Traveling with kids under the age of two can be a major challenge, but if you plan ahead and consider top toddler vacation spots, then your family trip can be one to treasure forever.
Traveling With Toddlers
Vacationing with one to three year olds is not always smooth sailing. After all, there are a host of factors you must consider when traveling with kids that young. Naptime, meals, and age appropriate activities are just a few of the points that need to be addressed before venturing away from home with a toddler. In addition, parents should also consider other aspects of traveling with tots, such as time zone differences and safe transport via child safety seats in trains, planes and automobiles.
Popular Toddler Vacation Spots
Fortunately, there are a number of excellent toddler-friendly vacation destinations that have plenty to offer energetic youngsters and parents alike.
Resorts
Top toddler vacation spots include a safe and fun home away from home for the entire family. Several resorts in the United States cater specifically to adventurous tots, such as:
Nickelodeon Family Suites: This top-rated family destination by Holiday Inn in Orlando, Florida, offers a slew of toddler-friendly amenities, including an interactive water play area. Kids under two will have a ball playing in the area designated specifically for their age group. The lifeguard-staffed play zone features tons of sand, a zero-depth pool, plus shaded spaces with fountains and miniature slides. The resort also offers baby spa treatments, including hair braiding and manicures for kids as young as two. Parents will also appreciate the resort's colorful all-suite set-up. Most of the resorts 777 suites are a sprawling 485-square feet, and all are nonsmoking and equipped with a refrigerator and microwave.
Atlantis Resort: This Bahamas-based resort features a massive marine habitat, water attractions, and plenty of room for adventurous tots to roam. However, what parents of toddlers are more likely to appreciate is the resort's partnership with baby product giant Johnson & Johnson. In addition to having more than 6500 cribs on site, the resort provides toddler guests with a Gentle Travel Kit and a several outstanding extra services. The travel kit includes Johnson & Johnson products including:
- Soap
- Shampoo
- Lotion
- Sunscreen
- Lullaby CD
- Tips about keeping up baby's routine while traveling
- Special nightlight
Meanwhile, the resort also offers extra crib sheets, baby bathtubs, bottle warmers, sterilizers, strollers, and even a small fridge for bottles and baby food.
Theme Parks
Visiting a theme park with a toddler can be a tricky proposition unless you choose one that caters to tots. Among the most toddler-friendly theme parks are:
Sesame Place: Located in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Sesame Place is designed specifically for kids 2 to 10, with a special emphasis on toddlers. Not only do kids get to mingle with their favorite pals from Sesame Street, such as Big Bird, Elmo, Bert, Ernie, Zoe, and Cookie Monster, but they can also partake in hands-on science experiments and toddler-sized rides. Other tot-friendly attractions include live musical revues, inflatables, and daily parades.
Disney World: What toddler wouldn't want to meet Mickey and his pals in the Magic Kingdom? Youngsters love Disney World for its bright colors, playful music and endless surfaces to climb on. Parents will appreciate that toddlers get into the park for free and buffets are free for kids under two. Another plus is the fact that many of the rides at Disney World do not have height requirements, so your tot can spend an entire day sailing through "It's a Small World."
Major Cities
If you are looking for a toddler vacation spot that lends itself to more flexibility, then consider visiting a major city. Places like New York City are teeming with tot-friendly attractions, from Central Park and the Bronx Zoo to the New York Aquarium and the Brooklyn Children's Museum. From a practical standpoint, the Big Apple is a pedestrian-friendly city and has excellent public transportation.
San Diego is also appealing for parents traveling with toddlers as its year-round warm weather and variety of family-friendly activities makes it easy to navigate. Toddlers will love visiting the San Diego Zoo, picnicking in Balboa Park or running on La Jolla's beaches.
Toddler in Tow
Traveling with a toddler can be a nightmare. However, with a little research and planning, you can enjoy a pleasant family holiday that will keep your high-energy tot safe, happy and content.
