Best Family Vacations for Toddlers

Traveling with toddlers is a completely different experience than traveling with older kids. You are no longer planning your vacation around museums, adventurous hikes, or whether everyone wants to ride the biggest roller coaster in the park. Instead, you are thinking about nap schedules, easy food, short travel times, and whether there is somewhere your child can run around without immediately disappearing into traffic.

The good news is that there are plenty of incredible family vacations for toddlers. You do not have to spend the next several years vacationing exclusively at your parents’ house because they already own toys. There are destinations where toddlers can splash, explore, see animals, ride rides, and generally live their best tiny, chaotic lives while parents actually enjoy themselves too.

When choosing a vacation with toddlers, I think the key is keeping things simple. You want easy transportation, plenty of opportunities to get outside, accommodations that are comfortable for families, and enough activities that you are not desperately Googling “things to do with a 2-year-old” before breakfast. Here are some of the best family vacations for toddlers.

If you want a vacation where your toddler can stay busy from morning until bedtime without you having to plan every second of the trip, Beaches Turks & Caicos is hard to beat.

The resort is basically designed to make family vacations easier. There are multiple pools, a water park, a lazy river, playground areas, kids’ programming, and a beautiful beach. Toddlers can spend the morning playing in the water and the afternoon building sandcastles, which is honestly a pretty solid vacation schedule for anyone.

One of the things I love about Beaches is that there is enough going on for everyone in the family. Toddlers can enjoy Sesame Street characters and kid-friendly activities while older siblings have water slides, sports, and plenty of other things to do. Parents are not stuck entertaining every member of the family separately.

The Sesame Street activities are especially fun for younger kids. There are character appearances, parades, breakfasts, and other events that toddlers absolutely lose their minds over in the best possible way.

Orlando might be the most obvious answer on this list, but there is a reason families keep going back. There are enough things to do with toddlers here that you could visit several times and still not see everything.

Disney World is obviously one of the biggest draws. While toddlers may not remember every detail of the trip when they are older, that does not mean the experience is wasted. Watching a toddler meet Mickey Mouse or see Cinderella Castle for the first time is pretty magical. Even if they eventually forget it, you won’t.

Magic Kingdom is probably the best park for toddlers because there are plenty of rides without height requirements. Dumbo, It’s a Small World, the PeopleMover, the Jungle Cruise, and Peter Pan’s Flight are all great options.

You also do not have to spend every day in a theme park. Orlando has resorts with fantastic pools, character dining, miniature golf, and plenty of other attractions. You can even spend time at Disney Springs, where there are restaurants, shopping, and plenty to see without needing another expensive park ticket. Check out my article on the T-Rex Cafe at Disney Springs if you have a dinosaur-obsessed toddler.

The biggest mistake parents can make in Orlando is trying to do everything. You cannot. Nobody can. Pick a few things each day and leave plenty of room for naps, snacks, and the inevitable moment when your toddler decides they are absolutely done with being magical.

Grapevine is one of my favorite destinations for families with younger kids because there is so much to do without needing to drive all over the place.

The biggest draw for toddlers is Grapevine Mills Mall. Calling it just a mall feels a little misleading because there is enough entertainment inside to keep a family busy for an entire day. Toddlers can visit SEA LIFE Aquarium, play at Peppa Pig World of Play, and spend time at LEGOLAND Discovery Center. There is also an indoor play area, which is always helpful when someone needs to burn off energy before lunch.

Grapevine is also home to Great Wolf Lodge, which has an enormous indoor water park, interactive water features, family activities, and plenty to keep young kids entertained. The indoor water park is especially nice because the weather does not get to ruin your vacation plans.

The Gaylord Texan is another great family option, especially during the holidays. The hotel has seasonal activities, family entertainment, restaurants, and its famous ICE! experience. Nearby is in North Richland Hills is a Peppa Pig Theme Park.

If your toddler is obsessed with Elmo, Cookie Monster, or basically anyone who lives on Sesame Street, then Sesame Place should absolutely be on your radar.

This theme park near Philadelphia is designed with younger children in mind, which makes it much easier to manage than some of the enormous theme parks. When we visited, I loved that the park was small enough that I could manage all three of my kids without feeling like I needed a search party every time someone wandered three feet away from me.

There are rides, shows, parades, character meet-and-greets, and plenty of water attractions. In fact, much of the park involves water, so definitely bring swimsuits.

The best part is that the park is designed for smaller children. You won’t spend the entire day telling your toddler they are too short to ride something. Instead, there are plenty of attractions they can actually enjoy. For more information, read my complete guide to Sesame Place.

Palm Springs is a fantastic family vacation because, quite honestly, toddlers are perfectly happy spending a ridiculous amount of time in a pool.

I recommend staying somewhere with a great pool setup, and the Omni Rancho Las Palmas is a great choice for families. Splashtopia has multiple pools, a lazy river, and a water playground. Smaller children can enjoy the water while parents get the occasional opportunity to sit down and pretend they are relaxing.

Palm Springs also has plenty of other things to do, although I would keep expectations realistic with toddlers. You do not need to drag them around the desert trying to complete an ambitious itinerary. Pick a couple of activities, spend plenty of time swimming, and call it a success. A highlight for us was the Childrens Museum of the Desert.

You can find more ideas in my Palm Springs Travel Guide. If you are traveling with older kids too, we had a fantastic experience taking a San Andreas Fault tour.

San Diego is one of my favorite family destinations because it has so much variety without feeling completely overwhelming.

The San Diego Zoo is an obvious choice for families with toddlers. Young kids love animals, and there is enough to see here that you could easily spend an entire day exploring. Just bring a stroller because those little legs are adorable, but they are not exactly built for endurance.

The beach is another major reason to visit. Toddlers can play in the sand, splash in the water, and hopefully burn enough energy that bedtime is not a three-hour hostage negotiation.

LEGOLAND California is also an excellent option for younger kids. Unlike some theme parks where toddlers spend half the day being told they are too small to ride anything, LEGOLAND has plenty designed specifically for younger children.

Cancun is one of the easiest international vacations to take with toddlers because you can get the beach vacation experience without spending two days traveling to get there.

The biggest decision is choosing the right resort. With toddlers, I would look for a family-friendly all-inclusive with a shallow pool, splash area, easy beach access, and plenty of dining options. Having food available whenever your child suddenly decides they are starving can make a huge difference. I highly recommend The Grand at Moon Palace in Cancun.

Cancun also gives you the option to keep things incredibly simple. You do not need to spend every day on an excursion. Toddlers are perfectly happy spending the morning swimming, taking a nap, and returning to the pool.

I know. Las Vegas probably seems like an odd choice for a toddler vacation. But Las Vegas can actually be a lot of fun for families when you stay at the right hotel and focus on the family-friendly attractions.

Many of the resorts have elaborate pools, and toddlers can enjoy walking around and seeing the enormous hotels, fountains, aquariums, and other attractions. The Bellagio fountains are always entertaining, and the Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay is a great option for kids who love animals.

The key is not trying to turn Las Vegas into something it isn’t. You are not taking your toddler clubbing at 2 a.m. Hopefully. Instead, you are taking advantage of the hotels, pools, entertainment, restaurants, and unique attractions. Plus, Las Vegas can be surprisingly easy to reach from many cities.

Buffalo is a great family destination, especially during the warmer months when you can take advantage of the parks, waterfront, and nearby attractions.

Families can visit the Buffalo Zoo, explore Canalside, and spend time outside without the overwhelming crowds you find in some larger cities.

Buffalo is also a great base for exploring the surrounding area. Niagara Falls is close enough for an easy day trip, and toddlers will be fascinated by the massive waterfalls.

The city also has plenty of excellent food, because no family vacation should require surviving exclusively on chicken nuggets and fries. Although, let’s be honest, toddlers may try.

Portland is another great destination for families who want a city vacation with plenty of opportunities to get outside. There are parks, playgrounds, gardens, and family-friendly attractions throughout the city. Washington Park is a particularly good place to spend time with young children, and the Oregon Zoo is another obvious choice.

Portland is also surrounded by beautiful scenery, so families can easily add in short day trips without spending the entire vacation in the car. One of the best things about Portland is that you can build a flexible itinerary. Spend one morning exploring and another at a playground. Grab donuts. Find a food truck. Let your toddler run around. It does not need to be complicated.

• 31 Indoor Activities in Portland, Oregon
• 33 Things to do in Portland Oregon with Young Children
• 27 Kid Friendly Happy Hours in Portland, Oregon
• 14 Best Hikes for Kids in the Columbia River Gorge

A Disney Cruise is one of the easiest vacations for families with toddlers because you unpack once and everything you need is right there. There are pools, splash areas, family entertainment, character experiences, and plenty of food. You also don’t have to figure out where to eat every time your toddler suddenly announces they are hungry.

Depending on the ship, Disney also has nursery options for younger children and kids’ clubs for older children. This means parents may even get a little time to themselves, which is honestly the closest thing to a vacation miracle.

Disney Cruise Line also does an excellent job of making the entire experience fun for multiple generations. Toddlers can meet their favorite characters while parents enjoy the restaurants, entertainment, and the occasional beverage without having to plan an entire day around it.

If you are nervous about taking a toddler on a long trip, consider starting with a shorter sailing. A 3 or 4 night cruise can give you a taste of cruising without committing to a week at sea with a tiny person who suddenly decides sleeping is optional.

New York City might not immediately come to mind when you think about vacations with toddlers, but it can actually be a lot of fun for families. There are playgrounds everywhere, and Central Park alone could keep a toddler entertained for hours. Ride the carousel, visit the Central Park Zoo, play on one of the many playgrounds, or just let them run around and burn off energy.

The American Museum of Natural History is another great option, especially for toddlers who love dinosaurs and animals. You can also take a ferry ride, visit the Statue of Liberty, or ride the subway, which might honestly be the most exciting part of the trip for some toddlers.

New York does require more patience with young children than a beach resort. You will be walking a lot, navigating crowds, and probably carrying a stroller up at least one staircase while questioning every decision that led you to this moment.

Still, if your family enjoys big cities, New York can be an unforgettable trip. Check out our New York City Travel Guide for more ideas.

San Antonio is one of those destinations that is easy to visit with young kids because you can see a lot without constantly being in the car.

The River Walk is beautiful, and toddlers usually enjoy taking a boat ride. The San Antonio Zoo is another great stop, especially because younger children can get up close to a variety of animals. The Doseum, San Antonio’s children’s museum, is fantastic for toddlers. It is hands-on, interactive, and gives kids the opportunity to actually play instead of being told not to touch everything every five seconds.

Families can also visit the Alamo, explore the Pearl District, and eat some excellent Mexican food. Because let’s be honest, good food makes every family vacation better.