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Lonely Planet Kids

Lonely Planet began in 1973 with an epic overland journey from London to Australia, and the publication of Across Asia on the Cheap shortly after. Today, we’re one of the world’s leading travel media companies, and want to share our love for travel and the planet with the next generation of explorers.

That’s why we created Lonely Planet Kids.

Our first release was The Travel Book in 2011. And since then, we’ve published books on everything from dinosaurs and space travel to secret city walks and woolly mammoths. Our mission is to inspire children and get them excited about the amazing world around them – to help make every day an adventure

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Germany Travel Guide

Germany travel guide 2022.

In our Germany Travel Guide for Kids you will find fun and interesting travel information for children and families that was chosen and researched by kids, especially for kids. Enjoy! 

Germany Travel Ideas

Germany for Kids

Fabulous German attractions

Germany Travel Tips

Germany Travel Guide: Related Pages

German Travel Guide | Resources

• Germany Tourism Board - Official Website
• Visit Berlin: Tourism Board - Official Website
• Muenchen.de - Oktoberfest - Tourism Board Info
• Stuttgart Spring Festival : 20.4. - 12.5.2024
• Hamburg Dom Festivals in Spring, Summer and Winter - official Hamburg Tourism Board Website
• Deutsche Bahn: BahnCard Infosite
• 10 Grimm fairy tales everyone should know - Deutsche Welle
• The best amusement parks in Germany - by Culture trip
• UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Germany

Let us know  if you want to share some more tips on our Germany Travel Guide. We will add your insights about travels to Germany with children

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Picture Credits on Germany Travel Guide: All Pictures, if not otherwise mentioned sourced from shutter stock and sxc.hu

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Kids World Travel Guide

Get ready to explore the world with our fun and informative travel guides! Discover exciting destinations across the globe and learn about the coolest places to go with your family.

From famous landmarks to hidden gems, we’ve got you covered. Our guides are written just for kids, so you’ll have a blast exploring new cultures and learning about different countries. Get your passport ready and start your adventure today!

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WORLD WANDERING KIWI

MAKING THE PAGES OF THE ATLAS REAL: A TRAVEL BLOG

Guide books that make travel with kids fun

Giving up on travel once I became a parent was never an option but let’s face it, travel with kids is not easy. It spells the end of any relaxation time but, as any passionate traveller will tell you, it’s also time to embrace the rewarding aspects of travel with children. Kids can help you break the ice with people and show you a different way of seeing the world.

I started looking for something to make our family travel more fun and educational. By educational, my goal is not to make sure my kiddo gets an A* in geography, but rather to stimulate curiosity and help her to open up to this amazing planet and its glorious cultural diversity.

I didn’t want a travel with kids book for parents. I already have a number of these and, while useful for family vacation ideas and planning family trips, I wanted books that children could carry with them on the trip, engaging and enriching their experience every step of the way.

I wanted help with fun and engaging facts, mental activities like quizzes, and physical activities like walking tours, as well as the opportunity to be creative, and also record something of their own experiences, creating a record of the trip. A travel guide that meets kids where they are!

I started researching and found quite a few options so I thought I would share the travel guide books for kids I have found and used:

Table of Contents

Leap & Hop travel guides for kids

Isabelle Demenge teamed up with illustrator Emilie Sarnel to create the Leap & Hop series of travel books after creating the first book for her own children. There are mini-tours of sites, easy to understand facts, quizzes, and opportunities to draw and stick in your own contributions to create a record of your trip. 

Destinations covered: Bali , Cambodia, Hong Kong, India-Rajasthan, Mongolia, Myanmar, New York, Paris, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Vietnam

My view: I personally found these books beautifully produced and creatively written. Isabelle has tested these on her own kids and it shows. We enjoyed Sri Lanka and Myanmar so the Leap & Hop books would be my first choice were we to travel to any of the other destinations she covers.

Lonely Planet kids’ travel books

You would expect them to be the market leader and Lonely Planet kids’ books and kids’ travel guides certainly offer a wide range of publications for children. There are engaging atlases and gorgeously presented fact books, as well as helpful guides to whet the appetite like The Travel Book. Then there are a limited series of fantastic destination guides, jam packed with the facts kids want to know about places. They have a good mix of text and images.

Destinations covered:   London, Sydney , Paris, New York, Rome, Washington, Tokyo, Europe, Australia, USA, Asia

My view: I think the ‘Not for Parents – Everything you Ever Wanted to Know’ guides are brilliant – very professionally produced but less ‘interactive’ than some of the other guides reviewed here. If your child is a bit older and you are visiting one of these destinations you can’t go wrong with these kids’ travel guides. The reference books make beautiful gifts and are good for identifying family vacation ideas but are not much help ‘on the ground’ in your destination.

Deliberate Travel workbooks

The Deliberate Travel series of travel workbooks for kids was created by a Dutch-English couple – Joram and Laura – who aim to teach children about the world while developing exploration, curiosity, research skills and understanding. With educational puzzles and activities, the aim is to make learning fun. There are workbooks for kids aged 6-11 years and more complex workbooks designed for kids aged 7-12 years who want to dig a little deeper.

Destinations covered: England, Iceland , Japan, Brazil, Morocco, Jamaica, Ireland, France, Australia, India, Scotland, Mexico, India.

My view: I like it that the workbooks are available to purchase in both physical or digital form, and especially that there are different books for younger and older children. These kids’ travel guides are fresh and fun.

Flying Kids travel guide series   

The Flying Kids travel guide book series has been developed by Shira Halperin with the goal of making your family vacation more fun, relaxing – and even educational. Various authors have been brought in to write the guides, for example children’s author Kelsey Fox created the US city guides.  They have kids’ activities books for 4-8 year old children and guide books for 6-12 year olds.

Destinations covered: San Francisco, Washington DC and Los Angeles, China, Thailand, Japan, Australia, United Kingdom , Italy, France, Spain and Germany.

My view: The FlyingKids books probably offer the best range of destinations with a good selection of popular US, European, and Asian countries and cities. Again, it’s great to have two age ranges covered as a 12-year-old wouldn’t touch anything even faintly ‘babyish’ with a barge pole. FlyingKids has taken care to take on board feedback and experiences from actual travelling parents. There are also downloadable activities in addition to the books.

Other ideas for kids’ travel guides

The tourism boards for some countries have developed their own activity books and guides for children. For example the Costa Rica Tourism Board has a free downloadable activity book with designs for colouring in, puzzles and games to help kids learn about Costa Rica’s unique wildlife.

If you are planning a family holiday to Florida, take a look at A (mostly) Kids’ Guide to Naples, Marco Island & The Everglades by Karen Bartlett. This family guidebook to Florida’s Paradise Coast tells you the best activities to plan with your kids and has the right amount of history and information to keep kids and adults interested.

What are the best travel guide books for kids?

Who offers the best travel guides for happy kids on your family trip? Because of the limited range, it will often come down to who offers a guide for your travel destination. If you are going to London or New York you will probably have a choice. If you are going right off the beaten track you might have to make one up for yourself! Regardless, taking a children’s travel guidebook with you is going to add value to your trip. Have you discovered any other kids’ travel guides that I’ve missed?

By Natasha von Geldern on November 18, 2020 .

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Natasha von Geldern

Hi I'm the Wandering Kiwi, a travel writer and blogger passionate about making the pages of the atlas real. I have travelled in over 50 countries and hope my tales inspire you to live your travel dreams!

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The Passport Kids

Adventure Family Travel

Trip Around the World Itinerary

In: Best Family Travel , Full Time Travel by Nicole Last Updated: June 23, 2021

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Our family left Canada on a trip around the world . So many great memories and experiences shared as a family. Exploring new places, going back to a few familiar spots, visiting family and making new friends. A journey of a lifetime that our family will cherish forever.

Early on in the trip, I found it difficult to keep up with the blogging about all the places we were going to on our RTW trip; the choice came down to either blogging or enjoying the moments with my husband and kids. From the lack of blog posts, you can see I choose to enjoy the moments! So as we get settled (somewhat) into a regular life I hope to share all our stories and update the below Trip Around the World Itinerary .

In case you didn’t follow us from the beginning, here is our Ultimate Around the World Itinerary .

If you are wondering what travel gear we brought and what we packed go check out our long term travel packing checklist !

United Kingdom – July 1 – 7

• London  – 5 nights
• Cambridge – 2 nights

France – July 7 – 23

• Biarritz   – 14 nights
• Toulouse – 2 nights

Spain – July 20

• San Sebastian – 1 day

Croatia – July 23 – August 9

Find out more details about our 16 days in Croatia with our itinerary here!

• Dubrovnik – 5 nights
• Split – 7 nights
• Hvar Island – 1 day
• Brac Island – 1 day
• Trogir – 1 day
• Krka National Park – 1 day
• Plitvice National Park – 3 nights * Where we stayed in Plitvice National Park, Croatia

Italy – August 9 – 23

• Rome – 3 nights
• Civitanova del Sannio – 11 nights

Vatican – August 10

• Vatican City – 1 day

Czech Republic – August 23 – 26

• Prague – 3 nights * Where we stayed in Prague, Czech Republic

Austria – August 26 – 29

• Vienna – 3 nights * Where we stayed in Vienna, Austria

Hungary – August 29 – Sep 1

• Budapest – 3 nights * Where we stayed in Budapest, Hungary

Malta – September 1-14

Find out all the things we did in Malta here!

• Bugibba – 14 nights
• Gozo – 1 day
• Valletta – 1 day
• Golden Bay – 1 day
• Blue Lagoon – 1 day

Bulgaria – September 14 – 17

• Sofia – 3 nights

United Arab Emirates – September 17 – 28

• Dubai – 5 nights * Where we stayed in Dubai, UAE
• Arabian Desert – 2 nights * Where we stayed for our Desert Safari
• Abu Dhabi – 4 nights * Where we stayed for 3 nights & Where we stayed for 1 night

South Africa  – September 28 – October 17

• Cape Town – 12 nights
• Ndabushi Safari Lodge – 4 nights * Where we stayed for this African Safari
• Kambaku Safari Lodge – 2 nights * Where we stayed for this African Safari

Vietnam – October 18 – November 16

Check out our 4-week Vietnam Itinerary here!

• Ho Chi Minh City – 5 nights
• Hanoi – 4 nights
• Halong Bay – 2 nights
• Hue – 3 nights
• Hoi An – 2 nights
• Da Nang – 1 night
• Mekong Delta – 2 nights
• Phu Quoc Island – 10 nights

Singapore – November 16 – 19

• Singapore – 3 nights

Malaysia – November 19 – December 3

• Langkawi Island – 14 nights

Indonesia – December 3 – 29

• Sanur, Bali – 26 nights
• Ubud – 1 day
• Kuta – 2 days
• Seminyak – 1 day

Thailand – December 29 – February 18

• Bangkok – 8 nights * Where we stayed in Bangkok
• Kamala Beach- 20 nights * Where we stayed in Kamala
• Karon Beach – 9 nights * Where we stayed in Karon
• Phi Phi Islands – 5 nights
• Krabi – 8 nights

Cambodia – February 18 – 23

• Siem Reap – 4 nights

Australia – February 23 – March 28

Check out our full post for all the details on our 4 weeks in Australia!

• Gold Coast – 5 nights
• Hervey Bay – 1 night
• Fraser Island – 2 nights
• Sunshine Coast – 3 nights
• Whitsundays – 1 day
• Great Barrier Reef – 1 day
• Melbourne – 3 nights
• Lorne * Where we stayed in Lorne
• Apollo Bay * Where we stayed in Apollo Bay
• Port Campbell * Where we stayed in Port Campbell
• Torquay * Where we stayed in Torquay
• Bondi Beach – 4 nights
• Sydney – 4 nights * Where we stayed in Sydney Harbour

Vanuatu – April 2

• Vanuatu – 1 day
• Lifou, Loyalty Island – 1 day
• Noumea, New Caledonia – 1 day

New Zealand – April 9 – May 13

• 33-Day Campervan Trip – 1 Month South Island & North Island Itinerary
• Christchurch – 1 night
• Lake Pukaki – 1 night
• Mount Cook – 1 night
• Wanaka – 2 nights
• Queenstown – 3 nights
• Milford Sound – 1 night
• Fox Glacier – 1 night
• Motuek – 3 nights
• Nelson – 1 night
• Picton – 1 night
• Wellington – 1 night
• Greytown – 2 nights
• Taupo – 1 night
• Rotorua – 2 nights
• Waitomo – 1 night
• Hobbiton – 1 day
• Coromandel Penisula – 3 nights
• Russell – 3 nights
• Orewa – 1 night
• Auckland – 2 nights

United States  of America – May 13 – June 1

• Houston, Texas – 19 nights

Canada – June 1 – July 1

• We visited more places in Saskatchewan and spent the summer boating and enjoying lake life on the prairies.

RTW Travel Facts & Numbers:

• International Travel Dates – July 1, 2017 – June 1, 2018
• Countries Visited – 23
• Cities Visited – 81
• North America
• Days Out of Canada – 336 days
• UNESCO sites – 28
• Flights – 37
• Ferries – 7
• Trains – 4
• Car Rentals – 4
• Cruises – 2
• Campervan Rentals – 1
• Taxi/Uber/TukTuk/Trams/etc – Too many to count
• Apartment Rental – 154
• Hotel/Resort – 82
• Campervan – 33
• Family & Friends – 32
• Boats – 13
• Safari – 6
• Planes – 5
• Cabin/Cottage – 8
• Hostel – 3
• Broken Glasses – 2
• Worn-out Shoes & Sandles – 10
• Teeth Lost – 3
• Haircuts – 16
• Lost Wallet – 1
• Lost Luggage – 0
• Total Avg Weight Luggage – 62kg / 137lbs

Around the World Itinerary Planning Tips

The toughest part for me was when I started to plan the trip and how to travel around the world . I didn’t know anyone that had done an around the world trip before. I had no idea where to start and how to plan a trip around the world ,  so hopefully, a few tips below can get you started on the world trip planning!

• Check out our Pre Travel Checklist of Things to do Before Travelling for a Year!
• Set some clear expectations on what you want to get out of your trip around the world . We outlined what we thought would be our world trip success here before we left so we always looked back to make sure our trip was aligned with these trip goals.
• Being from Canada we knew we wanted to follow the sun and stay in warm climates ! This also helped with packing for a year too. So we spent a significant amount of time in Southeast Asia, both for the temperatures and also the cost helped stretch our budget for a year.
• We looked into RTW tickets (round the world flights) and we found they would have been cheaper if we knew what our exact route was going to be. But, we wanted to have the freedom of planning out our destinations 4-6 weeks out ahead of time.
• We also were open-minded about if we needed to come back for any reason we would have only lost money for accommodations and flights for approximately 6 weeks. 
• We found that three days in major city centers were the right amount of time for us. This would give us 2 full days of sightseeing and also helped with the budget since bigger cities generally cost more money.
• We found it useful to sometimes book half-day tours or day tours to be able to see more within that timeframe and help with taking some planning away from us. We used Get Your Guide and Viator to book these tours and get some ideas. 

• We really wanted to go to South America to reach our 6th continent on the trip, we researched into it a lot but we had a budget set aside for the trip and this was not going to fit it. So we decided that we could spend a month in New Zealand to extend our trip. We had to make adjustments with closer flights to keep on track with the budget. We generally used Skyscanner to help us search for destinations and compare flights to different locations with this tool.
• Staying longer in places was just simply cheaper, so if you can travel slower you will be able to save more money and travel longer.
• We used and stayed in VRBO for most of our accommodations and overall were happy with the places we stayed at. This provided us with a home away from home feel that we needed since being away for so long. We stayed at Apartments for over 200+ nights.
• A general guiding rule we had was anything less than 3 nights we would stay in a hotel. We used mostly Booking.com to book our hotel rooms. 
• Be sure to have travel insurance for your RTW trip, we used World Nomads and were extremely happy with their services. We had to extend our coverage to the United States (as that was not originally part of the plan), and making the changes with World Nomads was extremely easy! You can read our ENTIRE review of the family travel insurance in this post here.
• Schooling for kids was a big item for us to sort out. I worked through the kid’s school plans for our world trip in detail and outlined their world school program here .
• Pre-planning for this trip around the world took approximately 1 year to put everything together and prepare to be gone from our regular life.
• Although the saving for the trip took a lot longer, you can check out more details on how we saved for the trip . 
• We started itinerary planning for our world travel with our family bucket list and mapped out the tentative travel routes with the months of the year.
• The first destination on our around the world trip we chose was London. This was to help transition our kids into travelling full-time and ease their way into it with the same language, adjust to different time zone and slowly get our kids into the rhythm.
• Don’t take anything for granted! Be in the moment and truly enjoy you are going to travel around the world!  This was my dream and I learned so much by travelling with my kids and this was our tour of the world together!

Looking for more inspiration? Check out some of our favourite family travel quotes here !

Note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. More Info:  Disclosure

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June 3, 2018 at 11:56 pm

Wow! What a journey! It is a lifetime experience for the kids for sure! Interesting to know what were their favourite places and the most memorable moments of the trip.

The Passport Kids says

June 9, 2018 at 8:31 am

Hi Nat – An amazing lifetime experience for our entire family. Everyone has their favourite or special moments it is tough to pick just one. I think for me it had to be the safari in South Africa… it was everything that I imagine and more. Just so different than anything like our typical lives in Canada and I am a wilderness gal :) I am going to be getting more blog posts up about our trip now that we are getting back to a “regular” type life and we will share more about our moments! Thanks for following along!

Kuheli says

September 28, 2018 at 8:19 pm

Such a leap of faith to do this. And I am glad you chose not to blog while on the trip and just experience it. A year of travel is a lifetime of experiences. Please do let me know what’s the best age to do this. My son is 3 and I would love to do if not a year then 6 months of travel.

October 13, 2018 at 8:36 pm

Thanks so much for the support and understanding. To me, it was about enjoying the moments… I won’t ever get those moments back and will never regret that decision. To be honest, any age is the best age. I think it would be different experiences with every age, the most important part is really to just go and do it! You’ll know in your heart when the right time is, but regardless spending time with your son and exploring the world will be remarkable! Best of luck and please let me know when you go! I would love to hear when and where :)

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Kids World Travel Guide

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Kids World Travel Guide provides easy-to-read country facts and insights about famous landmarks, people and cultures, animals, and attractions. This geographical guide is written and maintained by children and parents for children and their parents. The site also features an annual geography-focused writing competition for kids ages 8–15. Kids World Travel Guide is maintained by KidsWorldTravels, a travel consultancy company.

COST: Free.

• Comprehensive information about most countries in the world.
• No advertising on the site.
• Kid-friendly content and visuals. 

Why it’s helpful for families living internationally

At this website, your family can visit any location in the world — before you’re there in person. This is a great way to help your children transition to a new location. 

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How to Travel the World with Kids: A Survival Guide

On July 8, 2019, my husband and I started to travel the world for a year… with our two kids. People thought we were a little crazy. Do I blame them? No. What is that adage, “A vacation with children is called a trip”.

We knew that it would take mental strength and a lot of deep breaths. But we also knew that it would be worth it.

I had always dreamt of selling everything and traveling long term. But, honestly, I gave up on that idea once we had kids. That was until I read about a family of six who traveled around the world for a year.

In that moment, the dream of traveling long term wedged itself inside my head. I began thinking about it constantly and finally worked up the nerve to share my far-fetched plan with my husband.

We pondered it many nights after putting the kids to bed. You can probably imagine the questions that we asked ourselves. “Shouldn’t we just save money and travel when we retire?” “Would the kids get anything out of traveling while they’re young?” But deep down we knew that if we pushed ourselves out of our comfort zones, there were so many experiences out there that would change us forever.

After a year on the road, we’ve learned the ins and outs of how to travel the world with our kids. And I’m sharing all of our most successful travel survival tips here with you.

• Preparing Your Kids for Travel
• Homeschooling While Traveling the World
• Surviving Travel Days with Kids

Teaching Your Kids to Be Travelers

• Dealing with Homesickness
• Imparting Valuable Life Lessons

Our kids exploring Angkor Wat, Cambodia

Before the Trip – Preparing Your Kids for Travel

Traveling abroad can be daunting for adults and children alike. Even if your child doesn’t seem phased by the upcoming trip, they are aware of so much more than you think. Step away from your packing list and take time to chat about your upcoming travels.

How to Help Your Child Get Excited About Travel:

• Read children’s travel-based books : I love to pour over beautiful travel books (like Maps , This Is How We Do It , and Everything & Everywhere ) with my kids. Take note when something on the page interests them. Ask them questions about what they think kids in that country eat for breakfast or what games they might play at school.
• Play Airport: Airports can be overwhelming for kids. So many rules! Set up a little airport in your home and practice the steps. With backpacks on and maybe even a suitcase or two, walk through your front door and pretend to head to “check-in” in your living room. Put your bags through “Airport Security” in your kitchen, etc. Also, ask them questions about what they think the airport and flight will feel like and listen for concerns. If our kids are nervous about traveling, they usually have concerns about the flight.

Packing Tips for Traveling with Kids:

• Pack their Favorites: Yes, I’m on team carry-on luggage. I’m also on team sleep through the night. It’s worth ditching a few other items so that I can pack my kids’ favorite blanket and stuffed animal. Travel is a lot easier when you have your favorite lovey.
• Toys: Your kids will need less of their toys than you think. Our kids become fascinated with life around them while we travel. Also, hotel phones (unplugged) make for hours of entertainment.
• Be Prepared for Pool Time : Bring an inflatable pool float so that you can actually enjoy the pool without holding a small child the whole time.

How we Homeschooled Our Kids While Traveling the World

A huge benefit of spending a year together was that we were immersed in our children’s learning unlike ever before. Instead of getting a glimpse of what they were learning in school by way of homework or a school project, we were their main teachers. It was a struggle and there were more than a few tears, but it was such an amazing investment as parents.

Deciding What Type of Homeschooling is Right for Your Family

Ask yourself: Will we spend multiple hours each day on school? Do we want school hours to occur every weekday, like regular school, or would we like to set our own schedule? What sort of breaks will we take? These questions will help you narrow down what type of schooling you’re looking for. 

How to travel the world with kids – Homeschooling options: 

• World Schooling: On one end of the educational spectrum is World Schooling , where kids learn from the experiences and world around them. The idea is that travel presents learning opportunities through reading, visiting museums, and learning about the environment they are in, supplemented with resources to strengthen the fundamentals.
• Your Home-Country School District : On the other end is homeschooling through an educational system based in your home country where they learn online from a teacher or have regular check ins.
• Local Schools: Enroll your children in a local school in your destination. Best when you are based in a location for three months or longer.
• Online Homeschooling Programs: Independent, online-only program that provides a curriculum and learning resources that you can complete at your own pace. This is the option that we went with and loved.

Other Ways Your Child will Learn While Traveling

• Museums: Visit museums that the whole family will enjoy. We love ethnographic and archeological museums. And, always get the audio guide!
• Languages: Our children love learning new languages. Often by the first week in a new destination, they were correcting our use of the language.
• Local History: We would look up YouTube videos that covered the history of the country we were visiting. Many are beautifully produced and presented by university professors or experts in their field.
• Khan Academy : Older kids can learn about a country’s history through Khan Academy’s courses. They are relatively short videos and have quizzes throughout the learning to make sure you are actually digesting the information along the way. Also, their lessons are downloadable. An important element for learning on the road!

Travel Day Tips for Kids

Travel days fill our kids with energy. We could be taking an international flight or moving to a new accommodation on the other side of town, travel days always bring the same excitement, no matter the destination. And they always exhaust us more than we expect. Here are our favorite travel day survival tips:

• Get to the airport early. Yes, I know you want to squeeze in one last sight to see or to sleep in. Children walk slowly, and it will never be more obvious than when you’re rushing for your gate.
• Board as late as possible. As long as you’ve already checked your luggage, try to board the plane on the later side. You will already be spending hours onboard. No need to add an additional 45 minutes.
• Snacks and unlimited screen time for the win! There are no rules when it comes to how our kids spend their time on a flight. Pack disposable, paper cups to portion out snacks.
• After arriving at your destination, always use the restroom before passport control. We’ve experienced an hour-long wait before officially entering the country. Which only seems to take longer with a small child who needs to pee.

Our early travel days were filled with carrying more luggage than our share and all of the responsibilities that come with getting kids ready for the day. After one week of travel, my husband and I looked at each other and committed to teaching our children to be capable travelers (for their age). We quickly learned that while it’s much faster to do something for them, kids are so much more capable than we think!

4 Ways to Teach Your Child to Be a Capable Traveler:

• Teach them to pack: You might pick out what they’re packing in their backpack, but they can put the items inside. Extra benefit: they might remember where something is located and not constantly ask you for help. No promises!
• Walking long distances: Don’t offer to carry your little ones. (I catch myself doing this too often!) When they ask to be carried, challenge them to walk five more blocks. The same goes for when they ask you to carry their backpacks. Our kids also love to make boring things a game. Can you walk along that wall or skip to the next light? Little games like this go a long way in keeping your kid from melting into a pool of tears right there on the sidewalk.
• Applying sunscreen: Kids hate getting sunscreen applied and I don’t think any parent loves that responsibility. We taught our kids how to apply sunscreen and never looked back. Everyone was happier for it. And, honestly, their success rate of not missing spots is as good as mine!
• Ordering for themselves: Ordering for your kids isn’t hard, but it sure is a lot cuter when they order for themselves. Especially if they can do it in the local language! Servers would often compliment our kids on their use of the language and their effort occasionally was rewarded with free ice cream.

 5 Ways to Get Your Kids Engaged in Travel

• Be the Travel Planner: The kids loved learning how to navigate maps and museum guides. They would lead us home on the metro or search the internet and guide books for things to do in a new destination. Also, nothing will keep them engaged like being the one who picked how the whole family spends the afternoon.
• Scavenger Hunts: While we visited Musée d’Orsay in Paris , my son played a game of finding all of the paintings in the museum brochure. Instead of constantly telling him to quiet down and keep his hands to himself, it became a time where he was engrossed in looking at the art around him. Our children have also been challenged to find 20 dragons through Ljubljana and to follow a route through the streets of Hoi An.
• Restaurants: Want to eat at a nice restaurant? I’m a big believer that any restaurant is kid-friendly before 7 o’clock. Have a handful of dinner games in your back pocket. We love Categories (where you take turns naming items in a category, e.g. “Animals”, alphabetically). Or the “What’s Missing” game (put 3-5 items from the table in front of your kid, have them close their eyes, and then take one away). Simple, requires no materials, and keeps them entertained.
• Make Taking Photos Bearable: You don’t need the perfect photo of your kids in front of every landmark. Let kids pose themselves and stop when they’re over it. Nothing makes kids lose their patience like another photoshoot where they’re squinting into the sun. Put your phone away and make some memories.
• Playgrounds & Ice Cream: The promise of ending the afternoon with a trip to the playground or a gelato can do wonders for your child’s attitude. Heck, the promise of a beer at the end of the day is usually what keeps me going!

Remember that the simple moments are the best. Your kids don’t have the same level of expectation around travel that you probably do. They are often amazed and more engaged with everyday experiences while traveling.

Finding Moments Sans Kids

One, seemingly obvious, aspect of traveling with your kids for a year? You’re going to be with your children all of the time. We obviously love our kids and we love being able to complete a conversation longer than two sentences.

Here are a few, creative ways that we found moments sans kids:

• One word: balconies. A hotel balcony or outdoor seating area gives you a space to enjoy a glass of wine and talk once the kids are in bed.
• In Koh Lanta, our kids got massages on the beach while we enjoyed a beer at a table less than 10 feet away. Best and cheapest babysitter we’ve hired so far!
• Cruise ship or hotel kids’ clubs for the win.
• While traveling with our kids in Europe, our ground-floor apartment window in Athens faced a tiny bar across the side street. Which means that we could enjoy a kid-free date and see our kids play in the apartment at the same time.
• We once splurged on a babysitter who we met on a boat, and our hotel confirmed was legit, in Positano.
• And sometimes, we simply handed over our phones to entertain the kids while we enjoyed dinner.

Dealing with Homesickness while Traveling

During almost a year of long term travels, we didn’t experience homesickness very often. With the exception of our 5-year-old. She missed our friends and family back at home terribly.

I chalk it up to her being too young to truly understand what our travels would be like before we left. On the other hand, our 8-year-old son had a harder time before we left. He was settled into school, his friends, his martial arts classes. He had already gone through the process of being sad and saying goodbye, and then jumped into the excitement of our journey.

We came up with a few ways to cope with the homesickness on the road:

• Standing FaceTime calls: Seeing our family member’s face is ten times better than just hearing their voice. FaceTime calls with friends usually resulted in the kids just showing each other their toys, but they still loved it.
• Bring that favorite toy or blanket: A handful of their favorite toys help ease the longing for home.
• Make a list of things to enjoy when you get back to your hometown. We would make a list of playgrounds and restaurants to visit when we were missing the comfort of a familiar place.
• Hide the photographs of family and friends during hard times. Our friends made the kids a photo album to travel with, but it was hard for our kids to look at it. We only brought it out during moments when they were feeling good about traveling.

International Travel = Valuable Life Lessons for Kids

When we arrived in Cambodia from Japan , my husband and I went through culture shock. Our kids didn’t blink an eye. They knew their surroundings were different, but it didn’t bother them much. I loved that they were so adaptable, but I also wanted them to learn more about the people and places around us.

Our family is incredibly privileged. A huge reason that we wanted to travel around the world with our kids was to teach them how lucky they are and that they have the ability to make a change in the world.

And for our kids, at their age, a big part of that learning is to get to know the people around them. Listening to how life is different for them, how it is the same. To learn that the world is filled with many different religions, different customs, different foods.

That people are different, and to respect and honor the differences, but that ultimately we are all also very much the same. These are lessons I certainly wished that I had learned at their ages.

At times, we did feel concerned and questioned what we were doing when we traveled to less safe areas. We felt guilty that we needed to educate our kids on what to do if someone took them from us or what would happen if they got lost.

But this is the role of a parent. At the end of the day, nowhere is 100% safe and even if we were at home we would need to be teaching our children these lessons. Ultimately, the biggest lesson we were teaching them is that, yes, the world can be dangerous, but it’s worth it to learn how to be aware and then go explore and enjoy it all anyway.

If you’re still wondering if traveling abroad with your kids is the right option for your family, I will leave you with this. We would 100% do it all over again. There are awesome benefits that come from traveling with kids.

People around the world love children. Our kids would attract so much attention from servers and guides, grocery cashiers and bus drivers. We would get to know the people around us so much more because of their interactions with our children. In Turkey , our son’s hair was constantly ruffled by servers and people that we met on the street. In Japan , a sweet, older man on the metro didn’t say a word, but gave our children a packet of origami paper. A restaurant owner in Cambodia, who we visited a handful of times, presented our kids with gifts during our last dinner together.

Countless people wanted to take pictures with our daughter in Southeast Asia which sounds crazy, but is a normal thing when you travel with a little, white kid with curly hair.

We would never have had memories like these while traveling alone. Meeting other people and the interactions that we made are the memories that our kids, and us adults, will remember most about our year of travels.

About the author

Valerie Hilton

Valerie Hilton is the author of How to Travel the World: Long Term Travel Planning . After a short stint working in television production, she spent 10 years in Training and Development for a restaurant company. Teaching and sharing knowledge is in her blood. 

She lives with her husband and two children in Bend, Oregon. Visit littleworldadventure.com or @littleworldadventure on Instagram to learn more about her travels and other work.

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15 of the Best Travel Books for Kids

If your kids love travelling as much as you, then having some of the best travel books for kids at home is brilliant for keeping the passion alive between trips particularly if you’ve recently had to cancel a trip due to coronavirus.  It’s a great way to travel without leaving home !

We love buying different children’s books about travel for Myla as gifts for her birthday or Christmas.  She loves them too.  Not only do good travel books for children, get the kids excited about their next trip, but it also teaches them about the wonderful world we live in and its people.

Whether you’re looking for some kids travel books as gifts for the little people in your life or need to keep the travel dream alive during these periods of world travel bans – then this is the perfect guide for you.

In this guide on childrens books about travel – I’ve listed a range of fun travel books for kids of all ages.  Whether you’re after the best atlas for kids, a baby travel book, travel books for toddlers or older children’s travel books, this guide covers it all.

I had so much fun putting this guide together and even found some great ideas for Myla.

This post may contain compensated links.  Please refer to my disclaimer  here  for more information.

Page Contents

• 1 15 of the Best Travel Books for Kids 
• 2 Quick Comparison Table of Children’s Books About Travel 
• 3.1 The Best Atlas for Kids: Children’s Illustrated Atlas
• 3.2 Hello World
• 3.3 Lonely Planet: First Words
• 3.4 Dr Seuss – Oh, The Places You’ll Go!
• 3.5 National Geographic: Little Kids First Big Book of the World
• 3.6 Travel Bug Goes to Series
• 3.7 This is Series
• 3.8 Lonely Planet: The Travel Book
• 3.9 Lonely Planet: City Trails
• 3.10 Lonely Planet: Let’s Explore
• 3.11 Lonely Planet: Backyard Explorer
• 3.12 Lonely Planet: Not For Parents
• 3.13 Busy Busy World
• 3.14 The Atlas Obscura Explorer’s Guide for the World’s Most Adventurous Kid
• 3.15.1 Do you want to keep this handy for later? 
• 3.15.2 Click on one of the images below to save it to Pinterest.

15 of the Best Travel Books for Kids  

To come up with this list of the best children’s books about the world, I’ve asked for recommendations from our followers, other family travel bloggers as well as researched the best selling children travel books on Amazon.  I have no doubt there are a million other great childrens travel books, but this is a pretty good list to get you started.

Quick Comparison Table of Children’s Books About Travel  

Don’t have time to read the entire review on the best children’s travel books?  Below is a handy table of all the books in this guide with some brief information and a link for where you can buy the book online.

Please note the age group is just a guide and will really depend on the individual child.

Keep reading below for further information on these books.

Top Travel Books for Children  

Let’s get into it and in no particular order, check out some of the best travel books for kids currently available!

The Best Atlas for Kids: Children’s Illustrated Atlas

The Children’s Illustrated Atlas is hands down one of Myla’s favourite children’s books about places around the world.  She literally reads this book at least once a week.

Across 128 pages, this kids atlas has more than 50 colourful maps of countries around the world.  Each map includes interesting facts about the country including famous landmarks, climate, native animals and its people.  You can use this atlas to create a range of fun and educational activities for the kids at home.

For parents after a great children’s atlas, I highly recommend this.  It’s perfect for primary school aged children.

Click here for more information or to buy now.

Hello World

Hello World is a series of gorgeous hardboard books aimed at young toddler travellers.  These books have gorgeous colourful illustrations which feature famous landmarks, architecture, food and culture of various cities across the world.

As well as inspiring young travellers, these books help children recognize shapes, opposites, senses, numbers and colours.  Books available include shapes in Paris , opposites in London , senses in Tokyo , colours in New York , numbers in San Francisco or sounds in Rio De Janeiro .

These are such a gorgeous series of books and make perfect gifts if you’re looking for a travel activity book for toddlers or baby books about travel.

Click here for more information or to buy now.  

Lonely Planet: First Words

We all know there is a stack of great Lonely Planet kids books out there so it’s not surprisingly I’ve listed quite a few here in this guide.  First up are the First Words series , which teach children some of the basic words from languages around the world.

Each book contains 100 words which are useful while travelling.  Words include things related to food, transport, animals, weather and more.  Each double page of the book covers one word, with a pronunciation guide as well as a range of colourful illustrations to give the word context as well as keep it interesting for little travellers.

The First Words book are available in Spanish ,   Japanese ,   Mandarin , Italian and French .  These are great books for kids about to go on an overseas trip with their families.

Each book also comes with a free audio guide.

Dr Seuss – Oh, The Places You’ll Go!

Dr Seuss is always a favourite isn’t it – with both kids and parents alike. Oh, The Places You’ll Go!  always comes up on any best travel book list for kids.

In this book, Dr Seuss takes us through all the mishaps that occur while out on our adventures.  It has a great message for kids, encouraging children to seize the moment, be brave and seek out new adventures, and never to be afraid of failure.

Of course like with any Dr Seuss book, this book is full of fun illustrations and easy to read text helping children to develop their reading skills.

National Geographic: Little Kids First Big Book of the World

Myla just loves her National Geographic books , so if you’re after just one general book about the world for your young traveller, I’d highly recommend the Little Kids First Big Book of the World.

Across 128 pages, this book has a range of interesting facts about languages, landscapes, weather, animals, capital cities and more.

The book has a range of beautiful photographs, easy to read text (great for developing little ones reading skills) and a range of questions to encourage your child to discuss what they are reading with other members of the family.

If your child loves these books, I’d also recommend their yearly book , we get this for Myla each for Christmas and she again just loves it.

These National Graphic books are perfect for any parent looking for children books about travelling around the world.

Travel Bug Goes to Series

Another great series of books for toddlers or preschoolers, Travel Bug is a cute character that travels around the world to different countries and cities.  In these picture books about travelling around the world, Travel Bug includes famous landmarks, food, history and culture.

These preschool books about travel are available for Chicago , Mexico , China , France , Australia , San Francisco , New York City , Paris , Iceland , Italy , America and Europe .

These are great books to buy for little travellers who might be visiting one of these destinations or just enjoys learning about new places.

Click here for more information or to buy the book  

This is Series

The This is Series  of books were first published back in the 1950s and have recently been updated to bring them into the twenty first century.  Available in a range of cities and countries around the world, these children’s books about travelling around the world are designed to inspire young children to travel the world.

Each travel picture book has beautiful illustrations, capturing a range of scenes from the destinations as well as plenty of fun facts for the young inspired traveller.  The series is available for 18 different destinations including, Paris , Venice , London , New York and Rome .

Lonely Planet: The Travel Book

The Travel Book takes children through every country on the planet.  Every country has its own full page, where information is provided such as the country’s landscapes, wildlife, landmarks, language, people as well as random fun facts.

There are two versions of this kids world travel guide. The older version has 212 pages and in addition to beautiful photographs, it has lots of fun illustrations designed for younger children.  The newer version has 408 pages and only features photographs and is designed to appeal to the older child.

With general information on every single country in the world, this is such a great book for a child who loves to travel.  

Lonely Planet: City Trails

City Trails  is kind of like the traditional Lonely Planet guides, but for kids.  Designed for primary school aged children, these travel guides provide children with a range of information about a particular destination.

The books take children on a trip around the city – hence the name of the book City Trails.  Each kids travel guide lists out a range of attractions and places of interest within the city and what children can expect to see and do there.

The City Trails series are available for a range of cities including London , Tokyo , Paris , New York City , Rome , Sydney , Singapore and more.

These are great books to give children prior to a holiday and encourages them to really get in involved with the trip planning process.  

Lonely Planet: Let’s Explore

If you’re looking for travel activity books for kids, Let’s Explore is another one of the great series of books from Lonely Planet.  These books are about two young explorers Marco and Amelia who travel to a range of different landscapes across the world including Safari , Ocean , Desert , City , Mountain and Jungle .

Each of the Let’s Explore books is 48 pages and include a range of puzzles, colouring in, have over 250 stickers as well as some interesting facts.

Whether you’re after a kids travel activity book for at home or while travelling, the Lonely Planet Let’s Explore range is a good one to consider.

Lonely Planet: Backyard Explorer

With all of us staying at home right now, Backyard Explorer is the perfect book!  Another excellent children’s book by Lonely Planet, Backyard Explorer helps children get out and explore what’s in their very own backyards.

Backyard Explorer is full of fun activities for the kids including things to make, do and find.  Some of the activities include cloud spotting, making a skyline college, completing a scavenger hunt and more. 

This is a great book for those kids who keep complaining that they are bored – with this book they will find plenty to do in and around their own home.

Lonely Planet: Not For Parents

The last of all the Lonely Planets listed in this guide, Not For Parents are a series of books somewhat like the traditional Lonely Planet guides but for kids.  These books include a range of interesting facts, stories and things to do in places across the world.

Each book is around 100 pages and includes stories about interesting people, details of super cool attractions and landmarks,

The books are available for a range of countries, continents and cities including Australia , USA , China , Africa , Paris , Europe , Asia , Britain , Rome , London , New York , South America and more.

These books would be the perfect gift to buy a child planning a trip to one of these destinations as it encourages them to get involved in the planning stage as well as gets them excited about their trip.  

Busy Busy World

For the younger travellers, they will love the Busy Busy World  by Richard Scarry.  This book takes children through 33 different places around the world including New York, Paris and Tokyo.

The book tells 33 different funny stories about a range of characters from across the world including butchers, fishermen, house painters and more.  Across 96 pages, this book features bright and colourful illustrations with easy to read text which engages young children and inspires them to explore the world. 

This book was written in the 1960s, yet still manages to capture the attention of young travellers today.  

The Atlas Obscura Explorer’s Guide for the World’s Most Adventurous Kid

The Atlas Obscura Explorer’s Guide for the World’s Most Adventurous Kid is another one of Myla’s favourite books.  Featuring 100 different places from 47 different countries, this book focuses on the world’s most fascinating places – both natural and manmade.

Over 112 pages, this book looks at 100 different places around the world, listing out interesting facts, stories and places to visit.  Popular places such as England and Mexico are featured as well as less known places including Azerbaijan and Namibia.  However don’t except popular tourist attractions in this book, this book is for the serious travellers wanting to learn about more offbeat places.

Given this book is about the more unusual tourist destinations in the world, this book is better suited to the child that already has a few travel books and is now looking for something a little different.  

 Click here for more information or to buy now.

Bluey: The Beach

Most little ones are already fans of the TV show Bluey – so if you’re after airplane books for toddlers Bluey: The Beach is a lovely little book.  In this book, Bluey’s family goes to the beach and the book is all about the fun encounters Bluey has throughout the day. 

This is a lovely hardboard book, with beautiful illustrations just perfect for young travellers off on a beach holiday with their family.  

__________________________________________________________

I hope you found this guide on the best travel books for kids useful. 

If you’re looking for more things for kids that love to travel, check out kids gift guide here . and the best travel themed board games for kids here .  

Disclaimer: Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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Kid’s World Travel Guide:Embarking on Global Adventures

Travel is a transformative experience, opening young minds to the wonders of the world and fostering a deep appreciation for diverse cultures and landscapes. A kid’s world travel guide serves as a magical portal to introduce children to the joys of exploration, helping them learn about different countries, their people, and the incredible adventures that await. In this blog post, we’ll embark on a journey through the pages of a kid’s world travel guide, exploring its importance, its key elements, and the ways in which it can ignite a passion for global adventures in young explorers.

The Significance of a Kid’s World Travel Guide

A kid’s world travel guide is more than just a book; it’s a window to the world. Here’s why these guides are significant:

1. Education and Exploration:

Travel guides are educational tools that allow children to explore the world from the comfort of their homes or as companions during their actual travels. They provide information about geography, history, culture, and more.

2. Sparking Curiosity:

These guides ignite a natural sense of curiosity in children, encouraging them to ask questions, seek answers, and learn about different places and peoples. They nurture a love for learning.

3. Fostering Empathy:

Exposing children to diverse cultures and traditions fosters empathy and understanding. It helps them appreciate the rich tapestry of human experiences, promoting tolerance and acceptance.

4. Inspiration for Future Adventures:

A kid’s world travel guide can inspire wanderlust. Children may dream of visiting the destinations described in the book, planting the seeds for future adventures.

Key Elements of a Kid’s World Travel Guide

A kid’s world travel guide is more than just words on pages; it’s a captivating journey filled with essential elements to engage young readers:

1. Engaging Narratives:

The guide features lively, age-appropriate storytelling to captivate young minds and keep them turning pages. It often presents stories or fictional characters to make the content relatable.

2. Colorful Illustrations:

Vibrant and eye-catching illustrations bring the destinations and cultures to life. They appeal to children’s visual senses and make the reading experience more immersive.

3. Fun Facts and Trivia:

Kid’s travel guides incorporate interesting facts and trivia that pique children’s curiosity. These tidbits can be about famous landmarks, unique traditions, or extraordinary animals.

4. Interactive Activities:

To keep children engaged, these guides may include interactive elements like puzzles, quizzes, and creative activities. This adds an element of play and learning.

5. Destination Profiles:

The heart of a kid’s world travel guide lies in its destination profiles. These sections provide an in-depth look at countries and cities, featuring essential information about geography, history, culture, food, and more.

6. Maps and Graphics:

Maps and graphics help children visualize the locations they’re learning about. These visual aids make it easier to understand the geography of the world.

7. Travel Tips:

Some guides offer practical travel advice , such as how to pack for a trip, tips for staying safe, and advice on engaging with locals respectfully.

Igniting the Spirit of Exploration

A kid’s world travel guide can serve as an extraordinary tool to ignite the spirit of exploration in young adventurers. Here are some ways in which these guides inspire children to explore the world:

1. Cultural Discovery:

Learning about different cultures and traditions through a travel guide piques children’s curiosity. They may become interested in trying new foods, learning new languages, or exploring local customs.

2. Geographical Awareness:

The guide helps children develop geographical awareness, making them more proficient at locating countries and cities on maps and globes.

3. Appreciation of Diversity:

Through the stories and illustrations, children begin to appreciate the diversity of the world. They learn that no two places are the same, and this understanding promotes tolerance and respect.

4. Dreaming of Adventures:

The tales of far-off lands and exciting adventures in a travel guide can plant the seeds for future explorations. Children may start dreaming of their own travels and aspire to visit the places they read about.

5. Bonding with Family:

Reading a kid’s world travel guide can become a family activity, sparking conversations and discussions about travel experiences. This shared interest can lead to memorable family trips.

Real-Life Adventures Inspired by Travel Guides

To understand the impact of a kid’s world travel guide, let’s explore a few real-life stories of children whose adventures were inspired by these books:

Story 1: A Journey to the Amazon

Eight-year-old Emma read a kid’s world travel guide about the Amazon Rainforest. The vivid descriptions of exotic animals and lush jungles ignited her fascination. When she grew older, she persuaded her family to embark on a journey to the Amazon, where they explored the diverse flora and fauna, sailed along the river, and met indigenous communities.

Story 2: Discovering European Wonders

Ten-year-old Max devoured a travel guide about Europe. He was particularly drawn to the castles and historic sites in Europe. His family decided to plan a European adventure, exploring ancient castles in Scotland, the grandeur of the Louvre in Paris, and the Roman ruins in Italy. Max’s enthusiasm for history and architecture was sparked by that very guide.

Unleash the Power of a Kid’s World Travel Guide

A kid’s world travel guide is a magical gateway to the world, a tool that opens young minds to the beauty of global exploration. It offers not just information but the promise of adventures and a lifelong love for learning. By introducing children to diverse cultures, geography, and the wonders of the world, these guides play an essential role in nurturing the next generation of global citizens.

So, if you have a young adventurer in your life, consider gifting them a kid’s world travel guide. You might just be setting them on a path to a lifetime of extraordinary travels and a deep appreciation for the world around them.

Read Also: Do traveling agents merit the cost?

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10 Family Adventures with Kids 2024

Posted: February 25, 2024 | Last updated: February 25, 2024

Traveling with kids can be a rewarding experience that creates lifelong memories but also has its unique challenges. From choosing kid-friendly destinations to packing the right gear, a little planning can make family travel fun and stress-free. This guide offers insights into destinations that cater to young travelers and provides practical tips to ensure a smooth journey for the whole family. Whether looking for adventure, relaxation, or educational experiences, these destinations offer something for every family.

1. Orlando, Florida, USA

Orlando, Florida, is a paradise for families, boasting an array of world-class theme parks like Walt Disney World and Universal Studios. Beyond these iconic attractions, the city offers interactive museums, wildlife encounters at places like Gatorland, and numerous water parks for cooling off in the Florida heat.

When planning your trip, consider staying at a resort with shuttle services to the parks to save on transportation. Balancing your itinerary with downtime at your hotel pool or a leisurely day exploring Orlando’s less crowded attractions can make the trip enjoyable for kids and adults.

Insider’s Tip: Purchase tickets in advance to save time and often money.

When To Travel: Visit during shoulder seasons (March-May, September-November) to avoid extreme heat and crowds.

How To Get There: Fly into Orlando International Airport, which is well-connected to destinations worldwide.

2. London, England

London is an excellent destination for family travel, offering a mix of historical sites, kid-friendly museums like the Natural History Museum, and numerous parks for outdoor play. The city’s extensive public transportation system, including the iconic double-decker buses and the Underground, makes getting around with kids easy and part of the adventure.

Don’t miss the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, a spectacle that fascinates kids and adults alike. For a unique experience, consider a family-friendly West End show to introduce the kids to London’s renowned theater scene.

Insider’s Tip: Invest in an Oyster card for cost-effective travel on public transport.

When To Travel: Late spring and summer offer pleasant weather and many outdoor activities.

How To Get There: Fly into one of London’s major airports, with Heathrow being the most accessible.

3. Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo is a city of contrasts that fascinates families with its blend of traditional culture and cutting-edge technology. From exploring ancient temples to experiencing the future at teamLab Borderless, a digital art museum, there’s something to captivate every age. Kids will love the quirky animal cafes and the excitement of neighborhoods like Akihabara and Harajuku. Tokyo’s efficient public transportation makes navigating the city straightforward, though it’s worth avoiding rush hour when trains can be crowded.

Insider’s Tip: Rent a pocket Wi-Fi device for easy navigation around the city.

When To Travel: Spring for cherry blossoms and fall for mild weather and colorful foliage.

How To Get There: Fly into Tokyo’s Narita or Haneda airports.

4. Yellowstone National Park, USA

Yellowstone National Park is an outdoor wonderland that offers families the chance to explore geysers, hot springs, and an array of wildlife. The park’s Junior Ranger program is particularly popular, providing educational and fun activities for kids. Staying within the park, either camping or in lodges, allows for early morning or late evening wildlife spotting when animals are most active. Remember to respect the park’s rules and maintain a safe distance from wildlife for a safe and enjoyable visit.

Insider’s Tip: Visit geysers early in the morning to avoid crowds.

When To Travel: Summer for full access to all park areas.

How To Get There: Fly into airports near Jackson Hole, Wyoming, or Bozeman, Montana, and drive to the park.

5. Paris, France

Paris, with its iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame, is a city that captivates families. The city is surprisingly kid-friendly, offering numerous parks for playtime, like the Jardin du Luxembourg and boat rides along the Seine. Disneyland Paris, located just outside the city, is a magical day trip for families. Exploring Paris at a leisurely pace, with time for enjoying pastries at a sidewalk café or a picnic in one of its beautiful parks, can make the trip enjoyable for all ages.

Insider’s Tip: Consider a Paris Pass to save on attractions and public transport.

When To Travel: Spring and fall offer mild weather and fewer tourists.

How To Get There: Fly into Charles de Gaulle or Orly airports.

6. Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a natural playground for families, offering lush rainforests, beautiful beaches, and an abundance of wildlife. Activities like zip-lining through the canopy, visiting animal sanctuaries, and relaxing on the beach keep families entertained.

The country is known for its commitment to conservation and offers many eco-friendly lodging options. Renting a car can provide flexibility for families wanting to explore different regions, from the cloud forests of Monteverde to the beaches of Manuel Antonio.

Insider’s Tip: Rent a car with a GPS to explore the country at your own pace.

When To Travel: From December to April, the dry season is the best time for beach activities and wildlife viewing.

How To Get There: Fly into San José or Liberia airports.

7. Rome, Italy

Rome is a captivating destination for families, offering a journey through history with its ancient ruins and historic landmarks. The Colosseum and Roman Forum bring history to life, fascinating kids and adults alike. Don’t miss the chance to toss a coin into the Trevi Fountain or explore the Vatican Museums, including the Sistine Chapel. Balancing sightseeing with relaxed moments, like enjoying gelato on a piazza, makes the trip enjoyable for everyone.

Insider’s Tip: Buy skip-the-line tickets for major attractions to avoid long waits.

When To Travel: April to June and September to October offer pleasant weather and fewer crowds.

How To Get There: Fly into Rome’s Fiumicino Airport.

8. Canadian Rockies, Canada

The Canadian Rockies are an outdoor paradise for families who love nature. Banff and Jasper National Parks offer breathtaking scenery, wildlife viewing, and a range of outdoor activities like hiking and canoeing. Staying in a cabin or a lodge within the parks enhances the experience, allowing families to wake up surrounded by nature. The region is also great for winter sports, with several ski resorts offering family-friendly slopes.

Insider’s Tip: Stay in a cabin for a cozy and authentic mountain experience.

When To Travel: Summer for hiking and winter for skiing.

How To Get There: Fly into Calgary or Edmonton and drive to the national parks.

9. Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona is a vibrant city offering a mix of culture, history, and family fun. Kids will be enchanted by the whimsical architecture of Antoni Gaudí, including Park Güell and the Sagrada Familia. The city’s beaches provide a perfect spot for relaxation after a day of sightseeing. Exploring the Gothic Quarter, with its narrow streets and hidden squares, is like stepping into a fairy tale.

Insider’s Tip: Use the hop-on-hop-off bus for an easy and fun way to see the city.

When To Travel: Late spring and early fall are good for weather and fewer tourists.

How To Get There: Fly into Barcelona-El Prat Airport.

10. Sydney, Australia

Sydney is a dynamic city that offers a perfect blend of urban exploration and natural beauty. The Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge are must-sees, while the city’s beaches, like Bondi and Manly, offer a chance to relax and play. The Taronga Zoo and SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium are great for animal-loving kids. Taking a ferry ride in Sydney Harbour is not only a mode of transport but an adventure in itself.

Insider’s Tip: Buy a Sydney Attractions Pass for discounts on multiple attractions.

When To Travel: September to November and March to May for mild weather.

How To Get There: Fly into Sydney Airport.

The Bottom Line

Traveling with kids can be an enriching experience for the whole family. By choosing the right destinations and planning ahead, you can create a trip that’s enjoyable for travelers of all ages. Remember, the key to a successful family vacation is balancing activities, rest, and a little adventure. So pack your bags, grab the kids, and set off on a journey that will create lasting memories and stories to tell for years to come.

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The post 10 Family Adventures with Kids 2024 republished on Passing Thru with permission from The Green Voyage .

Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / New Africa.

For transparency, this content was partly developed with AI assistance and carefully curated by an experienced editor to be informative and ensure accuracy.

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Moscow Metro

The Moscow Metro Tour is included in most guided tours’ itineraries. Opened in 1935, under Stalin’s regime, the metro was not only meant to solve transport problems, but also was hailed as “a people’s palace”. Every station you will see during your Moscow metro tour looks like a palace room. There are bright paintings, mosaics, stained glass, bronze statues… Our Moscow metro tour includes the most impressive stations best architects and designers worked at - Ploshchad Revolutsii, Mayakovskaya, Komsomolskaya, Kievskaya, Novoslobodskaya and some others.

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The guide will not only help you navigate the metro, but will also provide you with fascinating background tales for the images you see and a history of each station.

And there some stories to be told during the Moscow metro tour! The deepest station - Park Pobedy - is 84 metres under the ground with the world longest escalator of 140 meters. Parts of the so-called Metro-2, a secret strategic system of underground tunnels, was used for its construction.

During the Second World War the metro itself became a strategic asset: it was turned into the city's biggest bomb-shelter and one of the stations even became a library. 217 children were born here in 1941-1942! The metro is the most effective means of transport in the capital.

There are almost 200 stations 196 at the moment and trains run every 90 seconds! The guide of your Moscow metro tour can explain to you how to buy tickets and find your way if you plan to get around by yourself.

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Efficient but difficult with kids - Moscow Metro

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Each metro stop is like taking a step into a different museum with the walls and ceilings... read more

This is the cleanest Metro I have ever seen in my life (I have visited more than 47 countries... read more

Efficient but difficult with kids

We used Moscow metro during our visit. This is the one of the most efficient metros in the world. Metro stations looks like museums and the frequency of trains also very good. But we were unable to find any lifts inside the metro and we faced lot of issues while traveling with our kid and his baby stroller. The long escalators was another problem.

I had been told a lot about the artistic Moscow metro but had not expected this. Bronze sculptures on every alcove and wall-to-wall murals across the ceilings. Tasteful engravings and wooden inlay everywhere and signature Moscow lanterns casting shadows along the main walk-ways. This was a unique and tasteful affair where everyone kept to themselves and everyone kept the place clean. Make sure to visit the station near to Red Square for the full experience. Excellent!

The most impressive subway stations in the world. Every station is different and beautiful. Luxurious stone work, marble everywhere, grand murals… just too incredible. The New York subway is like a portable toilet compared to the Plaza washroom. Even the Paris metro does not compare… I guess those II War prisoners really did great work.

Coming from Switzerland i am used that things work, but the Metro in Moscow impresses me Even After several visits. The Ticket System is simple, buy a One time Ticket for 50 Rubels and you can go, no complicated pricing. Without a Ticket you Cannot enter. On any Platform there is only One line coming to both directions, praktikable you Cannot make a Mistake. Every linke has a Color and Number. The Stadions are beautiful and it is Worthh just to go and See. Whiteboard Station you like, you can leave the Train, watch the Station and take One of the next Trains. They just keep coming, eben on Weekends. On a normal working day, the Metro is crowded and People might push you. So in you avoid the Busy Hours, it is better. In the Train People are asked to let elderly, Woman and children sit, and it really is Done. This is beautiful to See as in a Lot of countries it is Not like this anymore. Be Aware when you Plan to go with the Metro that when Stations have Different names, the Way can be Long to go to the next Train. If you Plan to you the Metro more often it is advisible to use the Troika Card which reduces the Price for every Trip and can be used for many People as well. Buy the Tickets in Advance as the Queues can be Long. Enjoy the Metro.

In response to an earlier review critisising it for having no english, can I ask if the London, Paris or New York systems have signs in Cyrillic? No. Do yourself a favour and learn enough of the language to recognize stations, which platforms to use, which exit to head for etc and the metro will be an easy, cheap and sometimes breathtaking means of traversing the city. I never felt any less at ease than I have on any other underground system, and a lot less so than I do on London's tiny little platforms and cramped little trains.

If I were asked to vote for one thing that left me speechless on our Russian trip, it would be the " Moscow metro". Its looks more like a grand ballroom or a museum than a public transport system. I was told that it was also meant to be used as a bunker for the citizens on case of bombings. I have never seen such splendid architecture in a metro I was told that each stations have their own characteristics depending on when and by whom it was built. There are many stories associated with the various statues and I suggest going with someone who can show them to you or take a guided tour.

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The Moscow Metro Museum of Art: 10 Must-See Stations

There are few times one can claim having been on the subway all afternoon and loving it, but the Moscow Metro provides just that opportunity.  While many cities boast famous public transport systems—New York’s subway, London’s underground, San Salvador’s chicken buses—few warrant hours of exploration.  Moscow is different: Take one ride on the Metro, and you’ll find out that this network of railways can be so much more than point A to B drudgery.

The Metro began operating in 1935 with just thirteen stations, covering less than seven miles, but it has since grown into the world’s third busiest transit system ( Tokyo is first ), spanning about 200 miles and offering over 180 stops along the way.  The construction of the Metro began under Joseph Stalin’s command, and being one of the USSR’s most ambitious building projects, the iron-fisted leader instructed designers to create a place full of svet (radiance) and svetloe budushchee (a radiant future), a palace for the people and a tribute to the Mother nation.

Consequently, the Metro is among the most memorable attractions in Moscow.  The stations provide a unique collection of public art, comparable to anything the city’s galleries have to offer and providing a sense of the Soviet era, which is absent from the State National History Museum.  Even better, touring the Metro delivers palpable, experiential moments, which many of us don’t get standing in front of painting or a case of coins.

Though tours are available , discovering the Moscow Metro on your own provides a much more comprehensive, truer experience, something much less sterile than following a guide.  What better place is there to see the “real” Moscow than on mass transit: A few hours will expose you to characters and caricatures you’ll be hard-pressed to find dining near the Bolshoi Theater.  You become part of the attraction, hear it in the screech of the train, feel it as hurried commuters brush by: The Metro sucks you beneath the city and churns you into the mix.

With the recommendations of our born-and-bred Muscovite students, my wife Emma and I have just taken a self-guided tour of what some locals consider the top ten stations of the Moscow Metro. What most satisfied me about our Metro tour was the sense of adventure .  I loved following our route on the maps of the wagon walls as we circled the city, plotting out the course to the subsequent stops; having the weird sensation of being underground for nearly four hours; and discovering the next cavern of treasures, playing Indiana Jones for the afternoon, piecing together fragments of Russia’s mysterious history.  It’s the ultimate interactive museum.

Top Ten Stations (In order of appearance)

Kievskaya station.

Kievskaya Station went public in March of 1937, the rails between it and Park Kultury Station being the first to cross the Moscow River.  Kievskaya is full of mosaics depicting aristocratic scenes of Russian life, with great cameo appearances by Lenin, Trotsky, and Stalin.  Each work has a Cyrillic title/explanation etched in the marble beneath it; however, if your Russian is rusty, you can just appreciate seeing familiar revolutionary dates like 1905 ( the Russian Revolution ) and 1917 ( the October Revolution ).

Mayakovskaya Station

Mayakovskaya Station ranks in my top three most notable Metro stations. Mayakovskaya just feels right, done Art Deco but no sense of gaudiness or pretention.  The arches are adorned with rounded chrome piping and create feeling of being in a jukebox, but the roof’s expansive mosaics of the sky are the real showstopper.  Subjects cleverly range from looking up at a high jumper, workers atop a building, spires of Orthodox cathedrals, to nimble aircraft humming by, a fleet of prop planes spelling out CCCP in the bluest of skies.

Novoslobodskaya Station

Novoslobodskaya is the Metro’s unique stained glass station.  Each column has its own distinctive panels of colorful glass, most of them with a floral theme, some of them capturing the odd sailor, musician, artist, gardener, or stenographer in action.  The glass is framed in Art Deco metalwork, and there is the lovely aspect of discovering panels in the less frequented haunches of the hall (on the trackside, between the incoming staircases).  Novosblod is, I’ve been told, the favorite amongst out-of-town visitors.

Komsomolskaya Station

Komsomolskaya Station is one of palatial grandeur.  It seems both magnificent and obligatory, like the presidential palace of a colonial city.  The yellow ceiling has leafy, white concrete garland and a series of golden military mosaics accenting the tile mosaics of glorified Russian life.  Switching lines here, the hallway has an Alice-in-Wonderland feel, impossibly long with decorative tile walls, culminating in a very old station left in a remarkable state of disrepair, offering a really tangible glimpse behind the palace walls.

Dostoevskaya Station

Dostoevskaya is a tribute to the late, great hero of Russian literature .  The station at first glance seems bare and unimpressive, a stark marble platform without a whiff of reassembled chips of tile.  However, two columns have eerie stone inlay collages of scenes from Dostoevsky’s work, including The Idiot , The Brothers Karamazov , and Crime and Punishment.   Then, standing at the center of the platform, the marble creates a kaleidoscope of reflections.  At the entrance, there is a large, inlay portrait of the author.

Chkalovskaya Station

Chkalovskaya does space Art Deco style (yet again).  Chrome borders all.  Passageways with curvy overhangs create the illusion of walking through the belly of a chic, new-age spacecraft.  There are two (kos)mosaics, one at each end, with planetary subjects.  Transferring here brings you above ground, where some rather elaborate metalwork is on display.  By name similarity only, I’d expected Komsolskaya Station to deliver some kosmonaut décor; instead, it was Chkalovskaya that took us up to the space station.

Elektrozavodskaya Station

Elektrozavodskaya is full of marble reliefs of workers, men and women, laboring through the different stages of industry.  The superhuman figures are round with muscles, Hollywood fit, and seemingly undeterred by each Herculean task they respectively perform.  The station is chocked with brass, from hammer and sickle light fixtures to beautiful, angular framework up the innards of the columns.  The station’s art pieces are less clever or extravagant than others, but identifying the different stages of industry is entertaining.

Baumanskaya Statio

Baumanskaya Station is the only stop that wasn’t suggested by the students.  Pulling in, the network of statues was just too enticing: Out of half-circle depressions in the platform’s columns, the USSR’s proud and powerful labor force again flaunts its success.  Pilots, blacksmiths, politicians, and artists have all congregated, posing amongst more Art Deco framing.  At the far end, a massive Soviet flag dons the face of Lenin and banners for ’05, ’17, and ‘45.  Standing in front of the flag, you can play with the echoing roof.

Ploshchad Revolutsii Station

Novokuznetskaya Station

Novokuznetskaya Station finishes off this tour, more or less, where it started: beautiful mosaics.  This station recalls the skyward-facing pieces from Mayakovskaya (Station #2), only with a little larger pictures in a more cramped, very trafficked area.  Due to a line of street lamps in the center of the platform, it has the atmosphere of a bustling market.  The more inventive sky scenes include a man on a ladder, women picking fruit, and a tank-dozer being craned in.  The station’s also has a handsome black-and-white stone mural.

Here is a map and a brief description of our route:

Start at (1)Kievskaya on the “ring line” (look for the squares at the bottom of the platform signs to help you navigate—the ring line is #5, brown line) and go north to Belorusskaya, make a quick switch to the Dark Green/#2 line, and go south one stop to (2)Mayakovskaya.  Backtrack to the ring line—Brown/#5—and continue north, getting off at (3)Novosblodskaya and (4)Komsolskaya.  At Komsolskaya Station, transfer to the Red/#1 line, go south for two stops to Chistye Prudy, and get on the Light Green/#10 line going north.  Take a look at (5)Dostoevskaya Station on the northern segment of Light Green/#10 line then change directions and head south to (6)Chkalovskaya, which offers a transfer to the Dark Blue/#3 line, going west, away from the city center.  Have a look (7)Elektroskaya Station before backtracking into the center of Moscow, stopping off at (8)Baumskaya, getting off the Dark Blue/#3 line at (9)Ploschad Revolyutsii.  Change to the Dark Green/#2 line and go south one stop to see (10)Novokuznetskaya Station.

Check out our new Moscow Indie Travel Guide , book a flight to Moscow and read 10 Bars with Views Worth Blowing the Budget For

Jonathon Engels, formerly a patron saint of misadventure, has been stumbling his way across cultural borders since 2005 and is currently volunteering in the mountains outside of Antigua, Guatemala.  For more of his work, visit his website and blog .

Photo credits:   SergeyRod , all others courtesy of the author and may not be used without permission

Your last-minute guide to Monday's total solar eclipse

A total solar eclipse will cross North America on Monday , offering millions a rare opportunity to see afternoon skies temporarily darken as the moon blocks the face of the sun.

Tune into NBC News NOW as Lester Holt hosts a two-hour special at 2 p.m. ET Monday from Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The eclipse's path fortuitously cuts across Mexico, 15 U.S. states and a small part of eastern Canada. In all other states in the continental U.S., viewers will be treated to a partial solar eclipse, with the moon appearing to take a bite out of the sun and obscuring part of its light.

Here’s everything you need to know about the rare celestial event.

What is a solar eclipse?

Solar eclipses occur when the sun, moon and Earth align. The moon passes between Earth and sun, temporarily blocking the sun’s light and casting a shadow on Earth.

A total solar eclipse is when the moon fully obscures the sun, whereas a partial solar eclipse means it blocks just a portion of the sun’s face.

Solar eclipses occur only with the new moon. Because the moon’s orbit around Earth is tilted, the three bodies don’t always line up in a way that creates an eclipse.

“Imagine if the moon’s orbit were in the plane of Earth’s orbit around the sun — if that were the case, then every new moon, you’d have a total solar eclipse and every full moon, you’d have a lunar eclipse,” Neil DeGrasse Tyson, director of the Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History, told NBC News. “So, because things don’t always align, it lends to the rarity of the event and the specialness of the event.”

Where and when will the eclipse be visible?

This year’s eclipse will follow a slightly wider path over more populated areas of the continental U.S. than other total solar eclipses have in the recent past.

NASA estimates that 31.6 million people live within what’s known as the path of totality, where the total solar eclipse will be visible. An additional 150 million people live within 200 miles of the path, according to the agency.

The path travels through Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. Tiny parts of Michigan and Tennessee will also be able to witness totality if conditions are clear.

After the eclipse crosses into Canada, it will pass over southern Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Cape Breton, at the eastern end of Nova Scotia.

Those outside the path of totality can still take part in the astronomical event by viewing a partial solar eclipse — visible throughout all 48 states of the contiguous U.S. — or a NASA livestream.

The timing, including how long totality lasts, depends on the location, but some spots will see the moon fully cover the sun for up to 4 minutes and 28 seconds.

Below is a list of timings for some cities along the path of totality, as  provided by NASA . A number of other resources, including NationalEclipse.com  and  TimeandDate.com , can also help people plan.

• Dallas: Partial eclipse begins at 12:23 p.m. CT and totality at 1:40 p.m.
• Little Rock, Arkansas: Partial eclipse begins at 12:33 p.m. CT and totality at 1:51 p.m.
• Cleveland: Partial eclipse begins at 1:59 p.m. ET and totality at 3:13 p.m.
• Buffalo, New York: Partial eclipse begins at 2:04 p.m. ET and totality at 3:18 p.m.
• Lancaster, New Hampshire: Partial eclipse begins at 2:16 p.m. ET and totality at 3:27 p.m.

How to safely view a solar eclipse

It is never safe to gaze directly at the sun, even when it is partly or mostly covered by the moon. Special eclipse glasses or  pinhole projectors  are required to safely view solar eclipses and prevent eye damage. Failing to take the proper precautions can result in severe eye injury,  according to NASA .

Eclipse glasses are thousands of times darker than normal sunglasses and specially made to enable wearers to look at the sun during these kinds of celestial events.

Sky-watchers should also never view any part of the sun through binoculars, telescopes or camera lenses unless they have specific solar filters attached. Eclipse glasses should not be used with these devices, as they will not provide adequate protection.

However, during the few minutes of totality, when the moon is fully blocking the sun, it is safe to look with the naked eye.

Beware of fake eclipse glasses. On legitimate pairs, the lenses should have a silver appearance on the front and be black on the inside. The manufacturer’s name and address should be clearly labeled, and they should not be torn or punctured. Check, as well, for the ISO logo and the code “IS 12312-2” printed on the inside.

If you don’t have eclipse glasses, you can make a homemade pinhole projector, which lets sunlight in through a small hole, focuses it and projects it onto a piece of paper, wall or other surface to create an image of the sun that is safe to look at. 

All you need is two pieces of white cardboard or plain white paper, aluminum foil and a pin or thumbtack. Cut a 1- to 2-inch square or rectangle out of the center of a piece of white paper or cardboard. Tape aluminum foil over that cut-out shape, then use a pin or thumbtack to poke a tiny hole in the foil.

During the eclipse, place a second piece of white paper or cardboard on the ground as a screen and hold the projector with the foil facing up and your back to the sun. Adjusting how far you hold the projector from the second piece of paper will alter the size of the image on the makeshift screen.

What to look for while viewing the total solar eclipse

For people along the path of totality, there are some fun milestones to keep track of as the total solar eclipse unfolds.

As the eclipse progresses and the sun gets thinner in the sky, it will start to get eerily dark, according to Tyson.

When the last beams of sunlight are about to become obscured, look out for the “diamond ring effect”: The sun’s atmosphere will appear as an illuminated halo, and the last light still visible will look like the diamond of a giant ring.

As the sunlight decreases even further, an effect known as Baily’s beads will be created by the moon’s rugged terrain. Tiny “beads” of light will be visible for only a few seconds around the dark moon, as the last bits of sunlight peer through the moon’s mountains and valleys.

When the moon is fully blocking the sun, it is safe to remove eclipse glasses and look at the total solar eclipse with the naked eye.

Some lucky sky-watchers may even catch a glimpse of a comet .

Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks — nicknamed the “ devil comet ” because an eruption last year left it with two distinct trails of gas and ice in the shape of devil horns — is currently visible from the Northern Hemisphere as it swings through the inner solar system.

The comet can be seen in the early evenings by gazing toward the west-northwest horizon. During the eclipse, when skies darken during totality, it may be possible to see the comet near Jupiter, but its visibility will depend on whether it’s in the middle of an outburst and thus brighter than normal.

Most likely, all eyes will be on the alignment of the moon and sun.

“Most people won’t even notice,” Tyson said. “But if you know to look, it’s there.”

When is the next solar eclipse?

The next total solar eclipse will be in 2026, but it will mostly pass over the Arctic Ocean, with some visibility in Greenland, Iceland, Portugal and northern Spain. In 2027, a total solar eclipse will be visible in Spain and a swath of northern Africa.

The next total solar eclipse visible from North America will be in 2033, but only over Alaska. Then in 2044, a total solar eclipse will cross Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, parts of Canada and Greenland.

The next total solar eclipse to cross the continental U.S. coast-to-coast in will occur in 2045. The path of totality for that eclipse will cut through California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia and Florida.

Denise Chow is a reporter for NBC News Science focused on general science and climate change.

Lucas Thompson is a content producer for the NBC News Climate Unit.