The Top Kid-Friendly Tourist Attraction in Almost Every Country

Remember how the world looked like a different place when you are a kid?

Everything was bigger, with lots of mysterious adult things that seemed to be far too serious — and many children today likely have a similar point of view…

The Top Kid-Friendly Tourist Attraction in Almost Every Country

…but a plethora of places around the world which are packed with potential fun, adventure, and new friends await the arrival of curious and adventurous kids of all ages — if only you would get a chance to visit them. Although everything may appear to be so promising, choosing the best tourist attraction to visit when the holiday season arrives can be quite a difficult task for parents.

This is where the Internet comes in rather handy. Thanks to community review sites such as TripAdvisor, gathering opinions which have already been aggregated on which destinations are as fun as they look is much easier today than when your parents were children. Just imagine: theme parks, walled cities, places like the Project Biodiversity Turtle Conservation Hatchery on the African island of Cape Verde, where children can see turtles climbing up on to the beach to lay their eggs.

This article from Budget Direct highlights where the top tourist attractions which are friendly to children are located in every country around the world — with the exception of Vatican City and San Marino, which were omitted because they are not easily viewed at a large scale — through a set of illustrated maps which are designed to show how the world may look through the eyes of a child who would have conducted some research on his or her own before requesting — or, perhaps, demanding — to be taken somewhere.

I have been given express written permission to use the illustrated maps and the verbatim text from the aforementioned article in this article; so let us take a break from the news of the day and have a little fun.

1. North America

The continent of North America includes the areas of Northern America, Central America, and the Caribbean. From Costa Rica to Cape Columbia, unique cultures have emerged from the meeting of millennia-old indigenous peoples and more recent European settlers. At the same time, urban development threatens local wildlife. Top attractions such as the Green Iguana Conservation Project in Belize and Ripley’s Aquarium Of Canada introduce kids to the ancient stories of endangered animals.

At the southern end of the continent, beaches and bays dominate the lists of ‘best things to do.’ Varadero Beach in Cuba is so idyllic it could have been drawn by children: white sand, blue skies, green palm trees, and the crystal blue-green Caribbean sea.

2. Europe

Europe is the seat of western civilization. Thousands of years of human history jostle with progressive ideas amidst a web of diverse cultures. A great example of this in action is the award-winning War Childhood Museum in Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina. The museum is situated at the heart of a city that still bears the scars of the longest siege in the history of modern warfare. Exhibitions of personal belongings, stories, and videos relate the experience of children who grew up in wartime around the world.

Krakow in Poland is home to the largest medieval town square in Europe. The 10-acre plaza contains a 16th-century Renaissance Cloth Hall, 13th-century Gothic Town Hall Tower, and a 14th-century Gothic Basilica of the Virgin Mary. But the town is very much alive today, with shows, open-air events, and markets thriving between the historical buildings.

3. Africa

Africa is enormous. Despite the way it looks on most maps of the world, you could fit the whole of China, India, and the contiguous United States into Africa and still have room to squeeze in a fair bit of Europe. So, it’s not surprising that there is a lot to do there – and much of it is outdoors. For example, the Ranch Yassmina Djerba La Douce on the Tunisian island of Djerba is consistently rated with five stars on Tripadvisor. Kids can learn or improve their horse-riding skills in a paradise of white sandy beaches and lagoon trails.

Just above the equator in Benin, you’ll find the natural adventure wonderland of Bab’s Dock. Here, you can explore the lake by kayak, catamaran, or sailboat, and catch a (safe) glimpse of crocodiles and monkeys. In the evening, relax with fine food at the exotic local wood cabin.

4. Asia

“Potted plants wither when their roots are not trimmed,” begins the slogan of South Korea’s Spirited Garden, “and people age when they do not change their way of thinking.” Asia is home to some of the most diverse cultures and landscapes on Earth. From the jungle to the temple, to a Filipino Bee Farm, the whole family is sure to see the world from a new perspective.

The seven small landscapes that make up the Spirited Garden are situated on Jeju Island. They form a harmonious landscape of waterfalls, stone bridges, and bunjaes (ornamental dwarf trees). Castle-like walls protect the gardens from the winds so children can see nature and human design working hand-in-hand. For kids with a passion for architecture or history, the Temples of Baalbek in Lebanon offer a glimpse through time at a Phoenician city where pilgrims would pay tribute to the Roman god, Jupiter.

5. South America

South America is a magical, dramatic expanse of rainforests, mountains, ancient ruins, and vibrant music and nightlife. You can prepare for a big nature trip with a stay in the city. The Mi Teleferico cable car in La Paz, Bolivia, is an excellent way to start. It offers stunning views over the city while also getting you from place to place – and there is an app to help you plan your route.

The Walled City of Cartagena is a highlight for kids and grown-ups in Colombia. The historic centre of this vibrant city has been protected by defensive walls for over four centuries, and today the streets between the walls buzz with the activity of street vendors, palenqueras, and horse-drawn carriages. You’ll be entertained with an unlikely range of music, from the ‘traditional funk’ of the cumbia style to local hip-hop and ‘80s pop star tribute acts.

6. Oceania

Oceania is a varied region containing some of the most rural and culturally diverse inhabitants in the world. For example, Papua New Guinea is home to around 44 of the world’s 107 uncontacted tribes. The best child-friendly thing to do at this end of the island is to dive among the stunning sea-life and WW2 wrecks of the Rapopo Plantation Resort. Training and equipment are organized by Rabaul-Kokopo Dive, who also offers snorkelling, spearfishing, and the opportunity to swim with wild dolphins.

The Samoa Cultural Village in Apia, the capital of Samoa, is a living celebration of this Polynesian people’s culture and traditions. Visitors can learn and experience the Samoan way through tours, storytelling, food, and events.

7. Australia

Australia is perfect for families with children. There’s something for everyone – particularly if you’re up for a bit of a road-trip along the way! Stunning sea-life nestles up against some of the world’s best beaches, the cities are alive with art and events, and there’s plenty of rural adventure and bizarre wildlife in between.

Our final map introduces the top-rated kid-friendly destination in 50 cities around Australia. Tamworth Marsupial Park is a great nature reserve for the children to get to grips with the country’s iconic marsupials such as kangaroos, wallabies, koalas, and wombats. The adventure playground at Lake Pertobe is a fabulous place to alternate sport and games with a nature walk or getting lost in the maze. And you can polish it all off by cooking food together on the free-access electric barbecue!

There is so much variety to see in the world. Introducing kids to art, sport, and nature early in their lives can help stimulate a lifelong passion for learning and enjoying new things. Thanks to the power of review websites like Tripadvisor, it’s easy to find a top kid-friendly tourist attraction wherever you are in the world.

Summary

Obviously, not every place listed below in this article will appeal to every child; and plenty of other places which are not on the list will most certainly appeal to children. What other places worldwide do you believe should be included on the list — and to how many places on the list have you already been?

The Temple of Karnak in Egypt is one of the places around the world which was selected as one of the friendliest for kids. Photograph ©2015 by Brian Cohen.

Full List of Attractions Worldwide

Full List of Attractions in Australia