Europe is a truly fascinating destination in its diversity. There are many theme parks scattered throughout different countries, which you can visit gradually. Still in such a way that you can peek closer with a small child and the older the child, the further away. Since you need to be prepared for every situation when traveling with children, it is a wise idea to go by minibus so as not to worry about excess luggage. We have chosen destinations that are easily accessible by car or minibus.
3-6 years old – a short journey means more energy to explore
There is no need to travel very far with preschool children. Traveling is tiring enough, and if the journey takes several days, a smaller traveler will not have the energy to enjoy the experience. One of the easiest places to reach is Moominland. Moominland is located a two-hour drive from Helsinki, which is not a problem if you go by your own car or rent a minibus. By choosing the right ferry times, it is possible to be back in Estonia by evening.
In Moominland, everything that is familiar from cartoons or comics awaits children: the sky-blue Moomin House, the Old Man's House, the Fire Station, Snufkin's Tent and more. Of course, the famous characters created by Tove Jansson are also there to welcome guests! For slightly older children, you can also plan a trip to Väski Adventure Island.
If you've been to Finland, you could take a slightly longer boat trip and head to Sweden. On the island of Djurgården in Stockholm is Junibacken – a wonderful insight into the fairy-tale world of Astrid Lindgren. The stories of Pippi Longstocking, Emil Vahtramäe, Madlikes and Karlsson have long been favorites of Estonians, and what could be better than introducing your child to your favorites? The Junibacken experience also includes a train ride through Lindgren's stories, and the best part is that there is even an Estonian language option! Thanks to the fact that most of the activities take place indoors, there is no need to worry even in rainy weather.
7-12 years old – exciting fantasy worlds
The previously mentioned Junibacken can also be a worthy choice for this age group. Many children start reading books independently at a younger school age and will certainly come across some of Lindgren's stories. If a long car ride is no longer a problem, you can look further afield.
Denmark is just the right distance by car to make it an exciting, but not too long, car trip for children. And of course, there is Legoland in Denmark, every true Lego fan's dream. The park has a lot of different rides, attractions and generally exciting activities. Miniland, built using millions of Lego pieces, is a highlight that children will remember for years. To give your visit an especially luxurious touch, you can plan an overnight stay at a Lego hotel with a themed interior design.
A little further away by car is France and Disneyland, a fairy-tale world in its best sense. The princesses known from Disney films are just as polite, elegant and royal in real life. But in addition to them, you can meet many other famous film characters at Disneyland, enjoy the magnificent parade that takes place every day and end the day with a powerful fireworks display. There are rides for more than a couple of days and for every taste. During the busy summer season, it is a good idea to use fast pass's system, which allows advance registration for more popular rides.
However, Disneyland is not the only fairy tale world in Europe. If France is too far or too expensive, the Netherlands could be the destination. Efteling is a relatively unknown destination among foreigners, but it is still one of the oldest amusement parks in the world and, at least among locals, it is a beloved place to spend time with the family. Efteling is an extremely good destination for families with young children, but it also has adrenaline-filled attractions, making it an interesting place to visit for families with children of all ages.
12+ – trip according to the child's interests
Teenagers have clearly developed their own interests and preferences, and it is worth taking them into account when planning a trip. It is a good time to take a trip to Sweden with animal and nature fans. The largest animal park in the Nordic countries, Kolmården, is home to more than six hundred animals from all over the world. Thanks to the gondola in the safari park, you can get a very exciting overview of both Nordic animals such as bears and wolves as well as more exotic animals – giraffes, tigers and lions. Another attraction of Kolmården is the dolphinarium, where, in cooperation with skilled trainers, you can get a glimpse of the wonderful world of dolphins.
If you've outgrown Disneyland and Legoland and want to experience a new kind of theme park, then Europa-Park, Germany's largest amusement park, would be a good idea. You can also take a trip there with younger children, but it's easier with older children. The older the child, the less you have to worry about the park's height restrictions, but it's good to know that up to the age of 12, admission is free for children on their birthdays! The amusement park has over a hundred attractions. The fact that the area is divided between different countries and the attractions are related to the respective countries also makes the discovery more exciting.
You can rent a minibus for your trip. www.rendibuss.ee