Family Destinations

The World's Best Destinations for Kids

Travel with kids. Actually enjoy it. Discover destinations where infrastructure supports families, where kids are welcomed, where safety is non-negotiable, and where there's something for everyone.

12 Family-Friendly Destinations

The complete guide to traveling with kids in 2025. Safety ratings, healthcare access, kid-friendly activities, and real family costs for destinations where children are truly welcomed.

Safest

Japan & Singapore

Best Budget

Thailand ($3K/mo)

Best for Toddlers

Portugal

Total Destinations

12

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How to Use This Guide

Family travel isn't about sacrificing your trip. It's about choosing destinations where the infrastructure supports families, where kids are welcomed, where safety is non-negotiable, and where there's actually something for everyone to do.

The reality: Some destinations make traveling with kids easy. Others make it stressful. The difference is infrastructure, healthcare access, kid-friendly activities, and cultural attitudes toward families.

Pick Your Priority

  • Safety: Child-specific safety (healthcare, traffic, crime)
  • Age Group: Best for toddlers? Teens? Mixed ages?
  • Budget: Monthly cost for family of 4
  • Activities: What will actually entertain your kids?

What's Included

  • Healthcare: Access to pediatric care
  • Climate: Heat? Cold? Rainy season?
  • Culture: How welcoming are people to families?
  • Costs: Detailed monthly breakdown

The Family Travel Influencers

These creators travel the world with kids and have millions of followers watching

The Bucket List Family

@thebucketlistfamily

3.2M followers

Global adventures with focus on safety and kid activities. Multi-age content. Mid-to-high budget.

The Mom Trotter

@themomtrotter

390K followers

Black/multicultural RV and global travel. Budget-conscious. Inclusivity focus. Tips for all ages.

Travel Babbo

@travelbabbo

368K followers

Forbes/Fodor's "Top Family Traveler." Global exploration. Culture and unique experiences. All ages.

Travel Mad Mum

@travelmadmum

163K followers

90+ countries with kids (babies to teens). Both budget and luxury content. Healthcare-focused.

Flying The Nest

@flyingthenest

170K followers

Full-time family travel. Practical planning. Kids of all ages. Global destinations.

Travelynn Family

@travelynnfamily

27K followers

Backpacking with kids. Worldschooling. Budget to mid-range. Adventure-focused.

What They All Agree On

  • 1.Healthcare access is non-negotiable
  • 2.Kid-friendly activities matter (free parks, museums, nature)
  • 3.Family-focused accommodations (kitchens, space, kids' clubs)
  • 4.Safety is everything
  • 5.Local culture's attitude toward families matters
  • 6.Budget varies wildly—there are options at every price point

The 12 Best Family-Friendly Destinations

Fully detailed destination cards with safety scores, costs, activities, and everything you need to know

Portugal

Lisbon/Algarve

Safety: 95/100
$3,250/month

Best For

Mixed ages (babies to teens)

Best Season

Year-round (best April-October)

Japan

Tokyo/Kyoto

Safety: 98/100
$3,620/month

Best For

All ages (babies to teens)

Best Season

Spring (March-May) or Autumn (September-November)

Iceland

Reykjavik/Golden Circle

Safety: 97/100
$4,200/month

Best For

Young kids to teens (ages 5-17)

Best Season

Summer (June-August) for mild weather, Winter (Sept-March) for Northern Lights

Denmark

Copenhagen

Safety: 96/100
$4,000/month

Best For

Young kids (ages 3-12)

Best Season

Late spring to early autumn (May-September)

Singapore

Singapore City

Safety: 99/100
$4,500/month

Best For

All ages (babies to teens)

Best Season

Year-round (tropical climate), avoid monsoon season (Nov-Jan)

Australia

Sydney/Gold Coast

Safety: 94/100
$4,300/month

Best For

All ages (especially active families)

Best Season

Spring/Summer (September-March)

Canada

Vancouver/Whistler

Safety: 95/100
$3,900/month

Best For

Active families, ages 5-17

Best Season

Winter (Dec-March) for skiing, Summer (June-August) for hiking

New Zealand

Auckland/Queenstown

Safety: 96/100
$3,800/month

Best For

Adventure families, ages 8-17

Best Season

Summer (December-February)

Costa Rica

Manuel Antonio/Playas del Coco

Safety: 90/100
$3,000/month

Best For

Toddlers, young kids (ages 2-10)

Best Season

Dry season (December-April)

Thailand

Bangkok/Chiang Mai/Islands

Safety: 91/100
$2,400/month

Best For

All ages (babies to teens)

Best Season

Cool season (November-February)

Dubai, UAE

Dubai

Safety: 99/100
$3,800/month

Best For

All ages (babies to teens)

Best Season

Winter (November-March), avoid summer heat

Croatia

Split/Dubrovnik

Safety: 93/100
$3,100/month

Best For

Mixed ages (young kids to teens)

Best Season

Late spring to early autumn (May-September)

Family Travel Questions Answered

What age groups are these destinations best for?

Each destination is rated for specific age groups. Babies and toddlers (0-3) do best in Portugal, Thailand, and Costa Rica. Young kids (4-9) love Denmark, Netherlands, and Japan. Teens (13+) prefer adventure destinations like New Zealand, Iceland, and Dubai. Many destinations like Japan, Singapore, and Australia work for all ages.

How accurate are the monthly cost estimates?

Costs are based on real family travel data for a family of 4 (2 adults, 2 kids) staying in family-friendly accommodations with kitchens, eating a mix of home-cooked and restaurant meals, and doing typical family activities. Your costs may vary based on travel style, accommodation choices, and seasonal pricing.

What about healthcare emergencies?

All destinations listed have reliable healthcare with pediatric services available. Japan, Singapore, Dubai, and Australia have world-class medical facilities. Always purchase travel insurance that covers kids, know the location of nearby hospitals, and carry copies of any prescriptions your children need.

Can we travel with babies and toddlers?

Absolutely. Portugal, Thailand, Costa Rica, and Japan are particularly welcoming to families with young children. Look for accommodations with kitchens (for preparing baby food), verify that pediatric care is nearby, and choose destinations with mild climates. Most family influencers agree that traveling with babies is often easier than traveling with school-age kids.

What should we pack for family travel?

Essentials include: kids' medications, passport copies, travel insurance documents, car seat (if needed), favorite snacks, entertainment for flights, sun protection, and a first aid kit. Pack light but bring comfort items that help kids feel secure. Many accommodations provide cribs, high chairs, and other baby gear.

How do we handle dietary restrictions?

Most destinations accommodate dietary needs. Portugal, Japan, and Singapore are excellent for food allergies. Learn key phrases in the local language, research restaurants ahead of time, identify grocery stores for apartment cooking, and always ask about allergy protocols. Bring familiar snacks as backup.

Reality Check: Honest Family Travel Truth

What Actually Works

  • Families with flexible expectations have the best time
  • One main activity per day is enough
  • Kids remember experiences more than hotel stars
  • Downtime is crucial (siesta culture is real)
  • Local playgrounds are often better than paid attractions

What Doesn't Work

  • Packed itineraries (kids get overwhelmed)
  • Traveling sick (one sick kid = whole trip affected)
  • Luxury expectations (things break, kids spill, it happens)
  • Expecting kids to behave like adults (they won't)
  • Underbudgeting meals and activities

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