Apart from Euro Disney and grasping at straws to come up with fresh ideas to not take your wee ones to the Louvre or the Champs Ellyses—again!—if your kids are into sports, try a soccer vacation for them. Sports International sponsors a European trip in from Russia to Spain, since most of that geographic region loves soccer to the level of fanaticism.

If soccer’s not your kid’s thing, the family can design their specific travel plans around a kid’s holiday. Say you’re visiting London and your child’s a fan of Sherlock Holmes. While the address of 12 1/2 Sterling is fictitious, 10 Dowling Street isn’t—and that’s the location of Scotland Yard, who Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s detective worked with all the time to solve London’s most notable crimes.

Many travel locations are more family friendly, but it’s really up to the travelers to make sure the kids have a fabulous time. Depending on the age and maturity levels of one’s child, colorful balloons, bright signage and a happy clown goes only so far. If a child traveling with family is over 14 and younger than 18, they can go sightseeing on their own, especially if castles or seeing where it all began for the Beatles is more interesting than another open air café with Mom, Dad and stinky little brother.

Another way to entertain the kids in the seven to twelve year old group: visit a planetarium. Seeing the night sky from another place on the planet—especially if that place happens to be in Australia where one can see the star Alpha Centauri—is always a great kick and could spark a natural curiosity in the age old wonderings of astronomy.