Theme parks are fun – for about three hours. Then I’ve had enough, my husband’s quietly losing the will to live (if he even agreed to come in the first place!), and even the kids aren’t totally convinced.

If you’re looking for a different kind of travel adventure with kids in Europe, this post is for you. These outdoor adventures aren’t extreme challenges or jam-packed tours. They’re exciting, achievable trips that both parents and kids genuinely love.

You don’t need to be super fit, pack loads of gear, or have a huge budget. You just need a bit of energy, curiosity and a willingness to try something different.

We’ve done all of these trips ourselves, and every single one has been a hit with the kids. No theme parks and no crowds; just a lot of freedom and fresh air, and a very different kind of family holiday. 

1. Sleep in a mountain hut in the Alps

There’s something magical about hiking up to a remote mountain hut, watching the sun dip behind the peaks, and waking up to hot coffee and a hearty breakfast at 2,000 metres. It sounds hardcore, but it doesn’t have to be.

Hut to hut hiking with kids is one of the best alternative family holidays Europe has to offer. The routes we’ve done in Austria, Italy, and France have been extremely manageable for active families, and honestly, a lot of fun and a big dollop of adventure.

You don’t need to carry a tent or cook your own food; the huts serve hot and really delicious meals (usually with extensive menus and even aperol spritz if you like that sort of thing!), the beds are cosy, and there’s usually a pack of Uno cards lying around for you to play. Some even have playgrounds or goats outside to feed.

  • Three hikers, including two children and one adult, walk along a gravel path bordered by wildflowers, heading towards a dramatic mountain range under a sunny sky. The adult carries a large backpack, while the children wear colorful outfits with smaller backpacks. In the distance, lush green fields and jagged Dolomite peaks rise against fluffy white clouds.
  • Two people smiling and clinking glasses with a bright orange Aperol spritz drink at an outdoor wooden table. They are under a wooden shelter with mountainous terrain in the background. Its a sunny day.
  • A young boy smiling widely while seated at a wooden table, holding a fork and ready to enjoy a plate of Kaiserschmarrn, a traditional Austrian dessert topped with powdered sugar and served with applesauce. The setting appears cozy and rustic, with a menu and decorations visible in the background.
  • A cozy wooden room in a mountain hut, featuring four simple single beds with checkered beige bedding. Red and white checkered curtains frame a small window, letting in natural light. Ideal for hikers seeking rustic accommodations during their trek.

The kids love the sense of self sufficiency that comes with hiking from one place to the next whilst carrying their own kit – and having a big piece of cake in the mountain huts at the top of every climb definitely helps. It’s a proper screen-free family holiday, with all the fun of being outdoors, but enough comfort to keep everyone happy.

If you’re looking for family adventure holidays in Europe that don’t involve queues or artificial thrills, this is a brilliant place to start. Choose a short, well-marked route, pack light, and don’t be afraid to take your time. You don’t need to be mountain people – just a bit curious.

Helpful links to get started:

2. Cycle a long-distance bike path (no traffic in sight)

If you’ve ever tried cycling with kids near actual cars, you’ll know it’s… not relaxing. Which is why the long-distance cycle paths we’ve discovered in Austria and Northern Italy are such a game-changer.

Many follow river valleys, are completely traffic-free, and have flat, well-signposted routes that are perfect for family cycling holidays.

Austria and northern Italy have a variety of bike routes which are super family friendly – think ice cream stops, castle detours, and swimming spots every few kilometres.

We’ve done several routes as a family, including the Drau, Adige, and Tauern cycle paths, and they’ve all been brilliant. I planned each day so we’d ride for just a few hours, leaving plenty of time to stop at outdoor pools, explore museums, go for short hikes, or just relax with a cold drink somewhere scenic.

  • A group of cyclists, including adults and children, posing on a paved path surrounded by green fields and a wooden fence. The backdrop features a picturesque alpine landscape with forested hills and distant mountains under a sunny blue sky. The riders are wearing helmets and colourful gear, exuding energy and enthusiasm for their outdoor adventure.
  • A smiling woman in a white bike helmet and sunglasses takes a selfie while cycling on a paved path surrounded by green fields and mountains. Behind her, two people—an adult and a child—are also riding bikes, with the child on an orange bike. The scene is set in a sunny, scenic valley with clear skies and lush greenery.
  • Two children cycling on a sunny forest trail, surrounded by lush greenery and enjoying their Austria cycling holiday.
  • Two cyclists, including a child and an adult towing a bike trailer, enjoying the scenic Adige Cycle Path bordered by apple orchards and mountain views under a clear blue sky. This illustrates a family-friendly adventure while cycling the Adige Cycle Path with kids.

The kids loved the sense of purpose – following a river, spotting the next town on the map, and rolling into a new place each afternoon. Most of these routes are flat or gently downhill, which makes a huge difference for little legs (and grown-up ones too).

And thanks to the brilliant infrastructure in Austria and northern Italy, this kind of trip is surprisingly easy to organise. There are family-run B&Bs and hotels all along the routes, and bike hire companies let you pick up bikes at the start and drop them off at the end – no need to loop back or lug bikes back to the start on the train.

It’s cycle touring with kids, but at a pace that actually works. No long slogs, no pressure to rush – just enough riding to feel like an adventure, with plenty of time to enjoy everything along the way. And for us, it’s the ideal kind of active holiday – outdoorsy and adventurous, but still fun and flexible.

If you’re curious but not sure where to start, I’ve written about the routes we’ve done in more detail – including our top tips for keeping everyone happy on two wheels.

Helpful links to get started:

3. Sleep on a night train to a new country

There’s something undeniably exciting about going to bed in one country and waking up in another. For kids, it feels a bit like time travel – especially when they’re tucked up in bunk beds in their pyjamas, rattling through multiple countries on the way to somewhere completely new.

We’ve taken several night trains with the kids, and they’re always a hit. From Vienna to Split, Venice to Stuttgart, Paris to Salzburg and Amsterdam to Innsbruck, the sleeper trains in Europe are well-run, pretty comfortable, and often more relaxing than flying. 

You can bring your own snacks (essential), skip the airport faff, and get a full night’s sleep en-route to your next adventure. Some trains even have family compartments with private bathrooms.

  • Two kids laughing and peeking from their sleeper train bunks during a family bike holiday in Austria.
  • A family relaxes in a train compartment with blue cushioned benches. A father smiles at the camera while two children sit on opposite benches, one with headphones and the other using a tablet. Backpacks and bottled water are on the small table by the window.
  • A young child with curly blonde hair is lying in a sleeper train bed, smiling while holding a plush toy. White sheets are wrapped around them, and a small train compartment is visible in the background.
  • Two children wearing backpacks and matching yellow shirts stand in front of a dark blue night train labeled “Schlafwagen.” They smile at the camera under artificial station lights.

It’s also brilliant about how involved the kids get in the journey. Navigating big stations, checking departure boards, spotting signs in different languages – it’s all part of the adventure. 

If you’re interested in how travel can build life skills, I’ve written more about that here:
🧠 How travel helps kids build resilience and independence

Travelling overland gives a much clearer sense of where we’ve come from and where we’re going. You see the landscape change, notice regional differences, and pass through places you’d never see from the air.

It’s geography, culture, and confidence-building all rolled into one, and you get a better sense of where you actually are. It’s not just about getting from A to B – it turns the journey into part of the holiday.

Helpful links to get started:

4. Swim somewhere fun: Wild swimming & lidos in Europe for families

Outdoor swimming on the continent is a world away from what we’re used to in the UK. In Austria, Germany, and northern Italy, Freibäder (outdoor public pools) are a summer essential – and they’re fantastic for families.

Picture big grassy areas for lounging, shaded toddler pools, whirlpool sections, and a slide that’s the highlight of the day.

We always try to fit in a outdoor pools when we’re travelling in the Alps. The kids alternate between the diving board and the slide (and if they’re lucky, the snack kiosk!) for hours.

It’s always an easy, relaxed way to spend an afternoon. There’s space to spread out, a mix of shallow and deeper pools, and something for everyone to enjoy. Many even have splash zones or little playgrounds, and entry fees are refreshingly reasonable.

We also love swimming in natural water, and Europe has plenty of spots where it feels like a proper adventure. We’ve swum in alpine lakes with wooden jetties, cooled off in shallow rivers, and found natural pools tucked away in the woods. You don’t need to hike for miles either; some of the best ones are just off a cycle path or road, with toilets and a café nearby.

  • A woman swimming in a clear, green natural pool surrounded by lush forest. A small waterfall flows into the pool, creating a tranquil setting with sunlight streaming through the trees.
  • A child stands knee-deep in a green natural swimming pool, wearing goggles, with surrounding hills and trees. A house with solar panels stands nearby, set against a clear blue sky and a mountain in the background.
  • A child wearing a blue swimsuit slides down a bright yellow water slide into a sparkling blue pool, creating a splash. The water slide is part of an outdoor swimming pool complex surrounded by grassy lawns and forested hills under a sunny sky.
  • A child in a colourful swimsuit stands on a rock in the middle of a shallow, clear stream surrounded by smooth stones. Another child wades through the water in the background, with a lush forest of tall green trees and a small wooden structure visible under a bright blue sky.

It’s the sort of activity that works for all ages, doesn’t cost much, and almost always ends up being one of the kids’ favourite parts of the trip.

Helpful links to get started:

5. Hike to a refugio in Mallorca

If you think hiking in Mallorca sounds a bit hot, you’re not alone. But go in spring or autumn (we went in our Easter break) and it’s a completely different story. The temperatures are much more comfortable and you can still finish your hike with a refreshing dip in the sea.

The GR221 long-distance trail runs across the Tramuntana mountains in the north west of the island, and several stages work really well for families. You’ll find stone villages, sea views, the scent of orange blossom, and a good network of public buses to help shorten the route when your legs need a break.

  • Two children walk hand-in-hand past stone houses in the charming village of Deia, beginning their hike after getting off the local bus. A perfect start to a family-friendly Mallorca itinerary.
  • Looking down on the stone buildings of Refugi Tossals Verds tucked into a green mountain valley, a peaceful rest stop on Mallorca’s long-distance hiking network.
  • A child sits on a bunk bed in a rustic dorm room with wooden beams and sunlight streaming through the window—typical overnight accommodation on the GR221 Mallorca hiking itinerary for beginners or families.
  • Two kids hiking through shaded woodland trails bordered by dry stone walls, a typical landscape feature of the Serra de Tramuntana and a hallmark of Mallorca’s hiking experiences.

The refugios along the trail are simple but welcoming. They’re usually in beautiful old stone buildings with bunk rooms, hot meals, and a friendly mix of walkers from all over.

It’s a great way to dip into the hiking community for a night or two; chatting to other travellers, having a drink on the outdoor patio, and playing cards after dinner.

You can easily do a single overnight stage or string a few together using the local buses to suit your family’s pace.

I hiked from Deià to Port de Pollença over a few days with my kids, using the bus to shorten some of the longer stages of the classic GR221 route.

We also had time to explore Palma, which is beautiful and very walkable, and swam in the sea in three different places; finishing with a relaxed beach day in Port de Pollença. A brilliant mix of walking, swimming, and exploring, all without needing a car.

Helpful links to get started:

6. Try canyoning (or whitewater rafting) in Europe with kids

Jumping off rocks into deep pools. Sliding down natural chutes. Wriggling through waterfalls in a wetsuit and helmet. Canyoning isn’t the cheapest day out, but it’s not something most people can safely do without a guide, and having someone experienced leading the way made it a really fun and easy (albeit a little bit nerve wracking!) adventure, with just the right amount of challenge.

I booked a beginner- and child-friendly trip in northern Italy, not far from Lake Garda. We were all slightly nervous beforehand, but the guides were brilliant. The safety briefing was clear, the route was well-judged, and we had a nice group of just six people.

The kids were buzzing afterwards (and also completely wiped out)! Being in the chilly water, climbing and scrambling, doing slightly scary things and cheering each other on, brought a great sense of achievement.

  • A person wearing a helmet and wetsuit jumps off a rocky ledge into a deep pool below, while another person waits in the water. The scene is set in a dramatic canyon with moss-covered rock walls and clear water.
  • A smiling child in a red life jacket and white helmet swims in a calm section of canyon water, with mossy rock walls and sunlight filtering through the trees above.
  • A child wearing a helmet and life vest rappels down a rocky slope using a green rope, descending toward a pool of water below in a canyon with curved, rugged rock formations.
  • A person in a white helmet and red life vest carefully climbs down a narrow, rocky water channel with a small stream running between steep cliffs, surrounded by lush green forest.

There are beginner-friendly canyoning trips in many parts of the Alps. Most providers offer family sessions with a minimum age (usually around 8 to 10, depending on height and confidence) and provide all the gear.

It’s a proper outdoor adventure but one that feels achievable, even for kids who aren’t usually into extreme sports.

Whitewater rafting is another great option if you’d rather stay above the water than in it. I haven’t done it with my two yet, but it’s firmly on the list for our next Alpine adventure.

Helpful links to get started:

Thinking of giving it a go?

There’s nothing wrong with a theme park, but if you’re looking for something a bit more invigorating – less queuing, more doing – these outdoor adventures with kids in Europe are a brilliant alternative.

Whether it’s hiking to a mountain hut, swimming in a lake, or scrambling through a canyon in a wetsuit, these are the kinds of activities that my kids remember!

They’re not about thrills on demand; they’re about getting outside, having fun, and doing something that feels a little bit different.

You don’t have to pick just one, either. A lot of these work really well in combination; like a hut to hut hike followed by a traffic free cycle tour and then an overnight train (see my Alps to Adriatic itinerary), with a bit of canyoning or lake swimming thrown in. 

That’s the beauty of active holidays with kids in Europe: you can shape them to suit your pace, your budget, and your sense of adventure.

If you’re thinking about planning your own family adventure holiday, there’s plenty more detail around the blog, including:

Have a browse, save a post for later, or please get in touch if you want help working out where to start! I’m always happy to chat.

Bea Searle is the creator of Wild Bee Outdoors. Having lived in Austria as a kid, she fell in love with the mountains early on. Passionate about sustainable train travel and outdoor adventures with her family, Bea shares local insights, detailed routes, and plenty of tips for hut to hut hiking and multi-day cycling trips in the European Alps and beyond; along with ideas for worthwhile detours to make every journey unforgettable. Her goal? To inspire you to embrace the mountains, dodge the tourist traps, and explore with confidence.