If your children love to play in the water, take a family vacation to a water park. Bigger parks have activities for all ages and skill levels. Families with infants and toddlers can enjoy zero depth--entry pools that start out with just an inch or so of water and gradually get deeper. Older children can enjoy large water slides and water rides. Some water parks have on-site lodging and are large enough that you can spend days exploring all the activities.
Children who love to go fast, ride all the carnival rides, and be upside down love amusement parks. For families who enjoy spinning rides and roller coaster thrills, theme parks make excellent vacations. There are rides and entertainment for all ages. If your family includes both big and little kids, try to have at least two adults on this vacation, one to ride rides with the big kids and another to safeguard little ones. Depending on the size of the park, you may want to spend several days exploring the sites and rides.
Most children love being outside, and most enjoy camping too. The thought of sleeping under the stars in a tent or camper gives kids a certain thrill. Camping encourages children to explore nature and learn a little bit more about the world around them. Kids don't have to be quiet in the wilderness (unless it's bedtime), and parents can give them more leeway, letting them stay up late to examine constellations, for example. Adults can enjoy hiking or canoeing during the day and spending evenings around a campfire, tasting food cooked outdoors.
Check out your state parks and nearby campgrounds for an overnight stay, or travel to larger national parks for extending camping trips. You can often choose from rustic campsites with no toilets or electricity to campgrounds with high-speed Internet connections and coffee shops. Remember all your gear and extra sunscreen and bug spray, especially if you'll be staying in a remote area.
