Ranked as the best place to visit on National Geographic Kids' "Cool Vacations" list, Australia's Great Barrier Reef is ideal for both families who want to travel internationally and families who want to experience a true nature vacation. This natural wonder is a colorful, enormous habitat for hundreds of species including lion fish, coral and zebra sharks. Families with younger children who don't want to dive can view the reef from above in a helicopter.
After visiting the reef, you can take a trip into the surrounding rainforest for a swim or climb into the canopy. Kids typically find the wildlife parks here more interesting than a typical zoo since Australia is home to many unusual animal species including wallabies, koalas and kangaroos.
Costa Rica is No. 4 on National Geographic Kids' "Cool Vacations" list. Costa Rica is a land of rainforests and active volcanoes, especially Arenal. After viewing the volcano, kids enjoy windsurfing and swimming on Lake Arenal.
Areas such as Santa Elena and Monteverde Cloud Forest are wildlife havens. A guided tour gives kids a glimpse of rare species of lizards, tree frogs, marine toads, jaguars, howler monkeys, parrots and sloths. Older kids enjoy riding a zip line through the forest canopy in Costa Rica.
Families who stay in the States or take a traditional vacation find a wide array of activities in Orlando, Florida. Ranked as the second best cool vacation spot by National Geographic Kids, Orlando is a popular choice for family vacations.
Stay at a resort located on the grounds of one of the theme parks---MGM Studios, Walt Disney World or Nickelodeon Studios. A visit to Sea World yields educational activities in a fun, family environment.
