Best kid-friendly destinations for a family vacation in Europe

We are planning our first big family trip to Europe for next summer with our two kids, who will be 7 and 10 years old at the time. We want somewhere that strikes a good balance between keeping the kids entertained and letting the adults enjoy some culture and good food. Does anyone have recommendations for cities or regions that are easy to navigate with children and packed with fun activities?

You should definitely consider Copenhagen! It is super walkable, incredibly safe, and Tivoli Gardens is an absolute dream for 7 and 10-year-olds. Plus, the food scene there is top-notch for adults.

Rome is fantastic for that age group. Kids love the Colosseum and pretending to be gladiators, and you get amazing gelato and pasta. Just be prepared for cobblestones with strollers if you had one, but at 7 and 10, your kids will walk fine.

If you want a mix of culture, fairy-tale castles, and great food, the Bavaria region in Germany is hard to beat. Neuschwanstein Castle looks like it jumped right out of a movie.

Before you book anything, I highly recommend checking out this Budget Reality Check to get a realistic idea of what a 10-day family trip will actually cost you.

Amsterdam is another great option. Renting bikes with kids' seats or trailers is so much fun, and the NEMO Science Museum is hands-down one of the best children's museums in Europe.

We took our kids when they were 6 and 9, and London was a massive hit. The Natural History Museum and the Science Museum are both free and completely engaging for those ages.

Consider flying into Zurich and taking the trains. If you love scenic views, you might want to look into Europe's Most Scenic Train Journeys since Swiss trains are extremely kid-friendly and take the stress out of travel.

The Dordogne region in France is amazing if you want to escape the massive tourist crowds. Lots of prehistoric caves, canoeing on the river, and incredible food for the parents.

Barcelona gives you the best of both worlds: a bustling European culture trip combined with a literal beach vacation. The Park Güell is wonderfully whimsical for kids.

Vienna is surprisingly great for kids. They have the Prater amusement park with the giant Ferris wheel, and the city is very clean, safe, and easy to navigate via tram.

If you are feeling adventurous and want to step slightly off the beaten tourist path, you could explore some options inspired by a Balkan Odyssey trip, though Croatia's coast might be an easier starting point with kids.

Edinburgh is magical for 7 and 10-year-olds. The castle looks like something straight out of Harry Potter, and hiking up Arthur's Seat burns off all that extra kid energy.

Don't overlook the south of Sweden, especially around Malmö and Gothenburg. It is very relaxed, incredibly kid-centric, and the food is fresh and delicious.

Whatever you do, don't over-schedule! Pick one or two cities max for a week or ten days. Kids need downtime, and so do you.