Family vacations change and evolve as the kids grow up. Middle School kids are looking for a vacation with adventure. What are the top 5 vacation destinations for families with a middle schooler? Find out more in the article below.
Universal Orlando
One of the top vacations for middle school kids is Universal Orlando Resort. They will enjoy the adrenaline rush from the roller coasters, brave the inverted loop at Jurassic World VelociCoaster, or experience my personal favorite, Krakatau Aqua Coaster.
By middle school, this age group has read some, if not all of the Harry Potter books. Universal has not one, not two, but three themed lands in the Wizarding world of Harry Potter. One at each of the parks: Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, and the newest park (as of May 2025) Epic Universe. Wizards can try their hand at casting spells, scream with pure excitement at Hagrid’s Motorbike Adventure, or enjoy frozen butter beer while watching the Tales of the Beetle the Bard.
The most popular resort Markwood Magic books for middle school families are Cabana Bay Beach Resort for its proximity to Volcano Bay and Hard Rock Resort, which is the close to Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios. Helio Grand is at the entrance to Epic Universe. Make sure to get a room with a theme park view.
Mexican Caribbean – all-inclusive resort
Ahh! The River Maya area is very popular with Markwood Magic families. Even when the water is cold back at home, you can swim in the ocean year around. Going to an all-inclusive give middle school kids the option to hang with the family for part of the time and/or hang with new friends at the kids clubs. There is enough to do at the resorts without having to leave, but if you want to go on an excursion – there are a lot of options. Here you can go swimming in a cenote, explore Mayan ruins, take cooking classes, see whale sharks (seasonal), snorkel, and more. Xcaret has a plethora of unique parks you can visit even if you are not staying on property for an additional cost. From Xenses (a sense-theme amusement park with optical illusions) to Xplorer (an adrenaline filled park) it can be a lot of fun.
There are a ton of all inclusive resort options that are great for this age. To help narrow down which one is perfect for your family, schedule a consultation.
Japan
Japan has been growing in popularity the past two years with American travelers. Its best to spend a minimum of a week here, but two weeks is even better. In Japan Tokyo and Kyoto are the most popular cities Markwood Magic books for middle school families. Both Pokeman and Hello Kitty are found everywhere. Middle school kids can also learn about the culture and customs as they visit the temples and try new foods. The vendors Markwood Magic use for Japan provide transport to/from the airport, luggage forwarding services, and both private and small group tours depending on your travel style.
Mediterranean Cruise
The best part of a Mediterranean cruise is that you only unpack once and have the opportunity to visit multiple countries in a week or two. Middle school kids get the delight of seeing in person places they have learned about in school. They can learn about different cultures and taste authentic food in the region. In between ports, tweens and teens kids can hang out in a kids club or enjoy time as a family together. For shore excursions, we can create one private just for your family with input from the kids or we can recommend group tours from both the cruise line and tour operators we work with. Greece and Italy are at the top of the list for many of our traveling families.
Western Caribbean Cruise
Western Caribbean cruises are some of my favorites for middle school families. Western Caribbean cruises include ports of call in Mexico, Belize, Dominican Republic, Jamacia, and the Grand Cayman Islands. Of course, the exact ports of call will vary depending on the cruise itinerary. The Western Caribbean has some great spots for snorkeling, scuba diving, and adventure sports such as ziplining. Just like a Mediterranean cruise, you unpack once and get to visit multiple countries. Many middle school kids have big appetites and cruises are known to have a lot of food. The biggest ships offer plenty of activities for this age range from surfing on the Flowrider to race car track or roller coaster on sea. Western Caribbean cruises are a short drive/flight from home. you will find many kids of the same age with some of the most popular cruise lines. There are kids’ clubs and activities just for them.
Are you ready to start planning your next vacation? Markwood Magic would love to help! Schedule a consultation.
