Vacation With 1 Year Old
Who let’s their 1 year old travel with them, anyway? I know vacations are a little more laid back but really, one year old? I told my wife I would never, ever do that. I was wrong.
Traveling with a toddler can be very exciting, but it can also be stressful. Check out these tips for traveling with a 1 year old for a stress-free vacation.
Traveling with a one year old is a challenge. I’m not going to sugar coat it for you guys. When we first started traveling with our little guy, I had nobody to ask for tips and advice. In fact, before we left the country with him, I stopped in at the local AAA office and bought a vacation guide to help plan our trip and feel prepared.
When you plan family vacations, there is the expectation that your kids will enjoy the experience. But too often, the vacation falls short of parents’ expectations because their little ones are simply not capable of meeting that standard. The good news is; you can make it work. Find out how to turn your next family vacation into one worth talking about after the trip is over.
We lived in the suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia for 8 years and have always loved it. We have friends who live there and we even have family there. But when we decided to up sticks and move to France, we were immediately castigated by everyone we told our plans to.
Vacation With 1 Year Old
If you’ve always loved travel, there’s no need to check your wanderlust at the nursery room door. Believe it or not, now — while your baby is still, well, a baby — is a great time to get up and go on a getaway. After all, babies and toddlers are lightweight and portable — and it is possible to plan a family vacation with them. Best of all, most airlines and hotels give them a free ride! Not all family vacation spots are created equally, though, if you’ve got young kids in tow.
5 vacation destinations your kids (and you) will love
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Here, our tips and picks for the best in baby-friendly and kid-friendly destinations.
Beach vacations
Beaches are one of the most popular destinations for all travelers. When tot-friendliness — not ocean views — is your prime concern, look for beach spots with plenty of family attractions and services.
Where to go:
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Why parents will love it: “Prompt Response Line,” allows parents to order anything they need to care for their baby; custom meals for severe food allergies; Johnson & Johnson Gentle Travel Kits; Atlantis Kids Adventures (AKA) and Sea Squirts interactive marine animal program and feedings for kids ages 3 and up; CPR certified babysitters; luxurious Mandara Spa.
Why kids will love it: 141 acres of water attractions including Splashers, a waterplay area just for tots; 50,000 fish and sea creatures; make-your-own stuffed animals at Atlantis Pals; free nightly family movies.
Cost: $$$$
When to go: Year-round with great rates during fall months
Best for: Families who love water activities, particularly those with at least one school-aged child.
More great options:
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Explore a national park
A national park is the perfect place to cultivate a lifelong love of nature. Toddlers will be wide-eyed and wondrous at the towering trees, blue sky and curious critters they encounter in these great green spaces — best seen from the stroller, child carrier or bike trailer.
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Why parents will love it: With mountain vistas, tropical rainforests, and coastal tidepools, it’s got three eco-systems to discover; there are several bike paths and stroller-friendly hiking trails (get suggestions from the visitor’s center); East Beach has a shallow swimming area with sandy shore for digging and castle making; has a toasty mineral water wading pool (and day use rates), so you can soak with your little one safely beside you; picnic areas are scattered throughout the park for alfresco meals; and there’s lodging in and outside the park.
Why kids will love it: In the forest they’ll discover bright yellow banana slugs and skittering salamanders, and glow worms after sunset; the tidepools are filled with sea stars, crabs, snails and tiny fish; the Discovery Room in the park’s main visitor center has interactive touch tables and a pint-sized Ranger Station playhouse, with puppets, dress-up clothes and more.
Cost: $ – $$
When to go: Summer and Fall
Best for: Outdoorsy families
More great options:
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Visit a farm
Little kids love feeding baby animals and helping to bake homemade cookies, two of the many activities that are often part of farm stays. In addition, visiting a family-friendly farm can be a fun, economical getaway for your whole gang.
Where to go:
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Why parents will love it: Escaping the hustle-bustle of the city for a relaxing change of pace; enjoying warm hospitality and delicious food; teaching kids about farm life.
Why kids will love it: Feeding baby animals; milking cows and goats; playing with kittens; hay rides; fall corn mazes; bonfires and s’mores; fishing; kite flying.
Cost: $ – $$
When to go: May through October
Best for: Families who enjoy animals, nature and home cooked meals — particularly those who need an escape from the big city.