Rethinking your tours for families: Insights that drive bookings

Looking to make your tours more engaging for families, without the eye-rolls or ‘I’m bored’ moments? Let’s turn your activity into an experience that kids actually thank their parents for.

Families, especially the parents, want to make memories with their children through immersive experiences. But building a successful family-friendly tour isn’t just about throwing in a kid’s discount or offering crayons at check-in.

Want to capture more bookings with families in mind? From school break seasonal offerings to pricing strategies geared for families, these tips will make your tours family-ready.

Why family-focused tours are a smart growth strategy

Families travel differently. They make group decisions, prioritize safety and flexibility, and often book with more lead time than solo travelers or couples. 

That means your tours need to be structured intentionally, from the length of the experience to how your guides interact with kids and adults alike.

According to Skift research, “Family travel continues to be the largest segment of U.S. leisure travel, with more families opting for vacations that create shared experiences and lasting memories.”

In fact, 46% indicated they are “very likely” to take a family trip. Blueprint echoes this trend: “85% of parents are likely to travel with their children in the next year.”

Catering at least some of your tours to families is not just about keeping everyone happy; it’s a smart growth strategy. Here’s why:

• Families often travel in groups of four or more, meaning higher per-booking value.
• Family-friendly tours are more likely to bring in returning customers if they know it fits their needs and referrals, especially to other families.

Design offerings with all ages in mind

Parents are looking for experiences that are educational, safe, and entertaining—and most importantly, engaging for everyone from toddlers to teens. Here’s how to create tours that keep both kids and adults excited from start to finish:

• Adjust tour length and pace for shorter attention spans. Aim for a “sweet spot” that balances depth with flexibility—think 60–90 minutes for most family-friendly activities.
• Use clear age ranges not just for pricing, but to set expectations. Specify if an experience is best suited for “ages 6 and up” or has components designed for younger kids and teens.
• Incorporate interactive, visual elements like hands-on demos, animal encounters, or make-your-own souvenirs that kids and adults can enjoy together.
• Build in natural breaks or downtime, like snack stops, restroom opportunities, or shaded rest zones. Bonus: This improves accessibility for guests of all ages and mobility levels.
• Offer flexible booking options, such as staggered start times or “family bundles,” so groups with kids can choose what works best for their schedule.

Pro tip: Ensure family-friendly keywords such as “kid-friendly” or “great for families” are part of your overall SEO strategy to boost visibility in search and help parents choose your tour with confidence. 

Turn tours into teachable – and fun – moments

Parents may be hoping for a little education. Kids? Not so much. That’s why the key to family engagement is sneaking learning into fun, interactive moments that spark curiosity without feeling like school.

When you blend information with imagination, your tour becomes more than just a day out—it becomes a story families will retell long after it’s over.

How to teach without eye rolls and boredom:

• Keep lessons light and lively. Focus on bite-sized facts about local history, wildlife, or cultural traditions. Weave these into natural moments during the tour—no lectures required.
• Use storytelling to connect the dots. Bring history to life by anchoring it to real people, legends, or parallels with modern life. It’s easier to remember a pirate’s tale than a list of dates.
• Make it a game. Scavenger hunts, “spot-the-animal” bingo, or earning badges for participation turn learning into play.
• Offer “junior guide” roles. Give kids a job—like tracking the group’s route, spotting landmarks, or leading a chant. It helps them feel included and builds confidence.

Bonus: These interactive elements often appeal to adult travelers, too—even those visiting without kids. Gamification and storytelling are universal crowd-pleasers.

Don’t miss school breaks—seasonal timing is key.

Want to earn extra credit with families? Plan your calendar around school breaks. These windows are prime time for booking—not just for travelers, but for locals looking to keep kids engaged while school’s out.

We’ve seen surf lessons evolve into full-on surf camps, guided hikes turn into nature schools, and private boat tours transformed into hands-on “boating school” experiences.

Start promoting early. Parents begin searching for summer camps as early as January, and the best options fill up fast. Use that momentum to launch seasonal programs like:

• Spring break mini-experiences –  Spring break dates vary by region, so consider offering one-day or half-day themed adventures. These should mirror your regular tours but with added hands-on or kid-focused activities.
• Summer adventure camps or multi-day packages  – Build a summer program that turns your experience into a multi-day journey. Add curriculum-style content, gear packages, and extra staffing to manage groups of kids.
• Fall and winter weekend specials with family-friendly themes – Keep the momentum going with themed weekend tours—think spooky scavenger hunts in October or holiday nature walks in December.

Pro tip: Bundle in the basics—lunch, water, sunscreen, and snacks—to make your offering a one-stop solution for busy parents.

Smart pricing and upselling strategies for families

When it comes to family bookings, value matters—and so does convenience. With the right pricing strategies and thoughtful upsells, you can boost revenue while making your experiences more appealing to parents.

Here’s how to turn family interest into profitable bookings:

• Create family packages or group discounts: Bundling tickets for two adults and two or more kids not only simplifies the decision-making process, it encourages larger group bookings and repeat visits.
• Offer practical and fun add-ons: Think beyond the ticket. Add value with extras like gear rentals (think snorkels, binoculars, or kid-sized hiking poles), photo packages that capture family moments, or branded souvenirs like water bottles or activity journals.
• Introduce upgrade options: Allow families to customize their experience with upgrades like private tours tailored to kids, extended time with a guide, or exclusive behind-the-scenes access.

Pro tip: Use FareHarbor’s pricing tools to easily set up child-specific ticket types, family bundles, and upsells that appear during the booking process, so customers can opt in with just one click.

Final thoughts: Make your experiences unforgettable for the whole crew

When families have a great time, they’ll share it—and come back. Building family-ready tours means thinking beyond logistics to create emotional, memorable, and inclusive experiences that appeal to both parents and kids.

Want to make your experiences more family-friendly—and more profitable? Explore how FareHarbor tools can help you tailor offerings, streamline bookings, and boost revenue. Book a free demo today.