Becoming a parent doesn’t mean your adventurous days are a thing of the past. In fact, kids are natural explorers and will love taking adventures as a family. For all you adventure-seeking parents out there, here are some of the world’s best adventure destinations for both kids and their parents.
1) The American Southwest
From the immensity of the Grand Canyon to the stark beauty of the desert, the American Southwest offers endless vistas of unusual and striking nature. Outdoor adventures featuring hiking, rafting, kayaking, and horseback riding await within the region’s many national and state parks. Kids can create their own Wild West adventures at cowboy ranches and learn about Native American history at parks in New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah. This is also the home of the great American road trip – pile into the car and enjoy the adventure of driving historic Route 66.
2) Australia
With its gorgeous beaches, unusual wildlife, expansive deserts, and pristine reefs, Australia is a perfect place to experience the outdoors with your kids. Snorkelling around the Great Barrier Reef will bring your kids face-to-face with animals from one of the world’s most important ecological areas. Kids will also love exploring nature on the beaches along the Great Ocean Road and at its towering limestone formations, the Twelve Apostles.
The Twelve Apostles on the Great Ocean Road outside of Melbourne, Australia.
3) Peru
Machu Picchu is one of the world’s most popular adventure destinations, and for good reason. Learning about the historical importance and mystery of the “Lost City of the Incas” is an unforgettable family experience. However, Peru offers many more adventures besides Machu Picchu. With a boat ride on the Amazon and guided walks to learn about the region’s incredible biodiversity, Peru offers great learning opportunities for nature-loving kids and their parents.
Peru offers great learning opportunities for nature-loving kids and their parents.
4) Thailand
Kids love to play in the sand, and Thailand’s picture-perfect beaches and bays provide a beautiful setting for waterfront adventures. But this friendly country has plenty more than just gorgeous beaches. In the hills of Chiang Mai, families can relax and connect with one of the world’s most magnificent creatures at the Elephant Nature Park. Thailand’s jungles are home to permanent campsites that provide comfortable camping options; here your kids can take part in adventurous activities like zip-lining and trekking alongside monkeys and forest birds.
Hands on in northern Thailand.
5) Iceland
Iceland’s unusual geography inspires wonder and serves as an ideal setting for a childhood adventure. From the Blue Lagoon to geysers and volcanoes, children can learn firsthand about geology while soaking up the beauty of these unique landscapes. A road trip on the Ring Road offers the chance to see one natural phenomenon after another; on this highway, why not take a break to touch lava rock near the side of the road? And when the kids need a change of pace, there are always Vikings. In the village of Hafnarfjörour, families can learn about Viking history through crafts, costumes, and reenactments at the Viking Festival each June.
Children are naturally interested in the world around them, and they love to create adventures no matter where they are. Allowing them to experience adventure while travelling will help your children build confidence and tap into their natural sense of curiosity. Better yet, the entire family will have fun memories to cherish long into the future.
Iceland’s famous geysers.
Getting There
Want to get out there and explore the world as a family? Start here. G Adventures runs a number of family departures encompassing a wide range of departure dates and activities to cater for different tastes. We’re thrilled at the prospect of showing you this big blue planet of ours— check out our small group trips here.
