1. Learn to surf: California
Where better for young surf dudes to hone their board skills than California? La Jolla Surf Camp is held on one of San Diego's most family-friendly beaches known for its gentle waves. On a five-day camp, children (aged five to ten) learn about ocean safety, surf etiquette and technique. Continue the ocean theme with a visit to Birch Aquarium in La Jolla, with its interactive displays on the sea life of the Pacific coast. San Diego has plenty more for children from Legoland to SeaWorld.
Best for Water babies.
Book now Five-day La Jolla Surf Camp (lajollasurfcamp.com/california) costs £200. Four nights at the four-and-a-half-star Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Spa and Marina in San Diego, including flights, from £2,305 for a family of four with British Airways (based on June travel, all holiday prices are for two adults and two children).ba.com/sandiego
Way to go BA flies to San Diego from London Heathrow from June. ba.com
2. Sleep over at the Museum: New York
Ever since the success of the film Night at the Museum, sleepovers at top tourist attractions have been all the rage in New York. The most popular is at the American Museum of Natural History where children (aged seven to 13) can explore the dinosaur exhibits after hours, take a flashlight fossil tour and camp out beneath a 94ft Blue Whale in an exhibit hall. Other unforgettable slumber parties include an Extreme Sleepover at Ripley's Believe it or Not Odditorium in Times Square and a Family Overnight Safari in the Bronx Zoo.
Best for Budding scientists.
Details £82 per person (amnh.org/kids/sleepovers).
Way to go BA flies daily to New York (JFK and Newark) from London Heathrow and City. BA offers four nights at The Westin New York at Times Square including flights and accommodation only from £2,294 for a family of four (Based on March 2011 travel). ba.com/newyork
3. Join a Wagon Train Adventure: Wyoming
Wannabe cowboys and girls can live out their Wild West fantasies on a three-night Wagon Train Adventure on the outskirts of Yellowstone National Park. Accompanied by real cowboys, families ride in covered wagons or on horseback through the Teton Mountains and Targhee National Forest. In camp, activities include walking, swimming, riding and rope-handling lessons. Evenings are spent around the campfire hearing tales of the Old West.
Best for Pioneering spirits.
Details Teton Covered Wagon Train and Horse Adventure, £567 for adults; £517 for children aged nine to 14; £485 for children aged four to eight; from June to August (tetonwagontrain.com).
Way to go BA flies to Dallas from London Heathrow and on to Jackson as a codeshare with American Airlines. ba.com
4. Meet Mickey at Walt Disney World: Florida
The world's largest and most visited theme park celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, and the occasion will be marked in true Disney style — fireworks, parades and general Mickey madness. Though Universal Studios stole Disney's thunder with the opening of its Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park last summer, when it comes to the feel-good factor, the Magic Kingdom, with its iconic pink Cinderella Castle, Main Street parades and cast of Disney characters, is hard to beat.
Best for Theme-park aficionados.
Way to go BA flies to Orlando from London Gatwick (ba.com). BA offers seven nights at the five-star Waldorf Astoria in Orlando, including flights, from £2,853 for a family of four* (ba.com/orlando). A seven-day premium ticket, giving entry to all four Disney World theme parks plus water parks, costs £240 per adult, £213 per child (disneyworld.disney.go.com).
