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From New Friends to Big Adventures: What Kids Really Want on Their Dream Holidays

Latest research from eight global markets reveals what kids aged 5 to 12 are craving most on holiday

90% are looking for opportunities to connect and make new friends while on holiday

89% want family holidays that feel like stepping into their favourite games, films, and fantasy worlds

85% want make-believe activities, like being a race car driver, zookeeper or astronaut for a day

ABU DHABI, UAE, April 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Parents take note: the kids’ travel wish list has landed! As summer approaches, a new global survey reveals what our young travellers are really dreaming about, and spoiler alert: it’s not just ice cream and cartoons. From friendship quests to superhero adventures, today’s young adventurers have spoken, and they’re bringing big imagination to their travel wish lists. Ready for a vacation that will create unforgettable memories with the kids? Here’s what they’re really looking for!

Parents take note: the kids’ travel wish list has landed! As summer approaches, a new global survey reveals what our young travellers are really dreaming about and—spoiler alert—it’s not just ice cream and cartoons. From friendship quests to superhero adventures, today’s young adventurers have spoken, and they’re bringing big imagination to their travel wish lists. Ready for a vacation that will create unforgettable memories with the kids? Here’s what they’re really looking for!

Craving for connections

Research* was commissioned by Experience Abu Dhabi, the destination brand of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), polling over 7,000 children aged 5 to 12 and their parents from across nine countries, including France, Italy, Germany, China, UK, US, and India, as well as UAE and Saudi Arabia. The data reveals something both unexpected and universal: 90% of children worldwide want holiday activities that help them make new friends.

In an age of screens and streaming, what kids are genuinely craving is real connection. Whether it’s exploring the children’s library, splashing at a waterpark, or a day out at the aquarium, these shared adventures can easily help children form new bonds that stretch across the globe. Additionally, peer influence also plays a powerful role: 95% of kids want to try activities they can tell their friends about, while 91% are inspired by what their friends have done.

While connection is key, imagination still plays a huge role, with 89% of children saying their ideal holiday lets them experience their favourite video game or movie in real life. These young travellers aren’t just watching, scrolling or gaming, they’re trying to imagine themselves inside those worlds.

H.E. Nouf Mohamed Al-Bushlaibi, Executive Director of Strategic Marketing & Communications at DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “As both a parent and a marketer, I know firsthand how important it is to really listen to kids, to understand what lights them up, what sparks their imagination, and what makes a holiday unforgettable. We commissioned this research to hear what truly matters to children when they look at holidays, and what they told us was inspiring: they want connection, adventure, and the freedom to play out the stories they love. Abu Dhabi brings all of that to life as a place where kids can dream big, try new things, and feel right at home doing it with their loved ones.”

As children from around the world revealed what makes a holiday unforgettable, each country had its own standout passion.

  • In the UAE, 98% of kids said big, exciting adventures are a must
  • More than 3 in 4 kids surveyed in India want to visit a museum on holiday
  • In the UK, 94% prioritise activities they can talk about with friends
  • German children showed a strong interest in cultural food experiences, with 84% wanting to visit a food market
  • 89% of kids from China want time to relax, play and hang out
  • Italian kids stood out for their curiosity, with 95% wanting to try activities they’ve never done before
  • French kids gravitated towards water activities, with 97% wanting to spend a day at a waterpark or enjoying water sports
  • Children in Saudi Arabia showed a love for variety with 82% wanting to try lots of different cool activities on holiday
  • In the US, 85% of children are keen to take part in make-believe activities like being a race car driver or zookeeper for the day

The takeaway is simple: kids want to follow their passions. They’re looking for a holiday that blends fun, freedom and the chance to explore their interests in their own way. And they’re looking to do it all with their loved ones. The research also finds that family time remains sacred, even in today’s day and age, with 97% of kids saying that enjoying fun moments with their families is one of their must-haves on their dream holiday.

Abu Dhabi: a playground for imagination

With a diverse range of attractions dotted across the emirate, Abu Dhabi stands out as a “Totally Recommended” holiday destination for families, entirely kid-approved. As kids look for opportunities to play make-believe roles (85%), Abu Dhabi is setting the stage for them to do it all. From cruising through Yas Marina Circuit and exciting animal encounters at Emirates Park Zoo, to donning the capes of their favourite superheroes at Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, the emirate is packed with experiences that will make kids feel like they’ve jumped straight into their dream holidays.

And there’s even more to discover. At teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi, families can explore a world where art comes alive, light reacts to movement and every step sparks a new surprise. Opening later this year are Zayed National Museum, the national museum of the UAE, and the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, which will narrate the story of life on Earth and the origins of our universe.

So, with all of these incredible insights, what does the perfect family holiday actually look like? That’s exactly what we set out to create, by handing the planning over to the kids themselves.

The ultimate travel itinerary: created by kids, for kids

We asked children to design their dream holiday. Not just what they wanted to see and do, but how they wanted to feel, where they wanted to eat, and what kind of pace made the experience fun. The result is a seven-day itinerary filled with culture, big adventures, creative play, nature, and moments to slow down.

From waterparks and wildlife to desert discoveries, the itinerary reflects exactly what today’s young travellers are looking for. And because it’s shaped by the kids themselves, it speaks their language: curious, imaginative and full of excitement. Best of all, every part of it can be experienced right here in Abu Dhabi.

With a Kids Recommended itinerary, we’re handing parents a blueprint to their kids’ ultimate dream holiday. This summer, Abu Dhabi isn’t just about what you can do. It’s about setting your own pace. Whether you’re up for non-stop adventure or slow, easy days with space to wander, everything is close and accessible.

Parents usually need to have kids choose one or two things on a given trip, but Abu Dhabi is the all-in-one family holiday that almost plans itself. It’s everything you want without the “I’m bored” or the “are we nearly there?”… it’s a family destination that gives you space to explore, relax, and spend time together, all at your own pace.

Abu Dhabi is Totally Recommended because whatever kind of holiday you’re looking for, you’ll find it. Watch the experiential film.

About the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi:

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) drives the sustainable growth of Abu Dhabi’s culture and tourism sectors and its creative industries, fuelling economic progress and helping to achieve Abu Dhabi’s wider global ambitions.

By working in partnership with the organisations that define the emirate’s position as a leading international destination, DCT Abu Dhabi strives to unite the ecosystem around a shared vision of the emirate’s potential, coordinate effort and investment, deliver innovative solutions, and use the best tools, policies and systems to support the culture and tourism industries.

DCT Abu Dhabi’s vision is defined by the emirate’s people, heritage and landscape. We work to enhance Abu Dhabi’s status as a place of authenticity, innovation, and unparalleled experiences, represented by its living traditions of hospitality, pioneering initiatives and creative thought.

For more information about the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and the destination, please visit: dct.gov.ae and visitabudhabi.ae

Note to Editors: 

*Methodology

Experience Abu Dhabi, the destination brand of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) commissioned independent research, surveying over 7,000 parents and children across multiple markets, including the UK, US, India, China, Germany, France, Italy, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The research focused on families with children aged 5–12 and included both parent and child responses. Parents were asked about travel decision-making and family holiday priorities, while children shared their dream holiday experiences through engaging, age-appropriate formats such as images and swiping questions. Robust quality controls were applied throughout to ensure data reliability.

Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuFN_aYDwAI

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From New Friends to Big Adventures - What Kids Really Want on Their Dream Holidays

 

Kids Recommended Itinerary

 

What Kids Really Want on Their Dream Holidays

 

Experience Abu Dhabi Logo

 

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Reliance Digital’s ‘All About Apple’ Campaign Brings Best Apple Deals and Price Drops on iPhone 17, MacBook & More

MUMBAI, India, April 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Reliance Digital announces limited-period offers on the latest Apple products with significant price drops and consumer finance offers.

The All About Apple campaign by Reliance Digital is bringing high-quality products to consumers at affordable prices. The initiative aims to make premium Apple products more accessible to a broader segment of buyers during the ongoing promotional window. From the mighty iPhone 17 to the ultra-light MacBook Air (M5), upgrading is more accessible than ever.

Customers can experience the best technology without straining their budgets with attractive exchange bonuses, instant in-store discounts and flexible EMI options. These combined benefits substantially lower the effective acquisition cost, especially for buyers trading in older smartphones or laptops.

One of the spotlight offers includes the iPhone 17 256GB (Magichromatic finish), listed at an MRP of Rs. 82,900. With applicable cashback, combined with exchange benefits of up to Rs. 15,000 and an additional exchange bonus of Rs. 6,000, the effective price can go as low as Rs. 59,990.

Apple’s MacBook lineup has also become more affordable in the ongoing sale, particularly with the introduction of newer-generation processors and pricing benefits. The latest models, powered by the next-generation M5 chip, aim to deliver faster processing, improved battery efficiency, and seamless multitasking. The MacBook Air (M5) can be owned with EMIs starting at just ₹2,803*, inclusive of student and teacher discounts, exchange benefits, and financing schemes. Exchange bonus of 10,000 rupees is also available to MacBook Neo buyers.

This promotional campaign is time-bound, with all major offers scheduled to conclude on 23rd May. Customers are advised to hurry and verify eligibility for cashback, exchange benefits, and coupon discounts before completing their purchase, as terms may vary across models and store locations.

About Reliance Digital

Reliance Digital is one of India’s leading consumer electronics retail chains, offering a wide selection of smartphones, laptops, home appliances, and digital products. With a strong omnichannel presence, it provides customers access to competitive pricing, authorised products, and after-sales support through services such as Reliance resQ.

*Terms and Conditions Applied

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Apparel Group Strengthens Digital Footprint with the Launch of ALDO App for the Indian Market

Express Delivery, Curated Style & Seamless Digital Experience Now Live on Google Play Store & Apple App Store

MUMBAI, India, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Apparel Group, the leading global fashion and lifestyle retail conglomerate, announces the official launch of the ALDO India mobile app. This strategic rollout marks a significant milestone in Apparel Group’s mission to redefine omnichannel retail and enhance the digital shopping ecosystem for premium footwear and accessories in India.

Now available on Google Play Store and Apple App Store, the dedicated app is designed to bring ALDO’s world-class style directly to the fingertips of the Indian consumer. By leveraging Apparel Group’s robust retail infrastructure, the app introduces express delivery services, ensuring that fashion-forward shoppers receive their favourite pieces with unprecedented speed and efficiency.

Built with modern consumer expectations in mind, the ALDO app empowers users to explore the latest collections, access exclusive product drops, and enjoy a streamlined shopping experience tailored for fast, effortless browsing. A defining feature of the app is its express delivery service, designed to get fashion essentials into customers’ hands as swiftly as possible, reflecting a new era of immediacy in style and service.

Apparel Group is committed to integrating advanced technology with high-street fashion, providing a secure and effortless checkout process tailored to the evolving needs of the modern, connected shopper. Whether discovering trend-led silhouettes or selecting everyday staples, shoppers now enjoy smooth navigation, secure checkout, and personalised recommendations all supported by ALDO’s commitment to quality and design excellence.

Tushar Ved, President of Apparel Group India, said: “The launch of the ALDO app is a definitive step in Apparel Group’s journey to pioneer a tech-forward retail environment in India. By integrating our cutting-edge logistics with a seamless interface, Apparel Group continues to set the pace for the future of commerce in the region, ensuring our customers enjoy speed, style, and convenience like never before.”

With the introduction of this dedicated platform, Apparel Group continues to solidify its position as a retail leader, focused on localized digital innovation and superior customer engagement.

The ALDO app is now live and available for download.

Download: https://onelink.to/aldoshoes

About ALDO

Founded in 1972, ALDO, the group’s flagship brand, delivers fashion to a diverse customer base at prices that make keeping up with seasonal styles a luxury within reach. ALDO’s 53-year history has seen the brand become one of the world’s leading fashion footwear retailers with a presence in 110 countries, a global fleet of 1400 locations and more than 250 million customers visiting our stores each year.

For more information, please visit www.aldogroup.com and follow @aldo_shoes and #AldoCrew on social media for updates.

Instagram: @aldo_shoes

Facebook: ALDO Shoes

Website: ALDO Shoes

About Apparel Group (India) Pvt. Ltd.

Apparel Group is a global fashion and lifestyle retail conglomerate residing at the crossroads of the modern economy – Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Today, Apparel Group caters to eager shoppers through its 2500+ retail stores and 85+ brands on all platforms while employing over 27,000+ multicultural staff.

Apparel Group has carved its strong presence in the GCC and expanded thriving gateways to market in India, South Africa, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, and Egypt. Additionally, clear strategies are in place to enter emerging markets such as Hungary and Philippines.

Apparel Group India has created an omni-channel experience, operating brands originating from the USA, Canada, Europe, Australia, and Asia. The brands in India include leading names in fashion, footwear, and lifestyle such as Victoria’s Secret, Dolce & Gabbana Beauty, Victoria’s Secret PINK, Charles & Keith, Crocs, ALDO, ALDO Accessories, Bath & Body Works, Cotton On, Levis Kids, Tim Hortons, Inglot, Call It Spring, Nike Littles, Jordan Kids, Anne Klein, Herschel, R&B, Beverly Hills Polo Club, Carrefour, and Daiso Japan. Apparel Group has a multi-brand partnership with Marquee Brands for the licensing of BCBG, Ben Sherman, Bruno Magli, Sur la table, and Martha Stewart brands, across GCC and India. With 300+ stores and 20+ brands, the company serves thousands of customers across 50 cities in India.

Apparel Group owes its amazing growth to the vision and guidance of its dynamic Founder and Chairwoman, Mrs. Sima Ganwani Ved, who has taken the company from strength to strength since its inception in the last two decades.

For more information, please visit:

Apparel Group India | LinkedIn | Download Club Apparel App

Contact

Amruta Khatavkar

amruta.khatavkar@apparelgroup.in

+91-9870337833

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Angel One’s ‘Cricket Park’ sparks strong participation, brings a generation back to the pitch

MUMBAI, India, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Angel One Limited, India’s intelligent investing companion and Official Associate Partner of the Tata IPL (2024–2028), recently hosted Cricket Park”, an immersive cricket-led experience that brought alive a simple yet powerful idea – Chalo, Cricket Khelte Hai. Held at TSG Sports Arena in Mumbai, the event witnessed strong participation and high on-ground energy, bringing together around 300 attendees, including India’s top digital creators and cricket enthusiasts, to rediscover the joy of playing the game.

At a time when cricket is widely consumed but rarely played, Cricket Park tapped into a deep cultural insight, that while the love for the game remains strong, the reasons to step out and play have steadily declined. By creating the right environment and format, Angel One turned passive fandom into active participation.

Designed as more than just a tournament, Cricket Park reimagined the childhood cricket experience into a dynamic, interactive format. The experience was paired with 14 interactive cricket installations and 5 live pitches, including Khidki Tod, Zero Kaata Bhaago, Ziddi Target, Bat Pakad and Ringa Ringa Catches, each crafted to bring back the spontaneity and thrill of the game. The event followed a unique flow, with creators arriving early to engage with and take over the installations, setting the tone for the experience, while fans stepped in at sundown, with matches continuing till late.

The event also saw participation from impactful personalities, adding to the overall energy and appeal of the experience. Notable digital creators including Jake Jeakings, Vyom (vyom25), CA Deepak Bhati (cadeepakbhati), Shrishti Gosavi (nerd_in_you), and Anmol Sharma (financebyanmoll) were part of the experience, further amplifying the event both on-ground and across digital platforms. With moments crafted for shareability, Cricket Park extended well beyond the venue, resonating strongly with a wider audience online.

Assisted by Badass Media and designed by Doodle Mapuls, Cricket Park was designed as a high-energy, community-led experience that blends culture, community, and digital storytelling.

Cricket Park is rooted in Angel One’s larger philosophy of enabling action. Much like how the platform simplifies investing for a new generation, the initiative aimed to remove friction from participation, meeting people where their interest already exists and giving them a compelling reason to act. In doing so, the brand’s invitation, “Chalo, Cricket Khelte Hai,” became more than a line, it turned into a lived experience on-ground.

Zameer Kochar, Chief Marketing Officer, Angel One, said, Cricket Park is built on a very simple insight, people don’t lack interest, they lack the right trigger to act. Whether it’s investing or something as personal as cricket, the gap often lies between intent and action. With this initiative, we wanted to create an experience that feels intuitive, inclusive, and engaging enough for people to step in and participate. The response we’ve seen has been extremely encouraging.”

With Cricket Park, Angel One has taken a step towards building a scalable, community-led property that blends culture, participation, and digital amplification and redefining how brands can create meaningful engagement beyond the screen.

About Angel One Limited:

Angel One Limited, (NSE: ANGELONE) (BSE: 543235) is the largest listed retail stock broking house in India, in terms of active clients on NSE. Angel One is a technology-led financial services company, providing broking and advisory services, margin funding and distribution of third-party financial products to its clients. The broking and allied services are offered through online and digital platforms to clients acquired directly and through assisted business.

Angel One Limited extensively uses Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and Data Science to create a superior digital experience. The company has built a host of digital properties like Angel One Mobile App, ‘SmartAPI’ a free-to-integrate API platform and ‘Smart Money’ an investor education platform of 37.4 million clients.

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