Europe is home to so many family-friendly activities, it can be difficult to know where to spend your time with so many different options. From a theme park full of your favorite Disney characters to a museum which brings the world’s animals to life, here are the five best attractions and activities you can do with your kids in Europe. Best of all, you’re likely to enjoy them too!

Disneyland, Paris

Who doesn’t love Disney? Whether it be Mickey, Simba, Nemo, Woody, Wall-E, or one of the many princesses, everyone has a favorite Disney character (or ten). After all, Disney films are one of the main staples of many childhoods and you’re likely to remember them whether you’re a child, teenager, or a big kid at heart. 

At Disneyland Paris, you and your children will not only have the chance to meet the many different characters in person, you’ll also be able to enjoy plenty of rides, roller coasters, and attractions dedicated to each of the films. 

From new additions like “Star Wars” and Marvel superheroes, to Disney classics like “Aladdin” and “Toy Story,” there is truly something for everyone to enjoy when visiting Disneyland, and nobody leaves without a smile. Make sure to stick around for the light display at the end of the day as well. It’s worth the wait and offers plenty of spectacle after a long day of being amazed.

Harry Potter Studios Tour, London

One of the most magical film series of recent times, the Harry Potter books and films are synonymous with the challenges and triumphs of growing up. Why not experience some of that magic for yourself and share it with your own children by visiting the sets that the movies were filmed on? 

You can check out the props that were used in the making of the films, roam the halls of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, or try a Butterbeer while sitting in Ron’s famed flying car. However you choose to spend your time at the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London, it’ll certainly make for a memorable day out for you and your kids. 

Plus, if you’re a true Harry Potter fanatic, the Camber Sands coastline – where certain scenes in “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire” were filmed – is only a short train ride away. It might be worth staying a night or two, and the area has a number of equally magical cottages and hotels to choose from. 

Natural History Museum, London 

If your kids are interested in the natural world, there’s no better place to take them than London’s Natural History Museum. While many other European cities like Dublin and Vienna have their own variations, London’s South Kensington stands out amongst the rest, providing children and adults alike with an insightful look into the planet’s long history. 

Entry to the museum is free, and you can wander around each of the four, colored zones for as long as you like. Whether your kids are into biology (blue), evolution (green), geology (red), or the great outdoors (orange), they will walk away with new information and . 

Make sure to keep a special eye out for Dippy, the diplodocus dinosaur, and the giant hanging blue whale skeleton. Your kids won’t believe what they’re seeing. 

Efteling Theme Park, Netherlands 

While Paris’ Disneyland may steal most of the limelight as Europe’s best family-friendly attraction, a lesser-known theme park in the Netherlands is arguably equally as enjoyable, if not more. 

Located in the south of Holland, the beautiful, old-school Efteling Theme Park is the perfect place to go if your kids have an active imagination and love fairy tales. Opened back in 1952, the theme park may be one of the oldest in the world, however, it’s also one of the best and filled with numerous rides and attractions set among stunning Dutch scenery. 

The Colosseum, Rome

If your children love history and dressing up as gladiators, Rome’s historical Colosseum is a must-visit. Home to the city’s ancient heritage, the oval amphitheater at the center offers a real insight into what Roman life would have been like all the way back in 72 AD. 

What’s more, Rome itself is the perfect place to visit for children and adults. Offering some of the best food you can eat across the entire globe (pizza and gelato, anyone?), Rome also boasts the Sistine Chapel, the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, and many more sights. 

The locals love kids there as well, making the Italian capital one of the most family-friendly places you can visit in Europe. 

Where are your favorite places to take your kids when you travel?

Header image by Annie Spratt.