a&o Hostels has hand-selected five of Europe's best cities in which to spend a European break this February half term. a&o Hostels, Europe's largest privately-owned hostel brand, offers high-end, affordable, family-friendly accommodation in a wealth of cities. With a family room, guests who are six years old or younger can stay for free, and those aged seven to 17 years can stay for a child supplement rate of €10 (£8.47) per night. Each hostel offers pushchairs for €5 (£4.24) a day and is centrally located within walking distance from a train station. a&o offers a host of activities to keep the little ones occupied including the Kids' Corner with toys, colouring books, children's books and crayons for the younger kids and tabletop football, card games and pool for the older ones.

Amsterdam

With a park three times the size of Central Park in NYC and one of the largest in Europe, Amsterdam Bos makes it a fantastic city break for children who love the outdoors! Get there by hiring a bike in the cycle capital of the world or for an alternative view, pedal around one of 165 waterways. For any young foodies, the KinderkookKafe supervised cooking café is a great concept for little ones in the city. Children can select ingredients and make their own food, before tasting the fruits of their labour at the end of the process. If you're looking to sneak a little bit of education into your child's holiday, a trip to Anne Frank's house is highly recommended.

Stay in a family room at a&o Amsterdam Zuidoost during February half term from €31.58 (£26.64) per night, based on a stay for two adults and two children. Located close to the metro in the Bullewijk district, the hostel boasts easy transport links by bus or train, and provides a spacious refuge from the hubbub of the inner city.

Cologne

Cologne might not be the first European city which springs to mind when think about a family holiday, but it is certainly one to consider. Families can feel like they're in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at the Chocolate Workshop and Museum. Guided tours introduce visitors to the fascinating process of chocolate making, from planting cocoa beans to wrapping the finished treats. As a bonus, there is a chocolate fountain and the opportunity to taste the delicious delights. Cologne's Rheinpark is a must-see, not only is it a great place for a stroll, it also has a beach club, a theatre and thermal baths. Don't miss the cities Zoo, it is one of the oldest and best in Germany and with it being so big, exploring can take up to the best part of a day. Boasting 10,000 animals, reptiles and birds across a whopping 800 species, visitors can witness feedings of sea lions, hippos, piranhas and penguins, as well as marvel at amazing bird shows.

Stay in a family room at a&o Köln Dom during February half term from €39.09 (£32.97) based on a stay for two adults and two children. Just beside both the station and the Cathedral, the hostel is perfectly placed to visit by train and be right beside the action.

Berlin

Due to its relatively small population and thus shorter attraction queues, Berlin is a great city to consider when planning a family break. Visit an original skeleton of a Tyrannosaurus rex and the preserved remains of Knut the polar bear on a trip to the Naturkundemuseum, right in the heart of the capital. For an educational spin, visitors can take their children to the Anne Frank Museum or interactive DDR Museum, which allows kids to learn about the Holocaust in an interactive setting, by pressing buttons, opening drawers and watching videos. In the event of good weather and sunshine, explore the abundance of green parks, woodlands and lakes by having a picnic, taking a cycle ride or enjoying leisurely walk.

Stay in a family room at a&o Berlin Mitte during February half term from €30.00 (£25.30) based on a stay for two adults and two children. Easily accessible by car, train or public transport, a&o Berlin Mitte is the ideal starting point for excursions into the beautiful city of Berlin.

Leipzig

It may not be an obvious destination, but the beautiful city of Leipzig offers a great range of activities to experience. Families can stroll through the Wildpark Leipzig, spotting a variety of wildlife including colourful birds, rare species of trees and exotic plants. For those who prefer to explore undercover, a double-decker hop-on hop-off bus tour run daily through the city. These all have an interesting commentary along the way, perfect for keeping little ones entertained whilst taking in the sights. For animal lovers, head to Zoo Leipzig, which is home to an array of exotic animal species from all over the world, including koalas, giraffes and dangerous predators.

Stay in a family room at a&o Leipzig Hauptbahnhof during February half term from €22.57 (£19.03) based on a stay for two adults and two children. Located just beside central station, a&o Leipzig Hauptbahnhof is the ideal spot from which to explore iconic sights and sounds of Leipzig.

Salzburg

With plenty of options for amusing the family, Salzburg is the perfect place to visit. Not only is it famed for its beautiful backdrop in the film 'Sound of Music', it is also home to the birthplace of the infamous Mozart, making it the ideal location for aspiring young musicians. For culture fans, there is a variety of rich history and assortment of museums, including the Museum of Natural History and Modern Art. For little prince and princesses, visit the Hohensalzburg Fortress, the biggest fully preserved castle in Central Europe.

Stay in a family room at Wolfgang's managed by a&o during February half term from €30.25 (£25.52) based on a stay for two adults and two children. With easy transport links from the hostel, and a Kids' Corner available for children to enjoy, Wolfgang's managed by a&o is the ideal place for families to stay on their trip to Salzburg.