The rules of family travel have changed: kids aren’t just tagging along, they’re helping pick where to go and what to do. And with only 18 years—and only a few dozen vacations to make them count—parents are going all in on the chance to bond. Our 2026 Trendcast is clear: Whether they’re five or 15, today’s kids have notes on destinations, lists of non-negotiables, and very strong POVs about aquariums.
The rules of family travel have changed: kids aren’t just tagging along, they’re helping pick where to go and what to do. And with only 18 years—and only a few dozen vacations to make them count—parents are going all in on the chance to bond. Our 2026 Trendcast is clear: Whether they’re five or 15, today’s kids have notes on destinations, lists of non-negotiables, and very strong POVs about aquariums.
of these kidfluencers ages 1-17 impact where their family goes, with nearly half (42%) serving as the main influence.
of these kidfluencers ages 1-17 impact where their family goes, with nearly half (42%) serving as the main influence.
of these kidfluencers ages 1-17 impact where their family goes, with nearly half (42%) serving as the main influence.
of these kidfluencers ages 1-17 impact where their family goes, with nearly half (42%) serving as the main influence.
6 demands of the kidfluencer
A big briefing from the kiddos.
6 demands of the kidfluencer
A big briefing from the kiddos.
6 demands of the kidfluencer
A big briefing from the kiddos.
6 demands
of the kidfluencer
A big briefing from the kiddos.
6 demands of the kidfluencer
A big briefing from the kiddos.
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It's a Kid's World
It's a Kid's World
"I would love to take my granddaughter on holiday, just the two of us. I am an active 60‑year‑old, and she is 9. She loves anything to do with animals and water. I will try anything that will give her a marvelous holiday."
"I would love to take my granddaughter on holiday, just the two of us. I am an active 60‑year‑old, and she is 9. She loves anything to do with animals and water. I will try anything that will give her a marvelous holiday."
"I would love to take my granddaughter on holiday, just the two of us. I am an active 60‑year‑old, and she is 9. She loves anything to do with animals and water. I will try anything that will give her a marvelous holiday."
"I would love to take my granddaughter on holiday, just the two of us. I am an active 60‑year‑old, and she is 9. She loves anything to do with animals and water. I will try anything that will give her a marvelous holiday."
Tripadvisor community, Family Travel forum
Tripadvisor community, Family Travel forum
By the numbers
Select a section to expand
By the numbers
By the numbers
By the numbers
Select a section to expand
By the numbers
01
IMPACT
Kids have a vocal seat at the table from the start.
70%
of kids dive into trip-planning early in the inspo and research phase
02
EXPERIENCES
When it comes to the itinerary, kids are calling the shots.
+50%
kid‑related bookings, from city tours to aquariums
03
TIMING
These trips run on the school calendar, and parents are committing early.
41%
will choose a family-run spot over
a Michelin Star
04
PLANNING
The go‑to travel advisors? Bluey, Minecraft—basically, whatever’s on-screen.
29%
of parents say shows, movies, and games shape where they travel; for families with kids aged 8–10, that jumps to 36%
05
SPENDING
One great vacation can reverberate for years to come.
83%
of parents have spent more than planned because of a kid ask; 25% say it happens frequently
06
LOYALTY
One great vacation can reverberate for years to come.
73%
of parents return to a destination or trip type they loved because it’s easy and familiar
01
IMPACT
Kids have a vocal seat at the table from the start.
+17%
of kids dive into trip-planning early in the inspo and research phase
02
EXPERIENCES
When it comes to the itinerary, kids are calling the shots.
+50%
kid‑related bookings, from city tours to aquariums
03
TIMING
These trips run on the school calendar, and parents are committing early.
41%
of families now book at least 4 months out; only 12% go last‑minute
04
PLANNING
The go‑to travel advisors? Bluey, Minecraft—basically, whatever’s on-screen.
29%
of parents say shows, movies, and games shape where they travel; for families with kids aged 8–10, that jumps to 36%
05
SPENDING
One great vacation can reverberate for years to come.
83%
of parents have spent more than planned because of a kid ask; 25% say it happens frequently
06
LOYALTY
One great vacation can reverberate for years to come.
73%
of parents return to a destination or trip type they loved because it’s easy and familiar
01
IMPACT
Kids have a vocal seat at the table from the start.
70%
of kids dive into trip-planning early in the inspo and research phase
02
EXPERIENCES
When it comes to the itinerary, kids are calling the shots.
+50%
kid‑related bookings, from city tours to aquariums
03
TIMING
These trips run on the school calendar, and parents are committing early.
41%
will choose a family-run spot over
a Michelin Star
04
PLANNING
The go‑to travel advisors? Bluey, Minecraft—basically, whatever’s on-screen.
29%
of parents say shows, movies, and games shape where they travel; for families with kids aged 8–10, that jumps to 36%
05
SPENDING
One great vacation can reverberate for years to come.
83%
of parents have spent more than planned because of a kid ask; 25% say it happens frequently
06
LOYALTY
One great vacation can reverberate for years to come.
73%
of parents return to a destination or trip type they loved because it’s easy and familiar
It’s a Kid’s World
It’s a Kid’s World
“We are a family of four with two teenagers (14&16) looking for a really great trip next year, really want something more long haul to be a bit of an adventure. My daughter is absolutely desperate to snorkel and see incredible marine life—she wants to be a marine scientist. Reef sharks and turtles are high on her list.”
“We are a family of four with two teenagers (14&16) looking for a really great trip next year, really want something more long haul to be a bit of an adventure. My daughter is absolutely desperate to snorkel and see incredible marine life—she wants to be a marine scientist. Reef sharks and turtles are high on her list.”
“We are a family of four with two teenagers (14&16) looking for a really great trip next year, really want something more long haul to be a bit of an adventure. My daughter is absolutely desperate to snorkel and see incredible marine life—she wants to be a marine scientist. Reef sharks and turtles are high on her list.”
“We are a family of four with two teenagers (14&16) looking for a really great trip next year, really want something more long haul to be a bit of an adventure. My daughter is absolutely desperate to snorkel and see incredible marine life—she wants to be a marine scientist. Reef sharks and turtles are high on her list.”
Tripadvisor community, Family Travel forum
Tripadvisor community, Family Travel forum
The next generation of trip planners is already here
From cooking classes to boat rides and every snack stop in between, the kidfluencer is here already on Tripadvisor, and they’re curating surprisingly ambitious family trips.
The next generation of trip planners is already here
From cooking classes to boat rides and every snack stop in between, the kidfluencer is here already on Tripadvisor, and they’re curating surprisingly ambitious family trips.
The next generation of trip planners is already here
From cooking classes to boat rides and every snack stop in between, the kidfluencer is here already on Tripadvisor, and they’re curating surprisingly ambitious family trips.
The next generation of trip planners is already here
From cooking classes to boat rides and every snack stop in between, the kidfluencer is here already on Tripadvisor, and they’re curating surprisingly ambitious family trips.
What kidfluence means for partners
When kids feel seen, families come back. Here’s how to make sure your brand is in the mix.
What kidfluence means for partners
When kids feel seen, families come back. Here’s how to make sure your brand is in the mix.
What kidfluence means for partners
When kids feel seen, families come back. Here’s how to make sure your brand is in the mix.
What kidfluence means for partners
When kids feel seen, families come back. Here’s how to make sure your brand is in the mix.
What kidfluence means for partners
When kids feel seen, families come back. Here’s how to make sure your brand is in the mix.
EXPERIENCES
Families aren't one-size-fits-all.
Younger kids want instantly fun and easy. Tweens and teens want more movement and more independence. The brands that offer a range (or speak directly to a life stage) win more of the family.
AMENITIES
Comfort gets the booking.
Kids' pools, family rooms, and child-friendly entertainment are table stakes. For younger kids, safe play areas and familiar food do the heavy lifting. For older kids, the sweet spot shifts: cooking classes, night markets, guided adventures. Brands that tier their offerings by age satisfy families and keep them coming back.
BOOKING
Family travel is a vacation with a stress test attached.
Cleanliness, location, easy cancellation, direct flights, breakfast included: none of it’s glamorous, but all of it matters. Families are looking at destinations that feel manageable and comfortable. The brands that remove friction before the trip starts get the booking.
MEALS
Food is always part of the plan.
Most families mix eating out with cooking at the property, and that split is telling. It's not just the budget. It's about flexibility and not negotiating a restaurant menu with a seven-year-old at 7pm. The easier you make mealtimes feel, the better the overall trip rates.
EXPERIENCES
Families aren't one-size-fits-all.
Younger kids want instantly fun and easy. Tweens and teens want more movement and more independence. The brands that offer a range (or speak directly to a life stage) win more of the family.
AMENITIES
Comfort gets the booking.
Kids' pools, family rooms, and child-friendly entertainment are table stakes. For younger kids, safe play areas and familiar food do the heavy lifting. For older kids, the sweet spot shifts: cooking classes, night markets, guided adventures. Brands that tier their offerings by age satisfy families and keep them coming back.
BOOKING
Family travel is a vacation with a stress test attached.
Cleanliness, location, easy cancellation, direct flights, breakfast included: none of it’s glamorous, but all of it matters. Families are looking at destinations that feel manageable and comfortable. The brands that remove friction before the trip starts get the booking.
MEALS
Food is always part of the plan.
Most families mix eating out with cooking at the property, and that split is telling. It's not just the budget. It's about flexibility and not negotiating a restaurant menu with a seven-year-old at 7pm. The easier you make mealtimes feel, the better the overall trip rates.
EXPERIENCES
Families aren't one-size-fits-all.
Younger kids want instantly fun and easy. Tweens and teens want more movement and more independence. The brands that offer a range (or speak directly to a life stage) win more of the family.
AMENITIES
Comfort gets the booking.
Kids' pools, family rooms, and child-friendly entertainment are table stakes. For younger kids, safe play areas and familiar food do the heavy lifting. For older kids, the sweet spot shifts: cooking classes, night markets, guided adventures. Brands that tier their offerings by age satisfy families and keep them coming back.
BOOKING
Family travel is a vacation with a stress test attached.
Cleanliness, location, easy cancellation, direct flights, breakfast included: none of it’s glamorous, but all of it matters. Families are looking at destinations that feel manageable and comfortable. The brands that remove friction before the trip starts get the booking.
MEALS
Food is always part of the plan.
Most families mix eating out with cooking at the property, and that split is telling. It's not just the budget. It's about flexibility and not negotiating a restaurant menu with a seven-year-old at 7pm. The easier you make mealtimes feel, the better the overall trip rates.
Somewhere right now, a kid is rattling off dinosaur facts at breakfast, asking a hundred questions about the Eiffel Tower after learning about it in school, or replaying a YouTube video to show their parents a spot that seems deeply cool. That's how the trip starts. By the time families land on Tripadvisor, they’re deep in the decision. They’re ready to book, ready to spend, and ready to make the kind of memories retold for years—or generations—to come.
Make sure your brand is in the mix before the trip is set.
Somewhere right now, a kid is rattling off dinosaur facts at breakfast, asking a hundred questions about the Eiffel Tower after learning about it in school, or replaying a YouTube video to show their parents a spot that seems deeply cool. That's how the trip starts. By the time families land on Tripadvisor, they’re deep in the decision. They’re ready to book, ready to spend, and ready to make the kind of memories retold for years—or generations—to come.
Make sure your brand is in the mix before the trip is set.
*This report draws on multiple complementary data sources, including proprietary first-party data on bookable experiences and travel intent signals, Tripadvisor forum discussions, as well as third-party syndicated data. This includes consumer survey data and insights from GWI (GlobalWebIndex), a syndicated consumer research platform.
Written by Clara Sedlak. Designed by Arianna Iacovelli
Data research by Aarushi Kumar, Ryan Gillis, and Ryan Tan
All data attribution: Tripadvisor Group Internal Data: 2024-2026
Disclaimer: This report is for promotional and informational purposes only. It is based on internal Tripadvisor data and cited third-party sources. While all data is believed to be accurate at the time of publication, Tripadvisor makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, regarding the completeness or accuracy of the information provided and assumes no liability for its use or interpretation. Past performance and trend growth are not indicators of future results.
*This report draws on multiple complementary data sources, including proprietary first-party data on bookable experiences and travel intent signals, Tripadvisor forum discussions, as well as third-party syndicated data. This includes consumer survey data and insights from GWI (GlobalWebIndex), a syndicated consumer research platform.
Written by Clara Sedlak. Designed by Arianna Iacovelli
Data research by Aarushi Kumar, Ryan Gillis, and Ryan Tan
All data attribution: Tripadvisor Group Internal Data: 2024-2026
Disclaimer: This report is for promotional and informational purposes only. It is based on internal Tripadvisor data and cited third-party sources. While all data is believed to be accurate at the time of publication, Tripadvisor makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, regarding the completeness or accuracy of the information provided and assumes no liability for its use or interpretation. Past performance and trend growth are not indicators of future results.
*This report draws on multiple complementary data sources, including proprietary first-party data on bookable experiences and travel intent signals, Tripadvisor forum discussions, as well as third-party syndicated data. This includes consumer survey data and insights from GWI (GlobalWebIndex), a syndicated consumer research platform.
Written by Clara Sedlak. Designed by Arianna Iacovelli
Data research by Aarushi Kumar, Ryan Gillis, and Ryan Tan
All data attribution: Tripadvisor Group Internal Data: 2024-2026
Disclaimer: This report is for promotional and informational purposes only. It is based on internal Tripadvisor data and cited third-party sources. While all data is believed to be accurate at the time of publication, Tripadvisor makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, regarding the completeness or accuracy of the information provided and assumes no liability for its use or interpretation. Past performance and trend growth are not indicators of future results.