Vacation ideas with young children

[Anonymous]

Hi, all,

Would love any feedback or suggestions on great vacation ideas with young children that offer moments of relaxation for parents. Our kids will be five, three, and somewhere between eight months and a year, depending on when we go. Hopefully the three year old will be potty trained by the time we go. Totally open to cruises, Caribbean resorts with kids clubs, etc. Money is a consideration but we don't have to be super cheap. The only other factor is peanut/tree nut allergies for the three year old, if there are places particularly adept at managing those.

We've done Sesame Place and loved it, but looking for something slightly more relaxing this time around.

Thanks in advance!

[Anonymous]

Disney cruise. Kids club and nursery available.

[Anonymous]

Thanks, PP. That's our inclination too, was curious if there are comparable things we're missing!

[Anonymous]

There are some all inclusives that have nanny care that get rave reviews...search on this forum

[Anonymous]

Honestly? To get some actual relaxation for us we go with grandparents. They can babysit and we can go out. Or they play with baby and we walk on the beach etc. otherwise it's fun but not relaxing except for naps since we nap when the baby naps. But then we don't have to go anywhere, just stay home and nap away

[Anonymous]

I agree that the Disney cruise is AMAZING (and I hated cruises and Disney before going), but I dont know that I would recommend it at your kids ages. I'd wait at least 3 years till your baby can get into kids club offering you a bit of an actual vacation. The three year old won't remember it (and if they are still in swim diapers are banned from all of the fun pools) and the 5 year old will have a ton of things that they want to do that will mandate a parent doing it with them (thinking of things like the Aquaduct or the land excursions) and that will leave the other parent alone with 2 young kids. I'd wait to really get max enjoyment, which you will totally do as your kids are close in age.


Beach vacations were my favorite when my kids were this age. We took a great trip to Lake Placid one August with kids similar ages and brought a babysitter along so we could get out. GOod luck with whatever you pick!

[Anonymous]

Thanks, recent PPs (this is OP). Will look into all-inclusive, too; Beaches at T&C is the one I've heard the most about.

15:55, we've done that several times, and it's worked really well. We may do so again, but as our moms get older we need options that don't rely on them (FIL is recently deceased and I love my dad, but have no interest in vacationing with them).

16:00, super helpful to know about the Disney cruises. They do have nurseries for the baby, but, yeah, less appealing to shell out for Disney when two of the three won't remember it--and, as you point out, we'll have many years when all three would be able to full enjoy and remember the experience. I feel mixed about the beach; on the one hand, it's the beach, and is awesome. On the other, between the sun exposure, sand everywhere, and constant vigilance so the kids don't run off into the ocean, it's less than appealing. But we'll find something.

Thanks again!

[Anonymous]

At those ages, I'd just stay home.

[Anonymous]

At those ages, our only relaxing vacations were hanging out at the grandparents' house for a couple weeks (the live in a lakeside community with lots of small beaches, playgrounds, and a good pool and keep their house well stocked with toys for the grandkids) and going to family camp.

At Deer Valley Family Camp in PA the kids (age 3+) spend the morning in activities with kids their age supervised by great counselors, while the parents can hang out and do a variety of activities -- sailing, kayaking, hiking, tennis, join a volleyball team, painting or ceramics in the art center. Afternoon is for kids' naps and family activities. All meals are served family style. We first went when my kids were 3 and 4 and it felt like the first vacation I'd had in years (other than visiting my parents). So nice to just sit on the patio reading, not have to worry about what anyone was going to have for dinner. http://www.deervalleyymca.org/

[Anonymous]

I don't see the point in vacationing with young kids. Maybe a long weekend, but otherwise you're spending a boatload of money to deal with all the stuff you deal with on a daily basis anyway!

[Anonymous]

Agree about the grandparents. Rent a house somewhere and pay for their trip.

[Anonymous]

I get it. Sometimes you want. Change of scenery. Look for places with kids clubs and get a spa treatment!

[Anonymous]

bluefields in jamaica, if you can afford it.

[Anonymous]

SAid it before on DCUM and will say it again
FDR resort in Jamaicia is place to go

Not first class resort but every room comes with a nanny. Not kids club. But the same person totals are of your kid for whole trip

And kids play together so it has good sides of kids club but it is better

Families with more than 1 child often hire a 2nd nanny

I went as single mom and had relaxing vacation