The Best Types of Trips to Take with Toddlers
Are you looking for toddler-friendly vacations the whole family will enjoy? These are the best toddler-friendly vacations the whole family will enjoy. (Updated February 2024)
Travel with toddlers is not for the faint of heart. Gone are the days of spontaneous trips with just a carry-on. Travel now requires careful planning and packing. There are all kinds of extra gear like diapers, wipes, car seats, strollers, and baby carriers.
Traveling parents of toddlers have to contend with nap times, sleeping arrangements, high chairs or lack thereof, potential hazards, un-baby-proofed rooms, the need to haul snacks everywhere you go, and the issue of buying milk and keeping it cold.
Despite all of the extra work involved in traveling with a toddler, it can be so worthwhile. Your time and memories will be richer and you will grow closer as a family. Your toddler will learn how to be a good little traveler. It may take some time, but they’ll learn! And I’m a big believer that we don’t need to stop living our lives just because we have kids.
Related: Why You Should Travel with Your Kids Even Though It’s A Pain
So what makes a trip toddler-friendly?
In my opinion (and this could change from person to person), a destination is great for families with toddlers if:
I’m not constantly worried about their safety
I'm not stressed about my toddler ruining something expensive
There's a low probability that people will be annoyed by the presence of my toddler.
We have access to a grocery store or market.
There are activities or spaces where my toddler can just be a toddler.
This means the accommodations need to have no stairs (for younger toddlers still learning to walk), and no breakable decor within reach of a toddler. Sometimes vacation rentals like Airbnb can be a good option for families with toddlers thanks to extra space for toddler naps and early bedtimes, and a full kitchen for cooking. But sometimes they can be a nightmare if there are stairs or lots of breakable decor.
That’s about it! You can certainly make any trip with toddlers work, but will you be able to relax and enjoy it?
Here are the top types of trips I’ve found somewhat enjoyable with toddlers.
Best Toddler-Friendly Vacations the Entire Family Will Enjoy
National Parks and State Parks
There’s no better way to wear out little kids than letting them run free in the great outdoors. National Parks showcase our country’s natural beauty and allow toddlers to stretch their legs and enjoy outdoor activities. There is plenty to do and learn for parents, too, so it’s not necessarily a kid-centric trip.
Many national parks have easier trails that are perfect for families with small children and they offer junior ranger programs for kids ages 5-12. The parks are incredibly affordable and offer a chance to road trip as a family.
Always be sure to stop at the visitor center and talk to the park rangers about what the best trails to do with toddlers are.
Don’t forget the excitement of seeing animals in the wild or incredible sights like the Grand Canyon, tall trees in Sequoia National Park, or the Old Faithful Geyser in Yellowstone.
There are some parks I’ll save for when the kids are a tiny bit older - or at least when my toddler is no longer running away from me. I’m sure you could do the Grand Canyon with a toddler, but I would be constantly worried about mine toppling over the edge.
We've also visited a few incredible state parks that were just as cool as national parks! Custer State Park in South Dakota is great for seeing wildlife, and Valley of Fire State Park just outside of Las Vegas has amazing red rock formations and a few easy hiking trails that are just a short walk that even toddlers can do.
A few great National Parks we have visited with young children are:
State Parks
Beach Vacation
Families naturally gravitate to beach destinations for good reason. Toddlers love splashing in the waves, playing in the sand (or eating it), and being able to roam free. Don’t expect to relax on a towel in the sun, though. Going to the beach with toddlers requires full parental attention, but it’s still fun for the whole family.
Bring some shovels, beach toys, balls, an umbrella, and a cooler full of snacks and drinks to maximize your time on the shore. You’ll also want to find a hotel or Airbnb right on the beach so you can take the kids back for nap time.
I would also recommend looking for a beach with a wide shoreline and calm waters so that toddlers have room to run without always heading straight for the waves.
One of our favorite beach destinations with toddlers is Sanibel Island. There's a slower pace of life on the island, and kids can hunt for amazing seashells on the shoreline. Many of the beaches along the Gulf Coast of Florida are super family-friendly, so you can't go wrong there!
Beach Tips:
What to Pack for A Beach Day with Toddlers
Great Beach Destinations:
Things to Do in Sarasota with Kids
Mountain Cabin
There’s nothing cozier than a family vacation in the mountains where you can curl up with some hot chocolate and books. Of course, toddlers will need to burn off some energy, so pick a destination with kid-friendly trails and activities nearby.
I would also advise picking a cabin that’s only one story. Stairs are your worst enemy when traveling with crawlers and walkers who can’t comfortably handle going up or down on their own. You won’t be able to relax at all if you’re worried about them falling down the stairs.
If you do end up choosing a cabin with stairs, you can buy or rent a baby gate when you arrive at your destination for some added peace of mind.
We found Gatlinburg to be a great destination for kids with Smoky Mountain National Park nearby and plenty of family-friendly activities to do in town.
Road Trip
This is not a specific destination, but road-tripping with toddlers is one of the best ways to spend a family vacation. They are strapped into a car seat so they can’t get into anything, and unlike traveling via airplane, there are no fellow passengers for them to annoy besides your immediate family members. It’s much less stressful, and you can plan all kinds of fun stops along the way to break up the trip.
This is also a great option for families because you have more room to bring toddler gear like pack & plays, strollers, and diapers. You can pack as much food as you want to save money from home, and you can move as slowly or as quickly as your family needs.
There are so many great classic American road trips to choose from that your family is bound to see some amazing sights along the way and make great memories together to boot.
Getting our toddlers used to road-tripping long distances was one of the best things we've done!
Road Trip Tips:
50 Road Trip Activities for Toddlers and Preschoolers
How to Make Road Trip Binders for Your Kids
Packing for A Road Trip with Young Kids
Great Family Road Trips:
South Dakota Family Road Trip Itinerary
Southern California Road Trip Itinerary
Theme Parks
Theme park destinations like Disney, Universal Orlando, LEGOLAND, Six Flags, and Busch Gardens are great for families, even families with toddlers. Often there is a section of the park dedicated to rides for small kids, and there are characters, shows, and lots of lights and colors.
Amusement parks can be overwhelming, so make sure to book a hotel or Airbnb close by so you can head back for a nap and return later. The best thing to remember about bringing toddlers to theme parks is to get an early start to beat the crowds, alternate indoor and outdoor rides to beat the heat, take your time, and bring plenty of snacks, water, and sunscreen.
Low expectations are your friend. If you think you’re going to fit in all of your favorite thrill rides or get to everything you want to do, you’ll be very disappointed at the end of your day. Focus on what rides will offer your toddler a fun experience and try to see the magic through their eyes. If there are rides you truly want to go on that your little one can’t make use of the rider switch program many theme parks offer.
One of our favorite theme parks to visit with toddlers is LEGOLAND. The parks and hotels on the property are geared toward children ages 2-12. There are stools near the sinks in the restrooms, small toilets for toddlers with toddler seats built in, and common play areas and playgrounds where toddlers can run around and be loud. LEGOLAND is truly one of the best places to take your toddler.
LEGOLAND Tips:
Disney World Tips
Universal Orlando Tips
Staycation
I understand that staying in your own city is not very exciting, but some parents of toddlers feel so overwhelmed at the thought of leaving home that they simply opt not to travel at all. I think a staycation is a great “gateway” vacation option to help families dip their toes into the waters of travel.
You can either stay in the comfort of your own home or find a hotel or Airbnb somewhere in your city to make it feel more like a vacation. If you do choose to book accommodations, at least you know you’ll be near enough to home to run back for anything you may have forgotten.
Other advantages to staycations are that they are budget-friendly, you don’t have to worry about getting lost because you’re driving on familiar roads, and you’ll see your hometown with fresh eyes. You can also branch out and stay in a nearby city that’s only 30 minutes to an hour away.
Staycation Tips:
How to Start Traveling with Kids: Be a Tourist in Your Own City
City Break
Many traveling families subscribe to the belief that if kids live there, kids can travel there. Big cities can be incredibly toddler-friendly, and the best part is there is plenty to do for parents and older kids, too.
I love that you’ll never run out of things to do in big cities, and most are not only ok for toddlers to do, but they are made for toddlers. Think parks, gardens, zoos, trolley/bus/boat tours, museums, and restaurants for every taste and budget.
Within the United States, cities like New York, Boston, and Washington DC are great because you can use public transportation and leave the car seat at home!
Many European cities make a great place to travel with little ones, too! We’ve personally done London and Paris with a toddler, and though we went to Germany before we had kids, many of the cities were incredibly clean, safe, and charming with lots to do for families.
More recently, we enjoyed traveling to Italy and Greece with our 4 kids, including our toddler, and I also took our toddler on a solo mom-and-daughter trip to Belgium, Amsterdam, and Luxembourg. All of the big cities we visited were fairly easy to navigate with a toddler.
Big City Destinations:
All Inclusive Resorts
All-Inclusive Resorts are one of the best options for parents who want to start traveling with their toddler. There are so many family-friendly resorts that offer childcare, a kids club, kid-friendly food options, pools just for kids, and activities for kids, too!
There are not many all-inclusive resort options within the United States, but throughout Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and the rest of the Caribbean there are many options.
We have not had the opportunity to stay at an all-inclusive resort with the kids, yet, though we did visit one in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico for our honeymoon. It's such a luxury to not have to take out your wallet throughout your entire hotel stay!
I can imagine with a toddler an all-inclusive resort would be the closest you could get to a "relaxing" vacation.
Our Favorite Destinations in the United States with Toddlers
San Diego - Visit this spot on the California coast to see the world-famous San Diego Zoo, visit Balboa Park, see the sea lions at La Jolla Cove, look at the tide pools, or drive to any of the nearby theme parks like LEGOLAND California or Universal Studios Hollywood. We also took a short road trip to Palm Springs while we were in Southern California!
Washington DC - I loved visiting Washington DC with my toddler because I didn't have to bring the car seat! They have excellent public transportation from the airport to the city center, and from there you can walk to the National Mall to see all of the monuments, memorials, and museums. Plus, most of the museums are free, so you don't have to worry about wasting money if your toddler gets sick of it after a few minutes.
South Dakota - We road-tripped through the Black Hills and Badlands of South Dakota when our kids were 1, 4, 6, and 8. It was the perfect vacation with young children! We saw wildlife, visited Mount Rushmore, went hiking, and spent a lot of time outdoors. It was a great family trip.
Tampa Bay - I didn't think I would love Tampa Bay with toddlers as much as I did! There is a great riverwalk, lots of parks and splash pads, and a fun pirate cruise. In addition, it's close to incredibly family-friendly beaches like St. Pete and Clearwater. Plus you can easily drive to LEGOLAND, Florida or Walt Disney World Resort.
Sun Valley, Idaho - This destination in the mountains is popular for skiing in winter and outdoor recreation in summer, but we visited with a baby and a toddler in fall, and there were no crowds! The mountain scenery was beautiful, and it was the perfect place to do some easy hikes with little ones or take a scenic drive.
Our Favorite International Destinations with Toddlers
Costa Rica - This was our first international trip as a family of 6, and we had the best time! We relaxed on sandy beaches and went on a sloth tour. I took the older kids horseback riding and my husband took them ziplining. The people were so friendly to toddlers, and we loved being outdoors and seeing wildlife!
Italy - You can't go wrong with a destination that is popular for pizza, pasta, and gelato! The adults and older kids loved the history, while our toddlers loved to eat in Italy! Once again, every Italian we interacted with was so kind to our kids, and we had the best time!
London - this is a great first international destination with kids! They speak English, it's easy to get around on public transportation, and the food is very familiar.
A FEW TIPS
Look into Airbnbs. You’ll have separate rooms for your toddler to fall asleep so the rest of your family can still stay up and hang out after they go to bed. You’ll have a place to prepare food and store milk. In general, your toddler will have more space to move around. You can even check to see if your host will baby-proof or provide a crib/pack & play.
Always have wipes on hand. To protect your toddler from the world and to protect the world from your toddler. There’s never not a mess. Also, always pack an extra outfit.
Go out for dinner early. Like, at 4:45. Yes, you will feel approximately 74 years old, but you will be grateful for emptier restaurants and quicker service when your toddler is grabbing the utensils and throwing them on the floor for entertainment.
Stock up on entertainment for the flight or road trip. Check out my must-haves for toddlers here.
Whether you choose to stay in your city or travel halfway around the world with your toddler, the important parts of travel are spending quality time together as a family, opening your mind to the world around you, and figuring out how to overcome challenges and obstacles.
If you’re simply trying to get a relaxing vacation, maybe drop the kids off with their grandparents and go to an all-inclusive. Nothing wrong with that! We all need a break every now and then.
But if you’re looking to turn your kids into great travelers, spark their curiosity, and make them more accepting of other people and cultures, then get out there and go! Try something new. Learn. Grow. Move.
You won’t regret it.
Tips for Traveling with a Toddler
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Emily Krause is a Wisconsin-based travel content creator who writes about exploring the world with kids.
On A Mom Explores you’ll find the best family travel destinations, Disney World tips, and how to make travel with babies and toddlers a little easier.
Emily believes that exploring starts in our own backyards, and adventure can happen anywhere with the right mindset.
