Family adventures are one our favourite past time. We love planning family adventures just as much as the adventuring. The planning is totally a family adventure in and of itself.
In full disclosure this may be somewhat of our family’s bucket list well, part of it. We have some items ready to tick off later this year…swimming with turtles and the Great Barrier Reef!
I hope we can inspire you with some of our bucket list family adventures and perhaps we will meet you on the road!
Dog Sledding on Glaciers
Huskies are my husbands favourite dogs so putting this one on the bucket list was very easy. I am sure he loves our lazy lab too though. Now, dog sledding is a bit of a two for one family adventure and for the price you are going to be thankful!
Dog sledding usually requires you to fly into the area where the dogs are and where this family adventure will take place. Incredible and quite simply iconic glacial scenic flights bring you right to where you need to be.
Once landed you can just marvel at the incredible place on which you stand before meeting your adorable transport. Most dog sledding experience companies will be able to equip you with everything that you will need. Do not forget that camera though!
I love that once you have finished your ride you are able to cuddle and snuggle with the dogs. Apparently the puppies need lots of extra cuddles and love and who am I to argue with that.
This is definitely a family adventure that caters to the whole family, even young children. I really appreciate experiences such as this that are so unique being able to include everyone. In the past we have had to split up on big family adventures when the littlest ones were too young.
Seward Helicopter Tours offer outstanding packages which include a scenic helicopter flight with a window seat (ultimate bonus), dog sledding and extra time for puppy cuddles.
Rock Climbing In Zion National Park
Our kids have loved rock climbing since they were babies. Rock climbing actually has some of the most astounding benefit for kids that I never knew about. You can read all about it over here, in our post on how to start rock climbing with kids.
Zion National Park holds so many memories for me. We are yet to rock climb there as our children were all to young and last time we visited I was 25 weeks pregnant with our youngest.
There is something about those red faced towering cliffs that scream adventure. Zion National Park, and Southern Utah in general is family adventures paradise. Adventure companies know that families love to be able to have experiences where everyone is challenged and having an amazing time.
The two experiences that we are planning to do are the family rock climb adventure and the family canyoneering adventure. These are both similar but different. Each of these family adventures caters for families with kids under 12. If your kids are 12 and over however you can embark of adventures that are a little more challenging.
Zion Adventures offers both full and half day family adventure tours in rock climbing and canyoneering. For the older kids there are also full and half day tours.
See the Northern Lights
The Northern Lights are one of the most humbling and unique phenomenons you can be witness too. Tromso in Norway has be heralded as the ultimate place to see the Northern Lights in the world. If you are going to only do it once you might as well go all out!
The paramount time for being able to see the lights and get an amazing view is between the months of September – April. Visitors will pick from two options when it comes to their Northern Lights family adventure.
The first being a chase. This is where you will meet your guide and “chase” the lights. Depending on the weather and time of year you could be in for a short chance or somewhat of a marathon event!
The second is the experience family adventure. The focus is not just on the Northern Lights but making the entire night all about an experience. This might include a night in a glass roofed cabin or ice hotel, dog sledding or snow mobile and of course being witness to the spectacular that is the Northern Lights.
Maria from Nerd Nomads does a brilliant job of sharing their experience of chasing the Northern lights on their adventure in Norway.
Raft the Grand Canyon
Several years ago on our visit to Arizona we stood at the top of Horseshoe Bend and saw rafters meandering the Colorado River beneath. Later that day we went to Grand Canyon National Park and it just cemented in our mind that need to take our family on a family adventure rafting the Colorado River.
The Grand Canyon is awe inspiring in all ways possible. It exudes family adventures, from hiking, biking riding and mule riding right through to rafting.
Rafting the Grand Canyon gives you an experience that you will not get in any other way. It is a totally different experience and perspective. What is really fun is that these rafting trips are not just one day family adventures! These rafting trips can last up to TWELVE days. That might be a little too much adventure for some families but if it is a special once of coming of age trip for example then why not go all out? You can obviously opt for much shorter timeframes.
These trips are for families with older children 8 and above depending on the trip you choose. The teen years are a great time to start some more challenging and adventurous family adventures and build those family relationships as you head into some of the hardest parenting years.
Be sure to check out Wilderness Rafting Adventures as they have a huge selection of different options to suit most family adventures
Swim With the Turtles
There is something special about being up and close with wildlife in their natural habitat. Our 6 year olds favourite animal is a snapping turtle but I don’t think we will be swimming with those guys!
Turtles are widely found throughout the world but we will be heading to the Great Barrier Reef to immerse ourselves in turtle territory. Our baby is turning 4 next month which means everyone now finally meets the age requirement for the experience.
Turtles love the warm waters that surround the Great Barrier Reef and love to laze their days away in the shallow waters of Lady Musgrave Island. These pristine, crystal clear waters allow uninhibited views of these magnificent creatures in their own homes.
Everyone in your family can embrace the adventure to their own comfort level. That means whether they are just watching from the boat, snorkelling on the surface or scuba diving beneath everyone is having post card memories of the adventure.
Machu Picchu Peru
Machu Picchu in Peru is the home to the ancient Inca ruins. It is, in fact on of the most famous archeological sites on the planet.
Locate not far from Cuzco, Machu Picchu sits hidden in the Peruvian Andes mountains. It is believed that it was once a place for royalty or religous affairs for the Inca people. Once the Spanish invaded the Inca’s were all but wiped out however Machu Picchu remains and still stands today. It stood dormant until American archeologer Hirum Bingham rediscovered it in 1911.
Since this time travellers have come to marvel at this breath taking part of history and culture. This is an incomparable family adventure to immerse your family in so much culture and history.
Swim in a Cenote
Our family loves natural swimming holes. Beaches, lakes, rivers, waterfalls and creeks and we will be there with bells on. I had no idea that cenote’s existed until a few years ago and I was blown away! I was totally pronouncing it wrong too but that’s another story.
To be technical a cenote is a natural sinkhole that results from collapsed limestone and exposes the spring water underneath. Cenote’s are very common in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. In historial times they were a source of water for the Mayan people. Now days many are used for recreation.
It feels quite magical swimming underground in some kind of secret hideaway. If you can not make it to the Yucatan peninsula I know that there is an incredible cenote in Florida called Devils Den. My favourite Youtubing family Keep Your Daydream made a magical video all about it that you need to watch.
Bathe in Icelands Blue Lagoon
Coming from New Zealand, we have grown up with hot springs only a short drive away. Iceland however, has just taken hot springs to the next level. The Blue Lagoon is like something I have never seen before. It is actually one of the 25 wonders of the world.
What I find absolutely intriguing is that the water is not freshwater like we are used to but is in fact geothermal sea water. You are able to even see the Northern Lights from the Blue Lagoon if you are lucky. Talk about combining family adventures! The lagoon itself is full of many minerals and silicas which give it the stunning blue appearance. Each entry also include as silica mud mask for you to try and a free drink.
Another bonus for family adventurers is that kids under 13 are FREE. Yes, you read that right. What a true blessing to be able to take your kids to experience this breathtaking wonder for free.
Eat a Pizza on The Streets of Italy
Does anyone else have a food bucket list? Well I do and this experience is pretty high on that list. Italy is iconic for pizza. Whenever you think of pizza or pasta it is always Italy. I can not think of anything much better that eating iconic food sitting on the streets of its home country.
Sorbillo is the pizzeria on the list for me. They are one of the longest standing pizza families in Naples so I think they know a good pizza!
Going a long with this is hot chocolate in Switzerland, croissants in France and a good English pub!
