Planning a family holiday? Let your kids choose the itinerary

Enchanting fairy circles in a remote forest. A treasure hunt in the tropics. Lion encounters in Sub-Saharan Africa. Who says family travel is limited to kids’ clubs at beach resorts?

A new wave of family travel is putting a more adventurous spin on the conventional child-friendly holiday, with companies rising to meet the demand. On such operator is Pelorus Travel, which this year launched Imagine This , a service that creates bespoke itineraries inspired by your child’s imagination. “People assume adventurous travel isn’t for children, but we totally disagree,” says co-founder Geordie Mackay-Lewis. “You can take kids to really wild places, with enough creativity and planning.”

With Pelorus, one family set sail on the Pacific Ocean on board a private yacht to plant coral reefs alongside mermaids, while another met a real astronaut while staying in a futuristic airstream camper on the US’s West Coast. “We bring in Junior Hosts who are great with kids, and expert guides to impart skills and knowledge,” says Mackay-Lewis, who recently became a father himself. “It’s not just about hiring someone to dress up like a mermaid for a Little Mermaid moment; it’s about building experiences that deepen a child’s development and ensure parents feel rewarded.

Other travel companies are leaning in, too. Eyos Expeditions shapes yacht adventures around children’s interests, including kayaking beside icebergs and snorkelling with sea lions. Kensington’s Family Collection designs itineraries for families with children under 15, from meeting pandas in Chengdu and the Terracotta Warriors in Xi’an to marvelling at the colossal glaciers of the Canadian Rockies.

Adding an extra layer of whimsy, Black Tomato’s Take Me on a Story , launched in 2021, creates custom itineraries inspired by fairytales, books and films such as a Herculean odyssey in Greece.

“Family travel used to feel pre-packaged,” says Black Tomato co-founder Tom Marchant. “Now it’s about creativity and nuance.”

Of course, travelling with kids has its ups and downs, especially if you’re going it alone, without a team of travel experts. Charlotte Burgoyne, the founder of family travel planner and agent Little Voyageurs , knows that all too well. For the past decade, she has journeyed around the world with her four children, becoming a sought-after expert in family travel.

In Egypt, she travelled solo with her three-year-old and was embraced by the people she encountered. A chef invited her daughter to bake pizza in an earthen oven, potters showed her how to throw clay, and at a chic desert glamping hotel, they even discovered a playground tucked among the dunes. “The country blew my mind,” she says. “We came back with the most beautiful memories.”

No matter the destination, Burgoyne says, the key is striking a balance between activities that engage children – through culture, nature or curiosity – and experiences that parents can also enjoy. “There’s always a middle ground, where you’re discovering something new together as a family. And honestly, kids can do a lot more than you think.

Travel tips for a meaningful family holiday

Planning a family trip for the whole family? Charlotte Burgoyne tells us how to make it stress-free with this essential checklist of dos and don’ts for a smooth, memorable trip.

Do

Include the kids in planning

Ask your kids what would make the trip magical for them and weave their ideas into the itinerary.

Strike a good balance

Plan a playground visit or donkey ride for the kids but also leave time for a wine tasting or a stroll through the Old Town.

Choose the right accommodation

Opt for a hotel room with a balcony or living area or book a rental with extra space so you can relax while the kids sleep.

Prioritise nature

Spending time in nature nurtures children’s wellbeing and development, from glimpsing rhinos in South Africa to puffin-spotting on the Welsh coast.

Don’t

Overcomplicate it

One major outing a day is enough. Mix in an animal encounter, a fun way to get around and a local playground, and the kids will be thrilled.

Wait until they’re older

Even if toddlers won’t remember every detail, shared moments build adaptability, confidence and curiosity.

Overpack

Less is more. A beloved toy, favourite snack or familiar movie is enough to keep little ones grounded.

A fairyland itinerary – Pelorus creates a bespoke itinerary

When Kate Springer asked her four-year-old daughter Penelope where she most wanted to travel, her answer was simple: “Fairyland.” Inspired by this, the team at Pelorus created a mini-itinerary in New Zealand that blends imagination with real-world magic.

Pre-departure

Auckland, North Island

Before setting off, a letter from the Fairy Queen arrives for Penelope, while her younger brother Ollie receives an illustrated adventure map to track his discoveries.

Day one

Waitomo Caves

Take a boat ride through the Glowworm Cave: a hidden cave lit up by bioluminescence becomes the gateway to Fairyland, guided by a storyteller, where Penelope receives her fairy wings, while Ollie earns his first Guardian’s badge.

Day two

Waiheke Island

Enjoy a forest picnic prepared by a private chef blends Māori music, foraging and fairy house building, then retreat to a firefly-lit treehouse in the woods.

Day three

Tawharanui Peninsula Tawharanui

Local elders share forest guardian myths through Māori songs and stories. The children meet kiwi birds, explore tide pools and plant a tree as a gift to the Fairy Queen.