Vacation With Toddler And Baby
Are you planning to go on family vacation with your toddler and baby? Well, if yes, then it is best to know the ideas that can help you in making the vacation memorable. Vacation is the best time for relaxation and fun, but when you have toddlers or babies with you, this trip gets lots of twists and excitement.
It always starts with excitement — the big trip. The family is buzzing with expectation. Then reality sets in — when we travel with our kids, it requires an extra level of thoughtfulness and planning. Does everyone have the gear they need? Are lunches packed? What will happen if our toddler has an accident? Will we be okay in a foreign land where you don’t speak the language? The following safety measures offer some advice that has helped our family get through some exciting (and scary) adventures while traveling with toddlerswebsite: http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/10/11/us-toddler-travel-idUSTRE79A3KB20111011
Of all the articles out there on this topic, most (in my opinion) are not realistic in their suggestions and recommendations. They don’t reflect the real life of a stay-at-home mother with a toddler and a baby at home. By sharing what we REALLY did and how we survived, I hope to give those of you who want to travel but aren’t sure exactly how or why to go, some guidance.
While not as prone to tantrums or attention seeking as toddlers, babies are still unpredictable and often unable to communicate their needs to you. If you have never been on vacation with children, both infant or toddler, it can be a bit overwhelming. I am a mother of toddler-age twins, so my husband and I are no strangers to the pitfalls of vacationing with young children. In this article I will outline some of our favorite trips with the kids, how we prepared for them in advance, and our favorite advice for traveling with little ones.
Vacation With Toddler And Baby
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: $$$$
When to go: Year-round with great rates during fall months
Best for: Families who love water activities, particularly those with at least one school-aged child.
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Explore a national park
A national park is the perfect place to cultivate a lifelong love of nature. Toddlers will be wide-eyed and wondrous at the towering trees, blue sky and curious critters they encounter in these great green spaces — best seen from the stroller, child carrier or bike trailer.
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Why parents will love it: With mountain vistas, tropical rainforests, and coastal tidepools, it’s got three eco-systems to discover; there are several bike paths and stroller-friendly hiking trails (get suggestions from the visitor’s center); East Beach has a shallow swimming area with sandy shore for digging and castle making; has a toasty mineral water wading pool (and day use rates), so you can soak with your little one safely beside you; picnic areas are scattered throughout the park for alfresco meals; and there’s lodging in and outside the park.
Why kids will love it: In the forest they’ll discover bright yellow banana slugs and skittering salamanders, and glow worms after sunset; the tidepools are filled with sea stars, crabs, snails and tiny fish; the Discovery Room in the park’s main visitor center has interactive touch tables and a pint-sized Ranger Station playhouse, with puppets, dress-up clothes and more.
Cost: $ – $$
When to go: Summer and Fall
Best for: Outdoorsy families
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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: $ – $$
When to go: May through October
Best for: Families who enjoy animals, nature and home cooked meals — particularly those who need an escape from the big city.
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RELATED: How two families traveled the world with kids — and how you can, too
Amusement parks
With their tot-tested appeal, ,and(now in Florida as well as California) are often seen as the standard bearers. Families visitingcan stop at Seuss Landing for tot-friendly rides.
Where to go:
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Why parents will love it: Many creative opportunities for young kids, all rides and attractions are designed for kids ages 2 to 7; and a special 10,000-sqare-foot pool for babies and toddlers.
Why kids will love it: Sesame Street characters; nine tot-sized water rides; Elmo’s World, a 21,000-square-foot playland with cute character shows; the rockin’ daily Neighborhood Street Party parade.
Cost: $ – $$
When to go: Daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day, weekends from early May through late October.
Best for: Families with little ones looking for a day of fun outdoor activity.
RELATED: 5 ways to save money on your next family vacation
Lounge at the lake
With their calm waters and family attractions, lakes are popular vacations for families with babies or toddlers. Lakes can also be great spots for family road trips, saving big bucks on travel costs.
Where to go:
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Why parents will love it: All-inclusive resort with lots of opportunities for “me” time; nine unique programs for newborns to kids up to 30 months of age; kids camp program for toddlers; Parents’ Night Out — whenever you wish; parents’ only candlelight cocktails and dining; one caregiver to every one to two children; special activities for families with young children; art and water sports activities, bikes with baby seats; parents’ helpers and evening sitters available for extra charge.
Why kids will love it: Playhouse Playground; fishing for perch; Splash Pad and indoor/outdoor water play areas; theme parties; campfires; storytelling; teepee and tree house.
Cost: $$$ – $$$$
When to go: Open late May through mid-September. Special rates are available in May, June and September.
Best for: Water-loving families, parents of little ones seeking some romantic time alone and families who prefer all-inclusive vacations.
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Ranch time
What kid doesn’t love pony rides, cowboys and sing-a-longs?
Where to go:
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Why parents will love it: All-inclusive resort vacation; childcare nursery for kids under 4; in-room babysitting; and custom meals for severe food allergies.
Why kids will love it: Over 100 indoor and outdoor activities; pony and wagon rides for kids ages 2 and up; interactive playground for babies and toddlers; new Big Splash indoor waterpark; tubing and ski programs for toddlers; a comprehensive nursery program.
Cost: $$
When to go: Open year-round.
Best for: Families who love all-inclusive resorts, a wide variety of family activities and lots of good old-fashioned fun.
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All-inclusive family resorts
It’s comforting to know exactly how much your vacation is going to cost before you go, especially when you have picky eaters and other little kid issues to consider. Family-focused all-inclusives — hands down — offer the most extensive family amenities of any type of destination, including nannies, suites with separate kids’ rooms, baby meal programs and more.
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Why parents will love it: Special Toddler & Baby Inclusive program; Gourmet Gerber meals; Fisher-Price Little People themed family suites; Mom’s Morning jogging/yoga program; anytime babysitting and nanny services for extra fee; baby equipment and a toy loan program; personalized Family Friends Vacation Planner; beach and pool butlers; private beach dinners; and new spa and seaside massages.
Why kids will love it: Azulitos Play House Kid’s Club with Fisher-Price toys; Mini Mayans cultural program; My Gym Fitness Center equipment; Kids’ Spa Suites with Strawberry Ice Cream manicures; in-room family movie nights.
Cost: $$$ – $$$$
When to go: Best temperatures in winter and spring, best rates and family packages in the fall.
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Best for: Families who want to be pampered and enjoy lots of amenities like yummy fruit smoothies without the constant worry of how much things cost on vacation.
RELATED: 4 family-friendly destinations for the summer
Head for the mountains
Snow-capped peaks don’t leap to mind when you think of vacationing with babies, but many of these vacation spots offer four seasons of family fun and daily kids programs for infants and toddlers. Best of all, these mountain resorts are self-contained vacation destinations with great rates off-season.
Where to go:
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Why parents will love it: Year-round Treasures Child Care Center with programs for Fireflies (6 weeks to 16 months); Little Dippers (17 months to 2 ½ years) and Little Rascals (2 to 3 years); pagers and security cards for parents; ski programs for potty-trained kids ages 3 and up; introductory ski program for ages 2 ½ – 3 years (no potty-training necessary) and full-day ski programs for potty-trained kids ages 3 and up; babysitters; and extensive kids’ and family programs.
Why kids will love it: Wintertime snow tubing and learning to ski on the Magic Carpet lift; summertime splashing in pint-sized pools with spray zones and mini water slides; year-round fun in the 4,000-square-foot playground and FunZone indoor family entertainment center, and at nightly story times and sing-alongs.
Cost: $$ – $$$
When to go: Year-round, although some of the best deals are available in the fall.
Best for: Families who love winter sports as well as hiking, biking and the outdoors.
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Desert hot spots
Desert resorts have ultra-cool pools set against the spectacular backdrop of cacti, canyons and bright blue sky.
Where to go:
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Why parents will love it: Cribs, bibs, washcloths, wipes, lotion, diapers, strollers, playpens, high chairs, and in-room fridges and microwaves are all provided at no charge upon request; kids under 5 eat free, and resort chefs will prepare fresh pureed baby food to order; you and your tots can play together at the “Kids for All Seasons” center, which also has supervised programs for ages 5 and up; the family concierge will arrange babysitting for date nights.
Why kids will love it: The baby wading pool features pint-sized lounge chairs and robes and fresh fruit served al fresco; Saturday night s’mores making at the Saguaro Blossom restaurant fire pits; bunnies, woodpeckers and roadrunners can be spotted on the property; nearby McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park in Phoenix has a carousel and antique train rides (free with a paying adult).
Cost: $$$-$$$$
When to go: Temperatures are mildest in spring and fall, but best deals are in the sizzling summer.
Best for: Families who enjoy golf, pool time, nature treks and southwestern scenery.