The whole idea behind taking your kids on vacation is to broaden their horizons. You want them to appreciate history and be amazed by what’s out in the world. Of course, this can lead to boredom.

No matter how hard you work at it, your kids just don’t think the place you chose was fun. However, you can’t just do what they want since you can’t go on most of the rides and the ones you can go on, they can’t. This is where you need to look for places that delight your inner child. Here are five great suggestions to start you off.

The Mystery Spot

Ever spend hours traveling to a fabulous location only to find out the thing you wanted to see is closed? Then you might want to try The Mystery Spot where the only thing on the fritz is gravity. That’s right; right outside Santa Cruz, CA is a gravitational anomaly where normal physics seem to have taken its own vacation. Make sure to take a tennis ball or slinky, because you definitely won’t believe your eyes.

LEGOLAND Discovery Center Boston

There are LEGOLAND Discovery Centers all over the world. However, when one opens for the first time, there’s ten times the excitement. On May 23rd 2014, the LEGOLAND Discovery Center in Boston will be opening their doors. These indoor complexes feature the famous toy as well as interesting learning potential alongside some amazing models.

Harry Potter Museum

Many amusement parks try to recreate the experience of Harry Potter through roller coasters and fancy rides. That is not needed at the Harry Potter Museum outside Warner Brothers London studios. This museum features some of the actual sets from the historic movie series. This is probably the closest thing to being in the real Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

Retro Computer Museum

Ever feel like technology has passed you by? Remember those days when games and home computers still made sense or at least didn’t confuse you? Well, you and your kids can experience all these old tech classics at the retro computer museum. Special focus has been given to the computers found inside the home. The Retro Computer Museum includes all the gaming consoles you grew up with. See if your kids can compete with the games you grew up with.

Toys “R” Us Time Square

The biggest toy store in the world has to be the internet, but that’s not nearly as exciting as seeing things in person. One of NY’s biggest attractions is one of the largest toy stores in the world. The flagship store for Toys “R” Us features a 60 ft Ferris wheel, a 20 ft T-Rex that roars, and a life-size Barbie doll house. It spans 110,000 square feet of space with tons of interactive displays and toys for all ages.

Author:
Carlo Pandian is a freelance writer interested in creative play, free time activities and travel. Recently he babysat for his niece so he researched the best kids attractions to visit for her and himself sharing the results in this guest feature for the GreatAuPair blog.

Credits:

The Mystery Spot
www.mysteryspot.com/
Video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJU3OjcFTXM
LDC Boston
www.legolanddiscoverycenter.com/boston/
Video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hs-S-bgJ3g

Harry Potter Museum
www.businessinsider.com/harry-potter-museum-london-2012-12?op=1

Retro computer museum
www.retrocomputermuseum.co.uk/

Toys “R” Us Time Square
www.toysrusinc.com/about-us/times-square/