During the winter, children in Europe can take advantage of skiing and snowboarding activities in the Alps and Pyrenees mountain ranges. The Pyrenees serve as the natural border of Spain and France, while the Alps stretch through eastern France, Switzerland and Italy. Although the ski resorts have difficult trails, most have easier slopes for young children. Also, staffers at many ski resorts offer skiing and snowboarding lessons for children. Some resorts with ski schools and child services include Chamonix Valle on France's Mont Blanc and Brunni Alpthal in Switzerland.
Europe has a rich history, which can be seen in art and museums throughout the continent's major cities. Most of Europe's museums value the importance of educating children about its heritage; thus, these museums offer discounted prices for school field trips and after-school classes. The classes at these museums focus on the subject the museum offers. At the Louvre in Paris, France, children are allowed to view permanent collections for free and participate in art-themed workshops. Meanwhile, the British Museum in London features the King's Library, which has children's books. Among these books is the first edition of "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland."
Europe is virtually a peninsula, since it surrounded by seas and oceans from its north, south and west sides. Western Europe offers beaches on the Atlantic Ocean in France, Portugal and Spain, while children in Germany and Denmark can swim in the Baltic Sea. Southern Europe beaches in Greece and Italy allow children to soak up sun and swim in the Mediterranean Sea. Europe is also known for its beachside resorts and hotels. Among these are the Avangani Resort Hotel in Cannes, France, and the Royal Albion in Brighton, United Kingdom.
The history of amusement parks in Europe dates back to the medieval period, when cities hosted fairs and celebrations. Over the centuries, cities throughout the continent developed modern amusement parks, which include the long-standing Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen, Denmark, built in 1843. Modern amusement parks offer roller-coaster rides, stages for live music and dancing entertainment and on-site eateries. Some European amusement parks also offer water rides, such as Port Aventura Park in southern Spain.
