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Fireworks over a fairy-tale castle at night

Around the world

Family days out around the world

Some days out are worth crossing a border for. Here are the world’s great family attractions within reach of the UK, US and Europe, and how to make the trip worth it.

Photo: Jayme McColgan on Unsplash

Scout the Fox

Scout’s verdict

Scout’s verdict on days out abroad

Abroad, the ticket is often the smallest cost. Build the day out into a holiday, and compare packages that bundle hotel and park tickets with booking separately.

Easy from the UK
Disneyland Paris, Efteling, Parc Astérix
Big trip
Orlando, California, Tokyo
Don’t forget
Entry rules & travel insurance

International family days out

Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland ParisEurope

Photo: Bastien Nvs / Unsplash

Theme parks

Disneyland Paris

Marne-la-Vallée, near Paris, France

Disneyland Park plus Disney Adventure World (the renamed Walt Disney Studios Park), where World of Frozen opened on 29 March 2026.

All agesWorld of FrozenUnder-3s free
  • Children under 3 go free
  • Check the official offers page: Disneyland Paris often runs seasonal hotel and ticket offers
  • UK tour operators sometimes include free child places on packages

Scout says: Go for at least two days so you can do both parks without rushing. Frozen fans should head to World of Frozen early.

What’s new in 2026disneylandparis.com ↗
Fireworks over a fairy-tale castle at nightEurope

Photo: Jayme McColgan / Unsplash

Fairy-tale theme park

Efteling

Kaatsheuvel, Netherlands

One of Europe’s most-loved parks, famous for its enchanted Fairytale Forest, plus coasters for older kids and grown-ups.

All agesFairy talesEasy from the UK
  • Date-based online tickets: quieter days cost less
  • Holiday parks nearby can work out cheaper than on-site hotels for longer stays

Scout says: The Fairytale Forest is a walk, not a ride, so it works brilliantly for toddlers and grandparents alike.

efteling.com ↗
A roller coaster at an amusement parkEurope

Photo: Somruthai Keawjan / Unsplash

Theme park resort

Europa-Park

Rust, Germany

Germany’s largest theme park, themed by European countries, with the Rulantica indoor water park next door.

All agesHuge parkWater park next door
  • Multi-day stays make more sense than a single day here
  • Combine with Rulantica on a separate day rather than squeezing both into one

Scout says: It’s big! Two days lets you enjoy it without sprinting between countries.

europapark.de ↗
A close-up of colourful toy building bricksEurope

Photo: Sen / Unsplash

Theme park

LEGOLAND Billund

Billund, Denmark

The original LEGOLAND, opened in 1968, a short walk from LEGO House, the brick-lover’s experience centre.

Ages 2–12The original LEGOLANDLEGO House nearby
  • Combine LEGOLAND and LEGO House in one trip to make the travel worthwhile
  • Check seasonal opening: the park isn’t open all year

Scout says: A dream trip for LEGO fans. Book LEGO House separately: it’s its own attraction with its own tickets.

legoland.dk ↗
Water slides at a water parkEurope

Photo: Konrad Burdyn / Unsplash

Theme park resort

PortAventura World

Salou, Costa Dorada, Spain

A beach-holiday-friendly resort with PortAventura Park, Ferrari Land and Caribe Aquatic Park, near the Costa Dorada beaches.

Ages 4+Beach holidayWater park
  • Hotel stays often include park access: compare packages with separate tickets
  • Combine with a beach holiday rather than a standalone trip

Scout says: Perfect for a sun-and-rides holiday. Pack the suncream and plan indoor breaks in the hottest hours.

Plan a trip →portaventuraworld.com ↗
People riding a spinning fairground rideEurope

Photo: Ethan Hoover / Unsplash

Theme park

Parc Astérix

Plailly, near Paris, France

A big, funny, very French park themed on the Astérix comics, with strong coasters and family rides.

Ages 4+Near ParisCoasters
  • Online, date-based tickets are usually cheaper than the gate
  • Easy to combine with a Paris city break

Scout says: A great second park if you’re already doing Disneyland Paris, and a different flavour of fun.

parcasterix.fr ↗
A fairy-tale castle lit up at nightEurope

Photo: PAN XIAOZHEN / Unsplash

Historic amusement park

Tivoli Gardens

Copenhagen, Denmark

One of the world’s oldest amusement parks (opened 1843), in the heart of Copenhagen, with gardens, rides and festive seasonal lights.

All agesCity centreSeasonal events
  • Entry and rides are priced separately: an unlimited-ride wristband suits ride-hungry kids, single entry suits strollers
  • Combine with a city break

Scout says: Visit after dark: the lights are the real star. Halloween and Christmas seasons are magical.

Plan a trip →tivoli.dk ↗
A cheetah standing on a rockEurope

Photo: Tomáš Malík / Unsplash

Zoo

ZooParc de Beauval

Saint-Aignan, Loire Valley, France

One of Europe’s best-known zoos, with giant pandas and a cable car over the park.

All agesPandasLoire Valley
  • Two-day tickets suit families: it’s a big park
  • Combine with Loire Valley châteaux

Scout says: Book hotels early: the Loire Valley gets busy in summer.

zoobeauval.com ↗
Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World, OrlandoUSA

Photo: Kitera Dent / Unsplash

Theme parks

Walt Disney World Resort

Orlando, Florida, USA

Four theme parks (Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom) plus two water parks. It’s a holiday, not a day out, so plan several days.

All agesMulti-dayUnder-3s free
  • Children under 3 don’t need a park ticket
  • Multi-day tickets cost less per day than single days
  • Check Disney’s official special offers page before booking

Scout says: Don’t try to do it all. Two parks done well beat four done in a rush, especially with little ones.

Disney deals guidedisneyworld.disney.go.com ↗
A castle-style building lit up at nightUSA

Photo: Aditya Vyas / Unsplash

Theme parks

Universal Orlando Resort

Orlando, Florida, USA

Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure and Epic Universe (opened 2025), plus Volcano Bay water park. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is spread across all three theme parks.

Ages 5+Harry PotterEpic Universe
  • Multi-day tickets are better value per day
  • For 2026, 3-day-plus tickets include Epic Universe visits; 2-day tickets don’t, so check before you buy
  • You need a park-to-park ticket to ride the Hogwarts Express between the two original parks

Scout says: Harry Potter fans: Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade are in different parks. Get a park-to-park ticket or you’ll miss half the magic.

Harry Potter guideuniversalorlando.com ↗
A fairy-tale castle lit up at nightUSA

Photo: PAN XIAOZHEN / Unsplash

Theme parks

Disneyland Resort

Anaheim, California, USA

The original Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure sit side by side, so it’s easier to tackle in two or three days than Florida.

All agesTwo parksWalkable
  • Under-3s go free
  • Multi-day tickets lower the cost per day
  • Southern California residents sometimes get special ticket offers: check Disney’s offers page

Scout says: The two parks are a short walk apart, so a park hopper ticket is easy to use here.

Disney deals guidedisneyland.disney.go.com ↗
A castle-style building lit up at nightWorldwide

Photo: Aditya Vyas / Unsplash

Studio tour

Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo – The Making of Harry Potter

Tokyo, Japan

Opened in 2023, Tokyo’s Studio Tour brings sets, props and costumes from the films to Japan. Book in advance.

Ages 5+Pre-bookAsia
  • Book direct on the official site for timed entry

Scout says: Visiting Japan? Universal Studios Japan has its own Wizarding World too.

wbstudiotour.jp ↗

Filter adventures abroad

Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland ParisTheme parks£££ Splurge

Photo: Bastien Nvs / Unsplash

Disneyland Paris

Marne-la-Vallée, near Paris, France

Disneyland Park and Disney Adventure World, home of World of Frozen since March 2026.

All agesOutdoor

Scout: Do two days, and hit World of Frozen early.

Scout’s guideOfficial site ↗
Fireworks over a fairy-tale castle at nightTheme parks££ Mid-range

Photo: Jayme McColgan / Unsplash

Efteling

Kaatsheuvel, Netherlands

A fairy-tale park with an enchanted forest walk and coasters for older kids.

All agesOutdoor

Scout: The Fairytale Forest suits toddlers and grandparents alike.

Scout’s guideOfficial site ↗
Water slides at a water parkTheme parks££ Mid-range

Photo: Konrad Burdyn / Unsplash

PortAventura World

Salou, Spain

Theme park, Ferrari Land and a water park near the Costa Dorada beaches.

Ages 5–11TeensOutdoor

Scout: Perfect add-on to a beach holiday.

Scout’s guideOfficial site ↗
A close-up of colourful toy building bricksTheme parks££ Mid-range

Photo: Sen / Unsplash

LEGOLAND Billund

Billund, Denmark

The original LEGOLAND, near LEGO House.

Under 5sAges 5–11Outdoor

Scout: Combine with LEGO House to make the trip worthwhile.

Scout’s guideOfficial site ↗
People riding a spinning fairground rideTheme parks££ Mid-range

Photo: Ethan Hoover / Unsplash

Parc Astérix

Plailly, near Paris, France

Funny, very French park with strong coasters and family rides.

Ages 5–11TeensOutdoor

Scout: A great second park on a Paris trip.

Scout’s guideOfficial site ↗
A fairy-tale castle lit up at nightTheme parks££ Mid-range

Photo: PAN XIAOZHEN / Unsplash

Tivoli Gardens

Copenhagen, Denmark

One of the world’s oldest amusement parks (1843), magical after dark.

All agesOutdoor

Scout: Go in the evening for the lights.

Official site ↗
Riders with arms in the air on a roller coasterTheme parks££ Mid-range

Photo: Hannes Knutsson / Unsplash

Phantasialand

Brühl, near Cologne, Germany

Richly themed park famous for its intense coasters, with family areas too.

Ages 5–11TeensOutdoor

Scout: A bucket-list park for coaster-loving teens.

Scout’s guideOfficial site ↗
Water slides at a water parkWater parks & pools££ Mid-range

Photo: Konrad Burdyn / Unsplash

Rulantica

Rust, Germany (next to Europa-Park)

A huge Scandinavian-themed indoor water world beside Europa-Park.

All agesIndoor

Scout: Give it its own day rather than squeezing it in.

Scout’s guideOfficial site ↗
Water slides at a water parkWater parks & pools££ Mid-range

Photo: Konrad Burdyn / Unsplash

Siam Park

Costa Adeje, Tenerife, Spain

A Thai-themed water park in Tenerife with famous slides and a giant wave pool.

Ages 5–11TeensOutdoor

Scout: Arrive early and grab a sunbed. Suncream on!

Scout’s guideOfficial site ↗
A cheetah standing on a rockZoos & aquariums££ Mid-range

Photo: Tomáš Malík / Unsplash

ZooParc de Beauval

Saint-Aignan, Loire Valley, France

One of Europe’s best-known zoos, with giant pandas and a cable car.

All agesOutdoor

Scout: Two days lets you see it all.

Scout’s guideOfficial site ↗
A museum hall with a whale skeleton hanging from the ceilingMuseums & science£ Budget

Photo: Toa Heftiba / Unsplash

Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie

Paris, France

One of Europe’s biggest science museums, with a dedicated children’s area.

All agesIndoor

Scout: Book the children’s area (Cité des enfants) in advance.

Scout’s guideOfficial site ↗
An adult and child looking into a large aquarium tankMuseums & science££ Mid-range

Photo: lucas Favre / Unsplash

NEMO Science Museum

Amsterdam, Netherlands

A hands-on science museum in a striking green building, with a rooftop terrace.

Ages 5–11TeensIndoor

Scout: Great on a rainy Amsterdam day.

Scout’s guideOfficial site ↗
Cinderella Castle reflected in the moat at Magic KingdomCastles & history£ Budget

Photo: Jorge Martínez / Unsplash

Neuschwanstein Castle

Bavaria, Germany

The fairy-tale castle on the hill in the Bavarian Alps.

Ages 5–11TeensOutdoor

Scout: Tickets are timed. Book well ahead in summer.

Scout’s guideOfficial site ↗

Cost bands are a rough guide to a typical family visit, not prices. Always check current prices, ages and opening times on the official site.

Before you travel

  • Entry rules: UK travellers visiting the EU now go through the Entry/Exit System, and ETIAS is due to follow. Visitors to the UK need an ETA. See EES & ETIAS explained and the UK ETA guide on TravelDeals.
  • Packages: compare family holidays with booking park tickets and hotels separately.
  • Cruise + parks: some families combine Orlando with a Caribbean cruise. See family cruises.

Last updated: 14 October 2026

Frequently asked questions

What is the best theme park in Europe for families?
Disneyland Paris, Efteling in the Netherlands and Europa-Park in Germany are all excellent for families. Efteling’s Fairytale Forest is especially good for young children.
Is it worth going to Orlando for theme parks?
Orlando has more major theme parks than anywhere else, so it suits families who want a whole holiday of parks. Plan several days and look for multi-day tickets.

Keep exploring

Cinderella Castle reflected in the moat at Magic Kingdom

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Disneyland Paris, Walt Disney World and Disneyland: official offers and how to save.

Explore → A roller coaster at an amusement park

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LEGOLAND, Alton Towers, Disney, Efteling and more, with real ways to save.

Explore → Fireworks over a fairy-tale castle at night

The best theme parks in Europe for families

Disneyland Paris, Efteling, Europa-Park, PortAventura and more.

Explore → A castle-style building lit up at night

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