Winter travel with kids has its own kind of magic. These are a few destinations in Europe we’ve loved visiting in winter (or winter-adjacent 😉) months that I think would be great picks for other families, too. Hope this helps … Read More
I love thinking through some intentions at the start of each year! I loved that most of my goals last year were focused a bit more on lifestyle instead of specific accomplishments, and I’m excited to continue that in 2026. … Read More
2025 seemed to mark a year of more one-on-one birthday trips with our kids, which was really exciting! T and I went on his 10th birthday trip to Japan, and Dan and K finally made her 10th birthday trip to … Read More
I always love looking back to see the most popular blog posts of the year. It’s so fun seeing what you all have enjoyed and found helpful both from home and when traveling! It also helps me see what content … Read More
A few days ago, I shared some of my favorite products from the year – it’s always fun thinking about what has really served me and our family over the year and gotten repeated use. Then I always love seeing … Read More
K is not at all into makeup and beauty and skincare, which I tend to see a lot on teen girl gift guides. She’s rather bookish and outdoorsy (a fun combo), and loves music and jewelry. Here are a few … Read More
Each year, I love thinking through some of my favorite products that I’ve loved and used consistently – everything from beauty to personal care to the kitchen to travel. I love seeing what has actually stuck around and what new … Read More
I always love getting Dan’s Christmas gifts sorted early! It’s so nice to have everything organized down to the stocking stuffers – we even started wrapping and are hoping to finish it off so we can relax and enjoy the … Read More
Every Christmas, one of the biggest gifts I give myself is having all my kids’ presents decided, purchased, and mostly wrapped well before Christmas Day. Life just always gets so busy and it’s way less stressful for me to decide … Read More
It’s wild to me to think we’ve done our own family advent for over a decade now. It feels like we just started trying out a few traditions with tiny kids, and now it feels like we have several things … Read More
Here are all my favorite Black Friday deals available this year. They’re things we personally use frequently and really love, and have paid for with our own money. A lot of them are items where I stock up this time … Read More
Instead of doing a ton of Christmas present shopping, I tend to use Black Friday mostly as an opportunity to stock up on my favorite consumable items (like skincare). I love getting items I use every day for a much … Read More
Winter travel with kids has its own kind of magic. These are a few destinations in Europe we’ve loved visiting in winter (or winter-adjacent 😉) months that I think would be great picks for other families, too. Hope this helps you consider some new-to-you spots!
And here’s our winter vacation packing list that doesn’t require us to pack multiple extra suitcases for all our cool weather essentials.
If you want to lean into the magic of cold, Lapland is the place to do it. Ice sculptures, skating, Santa visits, sledding, husky rides, reindeer, and more. Dreamy (and absolutely frigid, so pack well). We all loved going to Finnish Lapland first thing in year during our winter break. It was absolutely magical riding with huskies and reindeer, and seeing our hair freeze right in front of our eyes. We also loved the overnight train there and back!
If you prefer temperate winter excursions, Cyprus is beautiful, mild, and not super busy during off season. It’s an ideal season for sightseeing, outdoor walks, and exploring archaeological sites without the summer crowds. Many family-friendly attractions stay open year-round, and beaches, parks, and historic towns feel calmer and easier to navigate with children. Between ancient ruins, cute villages, and beautiful sea views, there’s plenty to enjoy in the sun.
Obviously popular, but SIGNIFICANTLY less so in the winter months. While a bit cold, dark, and wet, Jan-March offer much lower crowds and plenty of activities for families indoors and out. The abundance of free museums are perfect to explore when the weather is dreary, and the relatively mild temperatures mean that even hitting up playgrounds (with good waterproofs) is totally doable.
And for more details about how to plan out your London trip with kids during festive season, grab my London festive family guide!
Tallinn’s old town is beyond magical in winter. With a beautiful old church on the main square, charming alleys, and hopefully a dusting of snow, it’s just the right size to explore on foot with little ones. Go while the Christmas market is up if you can!
Paris is always a good idea, even when it’s freezing! Visiting Paris in winter with kids can be surprisingly enjoyable, with fewer crowds, shorter lines at major attractions, and a calmer pace overall. Take the winter months as an opportunity to explore the many wonderful museums and pop into lots of chocolate and cheese shops and cozy cafes to warm up.
You probably won’t want to swim in the Blue Grotto, but Malta is SO much more than beautiful beaches, and winter is a perfect time to explore all of it. Go see the incredible Neolithic ruins without melting in the sun, explore the churches of Gozo, and see the fascinating military fort in Valetta.
Visiting Barcelona in winter with kids is a great way to enjoy the city without the intense heat and crowds of summer. Mild temperatures make it comfortable to explore GaudÃ’s colorful architecture, stroll through neighborhoods, and spend time in parks and along the waterfront. With family-friendly museums, indoor attractions, and plenty of space to wander, winter offers a relaxed, budget-friendly introduction to Barcelona that still feels lively and welcoming for families. Christmas season has the advantage of continuing into early January for Three Kings’ Day and is celebrated with a fun parade.
We did a winter European vacation and spent a week road-tripping through the eastern Balkans. Romania was out first stop, and we weren’t really sure what to expect traveling to Romania with kids. There isn’t much information available online about visiting Transylvania with kids, but we were thrilled with everything we experienced there. With mountains-dwelling castles offering fairytale views and charming cities that are still comfortable to explore, there’s plenty of culture and folklore to take advantage of during the winter months.
Bundle up to head to Budapest in the chilly and warm up in the abundance of thermal baths! With a castle on a hill, kid-friendly thermal baths, and lots of fun foods, Budapest is a perfect destination for family holidays. Less crowded than Prague, it has a similar fun and colorful vibe. We were fortunate enough to be there at Christmastime. Our kids loved wandering the Christmas markets with gloggi and chimney cakes!
The land of fire and ice feels like a different world in winter vs. summer. For one, you’ll see WAY fewer visitors and have some majestic landscapes practically to yourself. While it is certainly cold, it’s milder than many expect, generally similar in temperature to New York City or Boston. A great time to explore the southern part of the country especially.
If swimming in the sea isn’t really your thing, winter is a great time to head to Croatia. Visiting Croatia in winter with kids offers a quieter, more authentic experience, especially in historic cities like Dubrovnik, Split, and Zagreb. Cooler temperatures are ideal for exploring old towns, castles, and museums without crowds, and Zagreb’s winter festivals and holiday markets add a festive feel. While beach time is limited, Plitvice Lakes is magical in the snow.
The thing with visiting Ireland is you will very likely encounter wet and cold regardless of the season. So if you’re okay venturing out with good waterproofs for an extra day or two, and slightly chillier weather, heading there when almost no one else is can be a great option. You won’t be surprised to learn Ireland is bursting with gorgeous views and outdoor spaces, as well as plenty of cozy pubs that accommodate families. It’s also a country with the friendliest people who absolutely love kids!
Visiting Portugal in winter with kids is a relaxed and rewarding experience, with mild temperatures that make sightseeing comfortable and crowds much smaller than in summer. While not fully swim-at-the-beach weather throughout the winter, the views are pretty enough and the weather pleasant enough to still be super enjoyable. The cities, too, are temperate and perfect for exploring. Cities like Lisbon and Porto are easy to explore with children thanks to walkable neighborhoods, trams, viewpoints, and plenty of indoor attractions for cooler days.
There are a few cheap places to ski in Europe, and Bulgaria is one of them (perfect for beginners like us). Inexpensive lesson, lift tickets, and lessons during the day and a cozy (and affordable) cabin at night is peak winter travel. Build in a couple days to see the beautiful cities of Sofia & Plovdiv.
Italy’s capital rarely gets so cold that it’s unpleasant to explore, and winter is a great time to escape (some) of the crowds. Cooler weather makes it easier to explore outdoor sights like the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and piazzas, while museums and churches offer warm, engaging stops in between. With festive lights, seasonal treats, and plenty of space to wander, winter in Rome feels calmer and more manageable for families.
