Best family travel destinations by month

Last updated on December 22, 2024

With seven years of family travel under our belts, plus many adventures pre-kids and during our own childhood, we have a ton of experience to draw on when it comes to family vacations. So much so that I realised I had more than enough recommendations to fill a suggested family trip for every month of the year.

So here you go: my guide to the best family trips to take each month of the year. Each one links out to our itinerary or guide for that destination. Choose your favourite, copy the itinerary, and your travels for the year ahead could be sorted within the hour!

For more inspiration, see our guide to the best bucket list family vacations.

A family trip for every month of the year

January – Skiing in the Alps

Start the year on a high with a family ski trip to the Alps. Nearly all the Alpine resorts have family-friendly options, like kids’ ski school and family chalets. And some of the bigger resorts have even more facilities geared towards kids, like Alpine coasters, kids’ clubs, snow playgrounds and more.

We’re heading to Innsbruck in Austria this January so will be sure to report back on what we find. Personally, I’m most excited for the apres-ski life and warming up with hot chocolate in a cozy mountain cabin after a day on the slopes. Sounds like bliss! 

Other places to go in January: Iceland, Lapland, Mexico, South Africa, Thailand

February – Island life in Thailand

Escape the winter blues with a sunny retreat to Thailand. Head to family-friendly islands like Koh Lanta or Koh Phangnan and re-live the calmer parts of your gap year, but this time with the kids.

One of the best family holidays we’ve ever been on was to Koh Lanta where there are plenty of family-friendly hotels. Some of the beach bars even have playgrounds and boxes of toys on hand! It’s a good place to pair with Phuket (although we 100% prefer Koh Lanta!)

Other places to go in February: New Zealand, Singapore, New Orleans, Maldives

March – Exploring London’s Landmarks

Spring is my favourite time of year in London – there’s a festive feel as the temperatures start to warm up and the city emerges from the winter months. We lived in London for over 13 years, so have plenty of London guides, including a 7-day itinerary for visiting with little kids.

Other places to go in March: Japan, Portugal, Argentina, Chicago

April – That Dream Theme Park Trip to Florida

Florida is a dream destination for kids, largely because of the Big D, Disney. Although, personally I find it hard to choose between that and Universal. And if there’s anyone in your party who isn’t keen on theme parks, you could combine it with a trip to Miami and the Florida Keys for a bit more variety and culture. We did this two-week Florida itinerary, including a lush Florida Keys road trip and a stay in Miami. 

And if you’re going all-in and doing the theme parks, don’t miss our guides to getting the most out of Disney World and Universal Orlando. We also have individual guides to each park: Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Epcot, Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure. Plus this guide to where to stay for Disney and Universal. 

Other places to go in April:

May – Trentino in Spring

A lot of Europe is a great choice for May, just before all the crowds descend for summer. But one of my favourite places to recommend is Trentino, a lesser known part of the Italian Dolomites.

We spent a week there, enjoying time in the mountains and staying in some wonderfully family-friendly farm stays and hotels. See our off-the-beaten path Dolomites itinerary, plus our guide to things to do in Trentino with kids.

Other places to go in May: Italy, Lake District, Hawaii

June – Spanish Cities

I love going to Spain with the kids – it’s an incredibly family-friendly destination where locals welcome kids with open arms. And the laidback pace of life is infectious, resulting in long lazy days where normal bedtimes go out the window and you can get a taste of Mediterranean life.

It’s common for there to be play areas near to tapas bars ,and it’s normal for kids to be out late. We particularly love San Sebastian and Barcelona. Or for a less city-focussed stay, you could go to Caserio del Mirador, one of the most family-friendly hotels in Europe. 

Other places to go in June: Provence, Croatia, Dolomites

July – New England Road Trip

To my mind, summer is made for road trips, and New England is one of the best destinations for it. While many tend to think of it as a Fall destination, I love New England in summer.

Visit charming coastal towns in Maine, stroll through Boston’s historic streets, and cool off in the lakes of Vermont. And don’t forget Martha’s Vineyard, Acadia and all the Stars Hollow towns along the way.

It’s one of the USA’s most charming destinations, and we had one of the best summers of our lives there. See our full New England road trip itinerary, plus guides to the best New England family resorts.

Other places to go in July: West Coast France, Cornwall, Annecy

August – Family Surf Trip

In 2024, we had one of our best family vacations yet when doing a family surf retreat with Ujusansa in France. We loved it so much, we’re doing another one in 2025! It’s a perfect recipe for a relaxing family trip with childcare during adult surf lessons, new friends for the kids to play with, and all three meals a day provided. You could also extend this holiday with a road trip along the west coast of France.

Other places to go in August: Edinburgh, Slovenia, Switzerland

September – California Adventures

September is my favourite time of year to be in California. Summer is winding down, but the temperatures are still warm and the smell of autumn is in the air. We’ve done lots of California trips, so be sure to check our guides, including this epic California road trip or Pacific Coast Highway drive.

I’d also recommend extending the trip from San Francisco up to Seattle, and spending time in Oregon along the way. California is one of the easiest family vacations, and we have a whole guide to things to do in California with kids.

Other places to go in September: Boston to Maine road trip, Oregon, Malta

October – Texas Hill Country

Our trip to Texas took us by surprise. I didn’t expect to be so charmed by the Lone Star State, but it’s now become one of my favourite places to recommend for a family road trip.

Kids will love experiencing the cowboy culture in Bandera, adults will love the wine region around Fredericksburg, and everyone loves Austin and San Antonio.

We particularly recommend going to San Antonio at the end of the October when they hold the USA’s biggest Day of the Dead celebrations. It’s one of the most and colourful festivals we’ve ever been to. See our full Texas road trip itinerary.

Other places to go in October: Anywhere in the USA, Cape Town, Mexico

November – Pacific Coast Mexico

Did you know we came really close to moving to Mexico’s Pacific Coast? We even got so far as hiring an architect, but then life took a different turn. But I think that goes to show just how much we love that part of the world. San Pancho is our favourite, but if you want something bigger, there’s also Sayulita and Puerto Vallarta. It’s a gorgeous part of the world.

Other places to go in November: Vietnam, Kyoto, New York, Buenos Aires

December – Magical Lapland (or Iceland)

It’s a bit obvious, but Lapland is clearly a dream for kids in December. We’ve only been as adults, and in March, but if you want the full fairytale experience, December is the time to go.

That said, I’d argue that it might be better to go in March when the prices are significantly lower, but you still get the joy of all the snow and can still meet Santa if you like (he’s there year round). In December, you could go to Iceland instead – see our full 5-day Iceland itinerary.

Other places to go in December: European Christmas markets, Australia

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