Best adventure holidays around the world for kids

Theme parks, forest ziplines, cycling courses and farm visits are just some of the experiences your little ones can try on your next family holiday. If you’re short on fresh ideas, this guide rounds up four active, kid-friendly holiday destinations for big days out and lasting memories. 

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And if you’re a Cathay member, you’re entitled to reimbursement of unused car rentals and hotel accommodations redeemed with miles. 

The top child-friendly adventure holidays 

1. Vancouver 

Vancouver is known for its spectacular natural scenery, offering plenty of space for children to roam. No itinerary is complete without stopping by Capilano Suspension Bridge, as well as Stanley Park, with its trails, beaches and diverse wildlife. Take on the Seawall loop by bike or on foot, and make time to take photos of the Totem Poles, Brockton Point Lighthouse, Siwash Rock, the 9 O’Clock Gun and the Girl in a Wetsuit statue.  

Thrill-seekers should set out for Grouse Mountain, where, in addition to the challenging Grouse Grind hike, there’s also a chairlift-accessed mountain bike park with panoramic views, tandem paragliding over the surrounding forests and guided zipline tours through the treetops.  

If your child is a fan of furry creatures, plan a trip to Maplewood Farm . Activities include farm-themed crafts, story time and hands-on animal time – from cleaning pens to feeding animals. Check the farm’s calendar for seasonal events and family programmes. 

2. Kuala Lumpur 

The Malaysian capital is a city of stunning skyscrapers, diverse cuisine and world-class shopping. It’s also a haven for adventure and play. Kids will go nuts for Sunway Lagoon Theme Park, a sprawling theme park with seven zones. Cool off at Surf Beach, one of the world’s largest man‑made wave pools, or take on Vuvuzela, widely billed as the world’s largest vortex water ride. In case of bad weather, head to the indoor Berjaya Times Square Theme Park . Check out Fantasy Labyrinth, Malaysia's first-ever crochet playground, or Winter Wonderland Snow Town, where you can play in snow all year long. 

Aquaria KLCC is another great option for rainy days – a cutting-edge oceanarium with over 5,000 creatures and Malaysia’s longest underwater tunnel, where you can spot sharks, sea turtles and giant groupers.  

For bird-lovers, KL Bird Park is unmatched. The park is divided into four zones and is home to more than 3,000 birds. The free-flight aviary in Zones 1-3 resembles the birds’ natural habitat, allowing them to breed naturally, while Zone 4 houses birds in enclosures and mini aviaries, including parrots.  

3. Dallas 

Get to know the Big D by walking the Katy Trail, a 5.6-kilometre urban trail that was once an abandoned railroad line. Along the route, you’ll find a playground, several parks, as well as shopping and dining areas.  

For an educational day out, put the Perot Museum of Nature and Science on the agenda. In honour of the FIFA World Cup 2026, there’s a special football-themed exhibition where you can test reflexes and measure kicking power. There’s also a dedicated area for younger kids.  

For something a little more high-energy, visit Trinity Forest Adventure Park , Texas's first self-guided aerial adventure park, where you can zipline through one of the country’s largest urban hardwood forests. For younger children, the hour-long “Out on a Limb” course is ideal for families – with forts, bridges and treehouses. 

Finally, if your child is a fan of Peppa Pig, plan a day at Peppa Pig Theme Park Dallas-Fort Worth , where the little ones can ride Daddy Pig's red car, soar into the sky on Peppa Pig’s Balloon Ride or sail to Pirate Island with Granddad Dog. 

4. Christchurch 

If your little adventurer has always been curious about the glaciers of Antarctica, they’ll surely love a visit to the International Antarctic Centre . Experience snow and ice in an indoor polar storm room with a -18°C wind chill machine before hopping on the Hägglunds, an all-terrain amphibious Antarctic vehicle, and hanging out with New Zealand’s smallest penguins – the kororā.  

Animal lovers should head to Willowbank Wildlife Reserve , where kids can observe native species like kiwi, kākāriki and tuatara, and learn more about the animals through guided tours; feeding times with otters, eels, gibbons and kea; and close-up encounters with capybara, lemurs and bees.  

There are many ways to enjoy the Avon River, a 14-kilometre waterway running through the city, but the most iconic is via a punt ride through the Botanic Gardens, poled by a guide in Edwardian attire.  

Finally, to really burn off energy, visit Margaret Mahy Playground, the largest play project in New Zealand, featuring a 10-metre-high climbing tower, giant slides, trampolines, water cannons, spider nets, flying foxes, and a colourful story arc inspired by local children’s writers.