10 Family-Friendly Destinations To Add To Your 2026 Wishlist
2025 was another travel-filled year and it’s quickly coming to an end. Which means it’s time to start looking forward to 2026. And the best family-friendly destinations for 2026 travel.
I’m a big planner, so we’ve already booked some of our 2026 trips, and we’re already dreaming about where 2026 might take us. So I thought I’d put my travel expert hat on, and write a list of 10 family-friendly destinations to add to your 2026 wishlist.
Whether you’re after theme parks, city breaks, beaches, or snow-covered adventures, these 10 family-friendly destinations are at the top of our travel wish list for 2026, and they might just inspire yours too!
As an added bonus, each destination is tried and tested by us. We never recommend anything we haven’t tried ourselves! So scroll through, save your favourites, and click through to our in-depth guides for itineraries, tips, and family reviews.
Here it is! 10 family-friendly destinations to add to your 2026 wish list:
Heads up! This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click and make a purchase, I might earn a very small commission – at no extra cost to you. This helps to keep the blog going. Thanks for the support
1. Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo is a family travel dream: Clean, safe, and endlessly fascinating. And as you can tell from the near-limitless amount of Tokyo content on this site, Tokyo is our favourite city in the world.
From the magic of Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea to vibrant neighbourhoods like Asakusa and Harajuku, there’s so much for kids to explore. Our kids can (and have) spend two weeks in Tokyo just hunting for Pokemon! Looking for something a little more cultured? Try sushi-making classes, pop into quirky cafés, and don’t miss teamLab Planets for the most immersive art experience you’ll ever see.
Read next: 10 Day Tokyo Itinerary: The Perfect Stay For Families and First Timers
Planning a Family Trip to Japan?
Make it stress-free, affordable, and unforgettable with my 40-page Japan Family Travel eBook.
🚄Includes sample itineraries, budgeting tips, kid-friendly activities, and packing checklists.
👉 Grab Your Copy Here
2. Seoul, South Korea
Our first trip to Seoul was almost an accident: we booked a flight with a 6 hour layover, and used it as an opportunity to spend 5 days in the city instead. Then we fell in love with Seoul. It is a city that blends modern fun with ancient tradition. And the people here love children so much, my boys have never been made so welcome anywhere!
Visit Gyeongbokgung Palace for the royal guard ceremony, taste Korean street food at Gwangjang Market, and explore the bustling Myeongdong shopping streets (which was one of my favourite places to explore). A real bucket list experience that I recommend all families experience is the DMZ tour. It’s an unforgettable day trip, history brought vividly to life, and something everyone should immerse themselves in at least once in their lifetime.
Read next: The Ultimate 5 Day Seoul Itinerary with Kids: Our Family Friendly Adventure
3. Riviera Maya, Mexico
We love beaches, and I’ve never seen beaches quite as beautiful as the ones in the Riviera Maya. If you’re not into city breaks, and you’d rather relax in the burning sun on a beach so beautiful that you can’t believe it’s real, you need to visit the Riviera Maya.
Crystal-clear cenotes, soft Caribbean beaches, and incredible family resorts make the Riviera Maya one of the best family holiday destinations in the world. And although we don’t usually embrace all inclusive holidays, this place could definitely change my mind! Explore Mayan ruins in Tulum, snorkel with turtles in Akumal, or visit eco-parks like Xcaret and Xel-Há for water slides, wildlife, and fun in the sun. We did all of these things (and more) because we don’t like lounging around. We even went to Chichen Itza: one of the seven wonders of the world, and an incredible once in a lifetime experience. But if you just want to chill out and relax? The Riviera Maya is the perfect spot for that – this is my pick for you chilled out families!
Read next: Riviera Maya Trip With Kids? Family Travel Tips, Hotels, and Excursions
4. PortAventura & Barcelona, Spain
Want to soak up the sunshine without a long flight? Barcelona is always a win for families: You’ll find sunny beaches, Gaudí’s colourful architecture, and tapas galore! This is one of the boys favourite cities and they love the football scene, the galleries, and (because they’re kids) the ice cream.
Just an hour away from Barcelona sits PortAventura World, one of Europe’s top theme parks, packed with rides for all ages plus Ferrari Land for thrill-seekers. This is one of the kids favourite places to go on holiday in the summer, and we actually stay here then head into Barcelona rather than the other way around! It has everything they could want, with Europe’s best water park thrown in for good measure. It’s a perfect combo for a family city-and-theme-park break, and an amazing (and easy) break for families.
Read next: The Ultimate Family Guide to PortAventura Theme Park
5. Disneyland Paris, France
Close to home but packed with Disney magic, Disneyland Paris is always on our list. It was the first place we ever took our oldest overseas, and over the years we’ve been season ticket holders, frequent visitors, and total Disney devotees!
Between the seasonal parades, thrilling rides, and delicious themed snacks, it’s a destination that never gets old. And in 2026, Disneyland Paris will finally be opening the World of Frozen, which I can’t WAIT to see for myself. Stay nearby for easy park access ( we always recommend the Explorers hotel!) and consider a shorter stay in Disney combined with some time in Paris if you want to visit on a budget: those park tickets are getting pricey!
Read next: Disneyland Paris on a Budget: Family-friendly Money Saving Tips
6. Marrakech, Morocco
I took a trip to Marrakech with my girlfriends in May (My first trip to Morocco) and I spent the whole time saying ‘my boys would love this!’ Now I have plans to take them back, because it’s such a fascinating place that the whole family can enjoy experiencing together.
Step into another world with a trip to Marrakech. Wander the maze of souks, relax in a riad courtyard, and explore the beautiful Jardin Majorelle. Kids will love the camel rides and desert adventures (although your bum won’t, riding a camel isn’t as comfortable as it looks!) and parents will love the mix of culture, colour, and incredible food.
Read next: The Perfect 3 Day Marrakech Itinerary Packed With Things to do in Marrakech, Morocco
7. Osaka, Japan
We love Japan so much that I just couldn’t resist putting it on the list twice! Because Osaka is just as exciting and child-friendly as Tokyo. If Tokyo is futuristic and fast-paced, Osaka is fun, food, and laughter.
Your kids will love this place because it’s home to Universal Studios Japan (and the incredible Super Nintendo World!), but Osaka is also a gateway to family-friendly day trips to Kyoto and Nara. Grown-ups will love the rich culture, the incredible street food, and the neon lights so bright they’ll leave you dizzy. Don’t leave without trying takoyaki , Osaka’s famous street snack. But take my advice and don’t eat it as soon as its cooked: Mike did that and burnt the roof off his mouth, those little things are hotter than the sun!
Read next: 3 Day Osaka Itinerary: The Perfect Family Guide to Japan’s Most Fun City
8. Billund, Denmark
Known as The Capital of Children, Billund is home to the original LEGOLAND and the creative wonderland of LEGO House. But you’ll also find all the fun of Lalandia, and an abundance of incredible outdoor adventures aimed specifically at children – destinations don’t come more child-friendly than this!
You can take a free sculpture trail walk through the city, and as well as the LEGO House, you’ll find a Teddy Bear Museum in the city centre. People are warm and welcoming, with tourism (and LEGO of course) being the biggest industries in the area. The whole of Billund is small, safe, and designed for families, with playgrounds, and other attractions. Plus you can actually walk to LEGOLAND from the airport, so if you want something that won’t take too much work or effort, that’s another reason this is a great pick.
Read next: A Winter Weekend in Billund: Visiting Legoland Billund and the Lego House
9. Lapland, Finland
OK, so this is the only entry on this list we haven’t actually experienced for ourselves yet, but visiting Lapland has been my DREAM since I was a kid, and I would love to experience it with my boys. I couldn’t imagine writing a list of family-friendly destinations without it, so I snuck it in…
For the ultimate Christmas experience, Lapland is pure magic. Visit Santa’s Village, ride a husky sled, or watch the northern lights dance overhead. We’ve visited Lapland UK, but oh how we long to experience the real deal. It’s every child’s dream — and honestly, every parent’s too.
Read next: Should You Visit Lapland UK This Christmas? An Honest Review
10. London, UK
Travelling with kids doesn’t have to mean flying half way around the world and spending a lot of money: Sometimes the best adventures are closer to home. And although it has a reputation (well-deserved in parts) for being expensive, London is packed with family-friendly fun, and there’s a lot you can do in the city for free or on a small budget.
My boys favourite things to do in London are visit the museums and galleries, almost all of which are free! The dinosaurs at the Natural History Museum, the mummies at the British Museum, press ALL the buttons at the Science Museum and see some of the most iconic works at the National Gallery, all without spending a penny. Or if you’re feeling flush you could see a West End Show, ride on the iconic London Eye, or see the Crown Jewels at the Tower of London. We’ll be spending plenty of weekends exploring more of our capital in 2026.
Read next:
Conclusion
Wherever you decide to take your family in 2026, I want to say that I think all and any travel is amazing for kids! Not only does it enrich their lives and broaden their understanding of the world beyond their own doorstep, it’s also one of the best family bonding techniques we’ve ever tried!
So do you fancy any of the family-friendly destinations on my list? Or do you have other ideas? I’d love to know where you’re travelling to in 2026, so please share in the comments below!
WANT MORE POSTS LIKE THIS STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX? HIT SUBSCRIBE BELOW
Heads up! This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click and make a purchase, I might earn a very small commission – at no extra cost to you. This helps to keep the blog going. Thanks for the support!
