Kid-friendly parks & museums
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Europe is full of kid friendly attractions and offer an array of outstanding options. A mix of fun and exploration are essential ingredients for a successful family excursion. Here’s a menu of ideas.
PARKS
One of Europe’s best-kept family vacation secrets is out. Catering to both adults and children, Center Parcs offers sports action, water parks, meals, spas and luxury. Seventeen holiday resort locations are situated throughout the Netherlands, Germany and France. The focal point is a sub tropical swimming pool, Aqua Mundo, attracting all ages. Splash away in the wave pool, lunge into the wild water rapids or retreat to the children’s pools. The Spa and Wellness Centers offer serious relaxation. Perfect for the under 12 set are captivating activities and programs such as Kids Klub, bingo, storytelling, children’s farm and Kids Disco. Sports lovers can choose from golfing, bowling, mountain climbing, biking, billiards and squash. If you can tear yourself away from the resort, there are enticing attractions nearby making it ideal for day trips. There is a Center Parc location in Normandy, France and a park is close to Paris. The earlier you book, the better your price. Early booking discount can be up to 35%, nine months in advance. The best way to make a reservation is online
Enchanting lands with endless attractions, shows and concerts await you at Disneyland Paris Resort and Walt Disney Studios Park. Choose from a wide range of accommodations from budget to luxury suites at one of the individually themed Disney Hotels. A free shuttle service is available to get around. If you’re looking to beat the crowds, the number of guests is fairly low mid-week, Tuesday–Thursday during mid-January through mid-March or mid-April through mid-May. FASTPASS will help reduce wait time and allow you to access certain attractions within minutes.
Disneyland Paris offers special services for families with infants and young children. Baby switch, allows parents to take turns on adult rides without having to wait in line a second time. There are special children’s rates—under 3, get in free.
Open year round Disneyland Resort Paris is located 32 Kilometers east of Paris. Marne-la-Vallee/Chessy train station is right at the gates. If coming from Paris, take the RER-Line A commuter train. Check out www.disneylandparis.com, for special offers, events and opening times.
Entertain the kids at what The British “Sunday Times Travel Magazine” rated as the best leisure park in Europe. Europa Park brings all the European countries to life. Each area depicts a theme based on the culture of the country. Choose from over 100 rides and attractions, Adventure land and Children’s World. When hunger strikes, there are over 30 restaurants offering numerous cuisines.
Stay at one of the themed hotels, such as the Santa Isabel built in the style of a Portuguese monastery. Or an affordable alternative is the Guesthouse Circus Rolando in the German Alley. Catch an Ice Show, Gladiator or Acrobatics Show. Flyers with daily show-times are available in all information offices and at the main entrance free of charge. Note that some shows are in English and make sure you arrive around 10-15 minutes in advance.
Amusement park lovers can experience Europa Park anytime of the year. Signs for the rides and attractions are multilingual. Europa Park is located a few kilometers off the motorway A5, in the border triangle of Germany-France-Switzerland.
Europapark-Straße 2, 77977 Rust.– Family fun and excitement. As one of the largest theme parks in Germany, Holiday Park packs in plenty of roller coasters, rides, laser shows and firework displays. For four years the megacoaster, Expedition GeForce, has been voted best roller coaster in the world by Internet Coaster Poll. Children’s World brings fun and action for the kids. Holly’s Adventure castle is full of slides, towers and bridges. The inflatable castle is in the shape of a giant mushroom, great for jumping around. Perfect for kids under five, is the indoor playground. Aqua’s Angels is Europe’s only professional water ski show delivering spectacular stunts and performances. Holiday Park is open daily from March 15th—November 2nd (except on April 7-11, 14-18, 21-25 and September 15-19 and 22-26). Holiday-Park-Strasse 6, D-67454 Hassloch, Germany. Tel: (49) 6324 5993 900.
Near Autobahn exits: 10 and 13 on A65.
- 20 minutes from Mannheim
- 30 minutes from Heidelberg
- 60 minutes from Ramstein
– Heroes wanted. Born in 1968 and headquartered in Denmark, LEGOLAND Parks can also be found in England, California and Germany. Designed for young children under 12 years old, each park is divided into various zones or lands. Visit Lego Miniland, a model village of famous monuments and landmarks made from millions of genuine Lego bricks. Discover a fun-based learning center in Lego Mindstorms. Go forth and stretch your imagination; Firefighters are needed in the Fire Academy and become a skipper in Boating School.
The parks’ rides are all Lego themed and many are made to look as if they are built out of Lego bricks. An insider tip from LEGOLAND Deutschland said, “Directly after park opening and one hour before attractions close, visitors can usually find shorter waiting times at rides and attractions. Best times to visit our restaurants are usually before 12:30 pm and after 2:00 pm. If you visit the park with small children it is best to start your park tour in Lego City.” LEGOLAND opens for the new season March 15th. For more information go to, www.legoland.com
The LEGOLAND Discovery Center Berlin is different from the LEGOLAND parks’ because it’s an indoor attraction. On average, a visit takes two hours. The Discovery Center is part of Merlin Entertainments Groups and opened in 2007. The focus is hands-on interaction. Children can construct real lego bricks in the Lego Factory. Build and race model cars in the Build and Test room. Experience a castle ride, adventure trail and 4D cinema. For more information: www.legolanddiscoverycentre.com
