The festive season is just around the corner, and so are the school holidays. If you’re wondering where to take the kids for a vacation in December, here are some family-friendly getaway ideas to inspire you. Bon voyage!
Winter Wandering
The prospect of spending your vacation in a wintry wonderland blanketed by snow can be very appealing if you live in the tropics. From snowboarding to a hotpot meal in a snow hut, these experiences are perfect for families in search of some frosty fun.
Say Hello to the Snow Monkeys (Tokyo, Japan)
Relax in a hot spring, hang out with snow monkeys, and indulge your sweet tooth. You can even sneak in some education for your children on this vacation with a stroll around the Zenkoji Temple as you learn about its history.
Harbin Ice and Snow Festival (Harbin, China)
The Harbin Ice and Snow Festival is a perennial crowd-pleaser. A drive through the Siberian Tiger Park is guaranteed to impress children: it has over 200 Siberian tigers and lions roaming freely. The Snow Sculpture Expo is simply breathtaking, and by night, there’s the visual feast of the Ice Lantern Festival to enjoy.
Skiing and Spas (Seoul, South Korea)
Photo credit: Yongpyeong Ski Resort
Ski and snowboard to your heart’s content at the Yongpyeong Ski Resort. For members of the family who would rather enjoy the resort indoors, there’s a spa with piped water from natural hot springs nearby.
Have Snow Hut, Will Eat Hotpot Dinner (Iiyama, Japan)
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to have dinner inside a giant, hollow ball of snow, this will satisfy your curiosity. Watch the sunset from a rather cosy snow hut as you enjoy a home-cooked hot pot meal. Hey, who else can say they’ve had dinner in an enormous snowball?
Christmas Wonderland 2015 at Gardens By the Bay (Singapore)
Dreaming of a white Christmas in sunny Singapore? The Christmas Wonderland 2015 Carnival at Gardens By the Bay has an impressive lineup of frosty fun for the whole family. From the ice skating rink to the snow playground and the ice palace, this is the place to be if you want some wintry fun, but you don't plan to wander too far in search of it. The Christmas floral display is well worth a visit with the kids, as it's filled with a variety of adorable snowmen and teddy bears. If you're thinking about seeing the Christmas light-up at Orchard Road as well, why not try an open-top bus ride or a walking tour after your adventures at Gardens By the Bay?
Indoor Skiing and Snowboarding (Singapore)
If you yearn for snowy mountain slopes but you can't take time off to learn how to ski, you'll be happy to know that you can try your hand at indoor skiing or snowboarding in sunny Singapore. No plane ticket needed!
Christmas in Bethlehem (Jerusalem, Israel)
If you're looking for an unforgettable festive vacation, celebrating Christmas Eve in Bethlehem is an experience you'll cherish for a lifetime. You'll visit historically significant sites like the Mount of Olives, the Garden of Gethsemane, and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the Old City. Soak in the Christmas joy during dinner at Manger Square. After that, you can watch the Midnight Christmas Mass at the Church of the Nativity on a large screen (if you're lucky, you may be able to get into the church proper to witness the Mass).
Theme Parks
Legoland (Johor Bahru, Malaysia)
Giant blocks of Lego ensure that you spot this theme park from rather far away. The first Lego theme park in Asia, Legoland has 40 rides spread out over 76 acres. This is not only fun, it’s also a great way to keep astoundingly energetic children happily occupied for the entire day.
KidZania (Bangkok, Thailand)
Are you an overachiever? Is your child an overachiever? Do you suspect that your child already has a five-year plan although they just turned five years old? If you answered yes to one or more of those questions, then you’ll want to check out KidZania. This is an educational indoor theme park for young children (4 and up). Instead of rollercoaster rides, kids can try their hand at over 70 different professions. They even get paid - not in legal tender, of course - in Kidzos, the KidZania currency. Check on your emails and have a coffee while your type-A child checks off a list of possible career paths - all the children are fitted with security bracelets, so you don’t have to worry about them getting lost.
Everland (Seoul, South Korea)
Thanks to its variety, Everland is perfect for large family vacations with several children and assorted nephews, nieces and relatives in tow. The park is divided into themed zones, including the animal-themed Zootopia and rides based on Aesop’s fables.
Ocean Park (Hong Kong)
This award-winning theme park has a mind-boggling array of entertainment for the whole family. Take your pick from the marine mammal park, the amusement park, the oceanarium or the animal theme park. Better yet, work your way through all of them! Ocean Park also does some commendable conservation work, including rescuing injured marine animals in Hong Kong waters under the Marine Rescue Team initiative.
Sanrio Puroland (Tokyo, Japan)
Depending on how you feel about Hello Kitty and gang, the kitschy, kawaii overload that is Sanrio Puroland will either make you squeal in delight or give you nightmares for several weeks. Which will it be? Well, there’s only one way to find out!