Best summer vacation for 8 year old
If your child is about to be a year older, you have probably started looking for the best summer vacation for 8-year-old. Unlike when your toddler was a baby, 8-year-olds are able to travel around on their own and enjoy some outdoor fun without supervision all day long. They also know how to read and write better. All these are great things. But before you start packing your bags, or planning an adventure on the internet, I suggest that you take a minute to think about what you really want and need from this trip.
Summer vacation is a joyous occasion for children, but is also a time when parents have to bring them all kinds of activities and trips. This can get expensive, and your child might feel like he/she is trapped in an endless loop of visiting cool places, eating out, meeting interesting people. If you are looking for some summer vacation ideas for an eight year old with this specific age group in mind, the following tips to help you plan their perfect summer.
At the age of eight, your child is growing into a young adult and is gaining independence. By this age, most children are beginning to take an increasing interest in traveling. That said, planning an eight year old’s summer vacation can be a daunting task- you need to consider many factors before making a decision. At the same time, of course, you want your child to enjoy their annual summer break and benefit from it as much as possible- not only in terms of education but also in experience and overall satisfaction.
Whether it’s a family holiday or a summer camp, the beginning of summer is a time to enjoy. A lot of people start looking for the best places to take their kids on vacation or search for the appropriate summer camp for them. As a parent or an adult in charge of children, here are some tips that could be helpful when choosing destinations or camps for your children to attend during the summer.
We’re here to help you find the best summer vacation for your 8-year-old.
It’s important to make sure that your child is having an amazing time on their vacation, but it’s also important to keep them safe. Here are some great options for summer vacation that will give your 8-year-old the best experience possible and all of the fun they could ever want:
1) The beach: nothing beats going to the beach in the summertime! If your child loves swimming, this is a great option. You can even get them a life vest so they feel safe while swimming in deeper water.
2) A theme park: theme parks are always fun, but they can also be dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing. Make sure you check out reviews before taking your child there so that you know what kind of rides are available, how crowded it gets during peak hours (and on weekends), how much food costs per meal (because most theme parks charge extra for food outside of their restaurants), etc.
3) Camping: camping is another great option for families with kids! It gives everyone some fresh air and a chance to bond over campfires at night while cooking dinner
The best summer vacation for an 8-year-old is one that’s fun, but also educational. The learning curve for a child in second grade is steep as they learn about the world around them. At this age, they’re starting to understand how things work and how people behave. They’ll also be learning how to read, write and speak more fluently.
For this reason, it’s important that you plan a vacation that will help your child develop their knowledge of the world while also keeping them entertained. There are many ways that you can do this:
- Take them on an educational tour of your city or town. You can find tours that focus on local history or art, or even on specific subjects like science or architecture. These types of tours are perfect for children because they will be able to learn something new while also getting out into nature and exploring someplace new with their familiar surroundings.
- Plan an outdoor adventure trip! If your child loves being outdoors then take them camping or hiking so they can see some amazing sights up close. If they don’t like being outside then take them somewhere like amusement parks where there will be lots of rides and activities to keep them busy throughout the day (and night!).
1. Portland, Oregon
For a plethora of hiking in the fresh Portland air and a ton of adventures in the great outdoors without having to give up on the comforts of city life, head to Portland.
It’s “casual vibes only” at Portland; you can find a range of laid-back family-friendly activities, including hiking trails.
Even the tiniest tots are welcome to hike at Mt. Hood; you’ll also find plenty of rangers to guide and recommend trails on your hike.
Come summer, Skibowl is a popular destination, offering plenty of thrilling outdoor rides such as mountain coasters and ziplines.
13 Best Vacations for Kids Under 10 Years Old
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You’ll also find plenty of playgrounds with open spaces and lush public parks where kids can enjoy playtime.
Once playtime is done, head downtown and refuel at Voodoo Donuts or any of the family-friendly breweries in store!
Recommended Hotel: Crowne Plaza Hotel Portland-Downtown Convention Center
Related: Places to Eat: Portland, OR
2. Vienna, Austria
Any city in Europe would be a bucket-list destination for most folks; Vienna is no exception and the deal just gets that much sweeter when you realize how kid-friendly it is.
Rich in art and history, Vienna has a ton of interesting spots to explore, right from the Naschmarkt Night Market to the lovely Schonbrunn Palace.
At Schonbrunn, the home of the Habsburgs, you’ll find plenty of kid-friendly tours, as well as the Children’s Museum, a strudel-making workshop and the Baroque maze, recreated from the original 1720s version.
For the quintessential idea of kiddy fun, head to the Prater amusement park; don’t forget to check out the Rollercoaster Restaurant with its unique ‘maitre’ds’—robots on roller coaster tracks!
If time permits, explore Kinderhotel Almhof for its fun kids’ clubs and skiing lessons.
Recommended Hotel: Hilton Vienna Plaza
Related: Best Family Vacations in Europe
3. Venice and Sarasota, Florida
When you consider ideas for a vacation with little kids in Florida, the tendency is to think ‘Orlando’ or ‘Disney World’, but Florida is more than just these spots.
The West Coast is one of the best places to take kids on vacation if you’re looking for a serene, laid-back beach vacation.
At Venice and Sarasota, you’ll find plenty of such quiet beaches and restaurants that can satisfy any fussy eater.
Sarasota’s Siesta Key Beach is a regular feature on many “best beaches in the world” lists.
Also, check out the Mote Aquarium, a research-and-animal-rehabilitation facility, where you can present your little ones with the thrilling experience of petting stingrays, baby sharks and the resident manatees.
If you’re lucky, you may just chance upon fossilized shark teeth on Venice’s beaches—the Shark Tooth Capital of the World!
Recommended Hotel: The Ritz-Carlton – Sarasota
Related: Restaurants: Sarasota, Florida
Related: Restaurants: Venice, Florida
4. Chicago, Illinois
Glamor may abound in Chicago’s Magnificent Mile, but the family-friendly fun isn’t left behind!
Take the little ones to spots such as the Field Museum of Natural History to see the world’s largest T-Rex or Shedd Aquarium with its 5-million-gallon tanks’ worth of fascinating creatures—a fun trip for kids under 5.
The Navy Pier is a great spot to enjoy Chicago’s Lake Michigan shoreline; the tykes will love riding the Ferris Wheel or one of the many tour boats.
If your tot is a Sammy Sosa in the making, catch a game at Wrigley Field.
If you don’t mind the adrenaline rushes, head to the 1353-feet-high Skydeck for aerial views of the city; for a quieter time, enjoy the public art on display at Millenium Park.
Recommended Hotel: The Peninsula Chicago
5. Victoria, British Columbia
Picturesque Victoria boasts some truly lovely gardens and green spaces, which means plenty of space to play!
A family favorite is the Fisherman’s Wharf, replete with colorful waterfront homes, fresh seafood, harbor seals and “water-ballet”-performing water taxis (on specified dates); your 4 year old will love the color and vibrancy!
The Chinatown area, North America’s 2nd oldest, is a great spot for shopping and noodles; you can also see Canada’s narrowest street here—Fan Tan Alley.
If insects don’t send chills up your little one’s spine, consider a visit to the Victoria Bug Zoo with its tanks of live bugs from across the world.
You’ll also be treated to over 550 million years of natural history at the Royal British Columbia; the interactive exhibits are fun, all the while enabling learning in your tyke.
Recommended Hotel: Magnolia Hotel & Spa
6. Albuquerque, New Mexico
The state of posh spas and beautiful Spanish architecture from the colonial era, New Mexico is home to Albuquerque, where family-friendly fun is on offer the whole year through.
Perhaps the city’s biggest draw is the Balloon Fiesta held every fall, which is when most families visit.
Stick around till winter and the ski areas are a treat, with customized sledding and skiing lessons just for the tots.
Other great places to go include the Petroglyph National Monument where you’ll find carvings from as early as the 1300s, Old Town to wine, dine and shop and the riverside ABQ BioPark.
Stay at the Hyatt Regency Tamaya to enjoy 3 pools, a waterslide and activities such as bread making, horseback riding and leather stamping, sampling fresh pueblo oven bread, dance performances and storytelling sessions under the stars.
Recommended Hotel: Hotel Parq Central Albuquerque
7. Legoland, Florida
Florida’s Legoland is a world unto itself and sets the stage for a great vacation for children between the ages of 2 and 12.
With plenty of properties around the world, Legoland is one of the top family-friendly destination spots, regardless of where!
Apart from quintessential amusement park rides, shows and Lego landscapes, Legoland features fun roller coasters, built to be thrilling enough for the older ones while also being gentle enough for the younger ones, who are new to the adrenaline rushes.
You’ll find attractions from the Lego Movie World, such as the Battle of Bricksburg (the schiite for water battles), Unikitty’s Disco Drop and Masters of Flight, to name a few.
Stay at one of the Legoland-themed hotels on-site for fun that extends beyond the amusement park rides!
Recommended Hotel: LEGOLAND® Florida Resort
8. Dude Ranch
If you’ve got kids who are 4, 5, or 6 year olds, also known as “the age when they still love mom and dad but are cool enough to be on their own”, Dude Ranch is an excellent idea!
Dude Ranch presents a great combination of plenty of family downtime where you can bond and a plethora of outdoor activities just for the tots—they can enjoy their independence while you catch a much-deserved break with the spouse!
The cherry on the cake is that Dude Ranch is all-inclusive, which not only saves you money but also does away with the worry of figuring out meal stops each night.
Your family will also have more opportunities to meet other families and make new friends.
Recommended Hotel: Northern Hotel
9. Frisco, Texas
The proud home of the Dallas Cowboys, Frisco is a great option if you’re a family of sports lovers.
Between The Star, the National Soccer Hall of Fame and the National Videogame Museum, almost every kind of sport is covered, both digital and non-digital!
Frisco also holds the distinction of being the first American city where KidZania, an internationally-renown interactive theme park for tots, set up shop; the brand threw open its doors in Frisco as recently as 2019.
KidZania is of, for and by the kids—tots can be pilots, window-washers, doctors, whatever they wish, and earn KidZos (currency) for it, too.
Come summer, head to the Dr. Pepper Ballpark to catch an exciting Frisco RoughRiders game, or enjoy a leisurely float on the on-site lazy river.
Recommended Hotel: Omni Frisco Hotel