With UK school holidays fast approaching, families across the country are already searching for the best family summer holidays for 2026. From finding warm-weather destinations to securing affordable flights and attraction tickets, planning a summer break that suits both parents and children can often feel like a challenge.
To help families plan smarter this year, we’ve created the ultimate guide to family summer holiday planning, revealing where to go, when to travel and how to get the best value for your money. Whether you’re looking for sunshine favourites in Europe, a theme park holiday in Florida or a memorable staycation in the UK, we’ve put together the best tips and destinations that combine sunshine, value and entertainment, so that you can keep boredom firmly at bay.
Drawing on research into travel trends, flight pricing data, and seasonal weather patterns, our CEO Oliver Brendon explains:
“Planning a family holiday can often be overwhelming, especially during peak summer months when schools are out. That’s why we’ve created the ultimate guide to family summer holiday planning, combining thorough research and expert insight to help families enjoy experiences without overspending. By taking the hard work out of the equation, this guide is aimed to help families enjoy a stress-free and truly memorable summer holiday, wherever they plan to go.”
Best family holiday destinations by month: weather and prices
To identify the best family holiday destinations from the UK, our travel experts analysed destinations between April and September using four key data points:
- Average monthly temperature
- Average rainfall levels
- Typical daily sunshine hours
- Median flight cost per person
By combining weather data with real flight pricing and expert insight, we created a ranking of destinations that deliver maximum value for UK families without compromising on sunshine or experience.
Best family holiday destinations in April 2026:
- Portugal: 18°C average, up to 8 hours of sunshine, £130pp median cost (according to Google Flights)
- Spain: 17°C average, up to 8 hours of sunshine, £60pp median cost (according to Google Flights)
- Greece: 19°C average, up to 8 hours of sunshine, £95pp median cost (according to Google Flights)
- Florida: 24°C average, up to 8 hours of sunshine, £502pp median cost (according to Google Flights)
April is ideal for Easter family holidays, offering warm spring temperatures, lower crowds and better-value flights compared to peak summer months. It’s a great time for beach breaks or early theme park trips.
“November through May is a great time to visit Florida, with warm days, cooler evenings and overall lower humidity," says Oliver Brendon. “It’s also largely outside hurricane season, so you're less likely to have your plans interrupted by storms or heavy rainfall, which is always an added bonus.”
Best family holiday destinations in May 2026:
- Cyprus: 24°C average, up to 10 hours of sunshine, £152pp median cost (according to Google Flights)
- Tenerife: 22°C average, up to 9 hours of sunshine, £102pp median cost (according to Google Flights)
- Greece: 22°C average, up to 10 hours of sunshine, £113pp median cost (according to Google Flights)
- Florida: 26°C average, up to 8 hours of sunshine, £505pp median cost (according to Google Flights)
May is one of the best months for family travel from the UK, offering long daylight hours, warm weather and prices that remain competitive ahead of the summer school holidays.
Best family holiday destinations in June 2026:
- Portugal: 25°C average, up to 11 hours of sunshine, £97pp median cost (according to Google Flights)
- Paris: 20°C average, up to 9 hours of sunshine, £93pp median cost (according to Google Flights)
- Italy: 23°C average, up to 9 hours of sunshine, £70pp median cost (according to Google Flights)
- California: 22°C average, up to 10 hours of sunshine, £382pp median cost(according to Google Flights)
June is perfect for families looking to enjoy early summer holidays. It balances warm temperatures with fewer crowds, making it ideal for European city breaks or long-haul trips to destinations like California.
Best family holiday destinations in July 2026:
- Spain: 30°C average, up to 12 hours of sunshine, £118pp median cost (according to Google Flights)
- Greece: 30°C average, up to 12 hours of sunshine, £193pp median cost (according to Google Flights)
- Croatia: 28°C average, up to 11 hours of sunshine, £175pp median cost (according to Google Flights)
July offers reliable sunshine and minimal rainfall, making Southern Europe some of the best-value family holiday destinations during the school holidays.
Best family holiday destinations in August 2026:
- Portugal: 29°C average, up to 12 hours of sunshine, £132pp median cost (according to Google Flights)
- Spain: 31°C average, up to 12 hours of sunshine, £84pp median cost (according to Google Flights)
- Croatia: 29°C average, up to 11 hours of sunshine, £137pp median cost (according to Google Flights)
Although August is peak season, these destinations continue to offer strong value family holidays, with consistent sunshine and excellent resorts. This is perfect for families who love really hot weather - just remember to bring SPF and prepare to stay hydrated.
Best family holiday destinations in September 2026:
- Portugal: 25°C average, up to 11 hours of sunshine, £110pp median cost (according to Google Flights)
- Greece: 29°C average, up to 11 hours of sunshine, £147pp median cost(according to Google Flights)
- California: 21°C average, up to 10 hours of sunshine, £366pp median cost (according to Google Flights)
September is ideal for families seeking cheaper holidays, combining warm weather with reduced crowds and lower flight prices.
The best family holidays to keep children entertained
To help parents avoid holiday boredom, we analysed thousands of family reviews to create the Banish Boredom Index, identifying the holidays most likely to keep children entertained all trip long.
Top boredom-proof family holiday destinations:
- Blackpool Pleasure Beach, UK
- Walt Disney World Resort, Florida, USA
- Universal Orlando Resort, Florida, USA
- Ribby Hall Village, UK
- Disneyland Paris, France
Oliver explains:
“Nowadays, keeping children entertained on holiday is more challenging than ever. With many kids accustomed to the instant gratification of iPad games and interactive television shows, traditional holiday moments, such as lounging by the pool or playing on the beach, often aren’t enough to hold their attention.
To take the guesswork out of planning, we created the Banish Boredom Index. By analysing hundreds of thousands of reviews, we identified the destinations and attractions that genuinely captivate kids and keep them engaged throughout the trip. The results are clear - the best family holidays are the ones where children are immersed in the experience from start to finish.
It’s no surprise that destinations such as Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Walt Disney World, and Universal Orlando Resort top the list, as they each offer high levels of interactivity and imagination. For parents, that means fewer screen-time battles and more meaningful moments together.
If you're hoping to break the iPad habit this summer, the data speaks for itself - swap Wi-Fi for rides, tower drops, or historical activities. Whether you’re planning a staycation or a long-haul escape, real-world excitement is the key to banishing your children’s boredom in 2026.”
How to find the best family holiday deals for summer
Chris Bradshaw, our in-house travel expert here at AttractionTickets.com, has shared his top money-saving tips:
Beat online pricing tools
Before you start comparing prices, browse in incognito mode or clear cookies before booking, as prices can fluctuate based on browsing behaviour.
Be flexible with travel dates and airports
Flying midweek, choosing early departures or using regional UK airports can significantly reduce costs. Whilst they may require extra travel, these smaller airports often have lower demand, which can leave you with more spending money for any bucket-list adventures.
Use Price Alerts strategically
When prices rise after an alert, it often signals increasing demand, meaning it’s time to book before the next price jump!
Join loyalty schemes early
Email sign-ups and loyalty programmes can unlock pre-sale discounts and exclusive offers, giving you extra spending money once you arrive.
Choose bundled attraction tickets
Multi-attraction tickets often provide better value and protect against exchange-rate changes, so planning ahead and booking multi-attraction tickets is one of the easiest ways for families to get more for their money.
Family travel hacks every parent should know
To help families prepare for summer holidays, Oliver Brendon, our CEO, has shared his top travel tips:
Fly midweek and early
“Aim for a Tuesday or Thursday departure as these are often quieter and less expensive. Early mornings work wonders with fewer queues, calmer airports and kids are far more likely to fall asleep whilst you settle down.”
Drop baggage early
“Take advantage of online check-in services and drop your luggage at the counter as soon as possible to avoid the last-minute scramble and added stress.”
Use family security lanes
“Many UK airports have family-friendly security lines, which are often shorter and easier to navigate, letting you move through with minimal stress”.
Pack layers
“Cabin temperatures fluctuate throughout flights, so ensuring you’ve packed easy-to-grab layers can be a great tip. A cardigan or lightweight jumper can make all the difference in keeping little ones comfortable and care-free.”
Bring simple activities
“A small bag of activities like colouring books and puzzles can work wonders. Even card games like Top Trumps or UNO can be a great way to get the whole family involved, even if you’re spread across the opposite aisle.”
Plan your 2026 summer holiday today
Planning a family summer holiday from the UK doesn’t need to be complicated. By choosing the right destination at the right time and prioritising immersive experiences, families can enjoy unforgettable holidays without overspending.
Explore exclusive attraction ticket deals, expert-approved packages and family-friendly experiences with us at AttractionTickets.com and start planning your perfect summer holiday for 2026.
