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If you love to get away with the family but think downtime is for wimps, you’re probably searching for the perfect activity-led holiday.
Planning a fun-packed getaway can seem daunting, depending on the ages of your kids. Not every active holiday is suitable for every age. It’s important to narrow down the list of options, then figure out which is the most appropriate for your family.
Luckily kids grow older all the time, and what might not be a great ideas this year, could be an amazing holiday the following year. Peruse the list below, make note of what jumps out at you, and keep everything else in mind for another time.
1. A family skiing holiday
As long as you don’t have very young children, a family ski holiday is a fantastic idea. Some places will teach children as young as three, but others prefer to teach from four or five. If you’ve got little ones, it’s probably best to check with you holiday provider what their minimum age limit is. Lots of ski resorts will have childcare and other activities for children, so it’s not necessarily a write off if you know you can keep the youngest children entertained while the bigger family members ski.
Skiing is a fun pastime, but more importantly, it’s great exercise too! An energetic family needs to burn off their energy, and what better way to do that than with the full-body workout skiing provides?
A ski holiday bring your family together for some top notch memory-making and you’ll have some gorgeous photos to look back on.
2. Sail away
If you hate staying in one place when you go away, a sailing holiday might be for you. It gives you the opportunity to see more of the world, while keeping the whole family entertained. The good news is you don’t necessarily need to be an experienced sailor to enjoy this time of holiday. As long as you have some experience on the open waves, you can usually book a holiday that’s suited to your abilities.
Greece is often lauded as one of the most beautiful area to sail. You might even spot a dolphin or two as you take in the scenery. Rumour has it there are hidden beaches, accessible only by boat, where you can snorkel, swim or have a family picnic before moving on to you next destination.
3. Travel on foot with a hiking holiday
Spending days on end enjoying the great outdoors is a dream holiday for active kids and adults alike. Taking children on a hiking holiday doesn’t have to be hard work, and the good news is, you might not even have to travel far either!
When you choose a walking holiday, think about the heaviness of the hike. There are a lot of different hikes offered, but choose the one that is doable for everyone. Read more information on the Alta Via 1 Difficulty. Here you can find all the information you need on the hike itself, but also the difficulty, what to pack, where to stay, and so on.
You can let the idyllic scenes of nature soak in, while you’re surrounded by your family. Immerse yourself in beautiful views, breathe in the fresh air and get some much-needed vitamin D. At the end of each day, return to your accommodation to relax, play board games and bond with your family.
4. Take the family rock climbing
How about a rock climbing holiday? A full day climbing can be a bit much for families with children, so remember to arrange other activities too. It’s likely each member of the family will have different skill levels when is comes to rock climbing, which should also be considered when booking your holiday. Try and opt for a trip where you get your own guide assigned, that way, you can make an itinerary that includes everyone.
Whether you pick this type of trip to improve the family’s skills, or you just fancy a challenge, your active family who likes to be on-the-move will have a great time!
5. Make waves on a surfing holiday
If the waves are calling, you could take your family on a surfing holiday – even if they’re not all surfers! Most surfing holidays involve sun, sea and sand, which is a known holiday favourite. Any inexperienced family members can take surf lessons (providing they’re the right age), have fun on the beach if they’d prefer.
For a family that has more non-surfers than surfers, pick somewhere warm and a town that has plenty of other things to do. If you’re looking for a destination that has something for everyone, it might be a good idea to seek advice and do plenty of research before committing to a location. Cornwall is a popular surfing location that has plenty of other things to see and do and there are plenty of other places like it.
6. A two-wheeled getaway
Two wheels are better than four, any cycle-lover will tell you that. Cycling holidays are a fun way to see the world and keep the whole family active. Most specialised cycling holidays will have equipment on hire to lighten your loads.
Stay in camp sites, learn about local culture and sample new cuisines. A cycling holiday offers so much more that a few hours riding each day. Opt for a gentle route to ease the younger ones in, or if you’re a family of keen cyclists, find yourself a challenge!
7. A ziplining tour
A ziplining tour is not for the faint hearted, but if you know what you’re getting yourself in for, then you’ve adrenaline-fuelled holiday ahead. Thrill-seekers will love to whizz through the jungle or get a great view of forests or mountains as they fly past.
This type of family holiday is best suited to adult children and older teens who are searching for their next rush. One thing’s for certain, soaring over the treetops is a holiday no one will forget in a hurry.
8. Mixed water-based activities
If your heart lies with the ocean and you’ve got a family of water babies, consider taking them on a watersports activity holiday. Most suited to families with teens, there’s water-based fun to be had for all the family. There are also options for younger children too, but you’re less likely to be able to do activities as a family.
Choosing a destination that offers plenty of things to do means your family will get the most out of the holiday. Lots of places offer stand up paddle boarding, swimming, windsurfing and dinghy sailing to ensure your holiday is full of variety.
Searching for a destination that has just as much to do on land as it does in the water will ensure you always have plenty to do. Spending the odd day sight-seeing can help ensure your holiday is more well-rounded.
With a list like this, you’ll probably find it difficult to choose – or you might want to work your way through it! Whatever you plan, be sure to factor in rest days. Overdoing it at the beginning of the holiday may hamper your enjoyment later on.