Kids' ‘dream holidays' revealed from zoos with every animal in the world to slides from their room into the pool
A poll of 600 6–12-year-olds and their parents revealed what youngsters are really dreaming of doing when they go travelling, with having ice cream for every meal also high on the list.
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Others long for magic-themed theme parks, beaches home to every type of fish and sea creature, and visits to a museum – dedicated to their favourite fictional characters.
The study also found 98 per cent of parents let their little ones have at least some input in their holiday planning.
And 82 per cent claimed this makes their trips more fun.
The research was commissioned by Crayola, which partnered with Jet2holidays to launch a competition asking kids to draw what their dream holiday looks like.
A spokesperson said: 'We can finally see how fun it could be if you let the kids plan the whole holiday and unleash the full scope of their imaginations.
'It's also really lovely to know how much parents appreciate their little one's ideas when it comes to choosing where to go and what to do.
'If only all the magical and wonderful things kids can imagine could come true and make their trips even more unforgettable.'
The study also revealed kids' imaginations in this department definitely can't be limited to the realistic – with 51 per cent wishing for a unicorn or a dragon (45 per cent) as their mode of transport on holiday.
While others said a trip to meet dinosaurs (42 per cent) or knights (35 per cent) also wouldn't go amiss.
But with 81 per cent wishing the world was a more magical place in general, 67 per cent claimed that going on holidays does make them feel this way, even if temporarily.
It also emerged 86 per cent of children want a real say in where they go, while 88 per cent would like input into what they do on their holidays.
Although 68 per cent of parents insist their child does get a say in the activities (68 per cent), excursions (48 per cent), and destination (29 per cent) when planning a trip.
With 69 per cent prioritising what their children want to do on holiday more than themselves – 48 per cent of the average trip specifically catered to the whims of little ones.
The research, carried out via OnePoll.com, also found six in 10 in parents said their children's creativity inspires them to be more creative themselves, and 51 percent saying the same about their imagination.
While 59 percent believe everyone could benefit from seeing the world through a child's eyes.
The winner of the competition will get to see their drawing come to life and £1,000 worth of vouchers towards a holiday with the UK's largest tour operator.
Crayola's spokesperson added: 'We want to harness the imagination in every child and celebrate their creativity to inspire them to dream big.
'So, we encourage anyone interested to sign up to our competition and make your dream holiday ideas come to life.
'And when you pick up one of our products to help unleash your creativity, you can also get money off towards a holiday so you can continue exploring the world.'
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The hills of the Scottish Highlands were still in sight when the cry went up: 'Whale!' And there it was, a humpback on the port side of the Caledonian MacBrayne ferry, blasting a great cloud of mist from its blowhole, then with a farewell flick of its tail, disappearing into the Atlantic. On other voyages you may see glorious sunsets, rare migratory birds, ruined castles and historic lighthouses. Unlike the classic road trip or the great railway journey, however, the humble ferry rarely makes it to anyone's bucket list. They are a means to an end, only chosen by necessity. And yet, the UK has some of the best and most exhilarating voyages within its borders. From exciting river crossings to island odysseys that test the mettle of the best sea captains, these boat journeys can be the high point of any trip. Starting from Penzance's South Pier, in sight of St Michael's Mount, the crossing to St Mary's is the indispensable highlight of any trip to the Isles of Scilly. The gas-guzzling, climate-clobbering helicopter doesn't even approach the magic of this ship and its three-hour voyage into the Atlantic Ocean. Penzance bursts with nautical heritage; many of its remarkable number of pubs have existed since the days of Captain Kidd and Francis Drake. Once aboard the Scillonian (built in Appledore, Devon, in 1977), find a position with a view to the starboard to glimpse Land's End on departure, then keep a lookout for wildlife. Dolphins and whales are sighted regularly on the voyage. Birdlife includes gannets, Manx shearwaters and puffins. Watch out for bird feeding frenzies, which may attract the attention of bluefin tuna (the half-ton fish can leap clear of the water and numbers are rising fast). Other potential highlights include fin whales, the planet's second largest animal after the blue whale – with several sightings in 2024. A day return on the Scillonian III is £35. Woodstock Ark, a secluded cabin near Penzance South Pier, sleeps two, from £133 a night. Star Castle Hotel, close to the Scillonian's arrival point on St Mary's, has great food and superb views; doubles with dinner from £245. Dartmouth has a huge heritage of sailing and boats, and the lower ferry across the mouth of the River Dart is an absolute classic. The best approach is on the steam railway from Paignton, which brings you into what was once the Great Western Railway's imposing Kingswear station on the east bank of the river. Alternatively, you could walk to Kingswear on the South West Coast Path from Brixham (a 10-mile yomp). There has been a ferry here since the 14th century and the latest incarnation is a barge with room for eight cars towed by a tugboat. The crossing is short but memorable, the flanks of the steeply wooded valley looming over a fast-moving tidal river that froths around the barge as it picks its way through a busy shipping lane. Landing is right in town, next to the blue plaque for John Davis, one of the great sea dogs of Devon, who searched for the Northwest Passage and died at the hands of pirates near Singapore in 1605. If the crossing has whetted the appetite, walk upriver along the historic waterfront to the Upper Dart ferry, another interesting boat. Originally a floating platform linked to cross-river chains that were pulled by horses, today it's a diesel-electric paddle engine combined with cables that can manage about 18 cars. The Lower Dart Ferry costs £5 return for a foot passenger; car and passengers £14 return. Ferryside apartment next to the ferry in Kingswear sleeps four, from £533 for three nights. Further away, Dartington Hall, once Britain's leading progressive school, is now a top arts centre, offering wonderful gardens and accommodation, with doubles from £103 B&B. Scotland is blessed with many memorable ferry routes, but none surpasses the short voyage from Berneray to Leverburgh on Harris. A hop of just nine nautical miles and taking an hour, it crosses the shallow Sound of Harris, which is strewn with deadly rocks, dangerous tidal currents and frequent mists. Before GPS, it was a rule that the captain would turn back if he couldn't see two buoys ahead, and occasionally the ship would slither on to a sandbank and have to stay there until the tide lifted her off. These days it remains an exhilarating passage, weaving between dozens of jagged hazards with evocative names such as Drowning Rock and the Black Curran. Listen for the ghostly cries of seals on the larger islets, and look out for a majestic white-tailed sea eagle. The Caledonian MacBrayne ferry costs £4.70 one way for a foot passenger. Camping at Balranald on North Uist is highly recommended (tent £14), or try 30 Backhill, a restored thatched stone croft on Berneray, from £535 a week. As a shortcut at the end of the Suffolk coastal path, the ferry from Landguard Fort near Felixstowe to Harwich offers great panoramas of the harbour formed by the rivers Orwell and Stour. You're likely to spot some of the planet's largest container ships and a Thames barge. Alternatively, embark at Shotley Gate, the tip of the narrow and beautiful Shotley peninsula that separates the two rivers – the walk down the Orwell from Ipswich is particularly picturesque, taking in Pin Mill. Harwich old town is also well worth exploring, with some beautiful period buildings including the Electric Cinema, opened in 1911. The Harwich Harbour Ferry connects Felixstowe and Harwich (tickets £6 one way), and Harwich and Shotley (£4.80); it runs from April to October. The Alma Inn is a gorgeous Grade II-listed pub in old Harwich, with doubles from £90 B&B. Sign up to The Traveller Get travel inspiration, featured trips and local tips for your next break, as well as the latest deals from Guardian Holidays after newsletter promotion There cannot be many ferries that only run when the barman is free, but this classic crossing requires the pump-puller at the Saracens Head in Symonds Yat to shut up shop for a few minutes and haul half a dozen passengers across the River Wye using an overhead cable. Despite some deplorable environmental mismanagement upstream, the river here remains a beautiful sight. On the far bank, take the lane north to another good pub, Ye Old Ferrie Inn. Their ferry drops you on a footpath that heads up through the woods for the fine views along the curving river from the Symonds Yat rock itself. These crags were visited in 1770, by schoolmaster William Gilpin, who had an eye for untamed landscapes, triggering a revolution in the appreciation of views and nature that we still benefit from today. Alternatively, walk downriver and cross at the beautiful Biblins suspension Symonds Yat ferries cost £2 for adults. The Saracens Head occupies a lovely riverside location, with doubles from £135, B&B. You may, of course, choose to take the bridge to Skye, but for a real Hebridean treat take the original ferry across the 500-metre-wide Kyle Rhea straits. This is the last manually operated turntable ferry in the world (built in Troon in 1969), carrying just six cars and 12 people on a five-minute voyage. Due to strong tidal currents running at up to nine knots and frequently windy conditions, the designers came up with the ingenious solution of a turntable to allow vehicles to disembark safely. Saved by a local campaign in 2006, it has now become a vital part of the Skye experience. The Isle of Skye ferry from Glenelg costs £3 for foot passengers, and £20 for a car (with up to four passengers) one way. 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