grand Canyon National Park. The hotels around Williams are rustic, to say the least, but Under Canvas Grand Canyon boasts amazing glamping tents with far better amenities than some of the local motels.

mammoth cave national park kentucky

35. Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky

  • Why We Recommend It: adventurous, good for all ages, outdoorsy
  • Pro Tip: if you plan on camping, book your campsites in advance

Venture inside real-life caves in Mammoth Cave National Park, which boasts the longest known cave system in the world. There’s also boating, hiking and a place called Dinosaur World, which you’ll obviously need to visit. Keep the outdoor spirit at The Lodge at Mammoth Cave , which has nice picnic areas and is walking distance from the park entrance.

niagra falls new york

36. Niagara Falls, New York

  • Why We Recommend It: lots to do, good for all ages, bucket list
  • Pro Tip: plan to experience both sides of the Falls during your stay

Head north to Niagara Falls, where your family will enjoy Fallsview Indoor Waterpark , a Hornblower boat cruise around the iconic falls and the Niagara Butterfly Conservatory. The Skyline Hotel & Waterpark will keep kids happy with some indoor splashing fun, but is nice enough for adults to enjoy too. Across the border, be sure to check out  Great Wolf Lodge .

mackinac island michigan

37. Mackinac Island, Michigan

  • Why We Recommend It: scenic, historic, good for older generations
  • Pro Tip: wear comfortable shoes as the island requires a lot of walking (some of it uphill)

Located in Lake Huron, Mackinac Island is a charming destination with historic Fort Mackinac, Victorian-style shops and hotels and no cars, so you can travel by horse and buggy or bike. The historic Grand Hotel is the obvious choice when staying on the island, especially if you have kids who like to dress up for afternoon tea, however the Bicycle Street Inn and Suites is better for those on a budget (and it has fridges and microwaves in the rooms). Note that visitors need to take a ferry to access Mackinac Island, so be sure to bring along a mask for the boat ride.

legoland florida resort

38. Legoland Florida Resort, Florida

  • Why We Recommend It: family-friendly, easy to plan, good for all ages
  • Pro Tip: bring a change of clothes for the kids as they will likely get wet in the theme park

Enjoy the theme park and water park attractions at LEGOLAND’s Florida outpost , a massive resort with three colorful, themed hotels. Select the LEGOLAND Beach Retreat , which has colorful bungalows and an outdoor pool. The area of Winter Haven is also less than 30 miles from Walt Disney World, which means you can hit two theme parks in one magic-filled vacation. Safety measures at LEGOLAND include cashless payments, social distancing and masks for unvaccinated guests.

boulder colorado

39. Boulder, Colorado

  • Why We Recommend It: outdoorsy, scenic, good for all ages
  • Pro Tip: pair your trip to Boulder with a visit to Estes Park, located a short drive away

Nature lovers will find access to hiking, kayaking and biking in Boulder , a picturesque town at the foot of the Rockies with a pedestrian mall and lots of parks and playgrounds. The Boulder Marriott is a good bet for travelers who want to keep things central and easy, but if you want a bit more adventure, the A-Lodge Boulder has an outdoor pool, film screenings and group hikes to accompany its creek-side cabins.

stowe vermont

40. Stowe, Vermont

  • Why We Recommend It: outdoorsy, lots to do, good for all ages
  • Pro Tip: come in the fall to enjoy the colorful trees (as well as less crowds)

Stowe, known for its ski resort, is best in the winter, but the small town is also great for adventurous travelers in the warmer months, with hiking, fishing and kayaking at the ready. Family lodging is available throughout Stowe Stowe and the Lodge at Spruce Peak is a favorite amongst travelers thanks to the full kitchens in each room and the ski-in/ski-out location. It also has its own ski school, in case you want to ditch the kids for a morning on the slopes.

st louis missouri

41. St. Louis, Missouri

  • Why We Recommend It: lots to do, can be budget-friendly, lively
  • Pro Tip: visit between May and September, when the weather is nice and there is more to do outside

St. Louis has the kid essentials of any good city—the Saint Louis Zoo , the Saint Louis Science Center, the Magic House children’s museum—but it’s also got a slew of things for parents, from great restaurants to a buzzy night scene. Get up close to the famous arch at the Hyatt Regency St. Louis at The Arch , a hotel that’s also super close to Busch Stadium and Gateway Mall.

seattle washington

42. Seattle, Washington

If the Space Needle isn’t enough to get your kids excited for Seattle , the Seattle Aquarium, the Woodland Park Zoo and the Pike Place Market’s fish throwers should do the trick. The Kimpton Palladian Hotel has a great location downtown with options of connecting rooms and rollaway beds, or you can opt to save some money at the Homewood Suites by Hilton Seattle Downtown , which includes breakfast and two separate bedrooms in all the guest suites.

yosemite national park california

43. Yosemite National Park, California

  • Why We Recommend It: adventurous, budget-friendly, scenic
  • Pro Tip: Yosemite welcomes travelers all year, so plan your visit according to what you want to do

The scenery alone should draw you to Yosemite National Park, which is nestled in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains, but it’s the wealth of things to do that make it an ideal vacation, even if your family isn’t that into camping. Of course, if you are willing to rough it, Housekeeping Camp features pre-built tents with electricity and running water, and each can sleep up to six. Day visitors need a ticketed reservation to enter Yosemite National Park, which can be made  online , while overnight guests will need to show a hotel or campground reservation when they head in.

portland maine

44. Portland, Maine

  • Why We Recommend It: culinary scene, lots to do, good for older kids
  • Pro Tip: expand your vacation with a road trip along Maine’s coast

Get away from the daily stress in Portland, a historic city filled with lighthouses, beaches and a chic West End area, as well as a children’s museum and horse-drawn carriage rides. Don’t hesitate to book The Press Hotel , a chic property located in the former Portland Press Herald offices. For dinner, stop into OTTO, a local pizzeria with unique toppings.

hamptons new york

45. The Hamptons, New York

  • Why We Recommend It: laid-back, beachy, bucket list
  • Pro Tip: if you prefer not to rent a car, the Hampton Jitney delivers visitors to several destinations daily

The posh set heads to the Hamptons every summer, renting massive beach houses and dining in pricey seafood restaurants, but family-friendly areas like Montauk and East Hampton aren’t just for the rich and famous. Book into a vacation rental or opt for a hotel, like Gurney's Montauk Resort & Seawater Spa , which welcomes kids.

las vegas nevada

46. Las Vegas, Nevada

  • Why We Recommend It: lively, lots to do, unexpected for kids
  • Pro Tip: skip the rental car and take the Las Vegas Monorail or quick Uber rides

Sin City isn’t just for grown-ups with Cirque du Soleil, the Big Apple Coaster and Adventuredome Theme Park. There are numerous bargain-friendly hotel rates to be had, especially at the fun-loving Circus Circus and Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino (which has its own aquarium). Don’t forget to visit the Flamingo Wildlife Habitat, obviously located in the Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel .

highway 1 california

47. Highway 1, California

  • Why We Recommend It: adventurous, fun, easy to plan
  • Pro Tip: ff the kids can’t make it long distances in the car, plan outings inland along the way

Take a road trip along Highway 1 , a coastal road that journeys from San Diego to Big Sur, stopping in spots like Santa Barbara and Carmel along the way. Pismo Beach makes for a scenic pit stop, especially for beach lovers, but it’s Carmel where you should stay the night. Try the Carmel River Inn or Hotel Carmel , both boutique properties walking distance from the ocean. The Monterey Bay Aquarium is also a must-do for animal lovers.

nashville tennessee

48. Nashville, Tennessee

  • Why We Recommend It: lively, culinary scene, great music
  • Pro Tip: book concert tickets in advance, especially if you plan to bring along the kids

Music is the thing in Nashville , a thriving city with the top-notch Adventure Science Center, a great kids’ theater and the ever-popular Treetop Adventure Park. Be sure to take in a country show at the famed Ryman Auditorium. Downtown is the best place to stay with kids, so look for the Omni Nashville or the Cambria Hotel Nashville Downtown . Oh, and be sure to grab barbecue at Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint.

joshua tree national park california

49. Joshua Tree National Park, California

  • Why We Recommend It: outdoorsy, peaceful, budget-friendly
  • Pro Tip: preload your map or bring a paper one as cell service can be spotty

Camp under the stars in Joshua Tree National Park, located not far from Palm Springs , where the Mojave and the Colorado deserts meet in an unearthly landscape. Be sure to stop by Pioneertown, a historical Western town with a restaurant and music venue called Pappy and Harriet’s. Enjoy the sunrise at the Jumbo Rocks Campground , known for its scenic rock formations. Jumbo Rocks requires reservations during its busy season, which runs from September through May.

columbia river gorge national scenic area oregon

50. Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, Oregon

  • Why We Recommend It: outdoorsy, quiet, good for all ages
  • Pro Tip: prepare for all types of weather, even during the summer months

The scenic Columbia River runs through the Pacific Northwest, creating a beautiful expanse of mountains and waterfalls, perfect for a holiday trip away from crowds. There are tons of great campgrounds dotted along the river, so it’s easy to find a place to stay the night in the midst of the wilderness. Many of the campgrounds, like leafy Eagle Creek , can be booked in advance online.

51. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

  • Why We Recommend It: beachy, easy to plan, good for older generations
  • Pro Tip: plan in advance as Myrtle Beach can be very popular during the summer and over holidays

The upbeat beach town of Myrtle Beach is known for its vibrant boardwalk and arcades and beautiful coastline, which is best enjoyed from one of the local resorts or vacation rentals. Kids will love the water sport options, from kayaking to swimming, and parents will appreciate the laid-back atmosphere. Book a room at the Marriott Myrtle Beach Resort & Spa at Grande Dunes , which boasts seaside access and great amenities.

22 Kid-Friendly Airbnbs to Rent for Your Next Family Vacation

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  • Last Updated On
  • October 17, 2023

13 Best Vacations for Kids Under 10 Years Old – Fun Places to Go!

Emily Appelbaum

Embarking on a family vacation with kids under ten years old is an adventure like no other.

It’s a time filled with laughter, discovery, and the creation of lifelong memories.

From exploring captivating destinations to engaging in exciting activities, the best vacations for kids under 10 offer a world of wonder and imagination.

These extraordinary getaways are carefully crafted to cater to the interests of your family.

But choosing the best place that will fit your family’s preferences and budget might be overwhelming.

My family and I experienced the same challenge.

And that’s why I will help you plan for your epic family getaway by reviewing these fantastic destinations.

I have learned a lot from traveling with kids, and I also talked to other families.

I also rated each destination according to its safety, kid-friendly activities, affordability, ease of travel, and more.

I did this to help travelers like you have stress-free vacation planning.

So, prepare yourselves as you discover the top-rated destinations in our reviews below.

Best Vacations For Kids Under 10 Compared

Whether you’re searching for a fun-filled or thrilling kid-friendly destination, we got your back.

Here’s a comprehensive review of our top-pick destinations.

Editor’s Choice

5 year old trip

Portland Marriott Downtown Waterfront

Located in Portland, Oregon, the Portland Marriott Downtown Waterfront is a premier hotel offering an exceptional family experience.

  • Safety: 4/5
  • Kid-Friendly Activities: 4/5
  • Affordability: 3/5
  • Ease of Travel: 4/5
  • Accommodation Options: 4/5
  • Food Diversity: 4/5

#2nd Best Choice

5 year old trip

Park Hyatt Vienna

Located in Vienna, Austria, the Park Hyatt Vienna is an exquisite hotel that offers an extraordinary experience.

  • Safety: 5/5
  • Kid-Friendly Activities: 3.5/5
  • Food Diversity: 5/5

#3rd Best Choice

5 year old trip

Cedar Cove Resort & Cottages

Situated along the stunning Gulf Coast in Holmes Beach, Florida, Cedar Cove Resort & Cottages offers a memorable vacation experience for families.

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: 5/5
  • Ease of Travel: 3.5/5
  • Food Diversity: 3.5/5

Here are the top vacations for children under 10 years old.

1. Portland Marriott Downtown Waterfront (Editor’s Choice)

Portland Marriott Downtown Waterfront

1401 SW Naito Pkwy Portland, OR 97201 (503) 226-7600 Visit Website Social Media Open in Google Maps

Ratings Criteria

  • Convenient downtown location with waterfront views
  • Various kid-friendly amenities
  •  Expensive rates

The hotel boasts a convenient downtown location with easy access to popular attractions and entertainment venues.

The hotel’s spacious and comfortable rooms ensure a pleasant stay, while their staff are friendly and attentive.

Portland Marriott features a swimming pool where your kids can splash and play.

It also has a game room with fun activities to entertain them.

Apart from that, Portland Marriott Downtown Waterfront is near the Oregon Zoo and the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry.

Related: Places to Eat: Portland, OR

2. Park Hyatt Vienna

Park Hyatt Vienna

Am Hof 2 1010 Wien, Austria (122) 740-1234 Visit Website Social Media Open in Google Maps

  • Luxurious rooms
  • Multiple dining options
  • Limited kid-friendly activities within the hotel

The Park Hyatt Vienna is known for its impeccable services and luxurious amenities.

The hotel offers spacious and elegantly appointed rooms to provide your family with a comfortable retreat.

Their attentive staff ensures that your needs are met, offering personalized assistance and creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

Although the hotel may not have an extensive list of on-site activities specifically designed for kids, its central location allows families to explore Vienna’s family-friendly attractions.

From visiting the Schonbrunn Palace to enjoying a horse-drawn carriage ride, there are countless opportunities for children to enjoy the trip.

Related: Best Family Vacations in Europe

3. Cedar Cove Resort & Cottages

Cedar Cove Resort & Cottages

2710 Gulf Dr N Holmes Beach, FL 34217 (800) 206-6293 Visit Website Social Media Open in Google Maps

  • Various beach and water activities
  • Relaxing and peaceful ambiance
  • Additional charges for certain amenities and services

This beachfront resort provides a picturesque setting with its pure white sand beaches and crystal-clear waters, ideal for your family getaway.

The resort offers various beach and water activities, such as swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking, ensuring endless fun adventures for your kids.

They can also build sandcastles on the beach, splash in the resort’s swimming pool, or engage in friendly games at the designated play areas.

What’s more, the resort’s peaceful ambiance allows families to relax and unwind, surrounded by the natural beauty of the Gulf Coast.

Related: Restaurants: Sarasota, Florida

Related: Restaurants: Venice, Florida

4. Four Seasons Chicago

Four Seasons Chicago

120 E Delaware Pl Chicago, IL 60611 (312) 280-8800 Visit Website Social Media Open in Google Maps

Nestled on the iconic Magnificent Mile, Four Seasons Chicago is a luxurious hotel renowned for its excellent service and world-class amenities.

The hotel provides spacious and elegantly designed rooms and suites, ensuring a comfortable and stylish retreat.

The hotel also offers an impressive range of amenities and activities.

The Kids for All Seasons program provides children with a supervised and engaging experience.

The program has activities like arts and crafts, interactive games, and educational workshops.

You and your kids will also love the hotel’s spectacular indoor pool, where you can splash and play.

They also have a dedicated poolside menu with delicious kid-friendly options.

5. Victoria, British Columbia

Victoria, British Columbia

Victoria, BC, Canada V8W 1T3 (250) 953-2033 Visit Website Social Media Open in Google Maps

Picturesque Victoria boasts some truly lovely gardens and green spaces, which means plenty of space to play!

A family favorite is the Fisherman’s Wharf, replete with colorful waterfront homes, fresh seafood, harbor seals and “water-ballet”-performing water taxis (on specified dates); your 4 year old will love the color and vibrancy!

The Chinatown area, North America’s 2nd oldest, is a great spot for shopping and noodles; you can also see Canada’s narrowest street here—Fan Tan Alley.

If insects don’t send chills up your little one’s spine, consider a visit to the Victoria Bug Zoo with its tanks of live bugs from across the world.

You’ll also be treated to over 550 million years of natural history at the Royal British Columbia; the interactive exhibits are fun, all the while enabling learning in your tyke.

Recommended Hotel: Magnolia Hotel & Spa

6. Albuquerque, New Mexico

Albuquerque, New Mexico

Albuquerque, NM (505) 222-4357 Visit Website Social Media Open in Google Maps

The state of posh spas and beautiful Spanish architecture from the colonial era, New Mexico is home to Albuquerque, where family-friendly fun is on offer the whole year through.

Perhaps the city’s biggest draw is the Balloon Fiesta held every fall, which is when most families visit.

Stick around till winter and the ski areas are a treat, with customized sledding and skiing lessons just for the tots.

Other great places to go include the Petroglyph National Monument where you’ll find carvings from as early as the 1300s, Old Town to wine, dine and shop and the riverside ABQ BioPark.

Stay at the Hyatt Regency Tamaya to enjoy 3 pools, a waterslide and activities such as bread making, horseback riding and leather stamping, sampling fresh pueblo oven bread, dance performances and storytelling sessions under the stars.

Recommended Hotel: Hotel Parq Central Albuquerque

Related: Places to Eat in Albuquerque, NM

7. Legoland, Florida

1 Legoland Way Winter Haven, FL 33884 (888) 690-5346 Visit Website Social Media Open in Google Maps

Florida’s Legoland is a world unto itself and sets the stage for a great vacation for children between the ages of 2 and 12.

With plenty of properties around the world, Legoland is one of the top family-friendly destination spots, regardless of where!

Apart from quintessential amusement park rides, shows and Lego landscapes, Legoland theme park features fun roller coasters, built to be thrilling enough for the older ones while also being gentle enough for the younger ones, who are new to the adrenaline rushes.

You’ll find attractions from the Lego Movie World, such as the Battle of Bricksburg (the schiite for water battles), Unikitty’s Disco Drop and Masters of Flight, to name a few.

Stay at one of the Legoland-themed hotels on-site for fun that extends beyond the amusement park rides!

Recommended Hotel: LEGOLAND® Florida Resort

8. Dude Ranch

1122 12th St, Cody, WY 82414 (307) 587-2339 Visit Website Social Media Open in Google Maps

If you’ve got kids who are 4, 5, or 6 year olds, also known as “the age when they still love mom and dad but are cool enough to be on their own”, Dude Ranch is an excellent idea!

Dude Ranch presents a great combination of plenty of family downtime where you can bond and a plethora of outdoor activities just for the tots—they can enjoy their independence while you catch a much-deserved break with the spouse!

The cherry on the cake is that Dude Ranch is all-inclusive, which not only saves you money but also does away with the worry of figuring out meal stops each night.

Your family will also have more opportunities to meet other families and make new friends.

Recommended Hotel: Northern Hotel

9. Frisco, Texas

Frisco, Texas

Frisco, TX (972) 292-5250 Visit Website Social Media Open in Google Maps

The proud home of the Dallas Cowboys, Frisco is a great option if you’re a family of sports lovers.

Between The Star, the National Soccer Hall of Fame and the National Videogame Museum, almost every kind of sport is covered, both digital and non-digital!

Frisco also holds the distinction of being the first American city where KidZania, an internationally-renown interactive theme park for tots, set up shop; the brand threw open its doors in Frisco as recently as 2019.

KidZania is of, for and by the kids—tots can be pilots, window-washers, doctors, whatever they wish, and earn KidZos (currency) for it, too.

Come summer, head to the Dr. Pepper Ballpark to catch an exciting Frisco RoughRiders game, or enjoy a leisurely float on the on-site lazy river.

Recommended Hotel: Omni Frisco Hotel

10. Dinosaur Valley State Park, Texas

1629 Park Rd 59 Glen Rose, TX 76043 (254) 897-4588 Visit Website Social Media Open in Google Maps

Situated around 75 miles southwest of Dallas, the Dinosaur Valley State Park is an excellent idea if your tots are between the ages of 5 and 11 and love dinosaurs (let’s admit it—which kid doesn’t?)

Home to some of the world’s best-preserved dinosaur tracks, you can explore as much as you want at this state park by taking a tour in a covered wagon, mountain biking through the trails or simply walking.

Explore the footprints near the Paluxy River; once you’re done, go fishing with poles that you can rent as part of the park’s Tackle Loaner Program.

Also, consider exploring the many museums in Texas’ Dinosaur Capital—downtown Glen Rose.

For a truly unique experience, camp at the park; pitch a tent or park your RV.

Recommended Hotel: Hilton Garden Inn Granbury

11. Disney World, Florida

Orlando, FL 32830 (407) 939-5277 Visit Website Social Media Open in Google Maps

If you’re visiting the real deal, original, first-in-the-world Disney World in Florida, you can rest assured that the vacation is going to be special for you and the tots alike.

Whether 2, 20 or 80, Disney World has always captivated kids of all ages!

Little ones will love seeing their favorite Disney characters in flesh and blood while the fireworks display over Cinderella’s Castle will have them gasping in awe.

Start with the classics at the Magic Kingdom, after which, you can explore the Animal Kingdom that’s fresh off its 20th-anniversary celebrations.

Disney Springs is a must visit for the Star Wars and Toy Story fans (yes, I’m talking about mom and dad!).

Staying at a Disney property is a good idea (duh!); another family-friendly, budget-friendly option to consider is Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld.

Recommended Hotel: Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort

12. San Diego Zoo, California

San Diego Zoo, California

2920 Zoo Dr San Diego, CA 92101 (619) 231-1515 Visit Website Social Media Open in Google Maps

One of the best zoos in the world, California’s San Diego Zoo is one of the few places in all of the United States where you can see the world’s tiniest bears and their cousins—giant pandas!

Embark on the Panda Trek to see these not-so-little furballs; choose the Elephant Odyssey for your little one to catch sights of real-life Dumbos or the Northern Frontier to see arctic foxes and polar bears.

Africa Rocks is another popular exhibit, where you can see leopards, lemurs and baboons.

Come October, the “Kids Free San Diego” fervor takes over and most hotels throughout the city offer excellent deals.

If you’re visiting off-season (or any time in the year, really), consider staying at the Manchester Grand Hyatt (right next door to The New Children’s Museum) or Catamaran (for water sports rentals).

Recommended Hotel: The US Grant, a Luxury Collection Hotel, San Diego

Related: Restaurants: San Diego

13. Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin

Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin

Wisconsin Dells, WI (800) 223-3557 Visit Website Social Media Open in Google Maps

When you’re visiting the “water park capital of the world”, you know some good times are in store for your family vacation!

A hit among kids aged 2-14, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to water-based fun in the city—you can get a day pass and make the most of America’s largest water park (Noah’s Ark) or enjoy an African-themed, wild-and-wet resort stay at the Kalahari.

If sunken cities are more to your little one’s liking, head to the Lost City of Atlantis at Mt. Olympus, replete with geysers, slides and, of course, monster dump buckets!

Some of the budget-friendly, family-friendly picks to consider for accommodation include the Hilton Garden Inn, the Alakai or Day’s End Motel; these are also much quieter than the popular resorts with water parks.

Recommended Hotel: Delton Grand Resort and Spa

Related: Restaurants: Wisconsin Dells

Vacationer’s Guide 

Comparing destinations: which one is right for you.

When choosing the most fun places to go with your kids, consider your desired experience and interests.

Also, check and compare each destination’s drawbacks and limitations.

The Portland Marriott Downtown Waterfront offers a convenient downtown location with stunning views and various kid-friendly activities.

However, one drawback of this hotel is its pricing, as it tends to be expensive.

The Park Hyatt Vienna is a luxurious hotel that impresses with its upscale rooms and multiple dining options.

But it has limited on-site kid-friendly activities.

Cedar Cove Resort & Cottages offers a relaxing and peaceful ambiance and provides various beach and water activities.

However, certain amenities and services have additional charges, which can be a downside to other guests.

If you’re seeking a more luxurious alternative to Cedar Cove Resort & Cottages with many amenities and activities, go to Four Seasons Chicago.

Its only drawback is that noise levels can be high during peak tourist season.

How I Picked The Destinations 

I love traveling with my family, and we always choose the best places kids will love.

As we stayed in different destinations, I thoroughly studied each place’s services and other offerings.

I also interacted with other families and travelers, and we talked about their experiences.

Likewise, I asked them for some insights and tips about each property to make my reviews more credible.

Our Rating Method 

I rate these vacations based on the following criteria:

  • Safety: I use this criterion to evaluate the overall safety of every vacation destination. Does it have a strong safety record? Does it provide child-friendly safety measures? These are the questions I ask myself when evaluating safety.
  • Kid-Friendly Activities: I use this criterion to evaluate the availability and quality of kid-friendly activities. Does the destination offer a variety of engaging activities? Is it near theme parks, zoos, museums, nature parks, and beaches? Is it both educational and fun? I consider these factors when rating this criterion.
  • Affordability: This assesses the affordability of the family vacation. Is it expensive? Are the accommodations, activities, meals, and transportation affordable? Are there family-friendly discounts? These are the questions I take into account to rate affordability.
  • Ease of Travel: I use this to rate the accessibility and ease of getting around the area. Is it easy to navigate? Does it offer family-friendly transportation options? Do we need to fly to get to the destination? I ask myself these questions in order to evaluate ease of travel.
  • Accommodation Options: This assesses the availability and quality of accommodations. Does it provide spaces that separate adult and child sleeping areas? Are there amenities like a kitchen, laundry, and swimming pool available? These are the questions I ask when evaluating accommodation options.
  • Food Diversity: This criterion evaluates the availability of kid-friendly food options. Does it cater to different dietary preferences? Are there child-friendly menus? I consider these factors when rating food diversity.

Frequently Asked Questions 

What is the best holiday for kids.

The best holiday for kids is typically considered to be Christmas, as it brings joy and excitement with gifts, decorations, and the magical atmosphere of Santa Claus.

What Are Some Recommended Theme Parks Or Amusement Parks That Are Suitable For Children Under 10 Years Old?

Some recommended theme parks or amusement parks that are suitable for children under ten years old are LEGOLAND California, Universal’s Islands of Adventure, and Sesame Place.

Conclusion 

5 year old trip

Overall, these destinations offer the best vacations for kids under 10 years old.

We had a great time exploring Vienna, thanks to Park Hyatt Vienna’s convenient location.

It was a cultural delight, and my youngest was enchanted by the horse-drawn carriage rides.

At Cedar Cove Resort & Cottages, I enjoyed kayaking with the family and swimming in the crystal-clear waters.

We had a fun-filled day of snorkeling and building sandcastles.

This resort’s peaceful ambiance also allowed us to unwind and create lasting memories together.

We also had a relaxing time at Four Seasons Chicago, with its luxurious and spacious room.

But the Portland Marriott Downtown Waterfront was the best among these hotels and resorts.

From the swimming pool to the game room, my family was entertained throughout our stay.

The hotel staff was also incredibly friendly and accommodating, making sure that we felt welcomed and cared for.

Through every destination, we forged invaluable family memories and, yes, the occasional challenge of traveling with young kids.

13 Best Vacations for Kids Under 10 Years Old - Fun Places to Go!

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11 Best Vacations for Kids Under 10

You'll want to cross these kid-friendly vacations off your family's bucket list before your child outgrows them.

A couple of months before my daughter Katie turned 9, we hopped in the car for a day trip to Idlewild, a beautiful park in western Pennsylvania with a storybook theme. After about an hour of halfheartedly meandering around the Three Bears' house and exploring Jack & Jill's hill, Katie told me, "This would have been cute when I was younger!" She really was too old to be interested in—let alone excited by—most of the activities.

I had missed the boat, but you don't have to do the same. Here are 11 of the best vacations for kids under 10. Trust us: You'll want to take as many of these trips as you can.

The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art

Located in Amherst, Massachusetts, The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art is a fantastic attraction for kids 2 to 8 years old, where kids can create the most amazing projects. Some examples of creations your kids could make include:

  • Tissue-paper collages (like the ones that grace the pages of Carle's works)
  • Layered paper drawings
  • A craft that relates to a special event or temporary exhibition

"My 6-year-old son, Jack, loved making the collages, and he's not typically interested in crafts," says Cindy Leahy, a mom of two in Marshfield, Massachusetts. "Our 2-year-old, Kate, played in the space's toddler area with artsy magnets and blocks."

The museum also has a library with thousands of picture books. Stop by there for staff-led storytime.

Don't miss an Instagram-worthy photo op outside the library: a giant, two-sided Very Hungry Caterpillar reading cubby. Take a scavenger hunt through galleries featuring Carle's original artwork, plus some from other picture-book creators.

Legoland Discovery Centers

Legoland Discovery Centers are like a cool children's museum and a must-visit for families with kids between the ages of 4 and 9. With locations in 14 US states and Toronto, Canada, you're likely to find one of these best vacation spots for kids nearby to woo little Lego fans with the following:

  • Building contests
  • Short 4-D movies
  • Soft play areas
  • Building workshops

Some locations also include a Lego Friends area, a Duplo section for toddlers , and a Star Wars exhibit.

"My 4-year-old can't get enough of the laser ride where he can zap villains in a dragon car," says Cheryl Eugenio, founder of the Chicago-based blog O the Places We Go .

Although tweens are into Legos, they may find the centers babyish. (If your kids love this experience, consider a subsequent trip to a Legoland Theme Park .)

The David F. Bolger Playspace

For your budding acrobat, try a visit to the David F. Bolger Playspace in Sarasota, Florida. This imaginative playground at The Ringling (of circus fame) is attached to its free Bayfront Gardens and is perfect for kids 3 to 8 years old. Designed by famous German manufacturer Richter Spielgeräte, the playground features:

  • Basket-like swings
  • Colorful Bouncing Flowers (aka mini trampolines)
  • A three-story, 12-foot tunnel slide that kids climb up using nets and ladders

Toddlers will like the house with a small slide and splash area with a waterfall.

Children's Museum of Indianapolis

The Children's Museum of Indianapolis in Indianapolis, Indiana is the largest children's museum in the world with five stories of fun. It does a great job of engaging toddlers and pre-tweens (ages 2 to 9) in the same exhibit.

For instance, in the Dinosphere, a parent could help a 3-year-old try on a dinosaur costume while still keeping an eye on their 8-year-old who is talking to a paleontologist about a real dinosaur fossil, says Kim Harms, director of public and media relations. But the earlier you make the trip, the better.

The museum's centerpiece is Playscape, a massive exhibit on the third level just for children 5 and under and their siblings. Kids can launch balls from the Reaction Contraption, see things fly through the Whirly Twirly Tower, and grab a net to explore the pond habitat.

Thoughtful conveniences include:

  • Hand-gel stations
  • Family bathrooms
  • Child-size toilets
  • Nursing rooms

These amenities are right in the space, making the outing less stressful for you, too.

Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park

Started as a tree sanctuary, Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park in Gilroy, California, has become a haven for the stroller crowd (Think: ages 2 to 6). "One of my biggest regrets is that I waited until my kids were 4 and 7 to do it," says Peter Hartlaub, pop-culture critic for the San Francisco Chronicle. "I thought it was going to be cheesy, but it was awesome."

Most of the park's gentle rides are themed around fruits and veggies, so your kiddos can twirl in garlic bulbs, spin in strawberries, or hop on the mushroom swings. "You don't have to worry about teenagers mowing down your kids, and there's never much of a line," Hartlaub says.

By eliminating turnstiles, the park also made getting on the rides easier for families with strollers. It opened a water area where kids might get sprayed by a flower or misted by a pop-up geyser.

Check the park's calendar before you go—in the fall, it's generally open only on weekends.

The Polar Express Train Ride

Inspired by the classic holiday book, railroads in more than 40 cities nationwide offer hour-long Polar Express train rides that feature a reading from the book and a visit with Santa —perfect for kids ages 4 to 9. Many of the railroads also supply a cup of hot chocolate, cookies, and a gift from Santa (just like in the story).

Walt Disney World and Disneyland

Your kids might never outgrow wanting to hang out at Disney's parks in Orlando, Florida and Anaheim, California. But there is a short window when their reaction to meeting their favorite characters is so joyful and endearing that it'll make it worth all the time and money you spent to get there. As a result, it's naturally one of the best vacations for kids.

You can save money on your Disney vacation by going when kids are younger, too. That's because if you go when the kids are 10 or older, you'll have to pay adult prices for their tickets and meals.

Use the free My Disney Experience app to find updated character locations for Disney World.

"You can reserve FastPass+ in advance of your trip: It's essential to see Anna, Elsa, Cinderella, and Rapunzel in Princess Fairytale Hall—otherwise, the wait could be three to five hours," says Len Testa, founder of Touring Plans , a website and app that provides itineraries for seeing the parks.

Lion Country Safari

Head about 20 miles west of downtown West Palm Beach to enter another top vacation spot for kids. At Lion Country Safari in Loxahatchee, Florida, you'll find a nearly 600-acre safari and adventure park where kids can see and interact with some of their favorite animals.

Pack plenty of water and snacks for the hour-and-a-half drive through the seven natural habitats, where you'll see zebras, giraffes, ostriches, lions, and more. Then park and explore the adventure park where your little ones will love the Rio Grande Train and carousel.

This destination is perfect for kids ages 2 to 10. The youngest of the group might be most excited about the petting zoo and giraffe feeding area. Meanwhile, older kids will probably want to spend the entire day at the water park with splash pads, waterfalls, and loop water slides.

Monterey Bay Aquarium

This famous aquarium, about two hours south of San Francisco in Monterey, California, appeals to all ages, but the sweet spot may be ages 1 to 8. Its incredible Splash Zone section—with crawl-through tunnels, textured walls, and low exhibit windows—makes it one of the best vacation destinations for young kids.

Among the 45 interactive exhibits at Monterey Bay Aquarium , kids will find the following:

  • Pull-out plush eels to play with next to living moray eels
  • Touch pools with sea urchins, abalones, and other creatures
  • A dress-up area where they can put on a sea-horse costume next to a tank with actual sea horses
  • Games, knobs, buttons, and levers galore relating to sea life

The exhibit also offers Coral Reef Kingdom, a cornered-off padded section for kids under 34 inches. (Combine with a trip to Gilroy Gardens and make it a long weekend!)

The Crayola Experience

About 80 miles from Philadelphia in Easton, Pennsylvania, you'll find the Crayola Experience . Most of the 25 attractions in this crafty kids' paradise are surprisingly high-tech and great for kids ages 4 to 9. Here, kids can do the following:

  • Create digital works of art and project them onto a bigger screen
  • Use computers to print their crayon labels (with the name of their choice)
  • Generate an image of themselves as a coloring page using a Photobooth

The story of how crayons are made is partially animated, so it's more engaging than ever. But despite all this, double-digit kids will lose interest quickly unless they're super artsy.

Keystone Resort

Keystone Resort is a mountain retreat about 90 miles west of the Denver airport in Keystone, Colorado, where kids have their own life-size snow castle to explore when they hop off the gondola at Dercum Mountain.

"My 9-year-old's jaw dropped when he saw it," says Amy Whitley, founder of the website Pit Stops for Kids . "It's elaborate, featuring tunnels, a lookout tower, ice slides, and an ice sculpture throne. Take a picture on the throne."

The castle is part of Keystone's Kidtopia program, including Saturday afternoon parades with a mascot and cookies.

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Mouse Ear Memories

Itineraries for Disney World 4 and 5 year olds (all four parks)

Save this post for later

Every Disney movie you watch features one similarity… they all have Cinderella’s Castle in all her glory before the video! 

Needless to say, my kids knew to expect Cinderella’s Castle at the beginning of every Disney movie we watched, and would get mad if I skipped past it.

And for most preschoolers, they’ve already picked out a favorite character, know who Mickey Mouse is, and have probably watched Disney World fireworks and parades on Youtube! 

So planning a trip, and an itinerary for your preschooler, seems like the natural thing to do! And if this is your first trip, know you can’t go wrong with a no pressure, no agenda vacation to all four parks. In that case, just grab this list of rides for preschoolers and call it planned!

This itinerary is more for those parents and caregivers that want to hit up a number of rides and shows in a more strategic way.

That way you get the most out of an expensive vacation, or for lots of memories since it might be a once in a lifetime vacation! Especially since the Disney site leaves a lot of things out when it comes to their preschool section.  And yes, I really do think all kids will enjoy disney world, but if you’re wondering if a 4 year old will enjoy disney, understand all the things that work to your advantage!

Either way, you’ll find the preschool itinerary below for a 5 day trip to Disney World. We recommend 5 days , since you’ll have arrival and departure days (days 6 and 7) and we also recommend at least one “off” or “vacation” day where you don’t have plans. Rounding out that trip, you’ve got a magical 8 day vacation to Orlando, Florida and lots of pictures and memories to boot! 

If you can only come for one day, two days or three days, you will still have a blast!

➡️➡️ Need to let the kids run wild? Here’s the play places you can find in each Disney World Park.

Table of Contents

  • How to use this Preschool Disney World Itinerary
  • Magic Kingdom
  • Hollywood Studios
  • Animal Kingdom

Quick pitfalls you’ll need to consider for this itinerary to work.

I could just throw an itinerary at you, but this is less about spoon feeding you and more about helping you make the right choices for your family. 

First up, Should You bring a Stroller? I say yes, with three kids of my own, even when I take them by themselves its a lot of walking. See more pros and cons to Strollers for Preschoolers at Disney in this post. Strollers help with all the stuff you seem to gather, like drinks and snacks and bubble wands.

The big elephant in the room is the weather. In the ‘winter’ months of January- March, you’ll find bitter winds and bitter rain that make it uncomfortable on your sunburned face. 

In June- September, Central Florida gets 60% of it’s yearly rainfall (yes it rains all year, but these days it rains almost every.single.day!) and you might even get to experience a hurricane. 

Weather is a MAJOR player in itineraries, since a regular day is going to look way different than a rainy day. If you come to Disney World, A. bring ponchos and B. make backup plans in case it rains like this rainy day Magic Kingdom itinerary.

The other big factor for your success, is knowing what type of people you are, especially on vacation. What does that means? Are you sleeping in? Going to bed early? Does your preschooler get a nap or quiet time? 

5 year old trip

These are all really important things to factor in so you don’t loose money by being so exhausted at the end of your trip that you just skip a day or two at the park (and Disney knows this and does take advantage of it with multi day discounted tickets!) 

You’ll want to choose the right itinerary based on your habits (not based on what someone else told you- this is a vacation after all!) 

The preschool itineraries for Disney trip with your preschooler! 

Here’s how to use this guide:

  • Pick three items that are important to you, your preschooler, and other family members. These are the ‘can’t miss’ items. Make sure to do this can’t miss items before lunch OR make sure you have time planned in the afternoon/evening to accomplish these goals.
  • Look through the itinerary and pick out the sequence that you think works best for your family. Consider how much time is required to walk between the park (5-10 minutes with medium crowds and no stops).
  • Transportation is a huge time expense. Plan for at least 30 minutes, if not an hour to get inside the parks if you are using Disney Transportation.
  • End of the night gets busy when it comes to transportation. I recommend staying after park close to do the shopping, last minute eating and avoid the rush of crowds (or leave 45 minutes before park close)

Included below is time slots for character meals and greets- see tips here for toddlers and preschoolers meeting characters and how to make the most of your time!

Magic Kingdom Preschooler Itinerary- two days (early start, late start) 

5 year old trip

Early Start Magic Kingdom Preschool Itinerary 

Get Inside the Park early to get pictures in front of the Castle

park opening Rope Drop Peter’s Pan’s Flight or Jungle Cruise Depending on which you’d like more. Both of these get long lines during the day.

Then head to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad or Splash Mountain

After check on Pirates of the Caribbean. If it’s shorter than 20 minutes head there, or go to Tomorrowland Speedway instead.

Right now is a great time to meet Characters like Merida, Pooh or Buzz lightyear. (I’d recommend meeting Mickey at Town Square and The Princesses at Fairytale Hall after lunch or after dinner when wait times are lower and the A/C is welcoming!)

If you are in Tomorrowland (for the speedway) Consider some of the rides there based on the lowest wait time- popular kid rides include Astro Orbiter, Buzz lightyear (great if the wait is below 30 minutes) and the People Mover (which should be below 20 minutes- if not- wait till later).

Lunch at Jungle Navigation Co or The Plaza Restaurant with a Reservation. If you are planning quick serve, grab some snacks and mobile order/wait till lines are shorter. It’s best to mobile order from 10-11 am or 1-3 pm, but not at noon as there is quite a crowd.

In the early afternoon, spend time in the New Fantasyland area. This includes the TeaCups, Winnie the Pooh, The Barnstormer and Dumbo the Flying Elephant.

Plan to spend 30-45 minutes at the Casey Jr. Splash Pad (has bathrooms for changing!) to get cool and let off some steam.

Kids not into the Parade? Skip to the alternative option…

The afternoon parade is at 3, and you can walk over to a spot right by the Castle to get an incredible view.

After the Parade, Walk over to Under the Sea- Journey of the Little Mermaid, or skip this ride to go do some of the shows if it’s rainy or the heat is too much. Great shows include Mickey’s PhilharMagic, The Carosuel of Progress, and the Hall of Presidents.

Not interested in the Parade? Do this instead.

Leave the Splash Pad around 245, walk behind the castle to FrontierLand and Adventure Land (because the parade crowds will have you blocked in). You can catch a small boat to Tom Sawyer Island and play on the playground, or play on the playground at the end of Splash Mountain. You can ride the Flying Carpets (similar to Dumbo) and catch the Tiki Room Show in AdventureLand.

5pm is a great time to catch a break or let the kids run around. Go shopping, meet characters, or let the kids nap.

Dinner and enjoy evening catching rides or characters before the evening shows (be sure to check the App or the Map for exact times on your day!) . 

Favorite rides for the evening include the Regal Carrousel, meeting the Disney Princesses, Riding Tomorrowland Speedway, Riding the People Mover, The Barnstormer and any rides on your Can’t Miss List.

Late Start Touring Plan for Magic Kingdom with Preschoolers  (best for weekdays) 

If you are starting later, or coming over from another park, I’d recommend heading straight to Fantasyland!

Catch rides like The Barnstormer, Dumbo the Flying Elephant (has indoor play area!), The Little Mermaid and then play at Casey Jr. Splash Pad (has bathrooms for changing!) 

After you are done there, head over to Tomorrowland in the afternoon for more rides Astro Orbitor, People Mover, Buzz Lightyear. If it’s really hot, or the weather is rainy, now is a great time to stand in line at Princess FairyTale Hall to meet Princesses. Another Character Meet I’d recommend is a Character Meal at Crystal Palace to meet Pooh and Friends.

After Dinner Decide which rides you’ll still like to do based on wait times. Jungle Cruise, Seven Dwarf Mine Train and Peter Pan all typically have long lines (so if you see them under 40 minutes, that’s a good wait!).

Fun rides to do at night that have lower wait times include:

Big Thunder Mountain, The Barnstormer, the Regal Carrousel,Dumbo,Pirates of the Caribbean

The enjoy the evening catching rides or characters before the Evening/Nighttime shows (be sure to check the App or the Map for exact times on your day!) . 

There are several places to stand to watch the Fireworks.

I prefer to stand on the bridge by TomorrowLand, or the Bridge by AdventureLand, so I can make a quick escape to rides in that area after the fireworks.

My 5 year old daughter, who loves the show, prefers to stand in the crowds in front of the castle. You’ll need to get here about 30-45 minutes before hand on weekdays, and over an hour before hand on weekends/holidays/high crowd days, and pack your patience!

Another good location is by the Tomorrowland Bathrooms (literally right next to The Plaza Inn Restaurant, like smooshed up against the restaurant windows) Those don’t fill up as fast, you can get there about 25 minutes before the show and theres a decent view.

Hollywood Studios One Day Touring Plan with Preschoolers 

Since Hollywood Studios has some new additions and players in the game, there’s a seperate post detailing the HOW to do a day at Hollywood Studios with young kids (and if you want to make it the full day- you’ll need this post!)

5 year old trip

Arrive at least 30 minutes before Park Opening.  

Slinky Dog first thing (or save it for the very end of the night… I vote first thing!) If you go to do the Genie+ Lightning Lane Service, this will fill up the fastest! This is a roller coaster and it’s more intense than Barnstormer and Seven Dwarf Mine Train. My 4 year old loved it and my 6 year old hates it.

While your here, check out the times for the other Toy Story Rides. If you can find Toy Story Mania under 30 minutes, ride it! Same with Alien Swirling Saucers. If Toy Story Land is totally packed, you can try the rides at the end of the night when there’s typically much lower lines (And less heat and sun)!

Next head over to Galaxy’s Edge. Here you can enjoy Millennium Falcon:Smuggler’s Run. The line for this can get longer, but typically doesn’t until mid morning.

OR you can head through Galaxy’s Edge and go over to meet Olaf and Mickey and Minnie. These two meet and greet locations have some wild high wait times, if this is on your list, go earlier in the morning or save it for the afternoon. (Look at the closing times here too! They close well before the park closes!!!)

Catch the Motorcade coming down the road by Olafs meet and great, and the Muppet*Vision 3D or skip those and head to one of the several quick service lunch spots on the left side of the park. Then you can head to the first showing of the Indiana Jones.

Otherwise let’s head over to Sunset Blvd. Here you can get your family pictures in front of Mickey and Minnies Runaway Railway, or further down Tower of Terror in the Background.

Down Sunset Blvd you can go to Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy (which is a great option for A/C. If your 4 or 5 year old is over 40′ inches, enjoy Tower of Terror (but it can be scary! We skip it till they’re older).

Or watch the Beauty and the Beast Show! This show is outside and is affected by the weather. I highly recommend the live Beauty and the Beast Show, followed by the Frozen Ever After Sing Along (The Beauty Show rarely goes over time as it’s scripted, but the Frozen show is full of comedic timing and may go over the schedule!)

At this point you’ll need to plan your meal for dinner and figure out the rest of the day! There’s lots of quick serve places, but I’d recommend a reservation to Hollywood and Vine for Characters, or 50’s primetime for just good food!

Rise of the Resistance is an option for most 4 and 5 year olds. It’s the one instance I’d recommend purchasing a ride skip the line (known as Lightning Lane!). This ride is notorious for breaking line and having sporadic lines, something that’s hard for a younger kid to understand.

I’d recommend going back to the middle of the park, and meeting Characters at the Disney Jr. Dance Spot. Then Watching the Frozen Ever After Show at the Hyperion before riding Mickey and Minnies Runaway Railway. Grab Dinner, catch a ride or two that you missed, and work your way back down Sunset Blvd to wait for Fantasmic.

 Animal Kingdom Preschool One Day Itinerary 

5 year old trip

Rope Dropping at this park is wild. People line up over an hour before hand, and they are mostly all headed to Pandora (Avatar Land) to get in line for Flight of Passage or Navi River Journey.

(Pro Tip: Avoid the long Rope Drop lines with an early reservation to Tusker House Restaurant. Get in, have a meal and meet Characters, and then start your day without the crowding. I’d recommend starting at the Safari!).

So you can Rope Drop Flight of Passage (must be 44 inches or taller), or Navi River Journey  (their will be HUGE lines here, they are headed towards Flight of Passage. Let Cast Members know you *just* want to ride Navi River Journey so you don’t get swept up in the lines).

Navi is a VERY short ride, and while fun, it’s not worth more than 30 minutes or so online. You can always watch it on youtube if you are conflicted, but my kids are not amused. Flight of Passage is great if your child is tall enough and trust worthy! This is a simulation ride where the child will be next to you, but in their own vehicle. My daughter was ready at 5, but my son needed till he was 6.

Personally, I like to go the opposite direction and go to DinoLand. There we can ride Dinosaur and Triceratops spin with no waits.

Then walk back towards the Tree of Life and head to Africa. There get in line for the Safari to see the Animals.

Then Consider the Wildlife Express Train. This takes you to a stop where there is a long walk to the Affection Section ( a petting zoo). While this is very educational, it’s also exhausting, so we typically get off, walk for a few minutes, and then walk back to catch the next train. (At the end of the walk is where you’ll find the Animation Station for learning to draw Disney Characters).

Take the Train Back and grab lunch at the quick serves nearby while enjoying the entertainment. You want to be done by 11:30 to get in line for The Lion King Show.

Lion King Show then consider what’s next.

You could do the Kali River Rapids (height requirement 38 inches) which is a water type ride, or walk all the way around to Finding Nemo: The Big Blue and Beyond Show.

After the Show, head to DinoLand USA again, and let the kids ride rides or play in the Boneyard Play Area. I recommend letting the kids run and play in the playground and Bone Yard for 30 minutes or so, then freshen up to go wait in line to see Mickey and Minnie! This is the only location you’ll find them always together for a meet and greet and photo. Check the app for times to make sure you don’t miss it!

If you skipped Pandora earlier, now is a great time to walk back through Pandora and then exit while viewing the tree of life show. Animal Kingdom is not open super late, so consider this an early evening and get some sleep, or park hop/resort hop/ or head to Disney Springs! If you want to continue the Dino adventures, T-Rex restaurant in Disney Springs is a good option.

EPCOT 

Epcot Preschool Itinerary  is the wild card- could easily do two days but one day is listed for your vacation 

When it comes to an Epcot vacation, you have no choice but to start ‘late’ as the World Showcase doesn’t open up till 11. Most days, the beginning of the park (World Nature, World Celebration and World Discovery) opens up at 9, but you’ll need to check your vacation dates to confirm the hours for this one!

play areas at epcot

Early Start (arrive 45 minutes before park opening) 

Head straight to Test Track OR Frozen depending on your child and your Can’t Miss List. When in doubt, I’d recommend Frozen, and then double back to do Test Track.

After Frozen, you can meet Anna and Elsa there at the Royal Summerhaus in Norway, explore Norway, and then head to Grand Fiesta Tour inside Mexico.

Come back down to World Nature for ride Soarin and Living with the Land inside the Land Pavilion (and you can grab food here too!).

The Adventure Planet Show inside the Land Pavilion is nice and my kids enjoy it, but it’s really just something to keep them entertained. Not a necessity.

Next door is the Seas with Nemo and Friends. Ride Nemo and then you’ll exit to a small play area, an aquarium, Turtle Talk with Crush (so funny and great for the littles!)

After that, head out to The Imagination Pavilion to ride Figment, then meet Vanellope from Wreck it Ralph, Joy from Inside out, and Mickey Mouse Himself! (this is my fav Mickey Mouse greet as his in his tux, and the lines are less than 30 minutes long). You’ll also find the meet and greet here if you have a Disney Visa (credit or debit card). This is an exclusive meet.

If you need a playground, you are close! Over by the Connections Shop, out to the side is a large playground. Instead of turning right to go to World Showcase, head straight past the shop and you’ll see it on the left.

I would skip Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind for most 4 and 5 year olds, here’s a list of rides your kids should enjoy and love before trying Cosmic Rewind.

Then walk up towards the World Showcase and head to the right towards Canada. Our goal here is to head towards France where you can watch the Beauty and the Beast Sing Along and then get in ride for Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure. This is a pretty short ride though, so if the line is longer and it’s not on your list, you can skip it.

Around World Showcase, see the countries, participate in the Kidcot Adventures, and meet Princesses.

Ride Frozen or Grand Fiesta Tour again or head to the Seas Pavillion to do Finding Nemo again. This is also a good time to do SpaceShip Earth as wait times will be lower.

Find a spot for the nighttime entertainment! 

Most Importantly, Have Fun!

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The Best Disney World Itinerary for a 5-Year-Old

5 year old trip

A vacation to Walt Disney World takes a lot of planning, organization, and patience! Don’t fret. We’re here to help!

5 year old trip

We’re going to dive into a 5-day Disney World plan to help prioritize your must-do attractions, your core memory opportunities, and some pretty epic meals, all while experiencing the magic through the eyes of your kindergartener.

There’s a lot to cover at each of the four Disney World parks.  But we’re going to go through each park to give you an idea of the best restaurants, attractions, and events that you might consider checking out with your tykes.  While you may not get to  everything  on each itinerary, it will definitely help get your plans in motion!

Kid-Specific Planning

And we’ll preface this by saying that you know your kid best . We might recommend some typically kid-friendly attractions, but if you know your child is deathly afraid of bears — then the Country Bear Jamboree is probably best skipped. You know what we mean.

5 year old trip

And similarly with your kid’s specific schedule. You’ll want to keep them as close to their home routine as you can in terms of meal times, naps, and bedtime to keep them at their peak happiness levels and avoid some potential meltdowns. This might get tricky with time zone changes and that added excitement of being in Disney World, but plan ahead and just do your best — and give your kid (and yourself!) some grace! So, manage those expectations of what you think you can get done in a day, and don’t push little ones (or yourself) too far, thinking you can get in one more attraction before the nap, because, trust us, that doesn’t end well.

Remember your kid’s taste palate. Disney is filled with restaurants with amazing food. But sometimes kids prefer the familiar, and would rather eat some standard chicken nuggets (we love those, too!) than try Mr. Kamal’s Seasoned Fries (more for you, though!), so be prepared to scope out those menus in advance to make sure there are options for your kiddo.

5 year old trip

Finally, be aware of your child’s exact height measurements so you can know in advance which rides he or she can or cannot ride. Though height varies wides, the typical 5 year is about 43 inches tall. Make sure you know their height in their standard tennis shoes (the ones they’ll be wearing on vacation). And avoid layering socks, fluffing hair, or other sneaky ways to alter your child’s height. Keep in mind that these restrictions are for the safety of your child and in their best interest, and it’s better to be prepared in advance for which rides may not be an option for your kiddo than to experience tears of disappointment from being turned away, or even worse, an injured kiddo!

5 year old trip

But never fear, your friends here at AE have put together a list of your attractions with height restrictions for you , so you can plan ahead and manage those expectations!

Magic Kingdom:

5 year old trip

  • Barnstormer : 35 inch minimum
  • Big Thunder Mountain Railroad : 40 inch minimum
  • Seven Dwarfs Mine Train : 38 inch minimum
  • Space Mountain : 44 inch minimum
  • Splash Mountain : 40 inch minimum
  • Tomorrowland Speedway: 32 in minimum

5 year old trip

  • Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind : 42 inch minimum
  • Mission: Space Orange : 44 inch minimum
  • Mission: Space Green : 40 inch minimum
  • Soarin’ Around the World : 40 inch minimum
  • Test Track : 40 inch minimum

Hollywood Studios:

5 year old trip

  • Alien Swirling Saucers : 32 inch minimum
  • Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run : 38 inch minimum
  • Rise of the Resistance : 40 inch minimum
  • Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster : 48 inch minimum
  • Slinky Dog Dash : 38 inch minimum
  • Star Tours : 40 inch minimum
  • Twilight Zone Tower of Terror : 40 inch minimum

Animal Kingdom:

5 year old trip

  • Avatar Flight of Passage : 44 inch minimum
  • Dinosaur : 40 inch minimum
  • Expedition Everest : 44 inch minimum
  • Kali River Rapids : 38 inch minimum

Basic Disney Planning Tips

There are some decisions you’ll need to make before you skip down Main Street, U.S.A., like whether or not you plan to use Disney’s Genie+ planning tool or are willing to purchase Individual Lightning Lanes for those high-demand attractions. Your budget and your priorities will be the ultimate deciding factor in whether or not this tool will work for you. The two parks we think you can get the most value out of the Genie+, and Individual Lightning Lane options are in Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios, which are both heavy hitters in terms of attractions.

5 year old trip

Though, you can still get a lot accomplished without it, if your goal is complete as much as each park has to offer, you’ll want to take advantage of Early Theme Park Entry and Extended Evening Hours  if you can.

If you’re traveling with little ones who might not meet some of the height requirements for some attractions, you’ll also want to take advantage of Disney’s Rider Swap , so no one has to miss out on their favorite attractions while someone stays behind with the tyke or folks who just might not some of those thrilling rides.

You’ll also want to pre-plan any table service meals you plan to enjoy during your Disney World vacation. Advanced  Dining Reservations for Disney World table service restaurants open up 60 days prior to your vacation, and the most popular dining locations books up quickly!! 

5 year old trip

So, that means not only do you want to figure out which spot you want to eat as early as you can, but you may also want to set an alarm on your calendar to book those reservations as early as 6AM (EST) on that 60-day mark!

Magic Kingdom

The Magic Kingdom is where you’ll find classic Disney attractions, iconic snacks, and loads of Disney characters.

5 year old trip

For many guests, this is the most magical theme park at Disney World! This park has the  most attractions, so if you only have one day to spend here, it might be worthwhile to splurge on getting Genie+ to make the most of your time here. And you’ll also want to make sure you get here as early as you can!

Here are some of our favorite must-do’s at Magic Kingdom.

Attractions

5 year old trip

Now, we’re not going to list every, single attraction in Magic Kingdom, though we certainly love them all for different reasons. Here’s a quick overview of the ones we think you should prioritize, and of course, your mileage may vary based on your family’s interests and potential restrictions .

The most popular are the more “thrilling” rides, which are also the ones that will often have the longest lines. If you’re planning to utilize Rider Swap so the adults can experience these more thrilling rides, then you’ll still want to plan to hit those up, first.

  • Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
  • Splash Mountain
  • Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
  • Space Mountain
  • TRON: Lightcyle Run (opening in 2023)

Another option is to split up! Dad can take Junior over to ride the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, while Mom gets her thrill on at Space Mountain. Just make sure you have a plan and a place to meet up once you’re done. Once you’ve mastered those big hitters, then you’ll want to fit in some of those classic Disney rides:

  • Pirates of the Caribbean
  • Haunted Mansion
  • Jungle Cruise
  • Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
  • “it’s a small world”
  • Peter Pan’s Flight
  • Dumbo the Flying Elephant
  • Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid
  • Mad Tea Party
  • Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin

If you’re going to opt into the Genie+, then these attractions are the ones you’ll want to plan for. If this is gonna be your kiddo’s first experience on any kind of attraction, we’d recommend checking out some ride videos on YouTube ( we have several ), so your little one has a bit of an idea of what to expect. And again, be aware of their sensitivities. If they’re super afraid of the dark, then Haunted Mansion probably isn’t their jam.

Once you’ve marked all of these iconic rides off your list, there are other “filler” attractions that you can work into your day. In our opinion, the PeopleMover is a MUST.

  • Astro Orbiter
  • Tomorrowland Speedway
  • Tomorrowland Transit Authority People Mover

If it’s a hot day, you may especially want to plan for a show or two, so you can get some much-needed air conditioning and time off your feet. We highly recommend Mickey’s Philharmagic and Carousel of Progress!

  • Enchanted Tiki Room
  • Hall of Presidents
  • Mickey’s Philharmagic
  • Country Bear Jamboree
  • Carousel of Progress
  • Monster’s Inc Laugh Floor

5 year old trip

The hits with younger kiddos are Monster’s Inc Laugh Floor and Mickey’s Philharmagic. Sometimes the loud thunder in Enchanted Tiki Room can frighten little ones, and may not be old enough to fully appreciate the nuances of the Hall of Presidents. However, if you can hit Hall of Presidents or Carousel of Progress around nap time, you might be able to entice a drowsy toddler to sleep in those comfy, air-conditioned shows.

The Best and WORST Rides in Magic Kingdom

And while you’re in this magical kingdom, you may want to make time to meet some of your favorite Disney pals!

5 year old trip

  • Meet Ariel at Ariel’s Grotto
  • Meet Belle at Enchanted Tales with Belle
  • Meet Merida at Fairytale Garden
  • Meet an assortment of Princesses (usually Rapunzel , Elena of Avalor, Cinderella , and Tiana ) at Princess Fairytale Hall
  • Meet Mickey & Minnie at Town Square Theater

You can sometimes find other characters roaming the park, like spotting Peter Pan near his attraction, Pooh & Tigger near The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, and Aladdin & Jasmine in Adventureland, so keep your eyes out or check My Disney Experience App for who you might see!

5 year old trip

If you don’t want to wait in line, you can always wave at characters as they pass by in cavalcades or the Festival of Fantasy Parade .

5 year old trip

Now that we’ve addressed all of the attractions you need to prioritize and some of the characters you might want to see and where to find them let’s talk about FOOD!

PHOTOS & VIDEOS: The Festival of Fantasy Parade is BACK in Disney World!

Dining & snacks.

Magic Kingdom is home to some of the most popular restaurants, too. If you’re dying to eat  inside a castle, then you’ll want to make sure you earmark your 60-day window to book reservations at either Be Our Guest (dining in the Beast’s Castle) or Cinderella’s Royal Table (inside THE Cinderella Castle)! Just be aware that in addition to being super popular, they are also pretty pricey and can eat up some serious park time, so plan wisely!

5 year old trip

Some other table service restaurants we enjoy (dare we say even more!) are Crystal Palace for a buffet with Winnie the Pooh and friends ,  or Liberty Tree Tavern , if you’re craving some homestyle cookin’.

5 year old trip

If you don’t want to spend your precious park hours sitting at a table service and are looking more for a meal on the go, there are some great quick service options that keep us coming back time after time! We love having a cinnamon roll for breakfast at Gaston’s Tavern , corn dog nuggets over at Casey’s Corner , or the scrumptious Nutella Fruit Waffle from Sleepy Hollow Refreshments.

But some other quality eats can be found at Columbia Harbour House , if you’re looking for a nice salad or some fish and chips options. Pecos Bill delivers if you want something to fill that Tex-Mex craving, Cosmic Ray’s has those theme staples of burgers, fries, and chicken nuggets.

Also keep in mind that you can exit the park and take the monorail to a resort to eat. If your kiddo needs a break from the park, heading to a resort for lunch or dinner could be a great option. Check out these posts for more info on monorail resort dining options:

  • What to Eat at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
  • What to Eat at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort
  • Why You Should Leave Magic Kingdom to Eat (And Where You Should Go)

The Best And Worst Restaurants in Magic Kingdom

Nighttime shows.

Can you imagine any other way to end the day in Magic Kingdom than with an epic firework show? Disney Enchantment is currently dazzling the Magic Kingdom sky, but we recently learned that a reimagined Happily Ever After will soon be returning !

5 year old trip

The fireworks are magical and amazing, but they’re also loud. If your tyke is sensitive to loud noises, you may want to plan to view the show from further back, closer to the Train Station, and maybe even plan to bring some headphones or earmuffs to help shield those sensitive ears.

VIDEO: Watch the DEBUT of Disney Enchantment Fireworks in Magic Kingdom

Soared on Dumbo — Check! Sang along to “it’s a small world” — Check! Hugged or high-fived some Disney friends — Check!? That wraps up our perfect day in Magic Kingdom, and now time to prepare for our next perfect day in EPCOT!

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EPCOT is home to  Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure ,  Frozen Ever After , and the newest attraction to open in Disney World, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind .

5 year old trip

It also has World Showcase, the best place at Walt Disney World for food and drinks. This park is large and very spread out. Even though it might have literally been years since your kindergartener was in a stroller, you’ll want one for your Disney trip, because those parks are big, and there’s a lot of walking, and those little legs will wear out quickly. So be sure to have your stroller A-game ready, because you’re gonna need it!

There is a lot to see and do in EPCOT, but not a ton of attractions. So though you can definitely use Genie+ here to skip some of those longer lines at the most popular attractions, you probably don’t need it to check off everything on your list.

Guardians of the Galaxy , Soarin’ Around the World , Mission: Space , and Test Track all provide some decent thrills and have height requirements, so if these are on the list of must-dos for adults in your party, be sure to take advantage of Rider Switch or plan for where to meet up afterward.

Disney World’s newest attraction opened here in Spring 2022, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, a groovy indoor coaster with an even groovier soundtrack. It’s currently using the Virtual Queue or Boarding Pass system , so you won’t be able to just hop in line here, you’ll have to study up and have quick fingers on your phone to secure a spot in the Virtual Queue at either 7AM or 1PM. Your other option is to come out of pocket and pay for an Individual Lightning Lane .

5 year old trip

The most popular rides you should prioritize are:

  • Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
  • Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
  • Frozen Ever After

After you’ve completed these must-dos, there are some other classic EPCOT attractions you should make time for:

  • Living with the Land
  • Spaceship Earth
  • Soarin’ Around the World
  • Gran Fiesta Tour with the Three Caballeros
  • The Seas with Nemo and Friends
  • Mission: Space
  • Journey into Imagination with Figment

5 year old trip

If you need an escape from the heat or maybe a spot to sit down and enjoy a show, resting your weary tootsies, there are some beautiful shows that capture the education, culture, and creativity EPCOT was built on:

  • Awesome Planet
  • Disney & Pixar Short Film Festival
  • American Adventure
  • Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along
  • Turtle Talk with Crush

5 year old trip

Each show tends to run about 20 minutes long, so you won’t have time to do them all in one day plus all of the rides and pavilions you’ll want to be sure to check out. But these are nice and entertaining respites from the walking and the heat and might help give you some time for digesting in between snacks around World Showcase. Disney & Pixar Short Film Festival and Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along are probably the most kid-friendly shows. And we definitely recommend Turtle Talk with Crush , which is part show, part character meet, and completely fun for everyone!

After you’ve found Nemo on The Seas with Nemo & Friends, and learned how to speak Turtle with Crush, exploring SeaBase Alpha is another great experience for kids. Plenty of “controlled” space for them to wander at their own pace and explore the aquariums, and explore this underwater wonderland! And you can grab a free Finding Dory Scavenger Hunt and explore the aquarium finding new fishy friends (and bonus: it comes with STICKERS!).

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There are also plenty of other interactive experiences you can see throughout EPCOT, so keep your eyes open and scroll through the My Disney Experience App in case something appeals to you and your family. And there’s more coming soon, like Journey of Water and the Play! Pavilion !

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And, of course, you’ll also find various entertainment around World Showcase like the Mariachi Cobre in the Mexico Pavilion and Sergi in the Italy Pavilion. These entertainers don’t just add some zip to their pavilions but are amazingly talented and worth stopping to appreciate.  Each World Showcase pavilion has a Kidcot Station for kiddos to learn a bit about that country’s culture and do a fun little activity. So your tyke might really enjoy visiting each one!

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AllEars TV: The BEST and WORST Rides in Disney World’s EPCOT

EPCOT is also home to some of our favorite Disney Pals. Check your My Disney Experience App to see who’s out and about and where you can find them!

  • EPCOT Entrance: Goofy and Pluto rotate shifts in Future World
  • Imagination Pavilion: Joy from  Inside Out  and Vanellope von Schweets from  Wreck It Ralph
  • Morocco Pavilion: Princess Jasmine from Aladdin
  • Norway Pavilion in Royal Sommerhus : Anna & Elsa from  Frozen
  • United Kingdom Pavilion: Alice and Mary Poppins
  • France Pavilion: Belle and Princess Aurora
  • Mexico Pavilion: Donald all decked out in his Mexican attire
  • World Showcase Gazebo: Minnie Mouse
  • China Pavilion: Mulan
  • Germany Pavilion: Snow White

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If you’d rather avoid standing in line to meet characters,  you can always book a Character Meal.   Garden Grill has Mickey , Pluto , Chip , and Dale in their farmer’s outfits greeting their guests. And Akershus Royal Banquet Hall is host to a number of rotating Disney princesses where you can usually find Ariel , Snow White , Aurora , Belle , and Jasmine .

You might find some characters wandering the grassy knoll outside the Imagination Pavilion, near the International Gateway in between the UK Pavilion and France, or on the outskirts of the American Adventure Pavilion. So keep your eyes open!

PHOTOS: The HIDDEN Disney Characters You Can Find Around EPCOT!

There is no shortage of dining options in EPCOT, whether you’re looking for luxury table service meals or quick snacks, you can find a wide variety during your day at EPCOT. And luckily, there’s such a wide variety, that your kiddo will find something to enjoy, too!

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Since EPCOT is host to some of the most popular dining experiences, this is another situation where you’ll want to mark your 60-day calendar to book those reservations. For those must-do table service meals, we recommend   Space 220 (if you have a budding astronaut on your hands), Via Napoli (because pizza is always a crowd-pleaser), Biergarten (for an all-you-care-to-enjoy Oktoberfest celebration), and we’ll always sing the praises of Garden Grill for its food and its character interactions!

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If you want something a bit quicker, Regal Eagle Smokehouse in the American Pavilion delivers some tasty BBQ; Les Halles in France is a great spot for a sandwich, quiche, or pastry; Yorkshire County Fish Shop in the UK offers classic fish n’ chips; and Connections Cafe & Eatery has a very broad menu!

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If you do visit EPCOT during one of its four festivals , explore the menus to find some tapas-size snacks. You can make a meal out of just snacking around the world. It’s also a manageable way to introduce your kiddos to some new foods without spending a fortune or potentially wasting uneaten food, since the portions are snack-sized. EPCOT is home to some of our favorite snacks as well, like the School Bread at Kringla Bakeri Og in Norway or the caramel popcorn from Karamell Kuche in Germany.

What to Eat on a $50 Budget at the EPCOT Food & Wine Festival

Night time show.

Now that you squeezed in all of those must-do attractions, enjoyed some classic shows, and filled your tummies with international delicacies, what better way to end the night than with a celebration of cultures, music, and fireworks!

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And it’s not just fireworks. This show includes pyrotechnics, lasers, LED screens, lights, and moving fountains. It’s all choreographed to classic Disney songs sung and accompanied by artists from more than a dozen different countries and cultures from around the world.

The show is put on in the center of World Showcase Lagoon, so there are plenty of spots to get a view, And we’ll reiterate that if your kiddos have noise sensitivity, you may want to venture away from the lagoon or bring those headphones to soften the fireworks. Or you can skip the fireworks altogether and just enjoy the Beacon of Magic show that lights up Spaceship Earth.

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How to Get the Best View of Disney World Fireworks and Shows

Your family has met some characters, expanded their palates with some international flavors, and ridden some fun rides! That wraps up our perfect day in EPCOT, and now time to prepare for our next perfect day in Hollywood Studios!

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Hollywood Studios

Welcome to the Hollywood that never was and always will be, as the idealized version of Hollywood in the 30s and 40s. At Hollywood Studios, your family can travel alongside your favorite movie heroes through an immersive adventure!

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This park contains some of Disney World’s most popular rides, like Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance ,  Tower of Terror , and  Slinky Dog Dash , and is the other park that we’d recommend you consider getting Genie+ for if you want to fill in all of the attractions. But it’s an option you can skip if you’re focusing exclusively on toddler-friends attractions. We’ve listed some of the must-do experiences you’ll want to prioritize for your day in this park.

Hollywood Studios is packing some thrills, well, Disney-style thrills, so you’ll want to review those height requirements and Rider Switch options .

The big hitters in this park are:

  • Rise of the Resistance
  • Slinky Dog Dash
  • Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster
  • Twilight Zone: Tower of Terror
  • Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway

Of these popular attractions, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway is the only one without a height restriction and is fully family-friendly. The others can utilize Rider Swap if the adults want to experience some thrills while someone hangs out with the tykes.

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Once you’ve secured your plan for fitting these into your day, there are some other attractions you’ll want to add in:

  • Star Tours – The Adventure Continues
  • Millenium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run
  • Toy Story Mania
  • Alien Swirling Saucers

All of these have height requirements as well, except for Toy Story Mania . So measure your little one and prepare your expectations for what they can and can’t do. And it couldn’t hurt to prepare them as well, so you can try to avoid a meltdown for not being able to ride Tower of Terror or Alien Swirling Saucers .

Even if your kid does meet the height requirement, you might want to review the ride for other potentially intense moments. Tower of Terror not only has a big drop (and keeps dropping you over and over) but it’s got a spooky theme, so active imaginations might be extra scared at the thought of ghosts and creepy music. Rise of the Resistance has stormtrooper firing blaster guns all around you, and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster is fast, dark, and goes upside down (even some adults may not enjoy that)!

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And since this is Hollywood and all about “on with the show,” then, of course, there are some amazing shows to consider, and lucky for you — no height requirement for shows, so everyone can enjoy them all. Or parents can take the kiddo to enjoy the Lightning McQueen Racing Academy while the other adults take on Rock N Roller Coaster .

  • MuppetVision 3D
  • Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy
  • Frozen Sing Along Celebration
  • Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular
  • Mickey Vacation Shorts
  • Beauty & the Beast Live On Stage

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Once again, these shows can run from 20 to 40 minutes, so they offer a nice break from the heat and hustle of park touring, but also take up a huge chunk of time. Our universal recommendation is MuppetVision 3D . Even though the 3D effects are a bit dated, the Muppets are classic, and we never pass an opportunity to visit!

Ranking the Rides of Disney’s Hollywood Studios

While visiting Hollywood, it just makes sense to run into some celebrities!

  • Red Carpet Dreams : Meet Mickey & Minnie
  • Celebrity Spotlight : Meet Olaf from  Frozen
  • Star Wars: Launch Bay : Meet BB-8 , Darth Vader , and Chewbacca
  • Toy Story Land : Meet Bo Peep , Jessie , Woody, and Buzz Lightyear
  • Disney Junior Dance Party! : Meet Doc McStuffins , Vampira , and Fancy Nancy
  • Walt Disney Presents : Meet Mike & Sully from  Monster’s Inc

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And though you won’t necessarily get time for a photo and autograph, you can several Star Wars characters in Galaxy’s Edge, like Kylo Ren , Rey , Stormtroopers , and Chewbacca . You may also spot some classic Disney characters like Pluto , Goofy , or Chip and Dale around Echo Lake.

Hollywood and Vine offers a buffet for breakfast, lunch, and dinner with character meetings, if you prefer to dine with celebrities. Breakfast hosts characters from Disney Junior , so perfect for pre-schoolers and the little tykes. Lunch and dinner switch up for Minnie and friends in seasonal outfits.

A Few Beloved Characters Are Returning to Disney’s Hollywood Studios SOON

Hollywood Studios may currently hold the title on Disney thrill rides, but it is not known for providing thrilling food. There are some noteworthy snacks that we keep coming back to, and some fun restaurants where we honestly enjoy the experience more than the food.

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For those fun dining experiences and pretty good food, there’s 50’s Prime Time Cafe , where you dine on down-home cookin’ with your “relatives;” Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater , where you eat classic diner food in a stylized drive-in theater show quirky film clips; and, as we mentioned above, Hollywood & Vine for a character buffet perfect for young kids who want to meet their favorite Disney Junior character for breakfast or the Fab Five for lunch and dinner..

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For quick bites, the selection here is pretty standard, nothing super noteworthy. Woody’s Lunchbox has some tasty sandwiches, but limited seating, so be prepared for that. The Ronto Wrap in Galaxy’s Edge is really good (we like the breakfast version, too!). If you like hot dogs, Fairfax Fare has you covered. And for snacks, we gravitate toward the Carrot Cake Cookie at Trolley Car Cafe , Wookiee Cookie at Backlot Express , and Lunchbox Tarts over at Woody’s Lunchbox .

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You can find some good food here, but it doesn’t really compare with the selection available at EPCOT or Disney Springs.

Eat Here, Not There in Disney’s Hollywood Studios!

Nighttime show.

Fantasmic! has a huge fan following, and your kids will love seeing all of the Disney characters, but may be scared when some of the Disney villains join the show.

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This epic nighttime spectacular returned after a long hiatus with some new music and new scenes! This packs in the action with Disney characters, water projections, laser shows, and good triumphing over evil.

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The action for this show is kinda far away and little attention spans go wandering. Still, there is a great scene near the finale with dozens of Disney characters waving to the audience from a riverboat. It’s cute, and tykes will like that part, but that one scene might not be worth trying to wrestle your wiggly or exhausted kiddo for 20 minutes or so.

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Here’s What CHANGED at Fantasmic! in Disney World

You caught the shows, the fun, and met the unique Disney characters, so that means you’ve had a COMPLETE day at Hollywood Studios for tykes. That wraps up our perfect day in Hollywood Studios, and now time to prepare for our next perfect day in Animal Kingdom!

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Animal Kingdom

It might actually be a toss-up between which park kids prefer, Magic Kingdom or Animal Kingdom. Magic Kingdom is colorful, has some fun rides, and has friendly characters. But Animal Kingdom has amazing animals, beautiful landscapes and trails, and space that allow kids a bit more freedom to explore and exercise some independence.

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Animal Kingdom isn’t overflowing with rides, but there’s plenty to see and do.  Similar to EPCOT, if you keep your eyes open and let yourself wander, you never know what hidden treasure you might stumble across.

The main attractions here are… well, the animals (hence the name, we suppose), but there are some you’ll want to hit up bright and early to avoid some long lines.

  • Avatar Flight of Passage
  • Kilimanjaro Safaris
  • Na’vi River Journey

Only Flight of Passage has a height requirement from this list, so you can easily Rider Swap this one or plan to split and reconnect if adults want to SIVAKO! Tykes will enjoy the Na’vi River Journey , which is a boated dark ride (think “it’s a small world,” Pirates of the Caribbean, or Gran Fiesta Tour) gliding through the rainforest of the Mo’ara Valley. Colorful and pretty, but dark.

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Some other attractions might sporadically have long lines, but usually, they’re pretty moderate:

  • Expedition Everest
  • Triceratops Spin
  • Kali River Rapids

Triceratops Spin is the only one free of height requirements, it’s essentially a Triceratops-themed Dumbo ride.

If adults can’t pass up an opportunity to challenge the Yeti on Expedition Everest, there is Rider Swap or a Single Rider line to….er….expedite your expedition.

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Take time to explore the Discovery Island Trails , Gorilla Falls Exploration Trails , or Maharajah Jungle Trek to see all of the unique animals, creative theming, and storytelling and chat with a Cast Member in the area to learn about these amazing animals. This is where your tyke can stretch their legs and spend some time exploring the habitats.

And for a full range freedom experience, take them over to The Boneyard , where kids under 10 can climb prehistoric theme jungle gyms, slides, or dig up “bones” in the sandbox, while parents can watch and sit at shaded picnic tables.

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Then finally, the shows!! Animal Kingdom shows rival those over at Hollywood Studios (and we might even like Festival of the Lion King better than anything because — TUMBLE MONKEYS!)! Festival of the Lion King and Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond!  are both Broadway-style musicals with beautiful costumes, impressive puppetry skills, and fun, toe-tapping tunes.

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The two other shows in Animal Kingdom, It’s Tough to be a Bug and Up! A Great Bird Adventure immerses guests in the worlds of these fascinating and talented animals. Up! A Great Bird Adventure is thoroughly charming, but It’s Tough to be a Bug deals with creepy-crawlies in a dark theater. Unless your kiddo absolutely LOVES bugs, you prolly wanna skip this one to avoid a lot of tears!

For those animal lovers out there, take the train from Harambe Village up to Rafiki’s Planet Watch where families can wander along trails, learn about animals and how the Disney vets take care of them, and even get to pet some of the cutest little goats and pigs at the Affection Section .

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Not to worry, parents, there are plenty of handwashing and hand santization stations so your kiddo doesn’t smell like their new goat best friend all day.

AllEars TV: The BEST and WORST Rides in Animal Kingdom

We all know that the animals are the big stars of the show here, and though you can’t hug a tiger here, you can still spot your favorite Mouse for a hug, high-five, or quick howdy.

  • Adventurers Outpost : Mickey and Minnie in their safari outfits.
  • Donald’s Dino-Bash : Donald , Daisy , Goofy , Chip, and Dale make regular appearances
  • Discovery Island : Kevin, that precocious bird from Up, wanders around regularly.

You’ll also be able to wave at characters as they cruise around the Animal Kingdom waterways on  flotillas . We’ve classic and unique characters on these festive barges like: Mickey , Minnie , Chip and Dale , Pocahontas and Meeko , Russell  and Dug , and Baloo and King Louie .

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Though not a traditional meet-and-greet, it’s fun to see some Disney friends sometimes when you least expect it!

Kevin from Up! Spotted in Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Animal Kingdom has a strong game when it comes to unique dining options and experiences! The table service options might be a little too unique for young palates, unless you visit Rainforest Cafe . Not bagging on Rainforest Cafe, but since you can find them in so many cities nowadays, it’s not exactly a Disney-exclusive experience.

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Yak & Yeti offers a huge menu of Asian-fusion inspired dishes. If you’re looking for something a bit unique, you can find it here, but for those pickier eaters, there are also some more familiar eats. Tusker House is the character meal with Donald and the gang greeting diners in their safari outfits. As a buffet, this is also a good spot for picky eaters to wander through and get those familiar foods, while also having the opportunity to try some African-inspired dishes. Tusker House (as a character meal) is super popular, so make sure you secure that dining reservation right at that 60 day mark.

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For quick service, picky eaters can find their bliss at Restaurantosaurus (for burgers, sandwiches, and fries) and Flame Tree BBQ has some tasty smoke BBQ that you can literally smell all around Discovery Island. Or if you’re looking for something a bit more unique, Satu’li Canteen (for those delicious cheeseburger pods and protein bowls!) or Yak & Yeti Local Local Foods Cafe has some familiar Asian-inspired meals (like fried rice and sweet & sour shrimp). And so many snacks!! Eight Spoons Cafe has baked mac and cheese we can’t get enough of! Isle of Java has a Tiger Tail pastry for sweet tooth cravings, Mr. Kamal’s has some seasoned fries that are shareable (but you won’t wanna share), Pongu Pongu has a Pongu Lumpia sweet pineapple cheesecake style eggroll that is different but delicious. Or for other pineappley cravings, Tamu Tamu is the spot for those Dole Whip lovers.

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Are you hungry, yet? See? We told you, Animal Kingdom packs in the flavor!

Review: Satu’li Canteen lunch on Pandora at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Because of the animals at Animal Kingdom, you won’t find any fireworks here. This might work well for toddlers as well for a mellower (but still beautiful) way to end the day.

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But we do recommend staying after sunset to watch the Beacon of Light projection show on the Tree of Life. The park icon lights up, and a projection show tells the story of some animal friends as they come to live from the tree and interact together. It’s a peaceful, magical show that is the perfect way to wind down after your day exploring nature and appreciating all of these amazing creatures.

AllEars TV: The Secret to Having the Best Day in Disney World’s Animal Kingdom

You’ve toured through Mo’ara Valley in Pandora, and coasted down the Na’vi River, flew high on the back of a Triceratops, and seen some amazing animals on the safari and trails, so you’ve had a COMPLETE day at Animal Kingdom. That wraps up our perfect day in Animal Kingdom, and now time to prepare for our next perfect day in Disney Springs & the Resorts!

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Disney Springs

Sometimes considered a fifth park for all it has to offer, Disney Springs won’t require any Genie+ access, though you may still want to have your phone handy for Mobile Order at some of the dining locations.

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But just because you won’t find classic dark rides or thrilling coasters, doesn’t mean that there aren’t some fun attractions here. let’s take a look at how you can spend some of your day at Disney Springs!

There are actually a few “rides” in Disney Springs, but you will have to pay to ride these options:

  • Amphicars at The BOATHOUSE

If you looking to cruise the Sassagoula waterway in a unique way, head over to The BOATHOUSE and snag a ticket to ride in one of the zippy Amphicars. Or if floating through the air is more your style, the Aerophile balloon will lift you up 300 feet in the air for sweeping views of the Disney World property. Will your 5-year-old enjoy these? Well, the Amphicar, probably, but as much as warrants the cost? Prolly not. They’d probably get just as much of a thrill on the free boat transportation from Disney Springs to Port Orleans.

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If you prefer to keep your feet on solid ground, Disney Springs has some great shows for you, as well. There is the AMC Dine-In Theater to take in a flick, or  Cirque du Soleil: Drawn to Life , which is probably a bit much for young ones.

If you don’t want to set aside several hours for these shows, you can also catch live music all throughout Disney Springs in the evenings. Or, if you’re up for a bit of friendly competition, check out Splitsville , which not only has an extensive menu but is also a bowling alley!

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And there are a lot of shopping and dining opportunities in Disney Springs with some one-of-a-kind shops and the world’s largest Disney Store!

There’s no shortage of restaurants at Disney Springs! The only limit is the size of your stomach (and the depth of your wallet). Some restaurants in Disney Springs that you and your kiddo might enjoy are

  • Homecomin’ by Chef Art Smith
  • Raglan Road
  • The BOATHOUSE
  • Rainforest Cafe

T-Rex Cafe is much like Rainforest Cafe , but with dinosaurs (mindblowing, right?), but be aware that during your meal, as the threat of extinction looms near, a meteor shower thunders through the restaurant, which can be loud and scary for little ones. But it’s a fun and vibrant experience for kids with familiar meals that are super approachable for kiddos.

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But there’s so much to see and do, maybe you just want a quick but quality meal? Well, buckle up because Disney Springs brings their A-Game with quick service options like:

  • Earl of Sandwich
  • Chicken Guy!
  • D-Luxe Burger
  • Blaze Fast-Fire’d Pizza

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To satisfy your sweet tooth, Disney Springs has everything from over-the-top donuts, to cookies so good they require a virtual queue, and Dole Whip flights.

  • Swirls on the Water
  • Gideon’s Bakehouse
  • Everglazed Donuts
  • Salt & Straw
  • Amorette’s Patisserie

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If you crave it, Disney Springs has it!

Every Restaurant In Disney Springs And Who Should Go There

Disney resorts.

If you’re spending the money to stay at a Disney Resort Hotel, you may as well make some time to enjoy some of the amenities that you’re paying for, right?

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Some come with an extra charge (like carriage rides or horseback riding), but other things you can do for free! Let’s see what some of the resorts have to offer!

Each Disney Resort Hotel has a different theme and story, and some of those amenities are uniquely themed to fit into those environments. All the resorts have pools , gift shops , fun-themed lobbies , dining areas , movies under the stars , and expansive (and immaculate) grounds and jogging trails. Depending on your resort level, you could also have access to fitness centers , lounges or bars , coffee shops , meeting areas , outdoor firepits , and live entertainment .

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Visit Fort Wilderness for archery lessons, horseback riding trails, and carriage rides at Tri-Circle D Ranch. Visit Saratoga Springs or the Grand Floridian for spa treatments and  massages.

20 Best Things to Do in Disney World Without a Theme Park Ticket

When you’re dining with young kids, you’re probably looking for a meal that 1) they’ll eat, and 2) they’ll sit still for while you eat. Cue the character meals and engaging dining experiences at the Disney resorts!

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The Disney Resorts have some of the best dining experiences (yeah, we just said that about Disney Springs… and EPCOT… and Animal Kingdom… and we mean it every time)!

For those magical Character Meals, you can always count on Chef Mickey’s (at the Contemporary Resort), Cape May Cafe (at the Beach Club), and Story Book Dining at Artist Point (at Wilderness Lodge).

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If you have some big eaters and need an all-you-care-to-enjoy experience, check out Trails End (at Fort Wilderness),  Whispering Canyon (at Wilderness Lodge), Boma (at Animal Kingdom Lodge), and ‘Ohana (at the Polynesian).

For more casual quick service options, some of our go-to’s are:

  • Mara at Animal Kingdom Lodge
  • BoardWalk Deli   at the BoardWalk Inn
  • Contempo Cafe at the Contemporary
  • Primo Piatto at the Riviera
  • Gasparilla Island Grill at the Grand Floridian
  • Capt Cook’s at the Polynesian
  • Sassagoula Floatworks at Port Orleans French Quarter
  • Geyser Point   at Wilderness Lodge
  • Roaring Fork at Wilderness Lodge

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So whether you’re staying at one of these resorts, or just passing through, don’t pass up the opportunity to grab an epic meal at one of these locations!

FULL LIST of Character Dining Restaurants that Are Back to “Normal” in Disney World

PHEW! That’s four perfect park days, plus a bonus day at the Disney Resorts and Disney Springs. These are our top picks for how to construct the perfect Disney World trip for you and your 5 year old. We’ve given you all of the pieces, and now you can put it all together in a day that works for you and your family!!

Keep following AllEars for the latest Disney news, tips, and travel info, and be sure to sign up for our newsletter!

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What is your 5-year-old’s favorite thing to do in the Disney Parks? Let us know in the comments below!

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World Kids Travel

How To Travel With A 5 Year Old?

Traveling with a 5 year old isn’t easy. It can be both daunting and overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be! So How To Travel With A 5 Year Old?

With the right tips and tricks, you can make traveling with your little one an exciting adventure they won’t soon forget. As parents who’ve traveled around the world with our children since birth, we know how difficult (and rewarding!) this experience can be. We’d like to share what we’ve learned about family travel – specifically when it comes to traveling with a 5-year-old – so that you too can create memories to last a lifetime.

The juxtaposition of exhaustion from planning every detail versus exhilaration from seeing new places through the eyes of a child is something all families should experience. The challenge lies in finding ways to balance these two opposing forces while keeping everyone safe and happy along the way. Being prepared for anything will go far towards ensuring your well-being as well as making sure your kiddo has the best time possible during your travels.

We’ll offer up advice on everything from packing lists and snacks to entertainment options that are sure to keep them busy no matter where you’re going or how long you plan on being gone. Whether you’re taking a short road trip across town or exploring international destinations by plane, train, or boat – there’s lots of information here that will help ease any worries and leave more room for fun! So let’s get started…

Table of Contents

Preparing For The Trip

woman backed over unaccompanied child

Traveling with kids can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. Planning ahead is key for any successful family vacation and will help ensure that everyone has an enjoyable time. When planning a trip with a five-year-old, there are several important things you should consider to make the experience as stress-free and fun as possible.

Before your departure, research your destination so you know what activities or attractions would best suit your child’s age and interests. This will give you ideas of where to go and what to do while traveling with your little one. You may even want to look into kid-friendly restaurants or other accommodations available at your destination. It’s also wise to pack plenty of snacks and drinks, as well as toys or books they like – this way they won’t get bored during long car rides or plane trips!

Finally, when preparing for the journey, don’t forget about safety – both on land and in water. Make sure all necessary paperwork such as passports or birth certificates is up-to-date before the trip begins! Be sure to bring along appropriate swimwear (for swimming pools/beaches) and life jackets if necessary – especially if visiting oceans or lakes. Taking these precautionary steps will ensure that both parents and children feel comfortable throughout their travels together!

Choosing The Right Destination

Istanbul world kids travel

When planning a trip with your 5-year-old, choosing the right destination is key. It’s important to consider what activities they’ll enjoy and whether they’re suitable for their age. To ensure everyone has an enjoyable time, think about destinations that have plenty of attractions tailored specifically toward kids. If you choose wisely, it could be one of the most memorable trips ever!

One way to select the perfect location is by looking at travel reviews from families who’ve already been there. They can provide detailed insights into how accommodating different places are for young children. Reading these will help you make more informed decisions on which sites are worth visiting and where to stay. This can save you lots of hassle when traveling with a 5 year old in tow!

It’s also wise to research if any museums or other educational facilities offer special programs for kids. These typically involve interactive stories told through playtime activities such as puppet shows, crafts, and games. Learning about history in this manner can really capture a child’s imagination- and yours too! Allowing them to explore a new place while having fun makes getting away even more worthwhile.

No matter where you decide to go, just remember that creating amazing family memories should always come first! A well-thought-out plan combined with carefree moments spent together will guarantee unforgettable experiences along the way – something both parents and children alike will treasure forever.

Packing Essentials For A 5-Year-Old

How To Travel With A 5 Year Old

Traveling with a 5-year-old can seem like an intimidating task, but it doesn’t have to be. With the right packing essentials and planning ahead of time, you can make sure your mini traveler stays happy throughout the journey.

The first thing to consider is comfort — remember that even if you’re only traveling for a short period of time, kids still need their creature comforts from home. Here’s what should always go in your little one’s bag:

  • A favorite stuffed animal or blanket
  • A change of clothes
  • Snacks tailored to their tastes
  • Something fun (like books or games) to keep them occupied during long trips

It’s also important not to forget about yourself! Make sure you bring items for your own comfort too so that you won’t be distracted by discomfort while on the road. This will help ensure a smooth trip overall and make sure everyone enjoys themselves. At the end of the day, travel with a 5-year-old requires planning, patience, and understanding – three things that every family needs when hitting the open road together. With these tips in mind and some extra preparation before embarking on your adventure, even the most novice traveler will find success when exploring as a family unit.

Keeping Kids Occupied During Travel

Traveling with a 5-year-old can be an adventure – and it brings its own unique challenges. One of the biggest ones involves how to keep them occupied during travel, whether that’s in a car or on a plane. Thankfully, there are some great strategies you can use to ensure your child stays entertained while they’re en route to their destination.

To start off, coloring books, activity books, stickers, stamps, and crayons or markers provide hours of fun for kids (and parents!) alike. Additionally, storytelling games like playing “I Spy” or creating stories together can be very enjoyable not only for children but also for adults who may find themselves reminiscing about their own childhood days. Even something as simple as word puzzles or quizzes can help pass the time quickly – all you need is a notepad and pencil to write down any answers!

When traveling with small children, it’s important to remember that everyone has different needs when it comes to entertainment. Some may prefer more active activities such as drawing pictures or building block towers while others might enjoy quieter pursuits such as reading books or listening to audiobooks. Regardless of what type of activity works best for your family dynamic, the goal should always be to make sure everyone is having a positive experience overall. Taking into account these tips will make traveling with a 5 year old much smoother and more enjoyable!

Tips For Long Road Trips

Long road trips with a five-year-old can be an adventure, but it also requires some planning. Here are some tips to keep your family’s journey smooth and enjoyable for everyone involved:

  • Pack plenty of snacks, drinks, and activities that will keep them entertained during the drive.
  • Take frequent breaks along the way – stops at parks or rest areas allow them to stretch their legs and get out all that extra energy.
  • Bring books, coloring pages, or other activities they can use in the car if you’re stuck in traffic or waiting times. It’ll help pass the time more quickly!
  • Invest in a tablet loaded with movies, TV shows, or educational games they can play while on the go. This helps make long drives much less stressful for both parent and child alike.
  • Have fun together – sing songs, tell stories, and create memories as you travel down the highway together!

Remember to take it slow when possible too; there’s no need to rush through any part of this precious experience with your little one. Give yourself permission to savor every moment of quality time spent bonding with each other—you won’t regret it! To ensure a stress-free journey from start to finish, bring everything you need so that those inevitable bumps in the road don’t turn into major detours from your destination.

Staying Healthy And Safe On Vacation

It’s like packing for the ultimate game of survival: you want to make sure your family has everything they need to remain healthy and safe during their travels. Taking a vacation with kids can be an adventure, but it can also bring stress if you don’t plan ahead. Here are some tips on how to keep your little ones in good health while away from home:

Preparation is key! Before leaving, make sure all necessary vaccines or boosters are taken care of – especially if traveling abroad – as well as gather any essential medicines or medical supplies needed. This includes sunscreen and insect repellent – two must-haves when exploring new places! Doing research on what kind of illnesses might be found in certain areas will help inform the kinds of precautions you should take too. Once you arrive at your destination, ensure that everyone washes their hands regularly and uses hand sanitizer often; this is particularly important when visiting unfamiliar places such as museums or amusement parks. It’s also wise to clean surfaces in the hotel room immediately following check-in; many people forget about this step which can lead to bacteria accumulating over time. Lastly, staying hydrated throughout the trip is paramount because dehydration can quickly put a damper on fun activities planned for each day.

When returning from vacation, pay attention to those telltale signs of illness caused by exposure to different environments such as joint pain, fever, rash or stomach issues. Additionally, inspect all luggage carefully upon arriving back home since bed bugs have become increasingly common among travelers these days – yikes! Throw away any items that were used while traveling and wash all clothing pieces thoroughly once inside the house again– no one wants unwanted visitors tagging along post-vacation! Finally, due to possible changes in sleeping patterns experienced while flying between time zones, parents should be mindful of potential side effects associated with jet lag so kids get enough rest until they’re adjusted again.

Staying safe and healthy on vacation doesn’t require much effort considering there are plenty of resources available online plus accredited travel agents who specialize in family trips – use them! Knowing what vigilance steps to take prior to departure pays off because nothing beats having peace of mind knowing that everyone stays comfortable and protected during their journey together.

Dealing With Jet Lag

Traveling with a 5 year old can be an exciting experience, but it’s not without its challenges. Jet lag is one of them! It doesn’t have to ruin your trip though – here are some tips for helping your family cope:

  • Start adjusting their sleep schedule in the days leading up to your departure. This will make it easier when you arrive at your destination.
  • Once you’re there, let your little one take short naps during the day and keep them active during the daylight hours as much as possible. This can also help adjust their body clock more quickly.
  • Avoid sugary snacks or caffeine right before bedtime, which can disrupt their sleep cycle.

By following these simple steps, your kiddo should start feeling better soon after landing in their new time zone. With patience and understanding from everyone involved, jetlag won’t prevent you from having an amazing adventure together!

Making Kids Feel At Home Away From Home

Ah, the joys of traveling with a 5 year old. No matter how much we plan and prepare for our family trip, there’s no denying that it can be quite daunting! But let me tell you: if you put in the effort to make sure they feel at home away from home, your little one will thank you later – and so will you!

First things first: pack some familiar items from their bedroom or playroom. This may include favorite toys, books, and blankets – whatever makes them comfortable and helps them settle into unfamiliar surroundings. We often forget about the mundane but necessary things such as nightlights and sound machines too; these are invaluable when it comes to soothing children who don’t sleep well on holiday. Don’t forget to encourage them to bring along any special souvenirs they’ve collected over the years too; nothing says ‘I’m home’ like being surrounded by cherished keepsakes.

Next up are activities: look into what attractions are available nearby that cater specifically towards young travelers – chances are, they’ll love exploring new places just as much as adults do (maybe even more!). Activities should be age-appropriate yet still fun enough to keep kids entertained throughout the day. Scheduling regular meals together also ensures everyone stays happy during meal times and builds an atmosphere of familiarity within your group dynamic; something which always feels comforting after a long day out sightseeing.

In short? Traveling with a 5 year old doesn’t have to be scary; all it takes is a little bit of planning ahead to ensure that your child knows where they stand in this new place – making sure they feel welcomed, safe, and secure before anything else. With this kind of preparation, your whole family should enjoy a wonderful holiday experience!

Exploring The Local Area With Kids

Once you’ve arrived at your destination and made the kids feel comfortable in their new environment, it’s time to explore! Traveling with a five-year-old can be daunting if you don’t know where to start – but fear not. Here are some great tips for exploring the local area with kids:

First of all, plan ahead. Research kid-friendly attractions nearby such as parks or museums before leaving home so that you have an idea of what activities are available once you arrive. Make sure to check opening times and any restrictions on age limits, entry fees, etc., so that everyone is prepared once they hit the ground running.

Secondly, make it fun! Kids learn best when they’re having fun – so why not turn your exploration into a game? Set small challenges like finding certain landmarks or collecting interesting items along the way; this will help keep them engaged while also teaching them about their surroundings. Finally, take plenty of breaks throughout the day. Letting your five-year-old rest and refuel regularly will ensure that they stay energized for the whole adventure!

Exploring the local area doesn’t have to be stressful; with a little bit of planning and some creative ideas, there’s no limit to how much fun you can have together! So take a deep breath and get ready for an unforgettable experience – one that both parent and child won’t soon forget.

Building Memories Together On Vacation

Taking a trip with your five-year-old is an exciting adventure that can create lasting memories. It’s the perfect time to explore new places and experiences together. To make sure you have a successful vacation, there are some tips for ensuring a great experience for both of you:

First, plan activities ahead of time. Make sure they’re age-appropriate and include something each of you will enjoy doing. Don’t forget to research local attractions — museums, theme parks, zoos, etc. — in advance so your child has plenty of options once you arrive at your destination. Consider booking tickets or making reservations beforehand as well; it’ll save you from long lines later!

Second, involve your child in the planning process. Let them help choose where to go and what sights to see on the way there. This allows them to take ownership of their vacation and also builds excitement leading up to departure day. Plus, when kids know what to expect each day they feel more secure and engaged throughout the trip.

Finally, be flexible during travel days and while out exploring new places together. Leave room in the schedule for spontaneity since anything can happen when traveling with children — especially young ones! And remember that small moments often become treasured memories down the road — like stopping for ice cream after dinner or taking a detour just because it looks interesting — so don’t be afraid to embrace unexpected surprises along the way!

Planning Age-Appropriate Activities

Traveling with a five-year-old can be both rewarding and challenging. Before you go on your family vacation, research age-appropriate activities that will keep your little one engaged while also sparking curiosity in new places. Here are some tips for planning an itinerary full of fun activities for the whole family!

First, plan activities based on what interests your child. For example, if they’re into dinosaurs, search for attractions like museums or parks where they’ll get to learn about them. Or if they love animals, look for zoos or farms nearby. This way you can make sure everyone enjoys themselves without compromising on quality time together as a family.

Second, consider the physical aspect of activities when choosing things to do on vacation. Five-year-olds have boundless energy and need outlets for it – so opt for things like hiking trails, swimming pools, or playgrounds where they can burn off some steam in a safe environment. You could even plan days at amusement parks or waterparks where they’ll explore games and rides tailored specifically to kids their age.

Finally, invest in experiences over material objects during vacations with children this age. That means making memories through interactive exhibits rather than buying souvenirs that may just end up collecting dust at home later on down the road. Your little one will appreciate being able to relive the excitement of these adventures years after the trip has come to an end!

Navigating Different Time Zones

Navigating different time zones within a 5 year old can be tricky, but it doesn’t have to ruin your travel experience. The key is to make sure you understand how the time zone shifts will affect them and plan accordingly. First and foremost, try to stay on the same schedule as much as possible throughout your travels. This means that if you are in an area where daylight savings changes occur frequently during the summer months, you should pass this information on to your child so they know when their body clock needs to adjust for these changes.

Second, keep track of what day it is wherever you are – even if it’s not the same date at home! Keeping track of which days we had traveled through was a great way for my daughter to recognize our progress while away from home; she felt more connected by knowing just exactly where we were. This gave her security that she won’t get lost or left behind somewhere along the journey – especially important since kids tend to feel insecure in unfamiliar surroundings. It also made her curious about all things new and exciting around us!

Finally, try breaking up long flights into smaller segments whenever possible. If there’s no other option than taking a direct flight then break it up mentally by doing activities together like reading books, playing games or watching movies (especially age-appropriate ones!). Explaining the concept of flying across multiple time zones helped her understand why sometimes we arrive at our destination earlier than expected and reassured her that everything else would eventually fall back into place. With a little knowledge and preparation ahead of your trip, navigating different time zones with a 5 year old can be done seamlessly and enhance everyone’s overall experience greatly!

Documenting Your Journey Through Photos And Videos

Preserving precious memories of your travels with a five-year-old is easy. With the right tools and techniques, you can document your journey in photos and videos that will last for years to come.

First off, be sure to pack enough memory cards and extra batteries so you’ll never miss an opportunity to capture special moments throughout your trip. This might seem like an obvious tip, but it’s worth repeating! Making sure you have plenty of space available on your camera or phone ensures that each moment is documented without worrying about running out of storage.

Next up – practice patience while shooting pictures and videos with your child. You won’t get those perfect shots every time, but don’t despair – take lots of different angles and perspectives when capturing images with kids involved; this way you can pick and choose which ones turn out best. Taking the time to place yourself low down at their level often gives the most natural results as well – plus it helps create more meaningful connections between parent and child during photo-taking sessions!

Capture candid memories too – not just posed family portraits! Focus on everyday life experiences along the way: conversations being had around meals, funny faces they make while exploring new places, or even small details like footprints in sand or sunsets reflecting off the water. These small details are what make all the difference when documenting a story from start to finish – these little glimpses into daily life become lasting reminders of how far we’ve traveled together as a family.

Finding Kid-Friendly Accommodations

When traveling with a 5-year-old, finding the right accommodation can make all the difference. You want to be sure that your little one is comfortable and safe during your trip. Fortunately, there are plenty of kid-friendly accommodations available to choose from.

The first option you may consider is a hotel or resort that caters specifically to families with young children. These establishments typically offer larger rooms equipped with cribs and other amenities for kids such as play areas, swimming pools, and game rooms. Many also provide special activities like arts and crafts classes just for kids, making it easy for parents to relax while their children stay entertained.

Another great way to ensure a family-friendly experience is by booking a Vacation rental . With thousands of properties listed across most major cities in the world, you’re likely to find something suitable for your needs. Not only do these rentals usually come fully furnished but many owners will even supply helpful extras like toys, books, games, and more to keep your child engaged throughout your stay. Plus they often have access to communal spaces where you can meet other travelers who share similar interests – perfect if you’re looking for some travel companionship!

Wherever you decide to stay on your next vacation with the kids, remember that having fun together is what matters most! A good night’s rest and quality time spent exploring new places makes memories that last a lifetime – so go ahead and get out there!

Post-Vacation Reflection

Traveling with a five-year-old is both an adventure and a challenge, but the rewards are great. Now that our holiday has come to an end, there’s much to reflect on about our experience.

The first thing we’ve realized is that preparation is key for any successful family vacation. We spent time researching destinations, discussing expectations, and packing everything from books to snacks before departure. This helped us avoid surprises during our trip and gave us peace of mind.

We also learned the importance of planning activities in advance. Knowing what activities were available near where we stayed meant no stressful moments trying to figure out what to do next; all we had to do was find something suitable for everyone, including our 5 year old!

As parents, it was wonderful seeing how excited and engaged our daughter became during this journey. She experienced new places, foods, and cultures alongside us – all while broadening her horizons. It made us realize that travel should be a regular part of family life if possible – so it’s already time to start thinking about our next destination!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best way to keep my 5 year old entertained during a flight.

Traveling with a five-year-old can be quite a challenge! You want your little one to have an enjoyable experience, but being stuck on a plane for hours isn’t always fun. So how do you ensure that your trip is pleasant and entertaining? The answer lies in finding the best way to keep your five-year-old entertained during a flight.

When it comes to keeping a five-year-old occupied midair, there are lots of great ideas out there! From coloring books and puzzles to podcasts and movies, there’s no shortage of options. One thing I highly recommend is making sure they bring their own backpack full of goodies. This will give them something to explore while also providing them with the opportunity to choose what activities they’d like to participate in throughout the journey.

Another important tip when traveling with children is planning ahead. Try researching different games or activities that might work well during long flights so you’re prepared before take off. If possible, download some shows or games onto your device – this will help avoid any buffering issues due to spotty internet connection. Additionally, break up the time by having snack breaks or walking around if allowed on board – anything that keeps them engaged and stimulated during those long hours of travel!

It’s key to remember that every child is unique and may require different kinds of activities depending on their age group and interests. With proper preparation and creative thinking, though, parents can make flying with their kids as stress-free as possible; allowing everyone involved to truly enjoy the adventure together!

How Can I Keep My 5 Year Old Safe When Visiting A New Destination?

When travelling to a new destination, safety is of utmost importance for any family. For those with young children, this means being extra vigilant and taking steps to ensure their child’s safety in an unfamiliar place. When it comes to five-year-olds, parents must be particularly mindful about the risks associated with visiting a new location – from simple things like crossing roads safely to more complex challenges such as communicating language barriers. But there are ways that families can protect their kids while still enjoying their holiday experience.

One way to make sure your 5 year old is safe during travel is by researching the destination ahead of time. Make sure you know the local customs and laws so you can do all you can to prevent any potential hazards they may encounter at your chosen destination. Talk to your child before leaving home and explain what kind of behaviour is expected when out and about in public, especially if you’re going somewhere where English isn’t widely spoken. It’s also important to stay aware of your surroundings – always keep a close eye on your little one or designate someone else who will look after them whilst you explore other areas.

For added peace of mind, check whether the hotels or accommodation options have age restrictions for each room type that would apply to your child; some places don’t allow unaccompanied minors under certain ages into specific rooms or facilities – not only for legal reasons but for practical ones too (such as pool access). You should also take into consideration how far away attractions are from where you’re staying – long journeys could become tiring very quickly! The last thing anyone wants is an exhausted 5 year old running around in unfamiliar territory! Ultimately, planning ahead and doing research can save stress throughout the journey and help create lasting memories that everyone can treasure forever.

By following these simple tips, families with young children will feel safer venturing off into unknown lands together knowing they have taken every precaution necessary – allowing both adults and kids alike to have fun without worrying about unnecessary danger looming over them like a cloud!

What Are Some Tips For Preventing Jet Lag In A 5 Year Old?

Traveling with young kids can be an exciting and rewarding experience, but it comes with its own set of challenges. A big one is dealing with jet lag in a 5 year old. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your family travel adventures:

  • Have them adjust their sleep schedule before traveling by going to bed 15 minutes earlier each night for 6-7 days prior to departure.
  • During the flight, have them wear loose clothes and encourage naps if possible. Give them snacks throughout the day that are high in protein such as nuts or hummus instead of sugar filled treats like candy bars.
  • Try not to plan too many activities when you first arrive at your destination; allow everyone time for rest so they can acclimate more easily to the new environment.

These strategies will help ensure that your little ones – and you! – don’t suffer from jet lag while on vacation. You’ll want your family trip to be fun, memorable, and stress free so follow these tips and make sure your whole crew arrives feeling rested and ready for adventure. Keeping up with these guidelines will also provide parents with peace of mind knowing their children are well taken care of during long trips. With all this in mind, you’re now equipped to tackle jet lag head-on!

What Should I Do If My 5 Year Old Gets Homesick When Traveling?

Traveling with children can be a challenge, and when kids are young it’s especially difficult. For parents that have to travel with a 5 year old, dealing with homesickness may be one of the biggest obstacles they face. Fortunately, there are ways to manage this inevitable emotion so your child has an enjoyable trip!

First off, it’s important to remember that homesickness is normal and expected –everyone experiences it at some point in their lives and it doesn’t mean anything is wrong. To help make sure your little one feels comfortable while on vacation, here are four tips:

  • Comfort objects: Pack something from home like a stuffed animal or blanket that will remind them of home and provide comfort during unfamiliar situations.
  • Talk about home: Letting your child talk about what they miss back home will often reduce feelings of being overwhelmed by everything new around them.
  • Keep routines consistent: If possible try to keep as many familiar routines intact (bedtime stories for example) as these moments of familiarity can go a long way in helping your child feel more secure away from home.
  • Show patience and understanding: Homesickness usually passes quickly if you pay attention to how your child is feeling without overreacting or worrying too much yourself; they should sense that you understand their emotional needs before any other concerns come into play.

It’s also helpful to plan activities ahead of time such as museums, parks, playgrounds etc., and involve your 5 year old when planning out the itinerary so they have something exciting to look forward to each day – this will take their mind off missing home for awhile! Be sure not to overwhelm them however; having too many attractions packed into one day could result in exhaustion which won’t do anyone any favors!

At the end of the day though, sometimes all it takes is a hug from mom or dad (or both!) for those feelings of homesickness to disappear completely- no matter where you are in the world! With just a bit of extra preparation, traveling with your five year old should still be full of fun memories rather than ones filled with sadness due to being away from home.

What Are Some Activities I Can Do With My 5 Year Old That Are Both Age-Appropriate And Fun?

Traveling with a 5 year old can be both an exciting and challenging experience. To ensure that the journey is enjoyable for everyone, it’s important to plan activities that are both age-appropriate and fun for your young traveler. So what kind of activities should you do?

Take nature walks – A great way to get outside and explore! Nature walks provide lots of opportunities for learning about the environment, spotting wildlife, and discovering new things. Plus, they’re easy on the budget too. Pack some snacks or even a lunch so you can make a day out of it.

Visit museums – A visit to a museum can be an educational adventure full of discovery and exploration. Many museums offer interactive exhibits tailored specifically towards children which makes them ideal places to spend quality time together while learning something new. You may even find special programs geared toward younger kids like story times or craft classes.

Check out local attractions – Whether it’s going on a ride at an amusement park or exploring a nearby landmark such as a cave or aquarium, there’s no shortage of interesting things to do in most cities around the world. The best part is many attractions offer discounts or free admission days making them more affordable than ever before. And don’t forget all those photo ops along the way!

No matter where life takes you and your little one, there are plenty of ways to keep them entertained while also having meaningful experiences during your travels together. From nature walks to visiting local attractions, these activities will let your child discover their world in an age-appropriate manner without sacrificing any fun!

Traveling with a five year old can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. With just a bit of planning and organization, you can make the experience both safe and fun for your little one! From selecting age-appropriate activities to finding ways to prevent jet lag, there are plenty of strategies that will ensure your family vacation is nothing short of amazing – so incredible you’ll think time itself stopped as soon as you stepped off the plane.

The best part about traveling with kids? Seeing their eyes light up when they try something new or discover a place for the first time. It’s truly magical! And if your five year old does get homesick or overwhelmed during your travels, don’t forget: from unexpected detours on the way home to packing extra snacks in case of emergencies, being prepared is key for any parent who wants an unforgettable adventure.

So what are you waiting for? Grab your suitcase and pack those bags – it’s time to show your adventurous little traveler how exciting the world outside can be! After all, life is too short not to explore…so let’s go see what this big beautiful planet has in store!

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Well Traveled Kids

5 Days in New York City with a 5-Year-Old—Shopping, Dining & Exploring NYC with kids

Traveling to New York City with a 5-year-old doesn’t mean you have to give up everything you love about the city, like shopping, theatre, and dining. It just means your options are going to be slightly—altered.

My husband and I took our 5-year-old son Harry to the Big Apple this summer, and he loved every minute of it. We did, too. (For more tips on successful sightseeing with a 5 year old in New York, check out Part 1  of this series that includes great NYC spots to visit with kids like One World Observatory.

5 Days in New York City with a 5-Year-Old—Shopping, Dining & Exploring NYC with kids | stuff to do in NYC with kids | Fun in NYC with little kids

Probably the most important step you can take in planning a trip to New York City with kids is to alter your expectations. Here’s how—and a few more tips and tricks for your trip. We spent 5 Days in New York City with a 5-Year-Old and have lots of advice to share. Read on to see what we recommend for a fun family adventure in NYC with kids:

Family Adventures in New York City Kids!

You’ll still get to do plenty of shopping; it’ll just be for toys and candy. New York offers great options for the younger shopper.

There’s a Lego Store and NBC Experience shop in Rockefeller Center and a mega Disney Store right in Times Square, where Harry picked up a Minnie Mouse dressed up as the Statue of Liberty. It’s a different kind of shopping than I was used to in New York, but definitely still fun.

Checking out the food scene can still be a big part of your experience in New York City, but you’ll probably go to different restaurants than you would as a couple. Harry loved trying legendary NYC cheesecake, pizza and bagels. We went to the famous Shake Shack as well as Junior’s for the most fabulous cheesecake . John’s Pizza offers classic New York-style pizza in the theater district, but our favorite place to eat was Ellen’s Startdust Diner , where the singing wait staff serenades you through the dining experience.

5 Days in New York City with a 5-Year-Old—Shopping, Dining & Exploring NYC with kids | stuff to do in NYC with kids | Fun in NYC with little kids

Finding a nice, comfortable hotel in New York is key. You’re not going to spend a lot of time there if your busy sightseeing, but you’ll want to make the most of it when you do. I tell my friends to make sure to get a hotel room near where you want to sightsee. We were big fans of the Westin Times Square . We used our Starwood SPG points and booked a fantastic suite, which was really large and comfortable. Harry had a pull-out bed in a separate divided part of the room, where he could go zone out with his own TV in between long sight-seeing days. Everything about it was convenient for families—with the lights of Time Square, the subway, and convenient stores all right there. I also appreciated that the suites were large and newer compared to most of the old New York hotels.

5 Days in New York City with a 5-Year-Old—Shopping, Dining & Exploring NYC with kids | stuff to do in NYC with kids | Fun in NYC with little kids

Below are  more key tips & tricks for traveling to New York with kids 5 or younger:

5 Days in New York City with a 5-Year-Old—Shopping, Dining & Exploring NYC with kids | stuff to do in NYC with kids | Fun in NYC with little kids

Bring a stroller.

Even though your kid probably doesn’t use a stroller anymore for everyday life, bring an umbrella stroller. You walk everywhere in New York. You could walk a mile just getting around the subway. The stroller will come in handy—trust me. It’s also helpful when you’re walking through extra crowded areas. Put your little one in the stroller and push ahead. The kid can look around without getting separated from you.

Plan your day loosely.

Seeing the city of New York through the wonder of a young kid’s eyes—you don’t know where it’s going to take you or what your kid will want to do. Make only a couple of plans each day, and just see where you end up.

Put the Uber app on your phone.

Living in Chicago, we’re used to using Uber, but the car service has been the best thing to happen to Manhattan. In the past, New York taxi drivers were a mean bunch, but we’ve had really pleasant experiences using Uber. Drivers offered us everything from cold water to advice about things to do and see.

If you have never used Uber before, you can use code 515ba or   use this link for $5 off your first ride!

5 Days in New York City with a 5-Year-Old—Shopping, Dining & Exploring NYC with kids | stuff to do in NYC with kids | Fun in NYC with little kids

Bring an ID tag for you kiddo.

Pin it in their pocket or pin it to their clothing in case you get separated. Make sure they know where it is, and have a plan if you get separated. Every morning before we left our suite, we reviewed our plan with Harry: to find a mommy or a police officer, and show them their tag so they can find us.

Give your kid a camera of their own or let them take photos with your phone.

There are so many people, places, and things to photograph in the city. Harry loved taking pictures of the buildings and the larger-than-life animals at the toy store.

Beware of characters.

I’m not talking about people on the street. I mean the myriad Mickeys, Minnies, Statues of Liberty, and Sponge Bobs who stand outside of the toy stores or in Times Square just waiting to take a picture with your family—and then charge you for it. When we first got to Toys R Us, an Olaf jumped in for a photo with Harry, who definitely wanted a picture with one of his favorite characters. But then Mickey came over…and Sponge Bob…and the Statue of Liberty. And after we took the photo, they each demanded $5. It can be intense, so be ready.

5 Days in New York City with a 5-Year-Old—Shopping, Dining & Exploring NYC with kids | stuff to do in NYC with kids | Fun in NYC with little kids

Dress for the city.

Carry a small, cross-body purse with essentials or a backpack with extra clothes, but nothing of value. New York City is huge, and you’re going to be paying attention to your kid, less so your surroundings. Travel light, and make sure you’re safe. We never felt unsafe, but I always like to be prepared for anything.

When we flew back to Chicago five days after arriving in New York, we were all sad to leave. There were a lot of things on our to-see lists that we just didn’t get to. And two months later, Harry is still talking about all that we did. Who would have guessed we’d have so much fun in New York City with a 5-year-old?!

5 Days in New York City with a 5-Year-Old—Shopping, Dining & Exploring NYC with kids | stuff to do in NYC with kids | Fun in NYC with little kids

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New York City with Kids

Sarah is a Chicago-based luxury travel influencer, Virtuoso luxury travel advisor, luxury family travel writer, an Oprah Daily Ambassador, and the founder of WellTraveledKids.com. Sarah’s best travel companion is her sweet 12-year-old son, Harry. Her favorite getaways include a luxe hotel stay, quality family playtime, champagne & chocolate-covered strawberries.

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5 year old trip

Sounds like a great trip! That is sad about FAO Schwartz though. Ellen’s Stardust Diner sounds pretty cool, my kids would probably dig it! Oh and I totally hear you on the character thing! They have them in Las Vegas too…so annoying.

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Kid-Friendly 5 Days in Paris Itinerary

Posted on Last updated: March 18, 2024

Home » Destinations » Europe » France » Kid-Friendly 5 Days in Paris Itinerary

Kid-Friendly 5 Days in Paris Itinerary

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Planning a trip to Paris with kids and want a totally do-able itinerary? Keep scrolling to check out my kid-friendly 5 days in Paris itinerary from my last trip to France!

This kid-friendly 5 days in paris itinerary was written by family travel expert marcie cheung and contains affiliate links which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, i may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog..

Planning a trip to Paris with your family?

We just spent 5 days in Paris and had a blast! Our 8-year-old and 5-year-old loved all of the activities we did. Keep scrolling to see our exact Paris itinerary. Spoiler alert: they want to go back!

You will too once you see how much fun these activities are. All of them are perfect for kids of all ages. And don’t worry – we have tips for traveling with kids included too.

Keep scrolling to find out some awesome things to do for kids in Paris that your whole family will enjoy.

So what are you waiting for? Start planning your dream trip to Paris today!

Don’t have time to read a bunch of Paris blog posts and reviews? Here are some of our top picks for visiting Paris with kids.

Popular Paris Tours/Activities

  • Scavenger Hunt at the Musee d’Orsay (my kids voted this the BEST thing they did in Paris)
  • Paris Food Tour (We ate SO many yummy treats on our Food Tour)
  • Tootbus (this is a kid-friendly hop-on-hop-off bus)
  • Eiffel Tower (skip the line and go straight to the top)
  • Day Trip to Giverny and Versailles (it’s a great city break)
  • Flytographer photo shoot (they are easy to book and really affordable)

Kid-Friendly Paris Hotels

  • Hotel Aiglon (this is a quiet area near Luxembourg Garden, and it’s perfect for families)
  • Pullman Paris Eiffel Tower Hotel (there’s a shuttle to Disneyland or Giverny from here)
  • Newport Bay Club Resort (this is our favorite place to stay at Disneyland)

5 Days in Paris with Kids

Before I really get into the Paris in 5 days itinerary, I wanted to note that we flew to Paris from Seattle and arrived at 11 am in a heat wave where it was 101 degrees. We spent the first day basically just laying in the hotel soaking up the A/C and recovering from jet lag.

Jet lag hit us pretty hard this trip and we were back at the hotel by around 8 pm every night. We also added a few nights at Disneyland Paris so we actually spent 7 days in Paris. But this is the real itinerary we used in Paris for 5 days.

Day 1 : Food Tour and Jardin du Luxembourg

Paris food tour in the marais district.

We all know that Paris is famous for its food. And we wanted to know exactly where to go to taste the best croissants. So, we booked this Paris food tour for 10 am on our first full day in Paris.

Image of a woman holding out a basket of pastries to a man and two boys at a bakery in Paris

It’s one of the best food tours we’ve ever done while traveling!

Our guide took us to famous bakeries where we tried flaky croissants, pastries, and world-renowned bread. We did several tastings during our walk but it culminated in a leisurely sit down at a wine bar for wine, cheese, and bread.

Image of a bunch of French cheese

While we devoured lots of incredible food, we tried a truffle soft cheese that I’ve literally been dreaming about ever since! Check the latest rates and more information .

Notre Dame de Paris

Our food tour ended fairly close to Notre Dame Cathedral , so we figured we should walk past and take a few photos.

Image of the Arc de Triomphe with a little scaffolding and a temporary wall in front

Several years ago, Notre Dame caught on fire and it was incredibly sad. Since then, they have been working on restoring it. The face of the cathedral looked pretty good, but the rest was covered in scaffolding.

It wasn’t open for tours when we were there, but we’ve been inside in the past and it’s pretty amazing!

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Jardin du luxembourg.

One of our favorite memories of visiting Paris with toddlers was playing with the toy boats at Jardin du Luxembourg . It was an activity that our oldest child picked out from a book and it was a huge hit.

So, when we decided to go back to Paris, we made sure to add Jardin du Luxembourg to our Paris itinerary.

Image of a boy pushing a toy boat at Jardin du Luxembourg in Paris

We started off renting toy boats and it was super fun! It was only 6 euros for 30 minutes, so we got each kid a boat and we ran around chasing them.

From there, we headed over to the playground where the kids met other kids and played for 2 hours! The playground did cost a few euros to enter, but it was totally worth it.

Image of kids playing in a sandpit at a playground at Jardin du Luxembourg in Paris

We meant to hit up the carousel right next to the playground, but it closed a few minutes before we got there. It’s one of the carousels where kids try to grab the ring with a stick.

Dinner at Broadway Caffe

We realized that we were getting hungry for dinner after we left Jardin du Luxembourg, so we hit up Broadway Caffe on our way back to our hotel in Montparnasse.

Image of a meat platter and pizza at a Paris restaurant

It’s pretty much American food and Italian food (like Neopolitan pizza). We ordered pizza because it was easy.

We sat outside and they had swings for chairs! This was the main reason we opted to eat here.

5 year old trip

Day 2 : Paris Photoshoot and Historical Tour of Paris

Flytographer photoshoot in montmartre.

One of my favorite things to do when traveling with my family is book a photoshoot . That way, I know I’ll get some “nice” photos of myself, my kids, and my husband. Otherwise, I’ll only be in selfies.

Image of a family walking down a street in Montmartre Paris

This photoshoot had a 6 am start time, which was sort of brutal. But, it meant that we were basically the only people walking around Sacre Couer and Montmartre, which was pretty awesome.

I packed our photoshoot clothes in a special packing cube to make sure everything stayed clean and ready for our photo session.

Image of a family walking down the street in front of Sacre Couer in Paris

It was AMAZING and I’m so glad we woke up early to do this! Check out my top Paris family photo tips !

Oh, and we picked Montmartre because we did a photo shoot at the Eiffel Tower 5 years ago and didn’t want to repeat locations.

We always use Flytographer when we travel. They are usually the most affordable photography service we can find. And you can save $25 off your first session .

Book a Family Photo Shoot

Whenever we travel, we almost always book a family photo shoot with Flytographer. They are super easy, affordable, AND guarantee that I’ll be in some photos. You can get $25 off if you book through this link or use the code HAWAIITRAVEL.

Breakfast at Laduree on the Champs Elysees

If you love macarons, chances are that you have heard of Laduree. They have made their way to the United States in large cities like Los Angeles and New York City. But, they are originally from Paris.

Image of a boy sitting at a table with pastries in front of him

They have several locations around Paris, but if you want to do breakfast or brunch, you’ll want to book at their Champs Elysees location .

I booked our 8:30 am breakfast reservation about a month before our trip and I’m so glad I did because there was a line out the door for walk-ups.

Image of a woman biting into a giant macaron in Paris

The portion sizes were on the smaller size, but everything tasted and looked beautiful. Since it was a special breakfast, we let the kids order desserts and giant macarons.

And then, we had to stop and pick up some macarons to enjoy later in the day.

5 year old trip

Shopping on the Champs Elysees

The Champs Elysees is one of the most famous shopping streets in Paris. Normally, I’d just suggest walking for a bit to window shop because there are some fancy stores.

However, I spotted a Monoprix (sort of like France’s version of Target) and I just had to go in a take a peek. I’m glad I did because I scored a few cute dresses and a sweatshirt to immediately put on because it was a lot colder than I expected!

Image of a Minnie Mouse doll dressed in French clothing

Our kids also begged us to visit the Disney Store. They did have a few Disney Paris items and a lot of cute merchandise that we did not see at Disneyland Paris. So, I’d say it’s worth a quick stop.

Unexpected Gossip Tour of Paris

We love doing unique tours when we travel. So, when I saw that there was a tour where a woman dressed up in a 1700s costume and walked around Paris spilling the best historical gossip, I couldn’t sign up fast enough!

We booked the 11:30 am tour, which was perfect timing for our family.

Image of a woman dressed in 1700s costume with two little boys in front of the glass pyramid at the Louvre in Paris

Our kids thought the tour was pretty funny and they actually learned a lot of historical facts in a creative way. I love that our tour guide had a mini iPad so she could show exactly what she was talking about.

We learned cool things like how the term “souvenir” was coined and what really happened on Bastille Day.

The tour ended in the courtyard of the Louvre where we learned how someone stole the Mona Lisa. It’s a pretty crazy story! Check the latest rates and more information .

Break and Lunch at Cafe Edgar

Since we had such an early morning, we figured everyone could use a break. So we headed back to our hotel and everyone either took a nap or zoned out on screens for a bit.

Image of a grilled cheese sandwich with a fried egg on top

Then, we headed next door to our hotel to enjoy lunch at Cafe Edgar. They had a great assortment of French cuisine and tasty drinks.

We also walked around the neighborhood and checked out a local toy shop and bought some macarons.

Paris Tootbus

At this point, it was late afternoon and we were worried that we’d all fall asleep too early since we were still jet lagged. So, we figured we might as well hop on the Tootbus for a tour of Paris .

My husband bought the tickets while we were at our hotel and then we headed to Notre Dame to hop on. Since it was sort of late in the day, we just rode it until they closed and we had to hop off.

Image of a double decker bus in front of the Arc de Triomphe

It was totally worth it though! We saw the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, the Arc de Triomphe, and a bunch of other sites. Plus, it was a fun way to orient ourselves to the city. Check the latest rates and more information .

Galeries Lafayette

We got off the Tootbus and realized we were super close to Galeries Lafayette . It’s basically a massive department store, but they have a whole section for food.

We took a peek at their gourmet food level because we were on the hunt for a few items we purchased a few years ago.

Image of someone holding a sandwich at Jardin du Luxembourg

But, we also realized that we could pick up a picnic dinner there. We ended up grabbing sandwiches, chips, yogurts, and desserts. We took them to Jardin du Luxembourg to enjoy and then we walked back to the hotel.

Day 3 : Musee d’Orsay and the Eiffel Tower

Scavenger hunt at the musee d’orsay.

After a quick breakfast at our hotel, we headed to the Musee d’Orsay at 10 am to meet up with Caroline for a kid-focused scavenger hunt of the Musee d’Orsay .

Image of a woman showing two kids an ipad in front of a painting at a Paris museum

We picked the Musee d’Orsay over the Louvre because our family had recently visited a couple of immersive Van Gogh exhibits and I figured our kids would be more familiar with some of the impressionist artists.

This kid-friendly tour surpassed my expectations! Our guide was a former elementary school teacher and she was incredible!

Image of a woman helping two kids draw in front of a painting at a Paris Museum

She gave each of our kids a little booklet for the scavenger hunt that included places to draw their own masterpieces and paste in photos of themselves at the museum.

This was a 2-hour tour and our kids were fully engaged the entire time. It was just the right amount of time for them to get a taste of a museum in Paris without getting bored. Check the latest rates and availability .

Eiffel Tower

We ended up taking a TukTuk to the Eiffel Tower from Musee d’Orsay. It was pretty pricey at 25 euro/person, but it was faster and a lot more fun than taking a taxi.

Image of a mom and two boys sitting in a tuk tuk in Paris

We ate lunch at Brasserie de la Tour Eiffel before heading to the meeting spot for our Eiffel Tower tour. Doing a tour is a great way to visit the Eiffel Tower with kids .

We knew we wanted to go up to the summit level of the Eiffel Tower and we wanted to skip the line. That’s why we booked a tour . It was definitely worth it for our family because there was minimal waiting.

Image of a mom and boy taking a selfie in front of the Eiffel Tower

The tour only lasted until the 2nd level and then we went up to the top on our own. It was pretty cool to see the views, but our 5-year-old was pretty toast on the way down. Check the latest rates and more information .

Image of a carousel next to the Eiffel Tower

So, we figured a stop at the carousel by the Eiffel Tower was necessary. Our kids ended up riding it 4 times. Plus, we got drinks and ice cream and just took an hour or so to relax.

Dinner at Chez Andres

We actually had 6:30 pm dinner reservations at Chez Andres , but they were able to get us in at 6 pm. We ate here 5 years ago and it was such a memorable experience that we knew we wanted to go back.

The food was incredible and the staff is so friendly and accommodating.

By the time we left at 7:15 pm, there was a massive line. So, it’s definitely worth making a reservation.

Day 4 : Giverny and Versailles

Bus tour of giverny.

Giverny is where the impressionist painter Claude Monet lived with his family and it’s where he painted his famous waterlilies.

Image of a woman standing in front of a pink and green house in Giverny Franch

My husband and I had a hard time deciding whether we should visit Giverny or Versailles as a Paris day trip , so we found a tour that did both . We weren’t sure how our kids would handle a 10-hour bus tour, but they were troopers.

We did breakfast at our hotel and then met up at a hotel where we hopped aboard the bus. It took about an hour to get to Giverny and the guide narrated almost the entire way. I thought it was fascinating but my kids kept plugging their ears and tried to sleep.

Image of a mom and boy taking a selfie in front of Monet's bridge at Giverny

Once we got to Giverny, we had about 2 hours to explore Monet’s house, gardens, and the gift shop. While that sounds like a lot of time, we really needed 3 hours to slow down and enjoy it.

But, it was stunning and we’re all so glad we got to see it!

Lunch in the Countryside

Part of the tour included a stop at a restaurant in the Normandy countryside. The food was fine and the wine was tasty! It was a nice pit stop before heading to Versailles.

Bus Tour to Versailles

Our bus tour went past little villages and where Monet lived for a few years on the drive to Versailles.

Once we arrived at Versailles we had 20 minutes to explore the gardens before meeting up with our group for our timed ticket to the Palace of Versailles .

Image of a boy posing in front of the Palace of Versailles in Paris

We only had 1 hour and 45 minutes at Versailles, which is a really short time.

Our kids were pretty exhausted once we got inside the crowded palace, so we ditched the tour group about halfway through and got snacks and drinks, and enjoyed the courtyard.

Image of a gold bedroom at the Palace of Versailles

Even though it was a jam-packed day, I’m still glad we did it this way because we got an intro to both places. Check the latest rates and more information .

We’re pretty sure we’ll be back to Paris in the next few years, so then we can decide if we want to do a full-day trip to either Giverny or Versailles. Read our full post about visiting Versailles with kids .

Dinner at Relais de l’Entrecote

There’s a really cool Parisian restaurant called le “Relais de l’Entrecote” where you can get steak and fries. It’s really the only thing on the menu and they come around and replenish your steak and fries as you eat.

Image of a dad and son smiling in front of a steak restaurant in Paris

You can get it with sauce or without. And you can let them know if you’d like your steak rare, medium, or well-done.

They have several locations. We did the one in Montparnasse and there was no wait right at opening.

Day 5 : Disneyland Paris

So, technically we moved hotels to stay at the Newport Bay Resort at Disneyland Paris for a couple of days, but you could easily do Disneyland Paris as a day trip . That’s what we did last time and that’s what we’ll do in the future.

Image of a mom and two boys posing in front of the entrance to Disneyland Paris

Disneyland Paris is similar to Disneyland California but they have several different rides. We focused on the rides that we don’t have in the U.S. but we skipped all the parades. Get Disneyland Paris tickets HERE .

Here’s exactly what we did with a park hopper pass (and the paid Premier Pass) on one day at Disneyland Paris:

  • Arrived at Walt Disney Studios for the Magic Morning
  • Ratatouille: The Adventure
  • Slinky Dog Zig-Zag Spin
  • My husband and 8-year-old did Crush’s Coaster with the Premier Pass while my 5-year-old and I did Cars Quatre Roues Rally
  • Les Tapis Volants – Flying Carpets Over Agrabah
  • Cars Road Trip
  • Shopping at Chez Marianne/potty break
  • Monsters Inc photo spot
  • We headed over to Disneyland Park
  • My husband and 8-year-old did Big Thunder Mountain with Premier Pass while my 5-year-old and I did Alice’s Curious Labyrinth
  • Peter Pan with Premier Pass (only took 5 minutes)
  • Got in line to Meet Mickey (1 hour line)

Image of two boys on an Aladdin ride at Disneyland Paris

  • Lunch at Pinnochio
  • Photo by castle
  • Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast with Premier Pass and store
  • Star Tours with Premier Pass and store
  • Mickey’s Philharmagic
  • It started raining so we bought sweatshirts and went pin shopping
  • 30-minute Lion King Show (reserved for $15/person)
  • Headed back to Walt Disney Studios
  • Churros and paella at the Spain stand and pizza at Italy stand
  • My 5-year-old and I did the Frozen Show while my husband and 8-year-old did Ratatouille and Crush’s Coaster with the Premier Pass
  • Shopping at Walt Disney Studios store
  • Headed to Disney Village to shop at World of Disney and Disney Fashion

Tips for Visiting Paris with Kids

Stay near paris attractions you want to visit.

On our first family trip to Paris, we stayed at an Airbnb near the Arc de Triomphe and the Champs Elysees and it was a great location for what we planned on that trip.

Image of the exterior of Hotel Aiglon in Paris

For this trip, we stayed at the Hotel Aiglon in Montparnasse specifically because it was a short walk to Jardin du Luxembourg. We liked being in a quieter section of Paris and it was perfect for our family.

But, there are plenty of other places to stay in Paris for families . You’ll definitely want to factor in your accommodations into your trip to Paris budget .

Ask Your Kids What THEY Want to Do

Kids love to be included in planning trips and it makes them more excited about the itinerary. Our kids chose to do the toy boats at Jardin du Luxembourg, the scavenger hunt at Musee d’Orsay, and Disneyland Paris.

Image of two boys holding toy boats at Jardin du Luxembourg in Paris

These were some of their favorite memories and they loved getting a say in our Paris itinerary.

We asked the kids about visiting other museums, visiting the Arc de Triomphe again, and doing a Seine river cruise but they weren’t interested in any of those suggestions.

It was a good thing we checked because those were on our original itinerary. I’m glad we swapped them for things the kids actually wanted to do.

Giverny vs Versailles

Since we had a hard time choosing between Giverny and Versailles, we did a mega tour that covered both locations. This worked for our family, but if you really want enough time to explore, each one deserves a day trip.

Image of a woman looking out a window at a garden in Giverny France

Giverny is perfect for families who love art and are familiar with Claude Monet. You’ll get to be in the place that inspired so many famous pieces of art.

Versailles is great for families who are interested in history and the French monarchy. It’s also one of the most popular day trips from Paris.

Use GPS for Metro Routes and Download Paris Taxi App

One thing we learned quickly in Paris is that taxis can drive in a special lane while Ubers cannot. That means it’s a lot faster to take a taxi. And you can order a taxi via an app.

Honestly, we used taxis a lot more than the Metro this trip to avoid crowds and save our feet from extra walking.

But, the Metro in Paris is really easy to use and it’s the most economical way to get around Paris.

5 year old trip

Paris Itinerary with Kids FAQs

Paris is home to some of the coolest carousels, so definitely plan on stopping a few times during your trip. There are also lots of parks with fun playgrounds. I recommend booking a scavenger hunt tour of either the Louvre or the Musee d’Orsay as a fun way to get your kids interested in art. And you can always do a macaron crawl where you try macarons from several bakeries and decide which is your favorite.

You can see as much as you like! Paris is home to some of the best art museums in the world and iconic attractions like the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe. It’s easy to see a lot of these buildings from a bus tour, but it takes more time if you’d like to stop and explore. You can plan on visiting 2 attractions/activities each day or spend more time at one and leave room to rest/relax.

Our first family trip to Paris was when our youngest was 6 months old. We were impressed with how baby-friendly Paris was. We mostly used a baby carrier when we did tours or explored. I do recommend bringing your own diapers and baby food if your child is particular as it can be hard to find specific brands in Paris.

Paris Family Vacation Wrap-Up

I hope this post helped you figure out what to do with kids in Paris, France! This was one of my favorite kid-friendly trips in Europe and we can’t wait for our next family trip to Paris!

I recommend checking out some Paris tours for kids, as well as French bakeries, pretty carousels, and anything else you can’t find in your hometown.

Love this Paris 5 day itinerary? Check out my tips for Disneyland Paris , top kid-friendly Paris tours , tips for visiting Paris for the first time , guide to hiring a Paris family photographer , things to do in Paris for teens , things to do in Paris at night , Paris Instagram spots , visiting Versailles with kids , secret spots in Paris , Paris day trips , things to do on a Paris family vacation , Paris Tuk Tuk Tour review , tips for visiting Paris with kids , and kid-friendly Arc de Triomphe tips !

5 year old trip

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30+ Engaging Travel Activities for Kids

This page may contain affiliate links, which means that we may earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.

When you’re traveling with kids, you want to make sure you’ve prepared some activities to keep them entertained on the trip. 

We are always on the search for awesome plane and road trip activities for kids. On our many, many trips with our kids, we’ve discovered through experience that some travel activities are better than others. 

Buuut it’s not so fun to discover that you have a dud once you’ve already left on your trip. We’re here to help you out by finding the very best travel activities for kids so you can relax and enjoy your trip!

Whether you’re going on a road trip or traveling by plane, these travel activities for kids are approved by both kids and parents!

Travel Activities for Kids

Water wow activity pads.

Water Wow! books by Melissa and Doug- Travel activities for kids

Water Wow Activity Pads are a truly mess-free travel activity for kids. Simply fill the pen with water and watch as colorful pictures appear as the brush goes across the page. The picture dries after about ten or fifteen minutes and can be used again!

There are a few different kinds of pads, ranging from simple pictures to number and alphabet activities to mazes and seek-and-find activities . 

Child playing with a Water Wow! pad on a plane

This activity appeals to a broad age range, as kids get a huge kick out of seeing the picture magically appear on the page as they color. We as parents even have fun doodling on the pages when our kids are done!

Paint by stickers

5 year old trip

These paint by sticker books are a great way to entertain kids on a trip. Each picture is completed by placing the little stickers on the correct number in the picture (think paint by numbers, but with stickers). It’s a great calming, focused activity for any kind of travel.

And when you’re finished, you have a gorgeous and vibrant picture! Our son likes to hang them up in his room when he’s done making them. 

These books have been a huge hit with my kids while traveling. And I love how focused they keep my kids and that they are mess-free!

Guess in 10 Game

Ages 6+ (or junior version for ages 3-6)

Guess in 10 game- travel activities for kids

Guess in 10 is a game that requires two people to play (or up to 6), but is sure to keep your child wanting more! Each person can ask up to 10 questions to guess the animal on the other person’s card. The first person to collect 7 game cards wins.

One of the best things about this game is how simple it is. No complicated rules or setup, just grab a card and start playing! And it’s so fun to learn new interesting facts about the animals on the cards.

In addition to Guess in 10 Animal Planet , there are lots of other versions of the game depending on your child’s interests, such as Guess in 10 Junior (for kids ages 3-6), Countries of the World , Deadly Dinosaurs , Things that Go , and World of Sports .

Tip: When playing with younger children, it can be helpful to choose a small group of 10-15 cards and then review them before playing. This narrows the scope of guessing to a more reasonable level for young children, especially if they aren’t familiar with a wide range of obscure animals.

Kids playing with magic clay on the plane

Magic clay , also called air dry clay or model magic, is a creative outlet for kids of all ages while traveling. Unlike playdough (which I wouldn’t bring on a plane or into my car in a million years), this light clay does not make a huge mess when used. Its foamlike texture holds together and doesn’t crumble apart or squish into carpets, seats, etc.

My kids have the best time with this activity when we travel and it’s always fun seeing the creative ideas they come up with.

We actually bought this big set of magic clay , which contains a 36 resealable little tubs of the clay, so it’s easy to just grab a couple of containers whenever we have a trip. And my kids can also make fun creations at home. If you want a smaller quantity, you can also buy a pack like this .

Mental Blox Go!

Mental Blox Go!

Mental Blox Go! is a set of over 30 games and puzzles in a compact travel case. This portable puzzle set includes ten different puzzle types with various levels of difficulty. Some games can be played individually, while others require multiple players.

Some of the games include memory match, shapes sudoku, and 4×4 chess, to name a few. The pieces are sturdy and chunky, making them difficult to lose.

I love that this game is small enough to be quite compact, without being so small that you lose the pieces, and my kids love the variety of games that you can play with just the one set!

Tangram Magnets

Trangram Puzzle magnets

This Trangram Puzzle Book has a variety of different puzzles children can make with the shapes at increasing levels of difficulty. And because the wooden shape pieces are magnetic, they stay in place when kids are playing with them on the go!

Although it is marketed for children ages three and up, this one will probably work better for older children as most of the puzzles are quite challenging.

Hidden Pictures Book

Ages 3-6 yrs

Hidden pictures book

Hidden picture books will keep your child engaged as they search for the images concealed in plain sight in each picture. 

This Things that Go Hidden Pictures Book has 96 pages with a variety of transportation-related scenes. On some of the images, there are matching stickers to put on the hidden picture once you find it, while on others you’re meant to circle the hidden picture.

Child working on a hidden pictures book on a plane

Our preschooler loved the things that go theme and especially enjoyed the pages with stickers to put on the pictures. There are also other themes you can choose from, including Pet Hidden Puzzles , Adventure Sticker Puzzles , etc.  

Fidget popper

Fidget poppers

For some simple and compact travel activities for kids, fidget poppers are a great choice. They give your child something to do with their hands while on the go.

It’s surprising how entertaining popping those little buttons in and out can be, for kids and adults. They are also a great sensory activity if a child is feeling agitated or anxious.

5 year old trip

If you’re traveling with a young jokester, consider bringing a joke book to keep them laughing. They will love learning new jokes to share and you might get a few laughs too. 

The Silly Kids Joke Book has over 500 jokes in large, easy-to-read font, perfect for young comedians on the go. The jokes are divided up into different categories, such as food jokes, knock-knock jokes, animal jokes, etc. so that your child can find the perfect joke for any occasion!

Puffy Sticker Activity Book

Melissa and Doug Puffy Sticker set

One of my favorite travel activities for kids, the Melissa and Doug Puffy Sticker Activity Books can keep a child busy for a long time on a trip. The sets come with background scenes and dozens of little stickers to decorate each picture to their own liking. 

Child working on a puffy sticker set on a plane

And the best part is that they’re reusable! And they actually are, unlike some sets that say they are but have stickers that are hard to get off or lose their stick. The set we have has lasted us several years and countless trips. My son always checks to make sure I’m bringing his puffy sticker set when were packing for a trip.

There are many different puffy sticker set options, depending on your child’s interests. We have the farm, chipmunk house (by far our kids’ favorite), and safari set , but you can also find princess, dress-up, and mermaid, dinosaur, ocean, safari , etc.

Wikki Stixs

Child playing with Wikki Stix on a plane

Wikki Stixs are a fun, mess-free activity that can grow with your child. Younger kids will enjoy squishing and twisting the bendable wax sticks, while older children can make more elaborate creations, such as shapes, words, people, animals, etc. The sky is the limit with this travel activity!

I love seeing the creative ideas my kids come up with when deciding what to make with their Wikki Stix. And since they are reusable, you can just unbend them when you’re done to make new projects!

Secret Decoder Activity Books

5 year old trip

Let your kid become a detective with these Secret Decoder Activity Books by Melissa and Doug. This set comes with three activity books and spy tools to help them reveal clues. In each book they will find a mystery to uncover using different spy techniques such as code breaking, unscrambling messages, and completing mazes.

Boy completing the Secret Decoder activity book

This is such a fun and engaging way for kids to pass the time while traveling! They will love solving mysteries as they build skills such as attention to detail, problem solving, and following directions.

Scratch art

Scratch art set- Travel activities for kids

Scratch art is a fun, creative activity that’s easy to do on the go. Kids will love creating their own colorful pictures simply by scratching off the top black coat with the wooden sticks provided. And this set comes with several stencils for kids who want a little help knowing what to draw.

Honestly, I got this on a whim before a trip, not knowing how incredibly entertaining my 5-year-old would find it. This kept him entertained for hours at the hotel, in the car, on the plane…. He had so much fun drawing pictures of all the places we were visiting for everyone he knows. 

Child working on a scratch art set at a table in a hotel

It does create a little bit of black residue from scratching off the topcoat, but not enough to be too annoying. And the entertainment value far outweighs that minor inconvenience.

5 year old trip

A tablet can be a lifesaver when you’re traveling. I’m all about bringing lots of hands-on activities for my kids to do while traveling, but sometimes screentime is the best way to keep a child occupied or distract them from a meltdown. 

The Kindle Fire comes with a tough, child-proof case and a two-year warranty. You can choose to stream content through wifi or download it onto the device.

Tip: Be sure to download some favorite movies, shows, or apps before getting on the plane. 

Learning Workbooks

Preschool thinking skills and dot-to-dot workbooks- Travel activities for kids

Learning workbooks are a nice way to combine academic learning with entertaining travel activity. And although these workbooks do have educational value, they are also a lot of fun for kids to work on while traveling.

You can find all sorts of interesting workbooks with a variety of interesting activities based on your child’s age. For kids ages 3-6, the Little Get Ready! series has some really engaging activity books. Another favorite is Highlights , which also has a wide rage of learning workbooks for all different grade levels and topics.

Yarn ball and crochet

Help your child learn a craft to keep them entertained while traveling. Our 5-year-old recently expressed a desire to learn to crochet, and that can keep him engaged for hours!

A craft like crocheting, knitting, weaving, or needlework is perfect for keeping a child occupied on trips, whether you’re traveling by car or plane. (And yes, you can bring knitting and sewing needles on a plane!)

This is usually one that you want to prep a bit beforehand though so that they can learn the basics and you can see if it’s really something that will keep their attention. You can get your child started with this beginner crochet set or a loom kit for making hats and infinity scarves .

And of course, there are a lot of other interesting crafts out there. See what appeals to your child and help them to develop that talent as they travel!

Drawing book

I can draw animals book and mini sketch pad

For your little budding artist, bring a book that teaches them to draw pictures. This is a another way for them to learn some new skills while they pass the time.

For younger children, consider a book like How to Draw Animals for learning to draw basic pictures. For older children up for a bit more of a challenge, How to Draw All the Things for Kids has detailed tutorials for 42 different projects. 

5 year old trip

Pair it with a small sketch pad and a couple of colored pencils or mechanical pencils (so that you don’t have to worry about the tip breaking) and your child will be all set to draw to their heart’s content!

Look-and-find book

1001 Things to Spot on Vacation book- Travel activities for kids

Look-and-find books are a fun way to keep children entertained while traveling. They will love exploring the detailed pictures as they search for various items on each page. 

We love the 1001 Things to Spot books by Usborne. The pages are so interesting and our kids have a great time looking for all the different objects in the pictures. Usborne has a lot of books in the 1001 Things to Spot series, including Animals , Bugs , Monsters , and so on.

Magnetic tin playset

5 year old trip

A magnetic tin playset is a self-contained activity that provides lots of creative fun for kids. The inside of the tin contains a background onto which your child can stick the magnets to create a fun scene. Each set comes with dozens of small magnets that match the theme of the set you chose. 

These are a great entertainment option for traveling by car or plane, or for using as entertainment when you arrive at your destination. My kids love arranging and rearranging the magnets to create new scenes and stories!

Tip: Bring a small plastic bag to use for storing the magnets you aren’t currently using, otherwise the scene ends up getting a bit too crowded. 

Usborne Wipe-Clean book

Child looking at an Usborne Wipe Clean book on a plane

These Wipe Clean books by Usbourne Books and More have been one of my go-to travel activities for kids for years. There are a lot of different options depending on what your child is ready for or interested in, including Wipe Clean Travel Activities , Wipe-Clean Space Activities , Wipe Clean First Math , Wipe Clean Travel Puzzles , and the list goes on and on.

One of the nice things about these books is that they incorporate all sorts of learning activities without making it feel like a workbook. I also love the fun and engaging pictures and that it’s endlessly reusable. Just wipe it off and start again!

Tip: Don’t forget to bring some extra dry erase pens for when your child inevitably misplaces theirs!

Would You Rather Book

5 year old trip

For kids who love a good laugh, this Would You Rather Book for Kids is sure to keep them enteretained as they think through various “would you rather” scenarios.

This book contains 200 would you rather questions to get your child thinking and laughing. It’s a fun way to get conversation going and bond as a family as you talk through different outlandish situations.

The book is compact and easy to pack, but contains hours of entertainment for your trip!

Color by Numbers

Color by numbers book- Travel activities for kids

Color by Numbers books are a fun way for kids to entertain themselves while traveling.

This set comes with numbered pens that correlate to the numbers on the pictures so kids know which color to use for each section of the picture. The numbers disappear after you color over them, leaving just the art behind!

Child working on a paint by numbers book on a plane

Our son loved seeing the colorful picture appear as he used the numbered markers.

Child completing a puzzle on a road trip

If you have a kid who enjoys puzzles, consider bringing a small puzzle or two to help them pass the time.

These small 20-piece puzzles are a great travel activity for younger kids. They have a frame and travel bag, so it’s easier to keep all the pieces contained and to pack up when it’s time to go.

Child completing a puzzle in a hotel room

For older kids, consider a larger puzzle as a hotel activity to keep them occupied if you have some downtime in your room. 

A pair of headphones with a cord and a pair of wireless headphones

One great way to pass the time while traveling is listening to podcasts. There are some really fun and entertaining podcasts for children out there that are sure to keep kids entertained on a trip. Our son could listen to his favorite podcast (Little Bedtime Stories) for hours!

Just make sure to bring a good pair of headphones for an ideal listening experience. For our younger kids, we typically use toddler headphones , but when they get older we prefer a pair of wireless headphones .

Tip: Preview the podcasts before your trip so that you know that it’s something that your child will find entertaining and also something that is appropriate for your child. Also, be sure to download the podcasts in advance so that you have access to them when you don’t have internet access.

Riddles Travel Game

5 year old trip

Get the gears turning by bringing along some riddles for your child. The 100 PICS Riddles Travel Game is a pocket-sized deck of 100 riddles, perfect for travel!

At the bottom of each card is the scrambled answer to the riddle, so you have an extra clue if you need help. Once you’ve guessed what it is, slide open the shutter to reveal the correct answer.

The small size and portable case make this a perfect travel activity for kids!

Sticker books

Child working on a sticker book on a plane

You can’t go wrong with sticker books for travel. And these days, there are so many different options that kids of all ages will love!

Our 3 and 5-year-old sons both loved the First 100 Trucks and Things That Go Sticker Book . It’s full of fun sticker activities, from color matching to creating your own construction site. This was one sticker book that our kids kept coming back to again and again throughout our trip!

Origami Craft Activty Set

Melissa and Doug Origami Animals Craft Activity Set- Travel activities for kids

For kids who love crafts, origami is a fun way to engage their creativity while traveling.

This On the Go Origami Kit from Melissa and Doug comes with all the materials you need to make 40 paper animals, along with detailed instructions. The papers have marks on them to show where to where to fold and include stickers to add eyes and embellishments to the completed animals.

There are beginner, intermediate, and advanced projects, so your child can challenge themselves with more difficult creations when ready.

Travel journal

5 year old trip

Kids will love recording their travel memories and experiences in a travel journal! 

The Ultimate Travel Journal for Kids provides a creative forum for little travelers to think about and write about their travel experiences. This book includes guided travel writing prompts as well as games and activities for keeping kids entertained on the go. And there’s space to write about four trips, so your child can look forward to using it on their next trip too!

This is one of those perfect travel activities for kids that gets them really thinking and engaging in their trip. Plus it’s a great way for them to record memories to look back on for years to come!

Stencils and mini sketch pad- Travel activities for kids

I don’t know what it is about stencils, by my kids find them so fun to play with! Maybe it’s that they can get really fun and detailed pictures that would be challenging for them to draw on their own. 

And there are some really fun stencil sets out there. This set comes with 16 stencil sheets with a wide variety of subjects (planes, dinosaurs, letters and numbers, animals, princesses, flowers… the list goes on and on). It also has pencils, a sharpener, and a sturdy little carrying case for everything.

But if you’re looking for something more basic, just get a small set to give your child something to work with. The key is just to find a set that appeals to your child and set them loose to see what they create!

Travel Scavenger Hunt

5 year old trip

This Travel Scavenger Hunt is a great way to pass the time on a long road trip! The cards are easy to read with big pictures, making it easy for kids of all ages to play.

And in addition to the typical cards of objects to look for, there are also special cards for things to hear (like a siren), feel (like the car going over a big bump), and smell (like a skunk or something stinky).

The one downside for this game is that it doesn’t work as well in more remote areas, as it’s a lot harder to find the items on the cards. But save it for when you’re driving through more urban areas and you’ll have a fun game that everyone will enjoy!

All ages (find age-appropriate books)

Reading is one of the best ways to pass the time while traveling, for children and adults! Find a topic or author that appeals to your child and bring along a book or two for them to read on the trip.

You can choose informative, non-fiction books or gripping fiction, depending on your child’s preference.

How Things Work book

We love the Usborne Lift-the-Flap books on all different topics, such Look Inside Space , which has over 70 flaps with interesting facts about space, and Look Inside How Things Work , which teaches all about the inner workings of machines, vehicles, household items, and more. I love these books for travel because one book contains so much information to hold a child’s interest throughout the trip.

Child reading on an airplane

Or you can choose a fun fiction book like the Magic Treehouse series (our 6 year old’s favorite), the hilarious and wacky Wayside School series , or an adventure story like Fablehaven .

Whatever your child’s age or interests, you can find fun and interesting books that they will love for your trip! This is probably one of our favorite travel activities for kids because of how engaging a good story can be.

Final Thoughts

When taking a trip with kids, it’s important to bring some fun activities to keep your child entertained. Bringing a few fun items to engage your child during travel will help make for a smoother trip for them and you.

And if you’re looking for some great options, you can’t go wrong with any of these travel activities for kids.

Other posts you might be interested in:

21 Airplane Toys and Activities Your Toddler Will LOVE!

50+ Road Trip Food Ideas- Easy Meals On the Go!

Road Trip Activities for Toddlers (That They Will Really Love!)

Related Posts:

The Ultimate Guide to Arches National Park with Kids

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Blog , Product Reviews

15 fantastic travel toys for a five-year-old.

5 year old boy holding a toy plane with aviator goggles - travel toys for 5 year olds

What to pack and be prepared for traveling with a 5-year-old

Once they got old enough, our children loved to help plan upcoming adventures and vacations, especially when the destination included fun things for them to participate in. At around the age of five or six, most kids begin to take an avid interest in travel and the process of getting to and from a magical new place. 

I often think of the range of 5-8 years old as the “Golden Age” in a child’s adolescence.  They’re fully potty trained , in school full-time, and generally responsible enough (and willing) to help with younger siblings – and before the more stubbornly strong tweens kick in! 

Don’t get me wrong – any long road trip or flight in our family is still peppered with several “Are we there yet?” questions. Still, five-year-olds are much better about keeping themselves entertained or participating in a side-splitting round of Would You Rather . 

In this article, we’re going to explore the Best Travel Toys for 5-Year-Olds to take with you on your next vacation. We’re sure that these fun, engaging, and humorous options will add some pizazz to your next trip!

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TL;DR – Summary of Perfect Travel Toys for a Five-Year-Old

This post is part of our tried & tested travel gear reviews and our best travel toys collection, tips for travelling with a five-year-old.

Before we dive into the fun part, we’d like to take a few minutes to offer some suggestions for taking a family vacation with a five-year-old.  These are based on personal experiences and advice from friends with families, and we hope they’ll help with upcoming family vacations.  

Pack a Spare Set of Clothes: Even though most five-year-olds can make it to the bathroom with no accidents, there are times when a toilet is not easily accessible.  Additionally, sometimes children will try to “hold it” because they’re nervous about going to the loo mid-flight. 

It’s helpful to talk with your five-year-old before a long flight or car ride to let them know that everything will be okay if they do have an accident.  It also never hurts to pack a few pull-ups to give them an added sense of security. 

Packing List Sign Up - Kids

Give Them Some Responsibility: When each of our own children was around five years old, we began to give them more responsibilities when we went on family trips, such as packing their own backpacks or travel bag to figure out what they could easily carry and what needed to stay home.  

From this experience, we designed our own “Kids Travel Packing List” – subscribe to our mailing list, and you can download your own copy to use with your kids totally FREE! You’re welcome : )

Provide Several Options for Activities : Five-year-olds may be a somewhat less hyper version of being four , but they still need plenty of travel toy options to keep them entertained along the way.

We recommend a car seat tray table for long car rides so that everything is close by, and these can also work well for flights. 

You may also be interested in our thoughts around whether you need a stroller or not for a 5-year-old . We go through the pros and cons of still taking a stroller traveling with a preschooler and what alternatives to a stroller you can use with bigger kids.

Best Travel Toys for a 5 Year Old

8.5 inch lcd writing tablet doodle board, skillmatics educational game: dots and mazes, educational insights kanoodle jr. brain boosting puzzle game for kids, coloring books, paint by sticker kids: zoo animals, classic tomy water game, melissa & doug deluxe water wow activity pads, i spy gold challenger: a book of picture riddles, melissa & doug fashion design activity kit, don’t let the pigeon finish this activity book, tangoes animals, spot it junior animals card game, fat brain toys shape game, amazon fire hd 8 kids tablet, 8″ hd display.

LCD Writing Tablet for Kids, 8.5 Inch Drawing Tablet Doodle Board, Toddlers Colorful Electronic Drawing Pads, Educational and Learning Boys Girls Toys for 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Years Old Kids (Blue)

We highly recommend this LCD Writing Tablet as one of the best travel toys for 5-year-olds because it’s mess-free, and portable, and the screen can be cleared with the simple push of a button. 

This doodle board comes with an easily replaceable, built-in battery that lasts for up to 6 months.  Your child can use the attached stylus to draw endless masterpieces on the large, glare-free screen.

Skillmatics Educational Game - Dots & Mazes, Reusable Activity Mats with Dry Erase Marker, Gifts, Travel Toy, Ages 3 to 6

These Skillmatics reusable activity mats are a surefire way to cure hours of boredom while traveling.  This perfect travel toy comes with six double-sided sheets and a skilly billy pen that can be wiped clean with the included duster cloth. 

Your five-year-old can build several core skills with multiple engaging activities that can be completed again and again.  This is an excellent toy to be handed down to other children.

Educational Insights Kanoodle Jr. Brain Boosting Puzzle Game, Brain Teaser Game for Kids Teens, & Adults, 2-D & 3-D Puzzles, Great For Travel, Gift For Kids Ages 4 to 7

The Kanoodle Jr. encourages the development of crucial skills, such as spatial reasoning and critical thinking. The portable puzzle board also acts as a case for all the puzzle pieces and a 60-page booklet to keep everything organized. If this one’s not to your liking, check out this page for a range of age-suitable, compact puzzle toys that would work equally as well on road trips. 

Nothing beats travel boredom like a good, old-fashioned coloring book.  If your five-year-old loves to create vibrant and unique pictures, check out options like this Unicorn Coloring Book or Coloring Books for Boys . 

Unicorn Coloring Book: For Kids Ages 4-8 (US Edition) (Silly Bear Coloring Books)

Each book is appropriate for ages 4-8, meaning they’re versatile enough for several children to use them in one trip.  The illustrations are simple enough so that it’s easy to stay inside the lines but also provide a variety of engaging pictures to keep your child entertained for hours.

Don’t forget your marker pens too! Look for the type that clicks together easily or stores in their own case so they don’t go missing so easily, and washable, of course!

Paint by Sticker Kids: Zoo Animals: Create 10 Pictures One Sticker at a Time!

Paint by Sticker books are a less-mess alternative to paint by numbers, and they’re very travel-friendly, making them ideal for younger children on a long car ride.

This zoo animals version allows your child to create ten beautiful sticker paintings and helps them to work on both counting and hand-eye coordination skills. The quality cardstock also has perforated edges so that they can be gifted to friends and family alike. 

Classic TOMY Handheld Water Game - Kids Fidget Toys - Water Sensory Toys - Dolphin

The best travel toys for five-year-olds are ones that present different scenarios every time, and this portable water game does just that.  Your child must tip the toy so that all three rings are on the dolphin’s nose.  It’s more complicated than it looks! 

The game is straightforward to set up–just fill with water and push the button to play.  Empty the water before going through airport security and fill it up again before your flight.  If you’re travelling with multiple children, see who can capture the rings the fastest!

These Melissa and Doug Deluxe Water Wow! Activity Pads are a go-to for our family trips, and for a good reason.  They’re lightweight, reusable, and appropriate for a wide age range (trust me, even my tween, when she’s bored, joins in!)

You can refill the water pen repeatedly, and the coloring pages clear up as they dry.  Each pad comes with a red lens to find hidden pictures, and the spiral-bound pad keeps everything together. 

They come in many different sets suitable for older toddlers and up. Some of our favorite options for slightly older kids include Around Town , Adventure , and Fairy Tale .  

Melissa & Doug On the Go Water Wow! Reusable Water-Reveal Deluxe Activity Pad – Around Town

If your five-year-old loves puzzles and using problem solving skills, this enchanting I Spy Book of Picture Riddles is a great option that will keep them coming back again and again to discover new items on each page.

The book is filled with vibrant, eye-catching photographs taken by Walter Wick, and author Jean Marzollo has filled each page with riddles to challenge even the most determined riddle-solver in your family. 

Melissa & Doug Fashion Design Art Activity Kit - 9 Double-Sided Rubbing Plates, 4 Pencils, Crayon - Fashion Plates, Travel Toys for Kids Ages 5+, 16 Piece Set, White

The budding fashion designer in your family will love this activity kit with interchangeable fashion plates that allow them to create endless designs.

Each rubbing kit comes with nine double-sided design plates, coloring utensils, and a carrying case, making it perfect for designing on the go. The kit doesn’t include paper, so remember to grab a blank writing pad for your child’s travel case as well. 

Don't Let the Pigeon Finish This Activity Book!-Pigeon series

Mo Willems is known for his wacky children’s books, and this hilarious activity book is an extension of his popular series.  The Bus Driver provides instructions for each activity, while the pigeon tries to convince the reader to put the book down and do something else. 

We’re in love with this particular travel item because it provides a wide range of activities for your child and helps them develop a relationship with the character within making it a great travel toy.

Tangoes Animals

Who knew so much fun as possible with just seven different shapes?  The Tangoes Animal book is an ideal travel toy for five-year-olds because it provides 48 tangram challenges and a magnetized board to reduce the chance of pieces getting lost along the way. 

The attached challenge cards are arranged in three different challenge levels; each picture resembles a familiar animal.  You’ll also find yourself drawn into the fun with this refreshing take on the ancient Chinese Tangram puzzle, which is great for fine motor skills and little hands that love a challenge.

Spot It! Junior Animals Card Game | Game For Kids | Preschool Age 4+ | 2 to 5 Players | Average Playtime 10 minutes | Made by Zygomatic

One of our tried-and-true family travel toys has been several different versions of Spot It!  Spot It! is especially fun to play on a long flight, in the terminal, or on train rides; everyone can participate. 

This fast-paced travel toy works on symbol recognition and eye association because each card is filled with eight colorful animals of different sizes. 

Regardless of the combination, two cards always have a matching symbol, allowing endless playing options making it one of our favorite travel toys for its versatility and compact size.

Fat Brain Toys Shape Game - Little Thinker's Block Logic Puzzles Brainteasers for Ages 3 to 5

The shape game is another intriguing puzzle option for your five-year-old (and maybe you!).  It’s comprised solely of heavy-duty activity cards and wooden blocks, so we recommend storing it in a plastic bag for travel.

 This travel toy aims to follow the stars to arrange the blocks in different challenging combinations.  The Shape Game encourages spatial reasoning, logic, and critical thinking skills, to name a few.  It’s also appropriate for ages 3-6, so younger siblings can also join in the fun. 

Amazon Fire HD 8 tablet, 8” HD Display, 32 GB, 30% faster processor, designed for portable entertainment, (2022 release), Black

Traveling for any length of time with little kids can be exhausting, and sometimes both parents and children need a mental and physical break.  That’s where the Amazon Fire 8 Kids Tablet with an 8” display comes in.

Download a few of your five-year-old’s favorite apps or take advantage of the included year of Amazon Kids+. The tablet also easily connects to in-flight Wi-Fi to stream appropriate movies, and Bluetooth capabilities make it easy to pair with your child’s favorite headphones.

Speaking of which…. headphones and tablets should always go hand in hand. Your 5-year-old will be at that age where they’re between specialized toddler headphones and using proper kids’ headphones. Here are a few of our favorites for this age group.

JBL Jr460NC Wireless Over-Ear Noise Cancelling Kids Headphones - White

More ideas for entertaining young kids on long trips

Even with all the toys and tech you can throw at young children to keep them happy on the move, sometimes what they simply want is YOU! Often easier said than done if you’re driving or have younger siblings keeping your hands full.

It is really important to remember, though, just because your 5-year-old is more self-sufficient and a much better traveling companion than most young tots, some one-on-one time doesn’t go astray. Some engaging games without toys should be used too, why not try:

Family car games – some favorites even 5-year-olds will understand are

  • I-spy (though you may need to do colours or phonetics rather than the alphabet)
  • The Alphabet game – great for learning your ABCs. Go through everything you know, starting with A is for ….., then B, C etc. Take turns around your group – you could try animals, foods or people’s names with a 5-year-old. Older kids, you can advance this game by trying countries, cities, and movies.
  • Would you rather? – a classic car or queuing game for kids, no tools needed, just some inspirational and fun questions to get your little one thinking (e.g. would you rather a per crocodile or a pet lion – the more nonsensical, the better!) – we’ve even come up with our own printable “Would You Rather?” kid questions which you can grab for your next long car trip

Road trip ultimate entertianment bundle

We have a comprehensive list of family games perfect for long journeys here.

Audiobooks – sharing an audiobook or podcast is a great family activity. You can get absorbed in the story whilst also chatting or explaining parts too. Audiobooks need not be something you simply plug your kids in, grown-ups can love them too – here we choose all our family favourites , plus podcasts the whole family can tune in to .

Take some snaps! – Let your kids take control of the camera for a bit. Most 5-year-olds can probably operate a camera better than you can; let them record the journey from their perspective. It can actually be great fun looking back at what they think was important to record or seeing the view from the back seat! We watch these back at our meal breaks, and it’s loads of fun for us all.

Snacks! – It doesn’t seem to matter what age kids are. Snacks are the stuff of travel dreams. My Master L can remember pretty much any place he’s been simply by the snack he ate there (not bad for a fussy eater ).

The important thing when traveling with your 5-year-old, space out the treats. Whilst it’s tempting to give them sweets if they haven’t asked “Are we there yet?” for 30 minutes, all parents should know the result of too many sugary sweets and being cooped up in a car or plane… Not saying never; just space them out and try and keep snacks healthy for longer-lasting energy.

lunch box full of healthy food

More tips for pre-schooler travel

This is honestly a great age to travel with kids. They really get so much easier and so much less gear to contend with! If you’d like more from our blog on travel tips and products you might need from the pre-schooler to a grade school kid age group, why not check out:

  • Best gifts for outdoor-loving kids – embrace your little one’s love for the outdoors with these include non-toy gifts for outdoor-loving kids
  • Camping toys for kids – taking their love of nature further, these are the best travel toys when you’re on a family camping adventure
  • Helping kids sleep on planes – the best airplane sleep devices helping kids to spread out and rest well on a plane
  • 15 steps to conquer jet lag – beating the menace of long-haul holiday joy the easy way
  • 45 essentials for family road trips – don’t leave home without all of these items for your car, your kids and your sanity!
  • Best Ride on luggage – preschoolers are the perfect age to get a kick out of ride-on luggage, or check out our selection of the best luggage scooters – yes, they’re a thing!!
  • Neck pillows for a comfortable ride – your 5-year-old will still enjoy a nap on a long journey. Get them cosy with these ideal kid-sized neck pillows and seatbelt comforters
  • The best beach games for families – enhance your next trip to the beach with these fun beach & water games for all the family

Helpful? Bookmark this page or pin it for later

Child holding a toy plan on an airplane

Don’t miss our latest travel toy guides:

  • Best travel toys for every age group
  • Tried & tested travel toys for a 1-year-old
  • Travel toys perfect for your 2-year-old
  • Terrific travel toys for a 3-year-old
  • Fabulous travel toys for a 4-year-old
  • Engaging toys for toddlers on road trips
  • Best kids toys for the beach
  • Top toys and games for occupying tween travellers

Disclosures: We are participants in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. You can read our full disclosure policy here.

© Our Globetrotters | Feature Images CanvaPro

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2 thoughts on “ 15 Fantastic Travel Toys for a Five-Year-Old ”

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Kids Travel Toy Box is one of my son’s favorite toys when we go on long trips, he always takes it with him. Holds legos, other building toys, or snacks. There are fantastic.

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Such a great contraption isn’t it! A bit bulky for international travel but my youngest still uses it on domestic car trips

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5 year old trip

Paper Heart Family

57 Car Activities For Toddlers For A Stress-Free Trip!

By: Author Brenda Kosciuk

Posted on Published: March 29, 2023  - Last updated: September 29, 2023

Truth: A long road trip with my kids (especially my toddler) gives me major anxiety.

And they shouldn’t because I have this amazing list of great travel and car activities for toddlers .

A basket of toddler activities for the car- sticker books, lovey blanket, audio player and boogie board.

I have a 6 year old, but she’s much easier in the car than her 3 year old sister and she can do all of these activities as well!

Toddler car activities that work for older kids, too?

That’s a win, win!

Keeping toddlers occupied and happy in the car on long car rides or road trips is actually pretty simple, as long as you are prepared ahead of time.

This is definitely not something that you want to ignore until the last minute.

A little preparation using these amazing ideas is going to make your family road trip SO MUCH BETTER.

Especially if you are taking a road trip with kids by yourself .

You don’t want to be stressed before the vacation activities even start!

Have you ever tried to entertain little kids in the car for hours without any real plan?

Yes, you could just load your tablet or portable DVD player with tons of movies, but is that really going to keep your kids occupied?

My guess is no!

At least not if they are anything like my kids.

There is only so much zoning out that my kids can handle.

They like being active, not confined.

They like interaction and stimulation.

This is why I have developed this list.

Because intentional travel toddler activities are going to save my sanity.

Because even if I put on a movie during a long car trip, inevitably one of my kids (halfway through) will start.

“Are we there yet?”

Figuring out what to do with a 2 year old in the car is stressful.

Having a bunch of these car games for kids and car activities for 2 year olds, 3 year olds or 4 year olds ready to go will help you to not want to jump OUT of the car during your next long drive.

This post contains affiliate links.

Best Car Activities For Toddlers

Kids playing in the back seat in the car

Getting some new books for road trips with toddlers will definitely buy you some quiet time in the car.

You could also get some from your local library.

I would go with books that your toddler will be majorly interested in (favorite characters, for example).

For my 3 year old, that would mean a bunch of Paw Patrol books.

If there is someone in the back that can read to your toddler, even better!

You could even show the YouTube read aloud version of any of these 2-year-old book favorites.

It’s also a great idea to have your toddler tell everyone in the car what’s happening in the story.

It’s a great way to get your toddler’s creativity flowing while she’s stuck in the car for hours.

You could also bring along some of your toddler’s favorite books.

2. Melissa And Doug Water Wow Books

Water Wow books are super popular toddler road trip travel toys.

Simply fill the water pen with water, and your child can “color” in the pages.

It works surprisingly well, and by the time your toddler colors in the last page, the first pages will be dry so that your toddler can start all over again.

3. Read-Along Storybooks With CD

I would love to read to my toddler in the car, but reading makes me carsick.

Read-Along Storybooks that come with a CD are actually even better for in the car.

There are so many great books to choose from and the narration is really great.

We own quite a few of these books, and we often listen to each of them several times on long trips.

At first, I had to prompt my daughter (when she was 2) to turn the page when she heard the chime, but she caught on very quickly and was then able to do it independently.

If your toddler already enjoys read-along storybooks, you might want to venture into audiobooks for your toddler .

4. An Old Cell Phone

This cell phone doesn’t even have to be working or charged.

I’m not kidding, your toddler will love it and will feel like such a big deal.

The key is to tell your child that it’s “her phone”.

Both of my kids play with their non-working phones all the time.

They call people, they receive calls and they tell their cousins that it’s real.

Old phones are great things to keep a toddler busy on a road trip.

5. Would You Rather Questions

I love asking my toddler questions, and these funny Would You Rather for kids are the best type.

They’re super easy for your toddler to answer because they give 2 options for your child to pick from.

The sillier the better!

I also have this or that questions for kids , which might be a little easier for toddlers.

6. Stickers

Stickers are always a hit, and I love that (especially at the toddler stage), it’s an activity that takes a long time.

Make sure that you remove the sticker paper around the stickers first so that it’s less frustrating for your toddler.

We recently got the Pete The Cat Sticker Book and I seriously LOVE it because the quality of it is really amazing for the price. It has different scenes where you place the stickers and the stickers don’t easily rip like some others.

Reusable sticker pads are also a great option.

7. Flashlights And Glow Sticks

If you will be traveling when it’s dark, flashlights and glow sticks will be a crazy fun activity.

Just make sure to keep them put away until then.

8. A Stack Of Post-It Notes

A stack of post-it notes just provides for so many possibilities.

Your toddler can stick them all over the place, can write on them with crayons or colored pencils, or can re-stack them endlessly.

9. Small Objects In Small Containers

Scour your house for some egg fillers for toddlers and put them inside plastic Easter eggs.

Your toddler will love opening them up to see what’s inside.

Your toddler can also put them in and out of the Easter eggs.

10. A Taste Test

I LOVE this one.

It can be done with Jelly Belly jellybeans , gummy bears, fruit snacks, etc and is probably best saved for older toddlers so that you don’t have to worry about choking.

Have your child close her eyes, hand her one of the previously mentioned foods, and have her guess the flavor or color.

11. Edible Necklaces

Before you go on your trip, you and your toddler could make an edible necklace out of cereal such as Cheerios.

Then store the necklaces for the trip.

This is a great activity because the necklaces will take your toddler a long time to consume, and they’re more fun than simply handing over a bag of Cheerios.

12. A Travel Tray

A travel tray will simply make coloring, playing and doing all of these activities so much easier.

This travel tray is my favorite, because it has side pockets, sturdy sides, fits perfectly over your child’s car seat and it folds flat for storage.

Just imagine: All of your child’s toys and snacks will stay contained to their little space and you won’t have to worry about her dropping her toys or getting goldfish crumbs everywhere. 

Oh, and according to the reviews , this tray has saved MANY road trips.

13. Your Child’s Blankie Or Lovey

If your toddler still has a lovey or special stuffed animal, be sure to bring it with you so that your child can more easily take a nap.

14. A Kid-Safe Mirror

It’s simple but oh-so entertaining!

15. A Slinky

I don’t know what it is about the Slinky, but my kids are mesmerized by them.

16. Magnets and a Cookie Sheet

If your toddler is learning letter recognition, some alphabet letters would be a great activity for the car.

You could also tie it into looking outside at signs to try to find a letter (if your toddler is forward facing).

17. Measuring Cups To Stack

I’m sure your child is already a fan of stacking Tupperware, bowls, and whatever else she can find in your kitchen cabinets.

Bring some small measuring cups to continue the stacking fun in the car.

18. Magnadoodle

19. color wonder mess-free markers and pads.

For some reason, kids just like markers more than crayons and colored pencils.

What is it?

Color Wonder markers and pads are amazing because they have the excitement of markers but they only work on the special Color Wonder paper.

They are a much better version of a coloring book for the car.

20. Imagine Ink Mess Free Coloring Sets

Imagine Ink Coloring Sets are very similar to Color Wonder but they are more compact and only come with one marker (which means less chances of losing a marker in the carseat).

My 3 year old also prefers the Imagine Ink books.

21. Look And Find Books

Look And Find books will keep your toddler’s mind engaged and thinking creatively during your road trip.

Though a lot of these books are maybe to advanced for as car activities for 2 and 3 year olds, there are many Look And Find books that are geared toward this age level.

  • Paw Patrol First Look And Find
  • Peppa Pig First Look And Find
  • Mickey Mouse Clubhouse First Look And Find

22. Wrapped Dollar Store Items

Break the monotony of your car ride up by handing your child some toys wrapped in gift wrap.

You can visit the dollar store to buy a few small toys, or you could even wrap up some of your toddler’s existing toys.

I love the idea of giving your child one wrapped toy at certain intervals.

You could give a toy after a certain time period or when you cross over into a new state to celebrate.

23. Snacks, Snacks and More Snacks

I remember thinking (before kids) that I was NEVER going to let them eat in the car.

Then I had kids, and surprise!

I laughed at my pre-kid self.

Even if you do not allow food in the car (how do you do it?!), car trips could be the exception to the rule.

While I’m a HUGE crazy person about what my kids eat, I have been known to give my kids some special treats on long car rides.

Pack your snacks wisely.

The best snack ideas are foods that take a long time to eat such as pretzels, goldfish, cereal necklaces, etc.

You could also try incorporating food with something else, like a game.

Winner gets a pretzel!

Snacks will be your number one tantrum deterrent and the easiest way to distract, so make sure you pack more than enough.

24. A Boogie Board

A Boogie Board is an LCD board that your toddler can write on with a stylus and erase with a push of a button.

It’s pretty simple (and actually you can then use it for jotting down your daily to-do list).

I actually bought one for myself, and then had to buy a second and a third because my kids kept stealing it from me.

25. Conversation Starters

What better time than to get to know each other than when you’re stuck together in a small car for hours?

These conversation starters will help you get a little glimpse into your toddler’s mind.

They are truly fun for the entire family.

If your toddler is struggling to answer the questions, give your answer first as an example.

26. Tell Jokes

Okay, your toddler might not completely understand kid jokes yet, but toddlers don’t care!

My toddler will laugh at any joke I tell her, even if she has no idea what it means.

These jokes for 4 year olds,  5 year olds or 6 year olds contain many that your toddler will actually understand.

This activity will be a lot of fun.

It’s true, the jokes might not be funny for the adults in the car, but the toddler giggles will definitely put a smile on your face.

You can also have your toddler make up her own jokes.

My 3 year old loves to invent her own jokes, and though they never make sense, they always make me laugh because it’s adorable.

Her jokes always end with “because he was a real hot head!”.

27. The VTech Rock and Bop Music Player

The VTech Rock And Bop Music Player is another toy that will make your toddler feel like a big hotshot.

It’s like an iPod for toddlers.

It might be the phone shape of it, or it might be the headphones that come with it.

It plays cute songs and your toddler can also play a few games with it.

It’s really interactive and will give you some quiet time to just relax in the front seat.

(My 6 and 3 year old fight over this all the time). 

28. The Counting Game

Choose something that the whole family needs to look for (black cars, red trucks, stop signs, cows, etc).

See how long it takes you to find a certain number then start again.

I love this even for the youngest toddlers because it will help your child practice colors and numbers, and the repetition with help immensely.

Try to pick your number limit based on what your toddler knows.

My 3 year old can count up to 15, and then gets them a little mixed up.

The next time we play this game, I will go up to 20 so that she’s getting repetition of the numbers 15-20 that she needs.

Okay, you might hate this idea and you can choose to ignore it completely, but kids love repetitive songs that we find to be, well, annoying.

Think “The Wheels On The Bus”, “10 Little Monkeys Jumping On The Bed”, and “The Song That Never Ends”.

30. Movie Soundtracks And Kid’s Music

If you don’t feel like having “The Song That Never Ends” stuck in your head for the duration of your vacation, bring along some movie soundtracks or your toddler’s favorite songs to play in the car.

No, not a mixed tape, actual scotch tape.

Or washi tape or whatever.

I have a feeling if I handed my 3 year old tape in the car and told her that she could use it all, she would be like a kid in a candy store.

This one could go either way.

It could occupy your toddler for a VERY long time, unless your toddler is the go-big-or-go-home type.

Then your entire roll of tape might be pulled out in one long, sticky strand in about 10 seconds and then you’ll be on to the next activity real quick.

32. Band Aids

So what if your next rest stop is spent peeling band-aids off of every inch of your child’s clothing.

I am telling you, this activity will last a LONG time.

Simply getting the band-aid out of its packaging with take a while, and it’s a great fine motor activity too.

Don’t worry about your toddler wanting you to open all the band-aids. Most (every?) toddler wants to do everything themselves anyway.

This is one of my toddler’s most favorite fun car activities.

33. Play I Spy

While I don’t think I Spy is a very good game for DRIVING because you’re simply whizzing by everything, it is a life-saver when you are stuck on the highway because of traffic, construction or an accident.

34. Magnetic Toys

Magnetic toys are great because they won’t be falling all over the place.

Magnatiles are a great choice, and will get tons of play even after your trip.

35. Wooden Lacing Activities

Hone your toddler’s fine motor skills with these on-the-road activities for toddlers.

  • Lacing Activity Set with cute animals
  • Wooden Lacing Beads

35. Flashcards

I know that flashcards kind of have a bad reputation, but my toddler LOVES doing her alphabet flashcards.

We have these flashcards and they are great because they are super thick and sturdy, they have pictures of common things and they are connected by a ring which is perfect for in the car (my biggest pet peeve about driving with kids is when I hear that someone has dropped something. Did I say that already?!)

36. Scissors and Paper

Give your child some scissors and paper or a magazine.

Your toddler will cut and rip that paper and likely make a gigantic mess, but it’s guaranteed to be a very effective way of keeping toddlers busy .

If you’re really brave you can give your child a glue stick also so that she can glue all of her pieces onto some paper.

37. Pinwheels

Your toddler can spin it and (try) to blow it.

Or just swing it around, whatever floats her boat.

38. A Balloon

A balloon on a string in a confined area is super fun (for the kids, at least).

39. Wikki Sticks

Wikki Sticks are made out of yarn and food-grade wax.

They can be stuck together to make endless designs and are completely reusable.

40. Electronics

You were probably wondering if I was ever going to suggest electronics.

I don’t LOVE screen time for my toddler, but a little screen time (especially in the car) is always a good option.

If you’d like to offer up some electronics, here’s what I suggest.

If you do games on a tablet, my ABSOLUTE MOST FAVORITE app is Endless Alphabet .

It is an incredible app, but is also simple and will teach your child letters and new words.

Your child will drag letters to form words, all while the letter that you’re dragging is making silly sounds (the K will make a K sound over and over).

Once your child has finished the word, there will be a very short scene showing what the word means in a very silly way.

My kids LOVE getting to the end to see what the little creature will do.

If you’re going to show a movie or a TV show, I highly suggest this tablet holder for the back of your seat.

This is the one that we have because it goes in between the two front headrests so that both of our kids can watch a movie on it.

This awesome Disney movie list can give you some great options.

You should also purchase an extra long charger so that you don’t run out of batteries in the middle of Chase’s mission.

41. Toy Catalogues

If it’s near Christmas, give your toddler the latest toy catalogue and have her circle the toys that she wants.

Yes, she will probably circle everything in sight.

No, she won’t remember what she circled.

42. Podcasts

You can definitely listen to a podcast while your toddler is playing, snacking or whatever.

Check out the 5 Best Podcasts For Kids Under 5 .

43. Dollar Store Toys

Your kids can even go with you to pick some toys out. Just make sure to put them away for the road trip.

44. Guessing Games

You can describe an animal, a family member or a mystery object.

45. The Quiet Game

This just might be my most favorite of many road trip games.

The Quiet Game is simple.

Whoever speaks first loses.

You could even up the ante and have someone in the car try to MAKE everyone else laugh.

Another idea would be to give a small prize for being the last to make noise.

46. Pictionary

Mom, older siblings or your toddler herself can draw a picture and everyone else needs to guess what it is.

The great thing about this game is that my kids love stumping us, which is great for those times when you have absolutely no idea what your kid has drawn.

47. Tell Stories

My husband often tells my kids stories at bedtime.

The main character of the story is always themselves, and the story inevitably contains some kind of silly occurrence.

Another fun option is to have one person start the story, then the next person will say another sentence of the story and so forth.

This is really fun and great for your toddler’s imagination.

48. A Tape Measure

If your toddler’s got a bunch of toys back there with her, give her a tape measure and ask her to measure each of them!

49. Play 20 Questions

Make it simpler for your child by starting with a category (animals, foods, etc).

50. Blow Bubbles

This one might be a no-go, but if your toddler can blow bubbles on her own (or if there is an older sibling in the back to blow them), then this will work.

Just make sure that you get the mini bubbles so that if they spill, your child won’t be covered in sticky bubble solution.

51. Play Finish-The-Doodle

Have your toddler make a doodle on paper or on her Magnadoodle.

An older child (or mom) should use that doodle to make a drawing out of it.

52. Avoid The Complaints

If your kids are prone to “Are we there yet?”, this idea is PERFECT.

Give your kids a roll of quarters.

Each time that your kid says “Are we there yet?”, she has to hand over one quarter.

53. Pipe Cleaners

Ask your toddler to create a surprise for you out of pipe cleaners.

They are super easy to bend and form into different shapes!

54. Scavenger Hunts

This road trip scavenger hunt come in three varieties: the traditional checklist, BINGO and a color car find.

55. Mile Tracker

Give your toddler a paper with a bunch of squares on it (one square for every 50 miles of your trip).

Every 50 miles, have your child cross off one of the squares.

This provides a great visual for your child to be able to see how much farther you have to go.

56. Rotate Toys

Make sure that you don’t just throw a bunch of toys in the back with your toddler.

Give one toy at a time, and once your toddler starts to fuss, switch that toy out for another one.

57. Rest Area Mini-Olympics

Get your kids to get all that pent-up energy out each time that you make a stop.

You can have your kids hop, do jumping jacks, stretch, run, etc.

I hope this post helped you to find some new favorite road trip activities!

It’s hard to entertain a toddler in the car, but you can do it!

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Your guide to flying with kids of every age

Jordi Lippe-McGraw

Your passport to an enjoyable flight with your kids is a little advance planning and packing a bag of travel treats to manage in-flight restlessness. Between cramped seats , questionable food and fees for checked bags , flying can be stressful for families whether taking the first flight with a baby , dealing with cranky toddlers or moody teens. Here's how to survive a flight.

For more TPG news delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter .

General tips for flying with kids

Regardless of your child's age, here are some tips to make your family travel adventure a lot less stressful:

Bring the right documentation

Remember to carry identification for your child(ren). You may not always be asked for it when flying domestically ( except when flying with a lap infant ), but with international destinations, you'll need a passport for each family member, regardless of age. If you think you may travel internationally after your baby is born and you have a birth certificate, it's time to get your child a passport . Having a passport is much easier than using other forms of documentation. Children's passports are good for five years.

Related : Getting ready for your child's first flight: A survival guide

Even if your kids don't need identity documentation at your final destination, it's good to have at least a copy of the birth certificate at the ready. TPG reader Anna Flowers shared her experience when Delta refused to issue her a boarding pass without proof that her son was hers. She hadn't brought identification for her son, but luckily, her husband was able to send a scanned copy of her son's birth certificate to show to the Delta agent.

Choose the right airline

The airline you choose can have a significant impact on the quality of your trip, especially when it comes to traveling with kids. For example, some airlines charge more for lap infant tickets , others offer more spacious seating and better schedules and routes out of your home airport. Certain airlines are more family-friendly, so it pays to consider these factors when booking a trip for your crew.

Pack extra necessities but don't go overboard

Don't get stuck without the necessities if your luggage is lost or delayed. Pack a carry-on with a few belongings for the kids and yourself to get you through around 24 hours. Don't overpack because the extra weight will end up being more of a hassle than it's worth, but you do want to make sure you have the basics covered. It's likely you'll be able to find (almost) anything you'd need at your destination.

Get Global Entry

When parents have Global Entry, the whole family also has access to the TSA PreCheck program, since children under 12 can use the PreCheck line when accompanied by an eligible adult. This makes a huge difference when clearing security with your kids. Drop all your gear on the belt of the x-ray machine, walk through the metal detector, grab your kids and go.

Related: Top cards for Global Entry and TSA PreCheck

If you travel internationally at least once a year, it makes sense to sign your kids up as well , because every person must have Global Entry when using the expedited immigration lines.

You could also sign up for CLEAR that offers expedited security checks at airports and public venues like stadiums. The bonus there is that children under 18 can use it with you for free.

Flying with a baby

Babies spend most of their days eating and sleeping, and even when awake, they're not mobile like toddlers. So you have a few things working to your advantage.

But there's a lot you need to know, like how to fly with breast milk in the U.S. and these tips for award travel with a lap child . If you're planning travel with your baby, check out TPG 's guide to flying with a lap infant .

Flying with toddlers

Unlike infants, who want to be held all the time, toddlers want to move. That creates another set of issues for parents. A survey by Emirates found that 70% of travelers say kids under the age of two get antsy during the first two hours of the flight. Here are ways to channel that extra energy and avoid tantrums:

Strategically plan your toys

Don't show the kiddos everything you brought for them all at once. Make sure you have toys planned to keep them busy for the duration of the flight and bring them out one at a time as needed. In addition to tech solutions, it's smart to pack activities such as travel games/cards or a good coloring book to keep them entertained.

5 year old trip

Pack snacks galore

Toys are a great distraction but food can be even better. Have different snacks set aside for different points of the flight to ensure your kids stay busy and full. Also, don't be afraid to ask the cabin crew to help warm up food or a bottle, though it may not always be possible.

Go for walks

You don't like sitting in an airplane seat for hours, so why would your rambunctious toddler? A brief stroll down the aisle will help break up the time doing activities in their seats and may ward off a meltdown if your toddler gets restless.

Embrace technology

The same study mentioned above by Emirates found that electronic devices are the most effective way to keep kids occupied during a long flight. For children under 5 years old, 57% of parents said that movies, TV shows or videos are the most helpful in keeping children occupied, followed by devices to play games. Don't forget your charger (and adapter, if needed). But if that isn't for you, take a look at this advice from a mom who keeps her kids busy on long-haul flights without tablets .

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Flying with school-aged kids

Luckily, children who are in kindergarten through elementary school have longer attention spans and fewer tantrums. But, it can still be a challenge to keep a young child happy during a flight. Here's what can help:

Make it a special occasion

Whether it's going to a birthday party or getting ice cream after school, kids love when they get to do something out of the ordinary. Use that same approach for a flight by making it a fun event and packing a special bag. Items like crayons, small toys and a few pieces of their favorite candy work wonders. (Think: the blind bag trend all over YouTube.) Extend the idea of a special occasion by letting them choose a movie or TV show they wouldn't usually get to watch or having a snack not allowed at home.

Introduce seat-back games

It can be a lot to pack games that will keep a child entertained for hours, so don't depend solely on what you brought. Let your child explore the seatback-entertainment system if there is one. Many offer games that are meant to keep people distracted for hours. They can even play against other people on the plane, just show them how to start and they'll be set for hours.

Bring a book about the destination

Children in elementary school are all about learning. Use that to your advantage. If you're headed someplace new, bring a book about that destination. Letting them help plan the activities you'll do, once you arrive, will keep them entertained during the flight and get them excited for the vacation.

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Flying with teens

The biggest problem parents have on board is staving off restlessness and boredom, both of which lead to children (er, little adults) acting out in a variety of ways. In the case of teenagers , their "angsty" side might come out after a while. Help make it the bonding experience you dream of by trying the tactics below:

5 year old trip

Have a meal as a family

A flight is a perfect time for family members to switch seats with each other so everyone has a chance sit next to a different family member. It's a good time to eat and chat with one another without watching TV or checking cell phones.

Start a conversation

Being stuck on a plane together can be a great opportunity to interact with your kids. Imagine their undivided (OK, partially divided) attention for hours on end. Strike up a conversation with questions like what they're most looking forward to during the trip. Don't push -- teens need space, even when sitting right next to you.

Book a flight with Wi-Fi

Of course, we know teenagers need to stay connected with their friends, even at 35,000 feet in the air, so take advantage of onboard Wi-Fi when you can. Choosing the right airline , or the right credit card can even make Wi-Fi a free treat.

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Bottom line

No matter the age of your children, keeping them happy, comfortable and entertained while in flight takes some effort. But, it's worth it in order to enjoy a new and exciting experience with those you love. Your demeanor rubs off on your kids. Keeping a positive attitude can go a long way in making the trip more enjoyable for everyone. Plan for what you can but otherwise, just roll with it. It's all about making the time spent getting to and from your destination part of the fun.

What are your tips for flying with children of different ages?

Here are some other resources to help you confidently fly with your family:

  • Most family-friendly international air carriers
  • How to survive long-haul flights with kids
  • Traveling with children who have special needs
  • How old should your child be before taking an international vacation?
  • 4 things to know about U.S. passports for children

Feature photo by Bonfanti Diego /Getty Images.

5 year old trip

5-year-old on school field trip dies in rollover bus crash, officials say

(KXAN) — A five-year-old boy died Friday when a bus and concrete truck collided , according to Hays Consolidated Independent School District, which shared his name Monday.

The district identified the child as Ulises Rodriguez Montoya, adding that he loved his family, dinosaurs, the color green, and going to school.

“Ulises was a child who was filled with a lot of happiness and he often shared it with others,” said Naira (Dina) Solís Shears, his pre-K bilingual teacher from Tom Green Elementary. “He had a talent for drawing and his favorite thing to draw was dinosaurs. He could almost completely spell the word dinosaur, which demonstrates how smart he was. He always had a dinosaur drawn on all of the assignments he turned in. He liked to tell stories and shared many with his friends and family. Above all — he was a loving child.”

Ulises was the only one on the bus who died. Austin-Travis County EMS said Friday it checked out a total of 53 people who were hurt, many of them children who were returning from a field trip at the Capital of Texas Zoo in Bastrop County.

The other person who died was later identified Monday as Ryan Wallace, 33, of Bastrop, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.

“It went from being their best day at the zoo, to probably the worst day of their lives,” Hays CISD Superintendent Dr. Eric Wright said. “I’ve been in this business 36 years now — 20 as a superintendent — and I’ve never lost a kid until now.”

On Friday, the Texas Department of Public Safety said it appeared the concrete truck veered into the school bus’ lane while they were on State Highway 21 near Caldwell Road. It is still investigating the collision.

Hays CISD canceled classes Monday and instead provided counseling for students and staff from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Getting more buses with seatbelts

On Monday, Wright told KXAN he met with Ulises’ family, and the bus driver who he said did everything she could to help.

“She told me when the bus finally stopped rolling … she woke up to a little hand on her shoulder, and the young man asked her if he was going to die,” Wright said. “She told him, ‘No you’re not,’ and she said, ‘Give me some help, so I can get out of here and can help you guys.'”

The bus Ulises was on didn’t have seatbelts. According to Hays CISD, there are about 40 others in its fleet that don’t.

The district told KXAN it is now speeding up its process to replace them.

“We are supposed to get our next round of buses in 3-4 weeks that all are equipped with seat belts that will make it where our entire fleet of route buses all have seatbelts,” Wright said. “Then we’re going to accelerate with our Facilities and Bond Oversight Committee with the blessing of our School Board, to go out to replace our spare buses with buses that all have seat belts.”

“I’m a man of Christian faith,” Wright said. “I believe that our faith will help us.”

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.

5-year-old on school field trip dies in rollover bus crash, officials say

5-year-old dies after school bus collides with cement truck: ‘He was a loving child’

District officials identified the boy as Ulises Rodriguez Montoya, a 5-year-old boy riding a...

HAYS COUNTY, Texas (Gray News) – Officials in Texas named the 5-year-old boy who was killed in a collision involving a school bus and concrete truck on Friday afternoon.

The Hays Consolidated Independent School District identified the boy as Ulises Rodriguez Montoya. He was riding on a Tom Green Elementary School pre-kindergarten bus.

“Ulises was a child who was filled with a lot of happiness and he often shared it with others,” Naira Solís Shears, the boy’s pre-K bilingual teacher, said .

Investigators said the crash occurred on Texas State Highway 21 while the school bus was on a field trip to the Bastrop Zoo. The bus was hit by a cement truck that swerved into the wrong lane of traffic, according to the school district.

Two people were killed in the crash, including Ulises, and more than 50 others were injured , according to Hays Consolidated Independent School District superintendent Eric Wright said. The bus was carrying more than 40 pre-K students.

Ulises “loved his family, dinosaurs, the color green, and going to school,” the district described in a media release on Monday.

The family established a GoFundMe to assist with funeral expenses. A separate GoFundMe was set up by Tom Green Elementary School’s community partners to help with additional funeral, medical or unanticipated costs.

“He liked to tell stories and shared many with his friends and family,” Shears added. “Above all, he was a loving child.”

Copyright 2024 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.

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  • school bus accident

5-year-old pre-K student killed in school bus crash outside of Austin, Texas, identified

Hays CISD said the bus was hit by a cement truck that swerved into the bus' lane of traffic. Charges have not been filed.

KTRK logo

BASTROP COUNTY, Texas -- A 5-year-old boy was among the two people killed in a school bus crash outside of Austin, Texas, following a field trip on Friday afternoon.

On Monday, Hays CISD identified the preschooler as Ulises Rodriguez Montoya, who the district said loved his family, dinosaurs, the color green, and going to school.

Ulises reportedly died of his injuries suffered in Friday's crash along State Highway 21 near the Travis/Bastrop County line, about 50 miles east of downtown Austin.

The district said the bus was carrying 44 pre-kindergarten students from Tom Green Elementary School and 11 adults returning from a field trip to the Bastrop Zoo.

ORIGINAL REPORT: Child, man killed after school bus carrying 44 preschoolers crashes outside Austin, Texas: DPS

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According to the district, the bus was hit by a cement truck that swerved into the bus' lane of traffic.

Charges have not been filed against that driver.

Another driver, identified as 33-year-old Ryan Wallace from Bastrop, Texas, also died as a result of the crash. Authorities said Wallace was driving a Hyundai, not a Dodge Charger as initially stated.

Officials said a total of 51 people were injured in the crash, though their conditions are unknown.

Tom Green Elementary was closed on Monday, and the district said counselors would be available for students and staff members.

"Ulises was a child who was filled with a lot of happiness and he often shared it with others," Naira (Dina) Solís Shears, the 5-year-old's pre-K bilingual teacher, said in a statement. "He had a talent for drawing and his favorite thing to draw was dinosaurs. He could almost completely spell the word dinosaur, which demonstrates how smart he was. He always had a dinosaur drawn on all of the assignments he turned in. He liked to tell stories and shared many with his friends and family. Above all - he was a loving child."

The district shared the family's GoFundMe to help with Ulises' funeral and a general Tom Green GoFundMe to help with the funeral, medical, and other unanticipated expenses.

Related Topics

  • SCHOOL BUS ACCIDENT
  • FATAL CRASH
  • CHILD KILLED

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Riley Strain's body found in Nashville river, police say

University of Missouri student Riley Strain 's body was found in the Cumberland River on Friday morning, the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department announced.

"The body of Riley Strain was recovered from the Cumberland River in West Nashville this morning, approximately 8 miles from downtown," the department wrote on X . "No foul play-related trauma was observed. An autopsy is pending."

Police received a call around 7:28 a.m. from a worker at a nearby business who discovered Strain's body after removing an object from the river, Metropolitan Nashville Police Chief John Drake said during a press conference shortly after the discovery.

The city fire department then removed the body from the water and the medical examiner's office later confirmed the identity. Strain still had his shirt and other identifiable objects on his body, according to Drake.

His family has been notified.

"I want to say to the family, my heart and prayers go out to you all for this very unfortunate and tragic incident," Drake said. "I also want to say thank you to the Nashville community and the outpouring of support from the community in trying to help us locate Mr. Strain."

Given Strain's height and weight, police were expecting his body to surface between 14 and 20 days after his disappearance if it were in the Cumberland River.

"This is the 14th day, so we were really expecting anytime soon to find him," Drake said.

"Today, we mourn one of our Tigers," the University of Missouri wrote on X . "As the Mizzou community mourns Riley, we are keeping his family in our thoughts and offering support," university President Mun Choi added in a statement .

"Our hearts go out to Riley’s family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time as we work to provide support and resources to all those affected by this tragedy," the Delta Chi Fraternity said in a press release Friday.

Riley Strain

Strain went missing on March 8 after being asked to leave Luke's 32 Bridge Food + Drink in downtown Nashville while on a trip with Delta Chi for a spring formal.

The 22-year-old told his friends he would return to his hotel, stepfather Chris Whiteid told NBC News affiliate WSMV . Whiteid said in an interview on " Top Story with Tom Llamas " that Strain never made it back to the hotel.

Luke's 32 Bridge + Drink said in a statement on March 15 that Strain was served one alcoholic drink and two waters before being escorted out by security around 9:35 p.m. "based on our conduct standards," but did not elaborate further.

The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department has been using boats with sonar capabilities and drones to search for Strain in the city's Cumberland River. His bank card was found between Gay Street and the river on March 17.

In security video released by police on March 12, Strain appears to sway and do a full 360-degree turn before continuing to walk while crossing 1st Avenue North to Gay Street at 9:47 p.m.

Other security cameras captured Strain stumbling at times and falling in one instance after leaving the bar.

Strain was last seen on video around 9:52 p.m., briefly interacting with an officer who was responding to a vehicle burglary on a sidewalk adjacent to the Cumberland River on Gay Street.

In the video released on March 19, Strain appears to be walking normally as the officer asks how he is doing, to which Strain replies, "I'm good, how are you?"

No evidence of foul play has surfaced during the investigation, according to the Nashville police.

Katherine Itoh is a news associate for NBC News.

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Child killed in Texas bus crash identified by school district as 5-year-old boy

by KEYE Staff

Ulises Rodriguez Montoya (Photo: Hays Consolidated Independent School District)

HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KEYE) — A 5-year-old boy who was killed in a Texas bus crash was identified by a school district on Monday.

His name was Ulises Rodriguez Montoya and he was a pre-K student from Tom Green Elementary in Buda, according to the Hays Consolidated Independent School District.

Ulises was a child who was filled with a lot of happiness and he often shared it with others,” Naira (Dina) Solís Shears, his pre-K bilingual teacher from Tom Green Elementary School, said in a news release. "He had a talent for drawing and his favorite thing to draw was dinosaurs. He could almost completely spell the word dinosaur, which demonstrates how smart he was. He always had a dinosaur drawn on all of the assignments he turned in. He liked to tell stories and shared many with his friends and family. Above all – he was a loving child."

The boy died as a result of injuries he suffered in Friday's school bus crash.

The crash occurred around 1:59 p.m. as the bus was traveling west on the highway while on a field trip. According to a statement from Hays CISD, the bus was carrying 44 pre-K students and 11 adults from the elementary school who were returning from a field trip to the Bastrop Zoo.

According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, the concrete truck veered into the westbound lane and struck the front of the school bus. As a result of the initial crash, a passenger vehicle then collided with the back of either the bus or the truck.

The driver of a car following behind the bus also died in the crash.

A message to parents from Tom Green Principal Jennifer Hanna on Saturday said three staff members and two students remain hospitalized but are expected to be released soon.

Classes were canceled Monday at Tom Green Elementary to allow students and families to mourn the loss of Ulisis and the other victim in the crash.

A GoFundMe account was set up to benefit everyone impacted by this tragic event. So far, it has raised more than $72,000 of a $100,000 goal.

A memorial is also set up at the school for Ulisis. Flowers were placed by the school sign, along with an Easter basket and stuffed toys.

5 year old trip

John Calipari NCAA Tournament: Record, appearances and year-by-year finishes for Kentucky coach

5 year old trip

John Calipari has been a Division I head coach since he was 29 years old meaning that, one month after he qualified for Medicare earlier this year, he’s been doing this for quite some time.

For all but a select handful of seasons, Calipari’s teams have reached the NCAA Tournament and, once there, often advanced into the later stages of college basketball’s preeminent event.

Over the course of his coaching career — which has taken him to UMass, Memphis and now, Kentucky — his teams have made the tournament in all but seven seasons in which it was held.

A single-elimination tournament isn’t necessarily the best way to measure the total worth of a team, program or coach, but it’s how a champion is determined. Because of that, success or failure in the NCAA Tournament is often how players, teams and coaches are judged.

REQUIRED READING: What's ahead for John Calipari and Kentucky basketball after latest NCAA Tournament exit?

FOLLOW THE MADNESS: NCAA tournament brackets, scores, schedules, teams and more.

What does that mean for Calipari, particularly after his 2023-24 Kentucky team suffered another first-round loss to a team seeded 14 th or worse, this time in an 80-76 setback Thursday night against Oakland ?

Here’s a look at the history of Calipari-coached teams in the NCAA Tournament:

John Calipari NCAA Tournament record

Over his 24 NCAA Tournament appearances, Calipari’s teams have gone 57-22 — 11-5 at UMass, 14-6 at Memphis and 32-11 at Kentucky.

As impressive as his mark with the Wildcats is, it’s not indicative of how his teams have performed in recent years. Since his star-studded 2014-15 squad lost to Wisconsin in the Final Four after entering the game with a 38-0 record, Kentucky is 10-7.

The Wildcats are just 1-4 in their past five NCAA Tournament games, matching their worst five-game stretch in the Big Dance in program history. Two of those losses have come against teams that were seeded 14 th or worse — an 85-79 overtime loss to No. 15 seed Saint Peter’s in 2022 and Thursday’s loss to No. 14 seed Oakland.

Prior to 2022, Kentucky was 19-0 against No. 14, No. 15 and No. 16 seeds since 1985, when the NCAA Tournament expanded to 64 teams and adopted its current seeding structure. It’s 0-2 since.

REQUIRED READING: John Calipari buyout: How much would Kentucky coach be owed if fired after March Madness loss?

John Calipari Final Fours

Calipari has six career Final Four appearances, four of which have come at Kentucky — in 2011, 2012, 2014 and 2015.

He’s just one of two coaches in Division I history, along with Rick Pitino, who has taken three different programs to the Final Four, having guided UMass there in 1996 and Memphis in 2008.

His Final Four runs at UMass and Memphis were later vacated by the NCAA.

John Calipari national championships

Calipari has one national championship, which came in 2012 with a star-studded roster at Kentucky that featured seven future NBA players.

The NCAA title was the eighth in Wildcats history.

REQUIRED READING: Oakland pulls off stunning upset of Kentucky basketball in first round March Madness

John Calipari NCAA Tournament finishes

Here is how Calipari’s teams have fared in the NCAA Tournament across his three different head-coaching stops:

  • 1992, UMass : Lost Sweet 16
  • 1993, UMass : Lost second round
  • 1994, UMass : Lost second round
  • 1995, UMass : Lost Elite Eight
  • 1996, UMass : Lost Final Four
  • 2003, Memphis : Lost first round
  • 2004, Memphis : Lost second round
  • 2006, Memphis : Lost Elite Eight
  • 2007, Memphis : Lost Elite Eight
  • 2008, Memphis : Lost national championship game
  • 2009, Memphis : Lost Sweet 16
  • 2010, Kentucky : Lost Elite Eight
  • 2011, Kentucky: Lost Final Four
  • 2012, Kentucky : Won national championship
  • 2014, Kentucky : Lost national championship game
  • 2015, Kentucky : Lost Final Four
  • 2016, Kentucky : Lost second round
  • 2017, Kentucky: Lost Elite Eight
  • 2018, Kentucky : Lost Sweet 16
  • 2019, Kentucky : Lost Elite Eight
  • 2022, Kentucky : Lost first round
  • 2023, Kentucky : Lost second round
  • 2024, Kentucky : Lost first round

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    Our 3 and 5-year-old sons both loved the First 100 Trucks and Things That Go Sticker Book. It's full of fun sticker activities, from color matching to creating your own construction site. This was one sticker book that our kids kept coming back to again and again throughout our trip! Origami Craft Activty Set . Ages 6+

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    It's also a great idea to have your toddler tell everyone in the car what's happening in the story. It's a great way to get your toddler's creativity flowing while she's stuck in the car for hours. You could also bring along some of your toddler's favorite books. 2. Melissa And Doug Water Wow Books.

  21. How to survive a flight with a child of every age

    Children's passports are good for five years. Related: ... The airline you choose can have a significant impact on the quality of your trip, especially when it comes to traveling with kids. ... For children under 5 years old, 57% of parents said that movies, TV shows or videos are the most helpful in keeping children occupied, followed by ...

  22. 25+ Awesome Road Trip Activities For Kids

    Quiet Individual Road Trip Activities for Kids. 1. Sticker Books. Kids of all ages love sticker books. Our kids love the ones where the stickers can be peeled and reused in the sticker book. Some good options include this "Moana" sticker book and the Star Wars Ultimate Sticker Book.

  23. 5-year-old on field trip dies in rollover bus crash, Texas officials

    A cement truck struck a school bus carrying 44 students and 11 staff on their way back from the zoo, resulting in the death of a 5-year-old student, Texas officials said. The victim has been ...

  24. 5-year-old on school field trip dies in rollover bus crash ...

    Sponsored Content. A five-year-old boy died Friday when a bus and concrete truck collided, according to Hays Consolidated Independent School District, which shared his name Monday.

  25. 5-year-old dies after school bus collides with cement truck ...

    District officials identified the boy as Ulises Rodriguez Montoya, a 5-year-old boy riding a pre-kindergarten bus during a field trip.

  26. Texas school bus crash: Hays CISD identifies 5-year-old preschooler

    BASTROP COUNTY, Texas -- A 5-year-old boy was among the two people killed in a school bus crash outside of Austin, Texas, following a field trip on Friday afternoon. On Monday, Hays CISD ...

  27. Riley Strain's body found in Nashville river, police say

    Strain went missing on March 8 after being asked to leave Luke's 32 Bridge Food + Drink in downtown Nashville while on a trip with Delta Chi for a spring formal. The 22-year-old told his friends ...

  28. Child killed in Texas bus crash identified by school district as 5-year

    A 5-year-old boy who was killed in a Texas bus crash was identified by a school district on Monday. ... the bus was carrying 44 pre-K students and 11 adults from the elementary school who were ...

  29. John Calipari NCAA Tournament: Record, appearances and year-by-year

    John Calipari has been a Division I head coach since he was 29 years old meaning that, ... Calipari's teams have gone 57-22 — 11-5 at UMass, 14-6 at Memphis and 32-11 at Kentucky.