Want to spend your next vacation exploring a new city, but worried the kids might not enjoy it? City breaks needn’t just be for adults – there are lots of exciting things for kids to do in these urban environments. Here are just a few tips for planning a city break with kids.
Look for kid-friendly hotels
Some city hotels are more catered towards romantic couple getaways or business trips. Make sure that you’re avoiding these hotels by reading descriptions and reviews before you book. Hotels such as Marriott Vacation Club Pulse have games rooms specifically designed to keep kids occupied. If the hotel has a restaurant, check that this is child-friendly too.
Visit museums to make it educational
A city break can be a great chance to educate kids when it comes to history and culture. Many major museums now have kid-friendly exhibitions including the option to get interactive, dress up in costume or watch videos. You probably don’t want to spend too long going round museums as kids will get bored more easily, however, neither should you avoid them.
Search for local parks
City parks are a great place to let kids run and around and play. You may be able to find a nearby café that you can get a coffee or a glass at wine from where you can watch the kids. Most cafes and bars found throughout the rest of the city may not come with this luxury (although some may come with play areas – it’s worth looking into).
Encourage them to try new food
A city break could be a great chance to let your kids try new foods. Look for family restaurants that are different. There may be restaurants that offer some form of entertainment or experience such as London’s Rainforest Cafe that could be great for keeping children occupied and happy. You can also try some street food – this could prevent you having to sit down in a restaurant.
Try to avoid too much walking
Exploring a city can often involve a lot of walking which could be knackering for your kids, so consider some activities which may not require so much trekking around. Taking public transport could allow you to get around quicker and could be an exciting experience for the kids. Open-bus city tours and riverboat rides can be fun ways to explore the city. Booking a central hotel could also prevent you from having to do as much walking around but could result in higher costs.
Give your kids a camera
Giving your kids a disposable camera could allow them to record their own journey and keep them occupied when walking around for long periods. It could also be a great chance to see things through their eyes when you get the pictures developed.
