As we grow up and grow older, we all begin to compile our bucket list of things we’d love to do. As we see and experience more of the world and hear about our friends and families’ experiences, our bucket list continues to grow. Yet once we have children and settle down, our bucket list is often put aside for our later years. It’s replaced by a bucket list for our family – a list of events, moments, and experiences we want for our family before the kids grow up and fly the nest.
We’ve used our experience and knowledge to create the perfect bucket list of ideas for families. Each of these travel ideas and experiences is unique and amazing in its own right. We hope they inspire you to seize the day and make that bucket list dream a reality. If you’re lucky enough to do one or more of these trips with your family, you’ll have memories to last you a lifetime.
Nothing is more magical for children than their annual meeting with Santa and the festive Christmas period. It’s often one of the best and happiest memories we all hold dear as a family. So how can you possibly better this experience and moment? The answer is simple: visit Santa and his elves in their hometown in Lapland, Finland.
Lapland is a region in Finland situated in the north of the country. The capital of Lapland is a city called Rovaniemi, which is Santa’s official hometown. Its airport is the gateway for visitors from across Europe looking for a sprinkle of Santa’s magic. While Rovaniemi is the gateway to Lapland, the real magic happens 8km north of the city at the Santa Clause Village.
Santa and his team of elves welcome those lucky enough to visit Santa Clause Village. Meeting Santa in his log cabin amidst the forest and snow is a magical experience. Offering onsite accommodation, there’s a host of activities for the whole family to enjoy. From husky sledding to visiting a reindeer farm, there’s no shortage of entertainment for the kids. For adults, there are spas, ice restaurants, and snowmobile safaris. The incredible Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights, also lights up the night sky. This is undoubtedly one of the most magical sights in one of the most magical places on earth. It all adds up to a wonderful experience and memories to share with the family for a lifetime.
Visiting Santa in Lapland is one of the best family bucket list activities. However, be mindful that the area is on the Arctic Circle, and winter temperatures can hit between -20c and -40c.
Best Time to Visit: Christmas, of course!
Best Age for Children: 5 – 9 years old
Cost: $3000 for a 3-day, 2-night stay for a family of 4, including flights from a European city
If you were to ask almost any young child where they would most like to go in the world, the answer would undoubtedly be Disney World. The home of Mickey Mouse, Elsa, and Cinderella, it’s a dream destination for children of all ages. The largest and best of Disney’s various resorts is in Florida.
Disney World Florida is conveniently located close to Universal Orlando, home to some of the greatest theme park rides in the world. This multi-park trip is a staple for any family bucket list and one that many families look to retake time and time again.
Disney World and Universal Orlando are located around the outskirts of Orlando, Florida. Long established, a whole industry and infrastructure has been established around these huge parks, ensuring a fantastic range of accommodation options both inside and outside the park. If you can afford the cost, you can’t beat staying inside the parks to make the trip more magical.
Once inside the Disney World Resort, you’ll find four theme parks – Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Visiting all of these theme parks with a park-hop ticket is possible, but you’ll need at least 3 to 4 days to see them. There are also two spectacular water parks – Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach, which provide a welcome relief from the Florida heat. There is something here for kids and grown-ups of all ages.
Universal Orlando is just 10 miles from Disney World, making it a fantastic joint attraction. The resort has two theme parks, Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios. The former is based on mythical lands, while the latter is themed to various well-known movies and TV shows. General consensus is that Universal Orlando has the best rides out of all the theme parks in Orlando. It’s also surprisingly family-friendly and gives Disney World a run for its money.
It wouldn’t be a bucket list for families without the inclusion of a trip to Disney World. What might give this trip the edge over other bucket list trips is the inclusion of the hugely underrated Universal Orlando Resort. The combination of the two resorts makes for a dream vacation.
Best Time to Visit: January and February or November and December are good times. Weather is often too humid or wet outside of these times.
Best Age for Children: 3+ years old
Cost: $1000 per day, factoring in park tickets, food, and accommodation.
The Palm in Dubai is one of the most spectacular creations of recent years. The palm-shaped island is one of the few man-made objects visible from space. Sitting front and center on the palm is the incredible Atlantis Hotel, and a stay here is next up on our bucket list for families.
The Atlantis Hotel is dedicated to entertainment and providing extraordinary experiences. The enormous hotel is home to 1548 rooms. It boasts four pools, a long private beach, a waterpark, an aquarium, a spa, and 28 different restaurants. From family dining to Michelin star, you’ll find it all here. Atlantis also offers a kids club and an area for teenagers to hang out, giving parents and kids plenty of autonomy. On top of this vast array of amenities are some serious bucket list activities. From swimming with dolphins to riding a surf machine, there’s a vast selection of activities on offer. The hotel even has a dedicated bucket list section.
While there’s no need to leave the hotel, you definitely should. Dubai is a giant playground for kids and grown-ups alike. Home to the world’s largest building and some of its biggest shopping malls, it’s truly a shopper’s paradise. For the family, there’s endless entertainment with Legoland, snow domes, aquariums, zoos, and amusements all on offer.
Dubai’s unique combination of man-made marvels and hubris makes this a destination everyone should visit at least once. Many that do come choose to return again and again. The attractions and excellent Atlantis Hotel tip this trip firmly into family bucket list territory.
Best Time to Visit: Outside the peak summer months of July and August, when temperatures exceed 40c on a daily basis.
Best Age for Children: 5+ years old
Cost: $600 per night starting rate for a family of 4 at the Atlantis Hotel.
Next up is one of the perennial bucket list favorites, a safari in Africa. There are so many great safari parks in Africa, but Tanzania stands out from the crowd with the quality and the range of parks it offers. It’s also considerably quieter than neighboring Kenya, with whom it shares a border. Tanzania is home to the ‘Big 5’ of safari (elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo, and rhino), a requirement for any bucket list safari.
Tanzania is home to 22 different national parks. Choosing one or more for a bucket list safari can be tricky, so we’ve included three of the very best:
Ngorongoro Conservation Area – Situated inside the world’s largest volcanic crater, the park is famous for the volume and density of its wildlife. The volume doesn’t come at the expense of quality either, with the ‘Big 5’ all present within the national park. If you’re only visiting one national park, ensure it’s this one.
Serengeti National Park – One of Africa’s most extensive and best parks, the Serengeti is famous for its annual migration of 2 million wildebeest. It’s home to the ‘Big 5’ and has some of the best safari lodges and safaris in the whole of Africa.
Arusha National Park – One of the smaller parks, it occupies a spectacular location in the shadow of Africa’s highest peak, Mount Kilimanjaro. Home to zebra, giraffes, buffalo, elephants, and leopards, it’s a great alternative to the larger parks.
A safari to Tanzania is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and a well-established choice for family bucket lists. This is one holiday that’s worth breaking the bank for.
Best Time to Visit: During the peak wildebeest migration from June to September
Best Age for Children: 8+ years old
Cost: $2000 per person for a 5-day safari in the Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti. The price includes food and mid-range accommodation.
The fifth entry on our list is a visit to the Galapagos Islands. The islands are unlike anywhere else on the planet and have plant and animal life that can only be found on these islands. Made famous by Charles Darwin’s book, ‘On the Origin of Species,’ the islands retain the same unique characteristics 200 years after his visit. The Galapagos is undoubtedly a top 10 bucket list destination for families.
The Galapagos Archipelago lies 1000 km off the west coast of Ecuador, and there are 13 major islands. Each of these has its unique identity, and you’ll need to visit several of these islands to make the most of the Galapagos. Tours lasting 5 or 7 days are highly recommended, as there is much to see and do. During your tour, you’ll see flamingos on the salt pans, encounter dolphins and killer whales in the sea, and see the giant turtles for which the islands have become famous. You’ll also have plenty of time to snorkel and explore these magical islands. Various accommodation options are available, from camping to hotels and liveaboard cruises.
As part of any visit to the Galapagos, you’ll need to transit through Quito International Airport. To make this trip even more memorable, why not take some time to visit the city of Quito? Its spectacular setting amongst the mountains and UNESCO World Heritage status colonial town center makes this a great place to explore for a few days.
The Galapagos is an excellent trip choice for nature lovers. It’s also a great choice for those with a spirit of adventure who want to go somewhere very few other people visit. It’s the Galapagos’ uniqueness that seals its place on our bucket list for families.
Best Time to Visit: November to December
Best Age for Children: 6+ years old
Cost: $1500+ for a 5 day tour including meals but not connecting flights.
For a long time, Iceland’s wonderous natural beauty was largely undiscovered by tourists, but the genie is now well and truly out of the bottle. Yet, while visitor numbers have increased exponentially, the country has retained the essence of what made it such a popular bucket list destination. An excellent choice for families that love nature and the great outdoors, Iceland’s scenery and attractions are enough to wow even the most widely traveled of families.
Iceland has some well-established and popular attractions, primarily within a few hours of the picturesque capital city of Reykjavik. Firstly, there are the geysers at Geysir and Strokkur. The latter erupts regularly, every 5 – 10 minutes on average, with heights of up to 40 meters. The other well-established and popular attraction is the Blue Lagoon, a vast geothermal spring that contrasts brilliantly with the surrounding black volcanic rock. While these attractions, alongside the city of Reykjavik and a whale watching trip, make for a great visit, the road trip element makes this a real family bucket list trip.
With your own transport in Iceland, you can explore further afield, and you’re in for an absolute treat. The waterfalls at Gulfoss, Dettifoss, Skogafoss, and Seljalandsfoss are spectacular. The national parks of Snaefellsnes and Vatnajokull are home to some wonderful scenery and landscapes. Then there are the excellent water attractions with the Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon and Lake Myvatn. Both of these are spectacular and must-see sights in Iceland. Your vehicle also allows you to stay in some weird and wonderful remote accommodations and experience the natural, rural, and rugged Iceland.
It’s a testament to Iceland’s volume of sights that we’ve yet to comment on, the Aurora Borealis or the Northern Lights. Iceland is one the best places in the world to experience this natural phenomenon, and it’s an experience that will wow the entire family. Iceland’s natural beauty truly makes it a family bucket list destination.
Best Time to Visit: June to August during the Icelandic summer. Spring (February and March) and Autumn (September and October) are the best times to see the Northern Lights.
Best Age for Children: 8+ years old
Cost: $200+ per day
On first consideration, the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico might not make most families’ top 10 bucket list destinations. However, such is the volume and quality of sights and activities in the area; we think it’s a real contender to be included in any bucket list. These attractions haven’t gone unnoticed, and the area is becoming increasingly popular. As more hotels and amenities open, it makes the Yucatan Peninsula an increasingly compelling location.
The main places to stay in the Yucatan are along the coastal resorts of Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum. These beachside resorts have accommodations and restaurants to satisfy all budgets and tastes. They act as a great base to explore the area’s many attractions, including:
White sand beaches – located on the Caribbean Sea, you can enjoy the famous clear waters and white sands of the Caribbean at a fraction of the cost of Caribbean Islands.
Ancient Mayan Ruins – the Mayans were prolific builders, and you’ll find the ancient cities of Chichén Itza and Coba to explore. There are even Mayan ruins on the beach at Tulum.
Cenotes – The Yucatan is dotted with these limestone sinkholes that act as spectacular freshwater swimming pools.
Diving and snorkeling – some of the finest Caribbean underwater life can be found off the Yucatan coast.
You can read more about the Yucatan Peninsula in our travel itinerary.
The Yucatan is the place to go if you’re looking for a beach holiday with an added wow factor. While the Maldives or Seychelles are often referenced as bucket list destinations, we think the Yucatan offers much more for families. For this reason, the Yucatan Peninsula makes it into our top 10 bucket list for families.
Best Time to Visit: During the dry season, from December to April.
Best Age for Children: 4+ years old
Cost: $100+ per day, more if you want to stay in high-end hotels.
Thailand is the place of dreams. The rich promise of East Asia is realized in Thailand with its wonderful culture, cuisine, jungles, ancient temples, and tropical islands. Deservedly featured in numerous Hollywood movies, Thailand is the perfect destination for a family holiday in Asia and should be on everyone’s bucket list. While you could quite easily spend 2 months or more exploring Thailand’s many attractions, it’s possible to get a great flavor of the country in just two weeks.
Almost all international arrivals come through Bangkok, Thailand’s sprawling capital city. It’s a great introduction to Thailand, and is home to endless temples and the majestic Grand Palace. The surrounding areas also offer fantastic day trips, with Kanchanaburi and Ayutthaya highly regarded. In the north of Thailand, the city of Chiang Mai is Thailand’s cultural capital, with more amazing temples, culinary courses, and countless markets to explore. The surrounding areas offer great nature experiences trekking.
In the south of Thailand are the country’s star attractions, many beautiful islands, and beaches. On the west coast, the resorts of Phuket and Krabi are popular choices, while the island of Koh Phi Phi has been made famous by the movie ‘The Beach.’ On the east coast in the Gulf of Thailand, Koh Samui and Koh Phangan offer the very best of island life.
A week spent across Bangkok and Chiang Mai before flying south to spend a week on the beaches is the perfect amount of time to sample Thailand’s many attractions. The friendly people, local cuisine, and spectacular scenery will ensure this is a trip your family will never forget. Thailand is undoubtedly a bucket list destination for those families searching for adventure.
Best Time to Visit: During the cooler months of November to February.
Best Age for Children: 6+ years old
Cost: $100+ per day, more if you want to stay in high end hotels.
If you and your family love Indiana Jones, National Treasure, or even the Night at the Museum movies, Egypt is the destination for you. Home to the Pyramids, the only surviving member of the ancient seven wonders of the world, the history in Egypt is off the scale. A popular bucket list choice for individuals and couples alike, we think Egypt has enough to offer to make it onto the bucket list for families.
So, what makes Egypt a bucket list contender for families? Well, firstly, Egypt’s not just about the history. The magnificent Red Sea coastline offers excellent beaches, water sports, snorkeling, and diving. The coastal towns of Hurghada and Sharm El-Sheikh are home to fantastic beaches and world-class resorts. There’s also the desert, which features serene oases and high-octane adventure activities, ranging from quad biking to sand boarding. Then there’s the Nile River with its range of river cruises, ranging from felucca to cruise ships. Finally, there is, of course, the incredible history of ancient Egypt.
Much of ancient Egypt has been uncovered and carefully preserved. In contrast to many ancient civilizations, you can see these treasures on display. These treasures range from the mummies at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo to the sarcophaguses in the Valley of the Kings. While the Pyramids in Cairo are the standout attraction of ancient Egypt, the beautiful temples of Luxor and Karnak in Luxor and Abu Simbel in Aswan are simply breathtaking.
While a tour of Egypt isn’t for everyone, the incredible history and broad range of attractions make this a compelling destination for many families. If you and your family love adventure, history, mystery, and intrigue, look no further than Egypt for your perfect family bucket list destination.
Best Time to Visit – Outside of the summer heat during June – September
Best Age for Children: 10+ years old
Cost: $100+ per day, more if you want to stay in high end hotels with private transfers.
Our final bucket list trip for families is a camping trip at Yellowstone National Park. It’s somewhat of a left-field choice but one that we feel is justified. Bucket list adventures don’t have to be expensive or in exotic locations. If you’ve got the right company and location, you have the potential for a bucket list trip. The idea of a camping trip with your kids is an absolute bucket list item for most parents, making camping in Yellowstone National Park a compelling proposition.
Having justified why camping with the family is a bucket list activity, we need to ask, why choose Yellowstone National Park? The simple answer is that Yellowstone National Park is one of the best national parks in the USA or the world. Located in northwest Wyoming, the volcanic park has many amazing sights. Perhaps best known of these sights is Old Faithful, the giant geyser that erupts every 2 hours. Then there’s Grand Prismatic Spring, the third largest thermal spring in the world. Its rainbow colors make it a spectacular and unique attraction. Elsewhere, there is Yellowstone Lake, numerous waterfalls, and the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone.
All of these wonders of nature, combined with the park’s low cost and accessibility, make this a compelling option. Family camping trips are a rite of passage, which elevates this trip to family bucket list status.
Best Time to Visit – Before or after the summer months of June, July, and August, to avoid the crowds
Best Age for Children: 7+ years old
Cost: $15+ per night for a campsite and $35 for a vehicle pass for a week
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