We Go With Kids!

Category: new zealand

  • Best Natural History Museums in the World

    Best Natural History Museums in the World

    Our kids love museums, and we often visit natural history museums while we travel, particularly those that participate in the ASTC Travel Passport Program, which provides members of participating museums free reciprocal admission to hundreds of natural history, science and children’s museums.  Natural history museums are a great way to extend classroom learning.  We asked our fellow family travel bloggers for their favorites and came up with this list of the best natural history museums in the world (asterisked museums are participants in the ASTC Travel Passport Program):

    Best Natural History Museums With Kids

     

    #1:  American Museum of Natural History With Kids* (New York City, New York)

    The American Museum of Natural History is the largest Natural History museum in the world and is housed in a beautiful building in New York’s Upper West Side, right outside Central Park. It’s crammed full of artifacts from land, sea and space and is super family friendly for visitors with kids. Our favourite section (and I think the favourite for the majority of visitors) is the Hall of Ornithischian Dinosaurs, which contains a huge selection of dinosaur fossils. There is a T-Rex, a stegosaurus, a triceratops and loads more for any dino fans. But it’s not only dinosaurs, the Museum also has a fantastic oceans exhibit – home to the amazing 94 foot long blue whale model, halls featuring birds and reptiles halls (watch out for the 25 foot python!), exhibits about human origins and cultural diversity and a fantastic section about space. All around the museum are interactive touch screens with more information, and don’t all kids love a touch screen?! General admission for adults costs $23 and $13 for children.  The Museum opens daily at 10 am, which is the best time to visit to avoid the crowds.

    Recommended by Karen from Are We There Yet Kids.

     

    #2:  Denver Museum of Nature and Science With Kids* (Denver, Colorado)

    We are privileged to have a world-class nature and science museum in Colorado. The Denver Museum of Nature and Science has something for everyone with an interest in natural science. The Museum has an IMAX Theater and planetarium with various shows. Traveling exhibits include such divergent topics as Vikings, bioluminescent animals, and the Dead Sea Scrolls. The permanent exhibits showcase outer space, animals from around the world, the intricacies of our bodies, Egyptian mummies, and prehistoric dinosaurs.

    But we love bling, so our favorite museum exhibit is the gems and mineral showcase. As self-professed rock hounds, we love to see the awe-inspiring collection of minerals and gemstones. Indigenous Colorado gemstones include aquamarine, amazonite, and the very rare rhodochrosite. The largest gold nugget found in Colorado is also on display. We always learn new things about the gemstones and minerals during our visits.

    Recommended by Lance Hale from Family Well Traveled.

     

    #3:  Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa With Kids (Wellington, New Zealand)

    Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa (commonly referred to as “Te Papa”) is mind-blowing and an unmissable stop on a New Zealand itinerary. Perched on the waterfront in Wellington, this 6 story building is stuffed with awe-inspiring exhibitions on Aotearoa/New Zealand’s history, it’s natural world and cultural treasures. Te Papa Tongarewa (meaning ‘container of treasures”) is literally packed with hands on, interactive exhibits, which our kids, ages 6 and 3 loved. Far from dragging them around the museum, they ran from exhibit to exhibit excited and totally engaged. The five main collections are Arts, History, Taonga Māori, Pacific Cultures, and Natural History. From impressive native species such as the pygmy blue whale skeleton and the world’s largest specimen of the rare colossal squid (weighing 496 kg!) to more light-hearted exhibits such as Peter Jackson replicas of Orcs to more sobering inclusions such as the current Gallipoli exhibition, Te Papa is, in our opinion, one of the greatest museums in the world.  FREE ENTRY apart from specific touring exhibitions.  Allow a full day!

    Recommended by Mags Nixon from The Family Freestylers.

     

    #4:  National Museum of Natural History and Science With Kids* (Tokyo, Japan)

    The best museum in Ueno Park for families with kids is the National Museum of Natural History and Science.   This is the huge building with a concrete blue whale on one side and a locomotive on the other. That basically sums up what the museum is about – the encounter of people with nature, which in Japanese culture is a continuum rather than a disruption.

    The Museum tells the story of how people came to Japan (via Okinawa), and how the islands looked before they came. That part of the museum is pretty conventional, although English explanations are limited.  Audio guides are also available.

    The coolest part of the museum is the “global gallery”, which goes down three levels into the ground, with dinosaurs in the middle. The cartoon movie explanation of evolution one floor below is also very interesting, a bit tongue in cheek, although everyone looks like an American cartoon from the 1950s. We were entertained by the exhibit representing the smart phone as the peak of evolution.

    The upper floors of the global gallery contain exhibits about technology, Japanese technology of course. The upper floors are where kids will get their most lasting memory of their visit in ComPASS, the space for children’s play and communication. It was recently opened after a renovation and is really fun for the kids. It is so popular that visitors have to get a queue ticket at the information desk at the first floor.

    Especially on rainy days, the museum can be crowded. Bring a packed lunch and eat it in the lunch space on the basement floor of the old building (the “honkan”). There are two restaurants, but the wait could be as long as several hours to be seated.  Except for the dinosaurs, children do need adult explanation of the exhibits but absolutely love exploring this fact-packed museum.

    Recommended by Wisterian from Wisterian Watertree.

     

    #5:  Natural History Museum With Kids (London, England)

    There is so much to captivate children at London’s Natural History Museum whether they’re into dinosaurs and furry owls or giant whales and tiny insects. Visitors can feel the earth move in the Earthquake machine, play detective games around the museum and visit colorful butterflies in the Butterfly House. The hands-on Science Centre is a great place for children to examine specimens from around the world, using microscopes and other instruments.

    The most popular gallery is the Dinosaurs, where visitors can get up close to prehistoric specimens, including the skull of a plant-eating Triceratops, an Iguanodon, one of the first species of dinosaur, and of course, the formidable Tyrannosaurus Rex.  Hope, a 25 meter long blue whale skeleton, is suspended from the ceiling of the main hall.  The Natural History Museum is open daily and admission is free.

    Recommended by Nicky of Go Live Young.  Find out more from Nicky about London with kids.

     

    #6:  Natural History Museum (Vienna, Austria)

    Vienna’s Natural History Museum was one of the highlights of our trip to Vienna with our kids, aged 3 and 1 years old. We actually pushed this activity as one of the last, since it isn’t specifically geared towards kids, but we are so glad we didn’t miss it! For kids who love animals, this place is a must. We toured the taxidermy exhibit on the top floor of the Museum, where taxidermy of every kind of mammal imaginable was exhibited 3 times and saw every kind of mammals imaginable! The architecture is absolutely breathtaking, and the Museum is enjoyable for adults too. Even our 1-year-old was amazed at all the animals. Families visiting Vienna with kids should not push this museum off – it’s totally kid-friendly and adult friendly too!

    Recommended by Emily Jenks from Henry and Andrew’s Guide.

     

    #7:  Natural History Museum of Marseille With Kids (Marseille, France)

    There may be countless natural history museums in the world, but not many of them are housed in magnificent 19th century palaces. If you happen to be in the city of Marseille in the south of France, make sure you visit the Natural History Museum of Marseille located inside the Palais Longchamp. Why our family loves this museum:

    • It contains thousands of zoological, botanical, mineral and fossil specimens, some of them long extinct.
    • It has four permanent exhibits: Safari Room, Provence Room, Human Earth and Land of the Living.
    • It has an old-fashioned feel to it. It was founded in 1819, and we felt like we were indeed stepping back to the 19th century when visiting it.
    • There is a great interactive display for kids.
    • It has free admission on the first Sunday of each month.

    Recommended by Bea from PackYourBags.Org.  Find out more from Bea about the Natural History Museum of Marseille.

     

    #8:  Smithsonian’s Natural History Museum With Kids* (Washington, D.C.)

    We recently traveled to Washington D.C. on our recent White Christmas trip to the U.S., and visiting a few of the Smithsonian Museum’s was top of our list. First up was the National Museum of Natural History, located on the National Mall near Capitol Building. I wasn’t sure how interested the kids would be and had expected that we would whip around this museum in a few hours. How wrong was I, as we took a whole day exploring this Museum, and I still feel that we rushed through some parts of it.

    The Museum is reported to be home to approximately 126 million specimens of plants, animals, fossils, minerals, rocks, human remains and human cultural artefacts. The kids most enjoyed the interactive areas, particularly where they were able to place items under a microscope and analysis them. There are a large number of animals from each continent on display, including animals that are now extinct. My son was also very interested in the Egyptian, artefacts including the mummies on display.  The museum is huge, and visitors could spend a week here and still not see if all. A full day gave us a good look around and kids enjoyed every minute of it.

    Recommended by Sally Lucas from Our 3 Kids v the World.

     

    #9:  South Australian Museum With Kids (Adelaide, Australia)

    The South Australian Museum is one of the most visited museums in Australia.  With five floors of exhibits covering fossils, mammals, Ancient Egypt, special exhibition spaces and more plus Aboriginal and Pacific Cultures collections, the South Australian Museum offers plenty for young and old.  With so many interactive hands on activities, kids will absolutely love it here.  No doubt they will love checking out the various world mammals, learning about the various South Australian biodiversity and checking out the giant squid that spans across four floors dangling in an elevator shaft!

    During the school holidays, the Museum has free school holiday programs attracting more than 5,000 school kids each holiday period.  The Discovery Centre Team located on level 1 is more than happy to have a chat about any of the exhibits, and visitors can also see bees making honey, which is sure to keep little, and big kids busy for a while.  The Discovery Centre is open from 11am-4pm weekdays, and 11am-3pm weekends and public holidays.  The Museum is open every day from 10am-5pm, including weekends and public holidays. Entry is free; however some exhibitions may charge an admission fee.

    Recommended by Melissa Delaware of Thrifty Family Travels.  Find out more from Melissa about Adelaide with kids.

     

    We love natural history museums with kids and can’t wait to visit all of these world’s best natural history museums.  For more amazing museums for young scientists, check out the World’s Best Science Centers With Kids!

  • World’s Best Zoos With Kids

    World’s Best Zoos With Kids

    WGWK believes it is safe to say that a day at the zoo is something all kids can enjoy! When traveling, viewing animals in beautiful habitats is a nice break from city sightseeing for the little ones.  We asked our fellow family travel bloggers for their favorites world zoos and came up with this list of world’s best zoos with kids:

     

    Assiniboine Park Zoo – Winnipeg, Canada

    Hailing from Winnipeg, Canada, we have been to the Assiniboine Park Zoo countless times. Until recently, it was just another zoo. But in mid 2014, after years of hard work, this Zoo got a makeover and a brand new world class exhibit called Journey to Churchill was unveiled.  Journey to Churchill focuses on Arctic animals and is the most extensive of its kind in the world when it comes to showcasing northern animal species. It has been dubbed “the Gateway to the Arctic”. The animals in this exhibit are polar bears, muskoxen, Arctic wolves and foxes, to name a few. The exhibit occupies ten acres and recreates the landscape of the animals’ natural habitat of the Subarctic and the Arctic. There are currently nine polar bears living at Assiniboine Park Zoo. Most have been rescued as very young cubs after being orphaned in the Canadian North. We all know that polar bears are endangered species. This exhibit not only serves as a new home to these animals that would have otherwise perished, but it also provides the public with educational opportunities on how to protect them. Our son’s favourite part is observing these animals up close as they swim above his head in the aquarium tunnel called the Sea Ice Passage.  Don’t miss this unique zoo experience when in Winnipeg.

    Recommended by Bea from Pack Your Bags. Find out more from Bea about Assiniboine Park Zoo.

     

    Auckland Zoo – Auckland, New Zealand

    New Zealand’s Auckland Zoo is one amazing zoo!  We love it because the animals are well cared for, and a lot of them are rescued animals that wouldn’t survive in the wild.  Families who visit during the school holidays will also find something different going on as there are special exhibits and learning experiences, including the opportunity to be a zookeeper for a day (for kids and adults).

    Even out of school holidays, it’s great fun. First, we love the vet hospital there, which cares for the zoo animals, but also for injured wildlife. Visitors can see what’s going on through the glass window, and there is usually a zookeeper stationed outside the glass to explain to visitors what is taking happening.  We also love the daily elephant walks that take place every day! As the elephant walks by with its keeper, visitors can view the animals up close. And, of course, in the spring, there is the opportunity to see lots of baby animals! We were lucky to see the red panda cubs, a giraffe calf, and many more during our visit!

    Recommended by Thais Saito from World Trip Diaries.  Find out more from Thais about Auckland.

     

    Belize Zoo – Belize

    The Belize Zoo started off as a conservation center and still has a huge effort in conservation of animals in Belize. All the animals are native to Belize. They may have encountered issues in the wild and have been rescued by the center. For example, they have a jaguar who they rescued as a cub when she got separated from her mother and a jabiru who fell out of its nest and can no longer fly.  They also have a center for “problem jaguars” – jaguars who hunt too close to human settlements because they may be old and injured. Instead of being shot and killed, these problem jaguars are brought to the center to be cared for and studied. My kids thought the Belize Zoo was very cool especially seeing the big cats – the jaguars and the pumas. We spent two weeks in Belize but never saw many of the native animals exhibited at the zoo in the wild.

    Recommended by Shobha George from Nylon Living.

     

    Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary – Tasmania, Australia

    For families with a young animal-lover in their life, a trip to Australia offers the opportunity to see many unique creatures! The Land Down Under has so much more than just kangaroos and koalas. We spent the first day of our epic two-month visit to Australia at Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary in Tasmania, where injured or endangered animals are sheltered and nurtured. During our awesome guided tour (which is included in the admission price), we visited with wombats, echidnas, quolls and the infamous Tassie devil… and of course it was a great opportunity to get up close with koalas and ‘roos as well.

    Recommended by Melissa Conn of The Family Voyage.  Find out more from Melissa about family travel in Australia.

     

    Chester Zoo – Chester, England

    We’ve visited a few zoos with our son, but the Chester Zoo, the UK’s most visited zoo, is one that stands out. Not only is it a very large zoo, at approximately 125 acres, with big enclosures for the many species of animals and birds that can be found there, but it is also highly involved in conservation. The most exciting part for us was the Islands at Chester Zoo. This part of the Zoo, opened in 2015, has areas representing six South East Asian Islands including Bali and Sumatra. It is a truly wonderful part of the Zoo and transports visitors to South East Asia with atmospheric music and explorer huts – a true delight to visit. From Sumatran tigers and orangutans, to Visayan warty pigs, the Islands are not to be missed. Chester Zoo has so much to see and do and is best given a full day to explore. Even then visitors may still miss some of the zoo as it’s that big. This is what makes Chester Zoo one of our favourite zoos of all time.

    Catherine from Passports and Adventures.

     

    Cotswold Wildlife Park – Oxfordshire, England

    Cotswold Wildlife Park is one of the star attractions in the Cotswolds.  The Wildlife Park is just outside the town of Burford in Oxfordshire, in the grounds of a manor house surrounded by beautiful gardens.  The Park is home to some amazing animals and is sure to enchant kids of any age.  Visitors can get up close to giraffes in the giraffe house and meet the friendly lemurs and critically endangered Bactrian camels.  The Wildlife Park is probably the only place in the world to see a white rhino grazing in front of a Victorian manor house!

    Don’t miss the daily talks and animal feeding times – visitors can even sign up to be a keeper for the day.  The children’s farm is always a hit as kids can pet some of the more tame animals.  There’s also a miniature train ride, which is a great way to get an idea of the park’s layout and appeals to smaller children. The Cotswold Wildlife Park is a charitable trust and part of several breeding programmes for endangered species as well as promoting conservation in the wild. This means visitors can be sure that they are supporting animals worldwide when they visit.

    Recommended by Emily Cole from Kids and Compass.

    Dujiangyan Panda Base – Shiqiao, China

    Pandas are the emblem of China and currently considered a national treasure. Only in China do pandas live outside of captivity, yet seeing any pandas in the wild in China is nearly impossible, because it’s a vulnerable species and there are less than 2000 in the wild.  That’s what makes the Dujiangyan Panda Base such a special place.  Although the Center may look like a regular zoo at first look, this non-for-profit, government-funded organization is dedicated to saving pandas from extinction through controlled breeding techniques and specially designed wildlife reinsertion programs.

    We visited Dujiangyan Panda Base on our trip to Chengdu.  At Dujiangyan, along with seeing the pandas up close with few interruptions from other tourists, we learned about the Center’s conservation programs. Best of all, visitors can volunteer for the panda keeper program and spend a day working alongside zookeepers and scientists caring for the pandas.

    Recommended by Daniela Kemeny from A Baby Abroad.

    Melbourne Zoo – Melbourne, Australia

    The Melbourne Zoo’s vision is to be the world’s leading zoo-based conservation organization, and it is well worth a visit.  In addition to featuring enclosures with natural habitats where visitors can get close to a wide-variety of international and foreign animals, the park-like grounds are themed to look like different regions of the world.  While seeing the elephants and tigers, visitors will think they are wandering through a safari town in India.

    The Zoo does incredible conservation work through targeted campaigns to teach and educate visitors about sustainability.  The orangutan area has a lot of great information about palm oil products and the threat wild orangutans face from loss of habitat from palm plantations.  Another recent campaign entitled “Wipe for Wildlife” encouraged visitors to make the switch to toilet paper made from recycled materials.  The Melbourne Zoo is Australia’s oldest zoo and has re-invented itself as a wonderful place to learn about wildlife right in the city centre.

    Recommended by Dawn Nicholson from 5 Lost Together.  Find out more from Dawn about Melbourne With Kids.

     

    National Zoo and Aquarium – Canberra, Australia

    Our local zoo, the National Zoo and Aquarium, is the perfect animal experience for young families as it is packed full of cool and interesting animals but is compact enough for little legs. The Zoo itself is beautifully constructed with pretty walkways and creative gardens and enclosures for all the animals. The Zoo offers great memberships where kids under three are free of charge, so when my kids were little for the price of one adult membership, my two young daughters and I had many outings to the zoo.

    Over the last few years the National Zoo and Aquarium has undergone quite a transformation and expansion with the award-winning Jamala Wildlife Lodge opening. Guests can stay overnight in luxury lodgings and be immersed in the wildlife experience as they watch lions, bears and other awesome animals through the floor to ceiling glass windows of their lodges.  As for the animals – a favourite is hard to pick. I love the white lions, giraffes and cheetahs. The kids, are always enthralled by the cheekiness of the otters and the meerkats!

    Recommended by Karen Buffier of Big Adventures for Little Feet.

     

    Ocean Park – Hong Kong, China


    Ocean Park is a part-zoo, part-aquarium, part-theme park and is a favourite day out for Hong Kong’s families.  The two biggest attractions here for animal lovers are the Grand Aquarium and the four resident Giant Pandas. The Giant Aquarium has loads of sea creatures to fascinate children – from hammerhead sharks, to manta rays, starfish and lionfish. There’s also a separate three-level Shark Mystique if they want more. Beyond the pandas, there are also penguins, walruses, sea lions and seals to visit, in addition to rainforest creatures such as the sloth, capybaras and giant anaconda.
    Unusually Ocean Park mixes up animal viewing with thrill rides. There are rides for everyone here – from the carousel and frog-hopper for the little ones, to the floorless Hair Raiser roller coaster that sends you looping and plunging at
    88km/h for the really fearless.  Visitors to Ocean Park should not miss the cable car, which offers some of
    the best views of the south side of Hong Kong Island.

    Recommended by Marianne from Mum on the Move.  Find out more from Marianne about Ocean Park.

     

    Singapore Zoo – Singapore

    The Singapore Zoo is often rated as one of the top 10 zoos in the world, and once we arrived, we could certainly see why. It is well set out, and all the enclosures are open range with no visible fencing or bars. It is spread over 64 acres in the Mandai Rainforest, 30 minutes taxi ride from central Singapore. Singapore Zoo is so large that there is a shuttle bus system to move the 1.7 million annual visitors around the park, which is great for little ones so they don’t get too tired early in the day.

    Singapore Zoo is famous for its orangutan enclosure which is free range and the orangutans move from tree to tree often right above your head. The zoo also offers the opportunity to have breakfast with the orangutans at Ah Meng Restaurant. Visitors sit and enjoy a generous buffet breakfast while the orangutans come to visit and have their breakfast at the same time. After breakfast visitors can stand up close to the orangutans and have their photo taken, but can’t touch them.

    There are various feeding times and educational shows about conserving land and looking after endangered animals. My kids really enjoyed the shows and it was nice that they incorporated an educational message while keeping it fun for the kids.

    Recommended by Sally Lucas of Our 3 Kids v the World.  Find out more from Sally about the Singapore Zoo.

     

    Taipei Zoo – Taipei, Taiwan

    The Taipei Zoo features around 300 animals, including those from tropical, rainforest and safari environments for an admission of about 6 USD. Our Taiwan sojourn became extra special because we got to see a 276 pound panda for the first time. Our little one, Sophia, had a chance to get face-to-face with a panda that had acted aloof because of noisy visitors for a couple of hours prior to our visit.

    Inside the Zoo, we rode the Maokong Gondola up the mountain, and we were mesmerized with the aerial view of the beautiful forest and the city lights. We were waiting for the Crystal Cabins, the glass-bottom cars where visitors can vividly see the breathtaking views from thousands of feet above ground, but we ended up riding a regular cabin. We still experienced the same excitement when the ride reached the highest peak. So far, this is the best zoo adventure we have ever had, and we’ll definitely come back to this astonishing place.

    Recommended by Catha Buti-Uy of Team Uy Travels.

     

    Taronga Zoo – Sydney, Australia

    Taronga Zoo Sydney is an iconic Sydney landmark. Sitting on the Sydney Harbour, historic Taronga Zoo was officially opened on 7 October 1916 and has become one of the city’s main attractions. Spread over 69 acres and boasting over 350 different species of animals, Taronga Zoo showcases both native Australian animals and a range of exotic animals including tigers, chimpanzees, giraffes and gorillas. A daily highlight for all visitors is the Free Flight Bird Show, which is not to be missed.

    The Taronga Zoo offers visiting families the incredible Keeper for a Day program on weekends and school holidays where children can learn about animal husbandry and the behind the scenes workings of a zoo. Those wanting a once in a lifetime experience can enjoy the Roar and Snore experience at stay at the zoo overnight.  One of Taronga Zoo’s highlights every year is its inclusion in the Vivid Sydney festival in May, in which the Zoo is lit up with a number of animal-themed installations around the grounds and accessed in the evening moonlight.

    Whilst visitors can drive to the Zoo, the ultimate experience is to catch a ferry from Circular Quay across to the Zoo and enjoy the sights of the Sydney Harbour along the way. The Zoo is a not for profit establishment with all money raised funneled back into the Zoo’s important conservation projects.

    Recommended by Leah Smileski from The Kid Bucket List.  Find out more from Leah about the Sydney Zoo.

     

    Toronto Zoo – Toronto, Canada

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    The Toronto Zoo can be reached with a metro-bus combination from downtown Toronto. With 287 hectares, it is the largest zoo in Canada, and visitors should come prepared to walk a lot. The animals get a lot of space at this zoo, which is nice, but sometimes they are hard to spot, especially for young children.  For the past five years the main zoo attraction has been the pandas, but they were moved to Calgary in March 2018.  There are still plenty of other animals to see and the Zoo’s Africa Savannah section houses lions, zebras and very cute pygmy hippopotamuses. What made the Toronto Zoo special for us was its large exhibit of Canadian wildlife. We got to see grizzly bears, cougars, elk and other animals without having to travel to Alaska or other more remote parts of Canada.

    Recommended by Tikva from Gezin op Reis.

     

    Vienna Zoo – Vienna, Austria

    As we wandered aimlessly around the Berlin Zoo looking for the panda we wanted to see, we grew more and more impatient. Soon as we saw a keeper, we asked for directions and were told that the panda was no longer at the zoo. All four of us were so upset that when we added Vienna on our itinerary, there was one place that was top of the list….the Vienna Zoo.  Little did we know how amazing the entire Zoo would be for our family.

    There was so much to do other than seeing the animals. My daughters were a little younger then and just looking at animals was something that Marley could not always do whereas Willow was amazed by the enclosures and all the different animals that were housed there. Marley could let off some steam in the play areas located all over the Zoo.

    The paths were nice and wide for prams with not many hills to tire out those little legs. What I liked the most was that the enclosures were a sight in themselves. They all looked fantastic and really well-kept. We even got to see the pandas at play while we were there!  We also found a restaurant just inside the Zoo that had a great menu for us to all sit and have a proper meal after wandering the Zoo for a few hours. No deep-fried stuff…we all had a great main meal at a really good price too.

    We went on a cold wintery day, and we didn’t find that we were cold as we were sheltered from the wind by the Zoo.  There was little rain, but there were plenty of places to take cover if we needed to. The Vienna Zoo is the world’s oldest zoo, a great place to visit, and kids love it!

    Recommended by Bec Wyld from Wyld Family Travel.  Find out more from Bec about the Vienna Zoo.

     

    Xcaret Park – Playa del Carmen, Mexico

    Xcaret Park has dozens of exhibits, including a huge aviary, a butterfly pavilion, an aquarium complete with big lagoons containing sea turtles, manatees and sting rays as well as Jaguar Island, which includes both black and spotted jaguars. With wildlife around every corner, visitors can spend half the day enjoying the fauna and the other half enjoying the underground rivers, attractions and cultural displays of Mexico. Our family has enjoyed ourselves every time we’ve visited, and the kids always say they want to go back.

    Recommended by Charles Kosman from The Barefoot Nomad.  Find out more from Charles about Xcaret.

     

    Zoo Berlin – Berlin, Germany

    A world-class zoo with respected animal care and preservation programs, Zoo Berlin is “home to the world’s largest variety of species”. The Zoo is extensive and houses nearly 20,000 animals of about 1,400 species, and many of the enclosures appear like the animals’ natural habitat. There is also a petting zoo, a nocturnal house, and a bird house where colorful birds fly freely. Entry to the aquarium portion requires an extra fee.

    Millions of annual visitors enjoy learning about animals and conservation at Zoo Berlin, and they can also view daily animal feedings. Most signs are in English as well as German. An interactive app is available to download, with zoo schedules, map features, and animal information. A variety of food and beverages is available at restaurants and kiosks.  One restaurant looks onto a large playground with a climbing structure for kids.

    Amidst all the activity, there are beautiful, wide, garden-like pathways. These promenades extend along manicured grass and low hedges, interspersed with groupings of roses abloom in summer, and fountains that spout and splash.  Plenty of benches invite a rest under the shade of nearby trees. In the big city of Berlin, the zoo offers a peaceful day out.

    Recommended by Sandy Nielsen from Sleeps5.  Find out more from Sandy about Berlin.

     

    We love visiting zoos with kids, and there are so man of the top zoos of the world that we have not yet visited.  If you want to read about more amazing zoos, check out our post on the Best U.S. Zoos With Kids and other zoos we have visited during our travels.

  • Best Beaches in Australia With Kids

    Best Beaches in Australia With Kids

    Australian beaches are ideal to visit with kids.  There are thousands of beautiful beaches in the Australian continent, which borders the Pacific Ocean, the Indian Ocean and the Southern Ocean.  We can’t believe we have yet to visit one of these stunning beaches and can’t wait for our first trip there.  We asked some of our fellow family travel bloggers to nominate the best beaches in Australia with kids and came up with this amazing list.  (Note that while we realize that New Zealand may not technically be part of the Australian continent, it fit here best.)

    Best Australian Beaches With Kids

     

    #1:  Barwon Heads Beach – Victoria, Australia

    Barwon Heads has always been a very popular place for beach goers in Melbourne. It’s about a 90 minute drive and is located just before the start of the world famous Great Ocean Road. One of the reasons I love it is because the Barwon River connects with ocean and has created a beautiful, safe beach that is perfect to take the kids.

    Beaches off the coast of Victoria can get a bit wild and are often rough.   The water is generally freezing until February, but the Barwon River beach is protected and thus, does not have waves and is really shallow. When the tide is low visitors can almost walk to the other side of the river.

    The local council has done a great job of making this area is all about kids. They have put in an amazing kids’ playground, public bathrooms and a number of barbecues that visitors can use. We spent Easter Sunday down at the Barwon Heads River beach, and the kids played and we put the kayaks in and did a bit of fishing. As per usual, that one nibble got away!

    Recommended by Sally Lucas of Our 3 Kids v the World.  Find out more from Sally about Great Ocean Road in Victoria.

     

    #2:  Emily Bay Beach, Norfolk Island

    When it comes to beaches, Norfolk Island boasts one of the most beautiful in the world. The Island’s Emily Bay features a protected lagoon with a double reef, making it perfect for a family beach adventure. It is safe, gloriously warm in summer and has the squishiest, golden sand to walk upon.

    The reef itself is home to a wonderful array of fish and corals. Lucky visitors may even spot a resident sea turtle on a snorkel excursion or a trip out on the glass bottom boat. Throughout the year, this sheltered reef lagoon offers incredible visibility, warm water and an opportunity to enjoy a glorious natural spot with the kids.

    Free from nasty stingers, and with such spectacular water to swim in, it is no wonder Emily Bay was named one of Australia’s top ten beaches!

    Recommended by Leah Smileski from The Kid Bucket List.

     

    #3:  Fatumafuti Beach – American Samoa

    American Samoa is full of picturesque beaches, some more well-suited for kids than others; Fatumafuti is one of those ideal kid beaches. The beach has soft sand and scurrying hermit crabs, perfect for building sand-castles and crab villages. There are two small islands and a barrier reef, just off the coast, that are teeming with colorful, tropical sea-life. With shallower areas, ready for budding swimmers, and deeper holes adjacent to large boulders, just right for jumping from, there’s something for everyone. Fatumafuti is just off the main road and one of the few beaches on the island that you don’t need to ask permission to use. Also, there are never crowds, so you’re sure to enjoy your day, with plenty of room to stretch out. Just jump out of the car, grab your buckets and snorkels and discover a piece of the South Pacific that most people have only dreamed of.

    Recommended by Melinda Clayville from Traveling Outside-the-Box.

     

    #4:  Green’s Pool, William Bay National Park, Denmark Western Australia 

    Un-touristed and with naturally clear waters, the entire Southern Coast of Western Australia is a traveller’s dream.  For those with kids, there are literally miles of unspoiled pure white sand beaches to explore and really connect with nature.  The naturally protected swimming area at Green’s Pool, in the William Bay National Park ticks all the boxes and makes it a top contender for one of the World’s Best Beaches.   The turquoise waters are naturally clear year round, the beach is protected with no waves, making it easy for small children to paddle and swim, and the sand powdery white sand is completely clean of debris. Perfect for endless sandcastle building! Nearby the stunning Green’s Pool are other coves for beachcombing and exploring, including a mammoth rock formation, which closely resembles a herd of elephants dipping their toes in the ocean.  We’ve thoroughly enjoyed spending more than a whole day at this extremely kid friendly, yet stunning beach.

    Recommended by Ariana of World from Travels With Kids.  Find out more from Ariana about the Southern Coast of Western Australia.

     

    #5:  Little Beach – Two Peoples Bay, Western Australia

    Little Beach is one of the most stunning hidden gems along the southern Western Australia coast, about 30 minutes drive east of Albany.  It’s remoteness is where it’s beauty lies.  So far from a capital city or major airport, only the most ardent of travellers make it this far along the coast, but they are rewarded with some of the most pristine white sand in the world.

    Sitting in a small bay, the waves from the Southern Ocean are gentle, but big enough for jumping and in warmer weather, swimming (no life guard).  Conditions are perfect for sandcastle building or taking kids off exploring in the rock pools nearby – just be careful, the cliffs to the ocean below are sheer! It’s BYO food and supplies, and it’s in a state park, so remember to take everything away.  Other than the peak of summer, visitors can pretty much secure this little slice of paradise all for themselves. 

    Recommended by Keri from Our Globetrotters.  Find out more from Keri about Albany Beaches. (ask about preview picture)

     

    #6:  Mount Maunganui Beach – Bay of Plenty, New Zealand

    Nestled in the Bay of Plenty on New Zealand’s North Island, Mount Maunganui beach is my all time favourite beach with kids. The town of Mount Maunganui stretches along a peninsula, Tauranga Harbour on one side and the Pacific Ocean on the other. At the tip and overlooking the harbour entrance is Mauao (The Mount), a 262 meter high lush green mountain, an iconic landmark.

    On the ocean side is a long white sand beach starting under The Mount that stretches as far as the eye can see. A strip of cafes serving delicious food, great coffee, smoothies and ice creams are across the road from “Main Beach”. There is also a boardwalk, which leads in one direction to the fantastic Mount Drury playground and in the other to the stroller friendly walk around the base of The Mount.

    Confident kids can body surf and boogie board on Main Beach.  Lifeguards are on duty here. Toddlers can safely paddle in the shallows or head further down the beach where Moturiki (Leisure) Island shelters the beach and tames the waves.

    To avoid waves, walk a few hundred meters across to Pilot Bay. The calm waters of the harbour are perfect for babies to splash and play while the rest of the family can try paddle boarding, kayaking, wind surfing or optimist sailing.

    For visitors who aren’t lucky enough to visit in the warmer months between November and March, head to the Mount Hot Pools, where natural thermal energy heats the salt water in these stylish outdoor pools, keeping them the perfect temperature year round.

    Recommended by Kaylie Lewell from Happiness Travels Here.

     

    #7:  Noosa Main Beach – Australia

    The Noosa Main Beach is one of the best beaches on the Sunshine Coast and absolutely perfect for kids.  Located along the famous shopping strip of Hastings Street and just outside the entrance to the Noosa National Park, Noosa Main Beach offers soft gentle waves perfect for swimming, boogie boarding as well as a great place to learn to surf.  Being just off Hastings Street there are various places to grab something to eat and drink for the kids as well as plenty of places to hire beach equipment like boogie boards and stand up paddleboards.

    In addition to the popular Noosa Main Beach, there are so many other great beaches to explore in the area.  There are numerous beaches in the Noosa National Park such as Tea Tree Bay, Winch Cove, Granite Bay and Little Cove.  The calm crystal-clear waters of the Noosa River are also the perfect place for little ones and an ideal location for getting out and exploring in a kayak.

    Recommended by Melissa of Thrifty Family Travels.  Find out more from Melissa about Noosa.

     

    #8:  Tamarama Beach, Sydney, Australia

    Next to crowded Bondi Beach is Tamarama Beach,  conveniently close while giving the feel of being more quaint and less frequented. We found it to be kid approved with its soft pristine sand that made it easy to move around and play in.  Our kids spent hours building sand castles and taking turns burying each other.  Nearby shallow tide pools made for a convenient way for the kids to get in and out of the water without getting overwhelmed by crashing Pacific Ocean waves. Bathrooms were nearby, which is always a plus when traveling with little ones. The stunning cliff views with charming homes above made it all the more memorable.  As parents, we spent our time playing with the kids and also relaxing while they enjoyed the safe environment.  Definitely a great beach spot for a family getaway.

    Recommended by Anabel Newell from Amor for Travel.

     

    #9:  Torakina Beach – Brunswick Heads, New South Wales, Australia

    The quirky riverside town of Brunswick Heads has been a family favourite for 50 years, but never more so than today. There are so many things to do here with kids, but top of the list is a visit to the safe swimming spot of Torakina Beach.  Torakina Beach is a delightful family beach near the entrance to the river’s mouth.  Protected by giant boulder groins, the cute beach has gentle waves and is the ideal place for beginner swimmers and those who are not so fond of open water.

    The water is crystal clear, as good as any tropical island, except after big storms when the river takes the deluge and debris out to sea. Visitors can see tiny fish swimming around their toes, pelicans above, and the odd dolphin that drops by to say hi.  Visitors can access Torakina by crossing the car bridge and walking through the parklands on the left. There’s a designated car park, but it fills up quickly, so go early.  There’s plenty of shade up along the dunes, or bring your own beach umbrella to set up camp.  Make sure to bring buckets and spades, boogie boards and a picnic to stay all day.

    Recommended by Amber Greene from Roam the Gnome.  Find out more from Amber about things to do in Brunswick Heads.

     

    #10:  Whale Beach – Sydney, Australia

    Visitors looking for a kid friendly beach on Sydney’s Northern Beaches can’t go past Whale Beach. More secluded than the main beaches such as Avalon or Palm Beach, Whale Beach on the Southern Ocean is a kids’ delight. There is a small park and BBQ facilities for families, but the rock platform and rock pools are where the best fun lies. The rock pool at the south end is relatively shallow and small, and on either side, there are natural rock pools. The ones before the pool are perfect for babies and toddlers to wade and play in. On the other side, at the base of the rock platform, is a larger rock pool that gets quite full at high tide.  Bigger kids can play for hours as the waves rush in and out.

    The rock platform at the northern end is also a great place to visit. It is accessible either along the beach or down a set of steep stairs, but it has a lot of rock pools where visitors can see a variety of sea creatures, up close and personal (once we even saw a baby shark waiting for the tide to come back in!). At low tide we like to walk around the headland to Palm Beach on the rock platform and pass the car grave yard, where cars went over the cliff (before they made it safe).  Whale Beach has so many areas to explore, visitors could spend days there while visiting the Northern Beaches. 

    Recommended by Maraya, a Northern Beaches local, from Stuff Mums Like.

    Find Out More About Fun Family Beaches With Kids

    Ready to hit the beach right now?  Check out our Fun Family Beaches in North America, Asia, Europe and Central and South America.

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  • New Zealand: Cruising With Kids!

    New Zealand: Cruising With Kids!

    Guest Blogger: Crisel, her husband, and her two year old daughter are Australian expats, currently living in the Soloman Islands, a sovereign country consisting of six major islands and over 900 smaller islands in Oceania. They are planning a world tour beginning in 2019, but in the meantime, are traveling to as many of the Soloman Islands and countries in the Pacific as they can. They can be found on Instagram.

    photo credit

    Our family decided to look into a cruise after a recent international flight that involved a screaming two-year-old. Our goals were simple: less plane, less car and less time stuck in a hotel. My husband and I love to travel as much as we can and explore different places, but as our daughter has moved past the infant stage into the terrible twos, it has become more difficult. The idea of boarding a cruise ship and having everything within reach – pool, restaurants, cafés, entertainment area, kids’ area, and spa – was intriguing. And on top of that, we would wake up with a new place to explore every morning!

    The cruise we booked was the Golden Princess Cruise Ship to New Zealand. Since we were traveling during the school year, the theme of the cruise was targeted to adults, but that didn’t deter us and, as an added bonus, our daughter got so much attention from the cruise staff because there were so few children on board. Our main goal was to have a relaxing holiday, which we did.

    Waving goodbye to Sydney Harbor.

    Our cruise to New Zealand began in Sydney with two days of straight sailing to Fiordland National Park. Once there, we spent a full day cruising along Milfound Sound and Doubtful Sound, where we experienced the most magnificent views of our lives. From the ship, we saw endless mountains and breathtaking waterfalls, including Mount Tutoko, the highest peak in Fiordland National Park. Mount Tutoko was surrounded by glaciers, which were stunning.

    Mount Tutoko
    Fiordland National Park

    After a day spent cruising along Fiordland National Park, we arrived at our first stop: Dunedin. Getting off the ship for the first time was very exciting and there was a shuttle bus that took us to the city center where we discovered shops, cafes, and local markets. The short bus ride to town was my daughter’s favorite activity and our first stop was at a local café to get our daily dose of caffeine.

    After getting our fill of caffeine, we took a short walk to the Town Hall. My daughter took advantage of a small park in front of a church to chase and feed pigeons. We also went to the Cadbury Chocolate Factory while stopping, along the way, to play at a little maze garden in front of Dunedin’s historic railway station.

    Playing in the maze outside Dunedin Railway Station.

    From Dunedin, we re-boarded the ship and stopped at five other places: Akaroa, Wellington, Auckland, Tauranga and Bay of Islands. Each morning, we would wake up and have a new place to explore. At every stop, we would visit the parks, markets, cafes, beaches, and generally look for places where our daughter could run around freely. We did make an effort to avoid touristy areas and shopping centers as our time was limited.

    Feeding and chasing pigeons in Auckland.

    Our favorite stop was Paihia, Bay of Islands. The beach was stunning, and there was an awesome kids’ park nearby where we spent quite a bit of time. The cruise ship did offer a shuttle bus ride from the ship to the center of Paihia, but we elected to walk to town instead, as that would give my daughter time to run around and also so that we could spend more time at the park and the beach. When my daughter got tired, I carried her on my back, and we continued to explore. While in Paihia, we enjoyed fish and chips at a local restaurant and ice cream for dessert. We also visited a local art market that had a lot of unique art from local artisans, including wood crafts, underwater creatures made of metal, and clothing made from organic cotton.

    Paihia Beach
    Carrying my daughter on my back after she got tired of walking!

    Our second favorite place was Tauranga. Unfortunately, my daughter did not feel well that day, so my husband and I took turns exploring Tauranga while the other stayed on the ship with my daughter. Tauranga was my personal favorite stop because the place is beautiful – white beach, boutique shops, funky cafes, and friendly locals. I also had the opportunity to climb Mount Maunganui, which, at 232 meters above sea level, took me about an hour to accomplish. There were many families with kids climbing the mountain at the same time and I would have loved to have experienced it with my daughter as the view from the top was superb.

    The cruise line offered day excursions and tours that we could pay extra to experience, but we decided even before we booked the cruise that we would not do any extra excursions because of our two-year-old. Although it would have been fun to experience some of the offered excursions, such as the glow worm caves and The Lord of the Rings film set, it would have been too much for our daughter. Instead, we had a great time exploring each stop at a leisurely pace with our daughter and, after a day of exploring, we simply went back on board the cruise ship to relax either by the pool, or by watching a movie in the room. The best part about the cruise was that we did not rush around and plan every single minute of our time, like we usually do, we just went with the flow.

    My daughter enjoyed the onboard activities.

    What we liked about the cruise:

    • Everything is on board. Pretty much everything we needed and wanted was on the ship. Although we booked an ocean view room, we were upgraded to a room with a balcony that gave us a little bit more room, especially with a toddler. We spent most of our time outside and away from our room, but it was nice to have the extra space.
    • Food was amazing. There were so many food options onboard. There was buffet, a la cart, or fine dining. We loved fine dining every night and tried so many different and delicious dishes. We chose anytime dining option that allowed us to have dinner whenever our daughter was ready. The staff was very accommodating and provided both kids’ menus and kids’ activity packs at meals.
    • Waking up in a different place every morning. Yes! You sleep in one city and wake up to a different one. This was great because we did not need to pack and unpack our luggage.
    • Everyone is so friendly. From housekeeping staff to waitresses to entertainers to guests. Everyone was so friendly.

    What we did not like about the cruise:

    • Entertainment shows took place every night after dinner, but because my daughter had to go to bed, we were unable to all attend. My husband was kind enough to let me watch entertainment shows every night while he put our daughter to sleep, but it would have been nice to enjoy as a family. The shows included stand-up comedy, concerts, and international talent shows. All shows were appropriate for children, so I would have taken my daughter if they had offered the shows during the day.
    • The Kids’ Club was for kids ages three and up. Because my daughter was not three, we could not use the Kids’ Club, and babysitting was also not available, so we had no date nights.
    • We gained a lot of weight on the cruise!
    • Our cruise had to end after 2 weeks!

    Additional Thoughts:

    • My daughter still naps once a day, so we usually walked her around in the pram or I carried her on my back until she fell asleep. Her naptimes provided my husband and me with an opportunity to recharge and unwind, either at a café or by continuing to explore quietly until she woke up.
    • Because we were traveling with a toddler, a full day (7-8 hours) of exploring the city was enough for us. We would definitely return to the Bay of Islands and Tauranga again for a family holiday if given the opportunity, but the cruise was a great opportunity to visit and get a sense of the location.
    • My daughter loved the cruise life! She enjoyed the elevators, the buffet breakfasts, and the opportunity to break up our day by visiting and exploring new places, playgrounds, parks, shops and cafes. My daughter also loved the entertainment on the ship, in particular dancing to the music that played in the Piazza.
    • I would absolutely recommend a cruise for families with toddlers as it is an easy way to have a relaxing holiday while exploring many different places. I suggest checking to make sure that the cruise you are interested in caters to families with children and would also check to make sure that you can take advantage of the Kids’ Club and the minimum age (most cruise lines offer Kids’ Club for ages 3+).
    Happy Cruising!

     

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