Family Travel: 5 Cities with Great Children’s Museums

Who says kids should stop learning once school lets out (or that learning shouldn’t be fun)? Here are five fab travel destinations with outstanding children’s museums

After all their hard work preparing for their Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE), your child deserves a reward and you, mama probably deserve a break after all the help and support you undoubtedly gave them. What could be better than a relaxing holiday for the both of you?

But, keeping their continued education in mind, what happens when you want to go on a trip with the kids to somewhere other than a theme park or the beach? The travel experts at KAYAK.sg have got you covered and have put together a list of top 5 child-friendly museums where you can discover new things, learn something new and exciting, and still be in a city that mamas will love, all at the same time.

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Beyond the initial things that spring to mind like the rows of the windmills and tulip farms, when it comes to Amsterdam there is actually way more on offer than you might think, including a number of activities that suit families with children of all ages.

First up is the Tropenmuseum (Tropical Museum), originally the museum of the Dutch colonies, which now displays art, objects, photographs, music, and film from a variety of non-western cultures. The museum runs programmes in English, but reservations must be booked in advance. For slightly older children, head over to the historic and immensely popular Anne Frank House or head down to the NEMO Science Museum. The iconic building has a huge, sloping roof offering some of the best panoramic views of Amsterdam, and offers yearly exhibitions that are both educational and interactive, perfect for everyone in the family. Be sure to purchase the ‘I am Amsterdam’ City Card, which offers free admission to 44 museums in the city, ensuring that families are able to see all the kids-friendly museums that this wonderful city has to offer.

Return flights to Amsterdam, Netherlands, from Singapore begin at S$871 per person, and a hotel room starts at S$232 per night.

London, England

With the value of the pound having dropped, parents should take advantage and make a trip with the family to London, England. The financial capital of the country may be known as the city for millennials, but hidden in the nooks and crannies are plenty of activities to satisfy every member of the family. While there’s a LEGOLAND park in nearby Malaysia, the larger LEGOLAND Resort in Windsor – just a short train ride from London – is quite possibly the best in the world and well worth the trip. Unlike other amusement parks, the idea of edutainment runs through every attraction at the LEGOLAND Resort, ensuring that children will enjoy and learn at the same time. If bedtime stories and reading play a huge part in the child’s life, a trip to the Discover Children’s Story Centre may be a good alternative if not a second day out. The centre prides itself on giving children under the age of 11 the opportunity to become an author and watch their stories come to life. With current exhibitions including the wonderful world of Dr. Seuss, even parents will enjoy a day spent here

Return flights to London, England, from Singapore, begin at S$689 per person, and a hotel room starts at S$302 per night.

Boston, United States

One of the oldest cities in America, Boston may not be the first location parents think of for a family holiday, but a secret worth learning is that with the Boston Children’s Museum, the city is home to the second oldest children’s museum in America. The museum is known for introducing the concept of ‘hands-on learning’ with permanent exhibits that include the Construction Zone, where kids can hop on a Bobcat, explore an authentic two-story Japanese house, and get constructive at Johnny’s Workbench, a family-friendly workshop area complete with tools and hardware. For the older ones, a trip to the Museum of Science & Charles Hayden Planetarium is the perfect choice for something to wow their imaginations. The multimedia Charles Hayden Planetarium, where the Zeiss Star Projector reproduces a realistic night sky, is also a fascinating stop. And no child’s visit to Boston should be complete without a stop at the Boston Public Garden to see the famous swan boats and Make Way for Ducklings statues. For more kid-friendly activities and dining options in Boston, check out “Overseas Mama” Grace Chua’s top tips!

Return flights to Boston, USA, from Singapore begin at S$1124 per person, and a hotel room starts at S$237 per night.

Seoul, South Korea

The plethora of kid-friendly and educational activities are not just limited to cities a long flight away, as Asia also has many hidden gems and world-class facilities to be found among among the good food and shopping. Head over to the Seoul Children’s Museum, which boasts the incredible Beyond Sensory Play area, where little ones can immerse themselves in incredibly stimulating environments, ranging from Art and Nature to Science and Culture. Children over 10 are allowed to explore unsupervised, giving parents time to enjoy a coffee or two. Over at the Northern branch of the Seoul Museum of Art (SeMA), the Buk Seoul Museum of Art, children will go crazy at the outdoor playground and the Children’s Gallery is the one-stop-centre for them to learn all about art and get interactive with the exhibits on site.

Return flights to Seoul, Korea, from Singapore, begin at S$464 per person, and a hotel room starts at S$170 per night.

Bangkok, Thailand

If you and the family are looking for a short trip with minimal flight times, Bangkok is a mere two hours away. While the Land of Smiles might be known as a shopping mecca, a little known fact for families is that the bustling city also houses a children’s museum that’s considered to one of the best in the world. The Children’s Discovery Museum encourages a hands-on approach for little ones, with interactive displays throughout its 4-storey building. Recently renovated in 2014, the museum also boasts a super fun outdoor playground that will challenge the energy of even the most excited of children. While Singaporeans may have a KidZania back home, the branch in Bangkok is the largest KidZania, with a capacity of 2,000 customers at a time (compared to Singapore’s 1500 customers limit). This attraction needs no introduction and children and parents alike will be amazed at the many ‘job opportunities’. While the bigger kids are hard at work, your toddlers will not feel left out with the special toddlers-only zone at Urbano House, where they can build sandcastles and have fun in the ball pit.

Return flights to Bangkok, Thailand, from Singapore begin at S$193 per person, and a hotel room starts at S$169 per night.

While you and your family explore all the great kids’ educational activities, relax while your itinerary is sorted with KAYAK.sg’s free travel assistant Trips. To search and compare prices for flights, hotels, car hire and much more, visit KAYAK.sg or download the app at KAYAK.sg/mobile.

*Data provided by KAYAK.sg is based on flight and hotel prices found on 10 October 2016. Flight prices quoted are per person travelling from 7 – 14 November 2016 for return economy flights, hotel prices are based on families with 2 Adults and 2 Children for one double occupancy room, for the travel period of 7 – 14 November 2016, at a 3-star hotel. Prices are subject to change, availability may be limited or offers may no longer be available.