Fun Places to Go with Kids This Summer: UK and Beyond

Summer holidays arrive fast, and "we'll figure it out" only gets you so far with children who want an answer by Monday morning. 

Whether you are after a proper UK adventure or ready to take the family further afield, this guide cuts through the noise with eight destinations that actually deliver: two of the best places to go with kids in the UK and six global picks that go well beyond the same places to visit in the UK with family that everyone else books on autopilot.

Some of these are the kind of places to visit for children's bucket lists: fossils on a UNESCO coastline, sloths in a Costa Rican rainforest, and a Viking city you can walk in an afternoon. Others are the quietly brilliant choices that feel more rewarding than yet another place to visit in London, a weekend, or a beach resort with nothing new to offer. 

A handful are genuinely unique places to visit in the UK with family groups and travellers who want nature, history, and character in one trip.

Two picks here stand among the best UK holidays for kids for a reason. They are reliable, hands-on, and easy to pull off across mixed ages. The rest stretch as far as Singapore and Central America for families ready to go bigger this year. 

A Jetpac eSIM for UK trips and every destination beyond keeps maps, messages, and tickets running from the moment you land, with no roaming surprises and no airport SIM queues.

Please note: Weather notes are broad summer expectations. Costs are rough mid-range daily estimates for a family of four, including accommodation, meals, local transport, and one paid activity.

1. York

York is one of the most rewarding family tourist places in northern England, where Vikings, railways, chocolate history, and river rides all sit within a compact, walkable centre. 

The Visit York Pass covers JORVIK Viking Centre and a range of the city's top attractions, making two or three days straightforward to plan without overspending on individual tickets.

• Why It's Kid-Friendly: Vikings, trains, chocolate, and boat rides in a compact centre
• Weather: Mild to warm; light layers sufficient
• Best Food: Chocolate treats, Yorkshire puddings, tearoom lunches
• Cost Per Family of 4: £240-£360/day
• Tip: Book JORVIK early in the school holidays

2. Dorset and the Jurassic Coast

One of the best UK holidays for kids who love the outdoors, with fossils, beaches, and seaside towns along a 95-mile UNESCO World Heritage coastline and England's first natural UNESCO designation.

• Why It's Kid-Friendly: Fossil hunting, beaches, and short scenic walks: hands-on from day one
• Weather: Warm on the coast; cooler evenings
• Best Food: Fish and chips, Dorset apple cake, beachside ice cream
• Cost Per Family of 4: £280-£430/day
• Tip: Jetpac eSIM is useful for tide checks and parking updates on a coastal road trip

3. Disneyland Paris, France

Just 40 minutes from central Paris by RER A and under three hours from London by Eurostar, Disneyland Paris is one of the most accessible theme park trips for UK families. It's two parks, Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park, cover classic rides, parades, and character experiences for children from toddlers to teens.

• Why It's Kid-Friendly: Iconic rides, parades, and characters across two parks for all ages
• Weather: 20-26°C in summer; warm with occasional light rain
• Best Food: French pastries, themed dining, and quick-service snacks across both parks
• Cost Per Family of 4: £350-£650/day
• Tip: Staying at a Disney hotel gives early park entry, which makes a real difference on the busiest summer days

4. Barcelona, Spain

Barceloneta beach, CosmoCaixa science museum, and L'Aquàrium de Barcelona all sit within easy reach of the city, alongside Gaudí's colourful architecture that genuinely holds younger travellers' attention.

• Why It's Kid-Friendly: Beaches, parks, aquarium, and Gaudí buildings for all ages
• Weather: 28-32°C in summer; occasional afternoon storms
• Best Food: Tapas, churros, fresh seafood, La Boqueria snacks
• Cost Per Family of 4: £280-£420/day
• Tip: Plan indoor visits for hot afternoons in July and August

5. Tenerife, Canary Islands

Reliable sunshine, calm south coast beaches, Siam Park (consistently rated among the world's best waterparks), and Loro Parque wildlife park make this one of the most straightforward places to go with kids for a full week.

• Why It's Kid-Friendly: World-class waterpark, wildlife park, beaches, and Teide volcano for all ages
• Weather: 23-27°C year-round; trade winds keep it comfortable
• Best Food: Fresh fish, papas arrugadas with mojo sauce, beachside lunches
• Cost Per Family of 4: £220-£340/day (less with all-inclusive)
• Tip: Book Siam Park timed slots early. It sells out in peak summer weeks

6. Walt Disney World, Orlando

Walt Disney World spans four theme parks, two water parks, and dozens of resort hotels, making it one of the most complete places to go with kids anywhere in the world. Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom each offer a full day of rides, shows, and character experiences across every age group.

• Why It's Kid-Friendly: Multiple parks with rides, characters, and attractions for every age from toddlers to teens
• Weather: Hot and sunny in summer, 32-35°C, with frequent afternoon thunderstorms typical of Florida
• Best Food: Theme park snacks, international dining at EPCOT, and family-friendly resort restaurants
• Cost Per Family of 4: £500-£900/day including park tickets
• Tip: Book park passes and Lightning Lane reservations well in advance. The most popular rides fill during July and August

7. Singapore

Safe, compact, and logistically straightforward, with Universal Studios Singapore, Gardens by the Bay's Supertree light show, and Singapore Zoo all reachable by MRT. One of the most rewarding places to visit for a child's first long-haul trip.

• Why It's Kid-Friendly: Universal Studios, Night Safari, Sentosa Island: varied and easy to navigate
• Weather: 28-33°C; short afternoon showers that pass quickly
• Best Food: Hawker centres: chicken rice, roti prata, laksa, affordable and accessible
• Cost Per Family of 4: £380-£560/day
• Tip: Get an EZ-Link MRT card on arrival for fast, affordable travel between attractions

8. Costa Rica

Rainforests, active volcanoes, sloths, howler monkeys, zip-lining, and Pacific beaches. Manuel Antonio National Park alone gives families a full day of wildlife spotting within walking distance of the sea.

• Why It's Kid-Friendly: Wildlife, zip-lining, volcano visits, and river tubing with no screens needed
• Weather: Green season (June-August); 25-30°C with afternoon showers that pass quickly
• Best Food: Gallo pinto, tropical fruit, grilled fish, and casado plates at local sodas
• Cost Per Family of 4: £280-£420/day
• Tip: Book a wildlife guide for Manuel Antonio. Children spot far more with expert help

Stay Connected with Jetpac

When you compare places to go with kids across multiple destinations, the travel admin matters almost as much as the destination itself.

Parents are constantly checking routes, train times, tickets, weather, and messages, so reliable data removes real stress from the day. 

Jetpac works just as smoothly for places to go with kids uk as it does for a long-haul trip to Singapore or Costa Rica.

Set up an International eSIM plan in minutes before departure and the same account extends across every destination on this list, with no SIM swaps needed at any point.

📞 In-App Voice Calling: Calls to landlines and non-WhatsApp numbers in 50+ countries. Packs from $1.99 per 5 minutes.

🔥 Unrestricted Hotspot Sharing: An eSIM for UK from Jetpac helps you share data with travel companions or children's tablets with no caps on usage.

💸 Save Up to 70% on Roaming: Compared with standard UK carrier rates across all destinations on this list.

🗺️ Essential Apps Stay Available After Data Runs Out: WhatsApp, Google Maps, Uber, and Grab remain accessible even at zero balance.

🌍 Coverage Across 200+ Destinations Worldwide: One plan covers your UK break and any onward destination, with no reconfiguring at borders.

📶 Multi-Network Connectivity: Automatically connects to the strongest available local signal at every stop.

✈️ Free Airport Lounge Access on Delayed Flights: Access 1,300+ lounges worldwide when delayed over one hour. Register at least 24 hours before departure.

🎧 24/7 Support: Reachable via WhatsApp and email at any hour of the day.

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FAQs

Do UK families need a visa for any of these destinations?

No visa is needed for EU destinations, Tenerife, or Singapore for short stays. Costa Rica allows UK passport holders up to 90 days without a visa. Always check the current FCDO travel advice for each country before booking.

What is the best age to attempt a long-haul trip like Singapore or Costa Rica?

Most families find five and above manageable for long-haul. Younger children can do it, but factor in jet lag recovery time and build at least one slow day into the start of the trip.

When should we book to get the best prices for summer?

January to March typically offers the best fares for July and August departures. All-inclusive packages for Tenerife and flights to Barcelona and Lisbon book up fastest from UK airports.

How to keep younger children entertained on long-haul flights to Singapore or Costa Rica?

Download films, audiobooks, and games before you board rather than relying on in-flight Wi-Fi. A small activity pack with new colouring books or sticker sets works well for under-sevens. Most families find a night flight easier with young children since natural sleep does a lot of the work.

Which destination works best for a first trip abroad with young children?

Disneyland Paris or Tenerife. Both are short flights or a Eurostar ride from the UK, have straightforward family infrastructure, and remove most of the logistical complexity that makes first international trips stressful with young children.

Disclaimer

This information is based on publicly available sources at the time of writing. Costs, weather, and travel conditions may vary. Jetpac is not responsible for any differences in network performance or the accuracy of third-party data. No destinations or services are specifically endorsed. Travelers should check current travel advisories, local conditions, and entry requirements before booking. Device compatibility, carrier support, and network availability may affect eSIM performance.