Taking your kids on vacation is always a gamble, will you be able to find enough fun, engaging activities to keep them satisfied and tired out at the end of the day? While on the surface, Europe may seem like it’s more stuffy museums and ‘please don’t touch signs’ than anything else but that’s simply not true. For fun and educational experiences, these 10 family-friendly destinations are sure to be the highlight of any European vacation, and will create life-long memories for your children. Here are 10 European attractions every kid should get to experience:
10. Legoland Billund Resort, Denmark
It’s not the only Legoland theme park in the world but it is the original. Legoland Denmark opened in June of 1968 on a piece of land right next to the original Lego factory. This 45-acre park devoted to all things ‘blocks’ is divided into 9 theme areas: Duplo Land, Imagination Zone, LEGOREDO Town, Adventure Land, Lego City, Knight´s Kingdom, Mini Land, Pirate Land and Polar Land. Treat your kids to a visit to the original Legoland for an experience they won’t forget!
9. Plopsaland De Panne, Belgium
First opened in 2000, Plopsaland De Panne is a colorful theme park on Belgium’s coast near the French border. The park is divided into several zones, each with a different theme and in the zones you’ll find popular characters from Belgium children’s TV shows like Big & Betsy and Mega Mindy. With 6 roller coasters, playgrounds, gardens, a theater, boats and a farm with real live animals, this park is a fun filled experience for children of all ages.
8. Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia
If you’re looking to provide your children with a glimpse of nature at its finest, a trip to Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia is a must do. This UNESCO World Heritage park is one of the oldest in Southeast Europe and is famous for its beautiful cascading lakes, separated by naturally formed travertine. Children will love running through the open spaces of this beautiful park and reportedly colorful dragonflies are in abundance, sometimes even landing right on you.
7. Natura Artis Magistra, Amsterdam
Any family with little animal lovers must make a trip to Natura Artis Magistra (or just Artis for short). This spectacular zoo is located in the heart of Amsterdam and provides a natural oasis in the bustling city. Enjoy the manicured gardens, over 200 species of plants and of course the animals (there’s over 900 species of them to be seen here!) With an aquarium, planetarium, playgrounds and Zoological Museum, it’s safe to say that Artis is much more than the average zoo.
6. Eureka! The National Children’s Museum, England
Whoever said museums are boring has obviously never visited Eureka! This interactive children’s museum in Halifax, England provides education along with fun, through hands-on exhibits. The museum is geared for children ages 0-11 years and encourages that parents get in on the fun with their little ones as well. In Eureka’s four main galleries, children can enjoy a miniature town square, gardens from around the world and the science and sounds of music.
5. Efteling, Netherlands
This beautiful, old school theme park in Netherland’s south end will appeal to kids with an imagination and love of fairy tales. The fantasy themed park focuses on myth, legend, fairy tales and folk lore in its numerous attractions. Opened in 1952, Efteling is the largest theme park in the Netherlands and one of the oldest in the world. Children of all ages will enjoy this park which offers a wide range of rides and attractions, plus there’s lots going on for parents too.
4. Discover Children’s Story Centre, London
If your kids are big into books and the kind who never want story time to end, they’ll love Discover. This London institution is the “UK’s first hands-on creative literacy centre for children aged 0-11 years and their families, carers and teachers.” At Discover, children and their families can play, learn and enjoy making up stories as they go. Discover secret caves on the Story Trail, climb on a space ship in the Story Garden, or step inside a giant chocolate cake in the new Michael Rosen Exhibition.
3. Italia in Miniatura, Italy
Even kids can feel like giants in this tiny town and leisure park in Viserba, Italy. This park features 273 miniature scale versions of famous Italian and European buildings and landmarks which you can walk through. The landscape is completed by a monorail, 10,000 miniature plants and 5,000 miniature trees. But that’s not all there is to enjoy here, either; the park also offers several attractions like a log ride, playground, cinema and merry-go-round.
2. Natural History Museum, London
The London Natural History Museum has a lot to offer anyone interested in our natural world, but makes sure kids can get in on all the fun and education with many kid friendly exhibits and hands-on learning experiences. Discover dinosaurs and even have a sleep over under the skeleton of a Diplodocus, or explore the solar system in the Otherworlds exhibit. Winter brings the added treat of the Swarovski outdoor ice rink; a seasonal activity for the whole family.
1. Disneyland, Paris
No children’s attractions list is complete without the addition of a Disney park. Disneyland Paris is not only the most visited theme park in France but also in all of Europe. At Disneyland Paris you’ll find some of the same rides and attractions that made the North American Disney parks so famous like It’s a Small World, Space Mountain: Mission 2, Big Thunder Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast.
