I get it, you want to take your family on the vacation of your dreams, but you’re facing some challenges. Maybe your kids are struggling with behavior problems. Maybe they don’t sleep well at night. Maybe, they’re too young and can’t comprehend what vacation is, let alone know how to embrace it. Or maybe they all know how to embrace it, but you don’t have a team member who can fill in (and do an amazing job) when you leave. Vacation With Toddlers In Winter

Let’s face it, even toddler-friendly vacations can be stressful. No matter how well you prepare for your family’s big trip, you will still have to deal with delayed flights, leaky diapers and cranky children. But with a little planning and a lot of patience, you can make it through your vacation with toddlers in winter unscathed.

Even the idea of packing for a vacation when you have toddlers to deal with is cringe-worthy, especially if you’re traveling in winter. Every single thing you own is going to be asked of several times over. So how in the world can you prepare for this?

Traveling with young children can be hard, but we did it! And it was amazing. I hope our tips will help you plan your own family vacation.

Vacation With Toddlers In Winter

Over the next few weeks, I am going to be boarding a flight with my husband and two sons. We are going on vacation with another couple and their two young children. Things will’t be easy. On this vacation, one of the adults may well have to hold back tears while they watch in horror as the other adult loses their temper. Tempers may flare in a heated argument over which child woke up at what time (as if time itself has meaning when you’re traveling with toddlers) or whether one child deserves to get dessert even though he dropped his spoon for the fifth time that day. We may find ourselves stepping away from our family as we struggle to decide if it was our fault or theirs for letting an argument turn into a full-blown meltdown.

Best Family Winter Vacations

School’s out for the holiday season and work hours have finally let up, so why not gather the whole gang for a family-friendly winter escape? Using reader votes and expert opinions, U.S. News rounded up this list of the best family winter vacations. Whether you’re craving adventure travel, warm temperatures or cultural immersion, you’ll find a range of options on this ranking. Ask the kids to help you vote for the top spots, and help us decide next year’s list. (Note: Some of the below destinations may be affected by the coronavirus outbreak. Check with the CDC and the U.S. Department of State before traveling.)

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• View 31 PhotosBelongs on List?YesNoOrlando#1 in Best Family Winter VacationsOrlando, Florida’s world-renowned theme parks make it the dream vacation destination of families across the globe. With kid-friendly attractions, such as The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Toy Story Land, there’s entertainment to satisfy your little ones for weeks. Plus, Orlando boasts comfortable daytime temperatures in the 70s come wintertime. However, this season is one of Orlando’s busiest times of year, so finalize your lodging and flights months in advance to secure lower rates. For slightly shorter lines at the parks, arrive in January or February after the holidays. READ MOREBEST HOTELS|FLIGHTS|THINGS TO DO
• View 30 PhotosBelongs on List?YesNoAnaheim-Disneyland#2 in Best Family Winter VacationsIdeal temps in the 70s and a decked-out Disneyland for the holidays are just two reasons why Anaheim, California, is a great family vacation spot in winter. Can’t-miss attractions here include Disney California Adventure Park, the Downtown Disney District and, of course, Disneyland Park. Although you could easily spend your whole trip at Disneyland, save time for dining and shopping in the Anaheim Packing District. If you’re planning to visit during a school break, book well in advance to snag accommodations at reasonable prices. READ MOREBEST HOTELS|THINGS TO DO
• View 22 PhotosBelongs on List?YesNoBahamas#3 in Best Family Winter VacationsPopular Bahamian resorts like Atlantis, Paradise Island have all kinds of kid-approved amenities, including children’s play areas, marine habitats and video arcades. Additionally, the Bahamas offers thrilling family-friendly activities like snorkeling and boating, as well as stunning shores (think: Pink Sand Beach and Coco Plum Beach) that are ideal for building sandcastles, sunbathing and cooling off in crystal-clear water. Add in the reprieve of warm weather and the islands’ close proximity to the U.S., and the Bahamas is perfectly suited for winter family fun. READ MOREBEST HOTELS|THINGS TO DO
• View 46 PhotosBelongs on List?YesNoHonolulu – Oahu#4 in Best Family Winter VacationsThe Honolulu Zoo and several family resorts help make Waikiki Beach an especially kid-friendly part of Honolulu. Plus, children of all ages will love cooling off with Hawaiian shave ice after a long day of play. But Oahu’s biggest wintertime appeal lies in its warm weather: High temps hover in the low 80s. Just keep in mind that you won’t be the only family vying for space on the sand. READ MOREBEST HOTELS|THINGS TO DO
• View 46 PhotosBelongs on List?YesNoLake Tahoe#5 in Best Family Winter VacationsSpanning thousands of acres in California and Nevada, Lake Tahoe appeals to budding skiers and their parents. Choose from either downhill or cross-country skiing, both of which can be enjoyed in the northern and southern halves of Lake Tahoe. Available lodging options range from luxury resorts with ski-in/ski-out access to bed-and-breakfast accommodations to cabin rentals. Avoid weekends and the busy holiday season to save some coin. READ MOREBEST HOTELS|THINGS TO DO
• View 48 PhotosBelongs on List?YesNoU.S. Virgin Islands#6 in Best Family Winter VacationsNot only are U.S. citizens able to enter this tropical paradise without a passport, but they can easily plan a vacation with kids here thanks to numerous family-friendly resorts and several unique attractions. Swim with sea lions at St. Thomas’ Coral World Ocean Park, snorkel in the quiet lagoon of St. Croix’s Buck Island Reef National Monument or explore the trails of St. John’s Virgin Islands National Park. No trip to the U.S. Virgin Islands would be complete without riding the Skyride to Paradise Point tram, which offers breathtaking views of Charlotte Amalie’s harbor from 700 feet above the ground. READ MOREBEST HOTELS|THINGS TO DO
• View 37 PhotosBelongs on List?YesNoJackson Hole#7 in Best Family Winter VacationsExperience a winter wonderland fit for the whole family in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Kids who aren’t quite ready for the bunny hill can go snow tubing at Grand Targhee Resort or Snow King Resort while aspiring ice skaters zip around the Village Rink on the Commons in Teton Village. Dog sledding tours and National Elk Refuge sleigh rides are additional must-do family activities. When you need to warm up, head inside the Jackson Hole Playhouse for dinner and a family-friendly Western-themed show.