*Guest post by Micro Scooters – creators of award-winning scooters for kids and grown-ups. Trusted by families for over 20 years to get them moving cleaner, quicker and with a lot more fun.
We’ve picked some brilliant DFDS destinations that are perfect for families who like their exploring with a side of sea breeze and snack breaks.
Scooting Calais: Seaside Paths and Chocolate Stops
Calais might be famous for its ferry terminal but go beyond that and you’ll find big beaches, wide boulevards and surprisingly scenic scooting.
Route to try: Calais Beach to Parc Richelieu
Start at Calais Beach promenade: smooth, flat, and wide enough to scoot three-abreast
Stop for waffles or chocolat chaud at Le Channel café
Spot the giant Dragon of Calais (yes, it moves)
Continue through the town centre to Parc Richelieu, a leafy park with plenty of space to roam
Around 3km round trip
45 minutes to an hour with photo ops and snack stops
Bonus ride: Try the Voie Verte du Calaisis – a greenway route just outside town that offers quiet, scootable countryside paths. Bring a picnic and go as far as the kids will let you.
Scooting Dunkirk: History, Harbours and Ice Cream
Dunkirk’s got miles of coastline, some serious WWII history, and wide paths made for scooting.
Route to try: Malo-les-Bains to Dunkirk Harbour
Start on the Malo-les-Bains promenade – flat, wide and right on the seafront
Scoot past the open-air gym and sand dunes
Stop for an ice cream at Tonton Charly (the locals’ fave)
Continue on to the Dunkirk Harbour Museum with great outside displays = perfect scooting detour
Around 4km round trip
45 minutes to 1 hour with ice cream and museum distractions
Want more? Head inland to Parc de la Marine. A peaceful spot with scoot-friendly paths, a lake, and a decent playground.
Scooting Dieppe: Beach Huts, Boulevards and a Bit of Culture
Dieppe’s got that easy-going, slightly old-school seaside charm. And better yet, it’s flat. Like, genuinely flat – so it’s ideal for little legs on scooters.
Route to try: Dieppe Prom to the Castle
Start at the seafront promenade – it’s smooth, wide and right next to the beach
Pass the Les Bains swimming pool and those picture-perfect beach huts
Refuel with crepes at Le Regent (outdoor tables, seafront views – job done)
End up at Château de Dieppe – you’ll need to scoot-push up the hill, but the view’s a winner
Roughly 2km round trip
30–45 minutes with snack stops and sibling squabbles factored in
Fancy going further? Try a stretch of the Avenue Verte. It starts in Dieppe and ends in Paris (you’re not going to Paris, don’t panic), but the first few kilometres are perfect for a peaceful ride through the trees.
Scooting Jersey: Coastline Cruising with Ice Cream Bribes
If Jersey isn’t on your list yet, it should be. It’s compact, gorgeous and full of scootable routes with actual things to look at (essential when you’ve got easily bored passengers).
Route to try: St Aubin to Elizabeth Castle
Begin at St Aubin Harbour – boats, birds, and good coffee
Follow the traffic-free path along St Aubin’s Bay into town
Pause at West Park Playground or the duck pond
Grab a bite at La Frégate Café – ideal for fish fingers and flat whites
End at Elizabeth Castle – you can walk there at low tide or take the sea tractor (yes, that’s a thing)
Around 5km round trip
45 minutes to an hour with ice cream stops and castle detours
Other options? Head inland for a circular scoot round Queen’s Valley Reservoir (great for a peaceful lap), or let little ones roam safely around Howard Davis Park.
Scooter Games: Keep Them Scooting, Keep Them Smiling
Turn every scoot into a mini-adventure. Try this:
In Calais:
Count 10 French flags
Spot a dragon (the big one)
Find a boat bigger than your house
Say “bonjour” to three dogs
Scoot to the top of a slope without stopping
In Dunkirk:
Spot a cannon or a tank
Count 15 benches
Find a yellow boat
Pick up five pebbles
Scoot around a statue
In Dieppe:
Spot 5 red French postboxes
Count 10 beach huts
Say “bonjour” to 10 people
Find a scooter that’s not yours
Scoot past a dog wearing a jumper
In Jersey:
Count 20 seagulls
Spot a cow, a castle and a crab
Find a yellow front door
Scoot through a tunnel of trees
Pick up a shell (bonus: do it without stopping)
Why Scooters?
Because they’re fun. Because they’re easier than bikes. Because they don’t take up much space and they stop the “are we there yet”s before they even start.
Oh – and they’re:
Healthier than hopping in the car
Cleaner for the planet
Quicker for short trips
Cheaper than hiring bikes
Way more fun than walking (according to your 6-year-old)
Let’s Go, Then
One of the best things about taking a DFDS ferry is the freedom it gives you. Drive aboard, bring everything you need, and when you arrive? Ditch the car and explore on foot (or scooter).
Ready to find your wheels?
Check out our full range of scooters – for toddlers, teens, and even you at Micro Scooters.
