vacation destination ideas for kids 3-yrs and under

Rebecca - posted on 09/05/2010

Hey Moms - just heard that DealPop from Seattle (Deals on great family activities, food, spas, yoga, etc.) is launching this week in LA and is offering a free iPad to the first person to sign up (from anywhere!) and reach 1000 DealPop points - pretty sweet deal! And if you don't want that, they'll still give you $5 for checking the site out. Either way? Cool. http://bit.ly/ctdftQ

Joann - posted on 09/02/2010

six flags great america/ huricane harbor, in Gurnee, Illinois with hotel at Key lime cove indoor waterpark great for little ones especially if they cant swim. they have several amenities like a spa and shopping on premisis and a really cool arcade. They offer many package deals that give you great bargains.

Joann - posted on 09/02/2010

Mackinac Island in upper Michigan , I think it's about a five hour drive from Kitchner Ont canada. sorry,its been over 20 years since i've been there (check mapquest for approx distance and time of travel, There is always niagra falls. last time I was there they had an indoor amusement park in the basement of the skylon tower. Several places in Wisconsin, like the Wisconsin Dells. a lot of the hotels have water areas just for little ones, like Mount Olympus, Noahs ark, The Original Duck Rides on the Wisconsin river (1 hour trip)

Diana - posted on 02/19/2010

I'm in the travel industry and when I was three months pregnant I went on a business trip to the Mayan Riviera with Signature Vacations and Karisma properties. I had the opportunity to check out the
The Azul Sensatori http://www.karismahotels.com/resort/azul... before it opened and loved it. They have a program with Fisher price and have clubs for infant to teens also have an adult section and guaranteed connecting rooms. They also have family suites so you & your husband can have privacy with pull screen doors. I cannot wait to go with my family. The other one that I told my husband I would like to go back to is the Azul Beach, also by Karisma, in the Mayan coast. Small and very relaxing and you do not have to take anything, they even have playpens, monitors, bottle warmers it was awesome. My girlfriend stayed at the Paradisus in Punta Cana with her 3 year old & loved it. Good Luck!

Kasia - posted on 08/12/2009

We went to Beaches Boscobel in Jamaica at the end of April, beginning of May. We really liked it a lot. Their service is impecible and the facilities are great. The rooms are a bit dated but the place is beautiful and the activities for kids all ages are great. My 2 year old daughter loved the water park, the Sesame Street shows, the music, the beach and even ate the food. I didn't like that the kids buffet had the standard chicken nuggets, fries, hot dogs etc but you can go healtier by using the adult section. My daughter liked the made to order pasta they had and the fish specials and the breakfast smooties. They really try to accomodate all your needs and will do anything from wrapping food for you to take to your room to washing sippy cups all you have to do is ask. Super friendly staff. Daycare was great my daughter used it twice, one day as a trial to the day we went on an excursion. She did great and they do so many activities with them that the only bad things is she would not nap- too much to do I guess. She loved the water slides. Went on the kids only one by herself and on the larger ones with us which they allow you to do on the medium sized ones. There is also 3 larger ones that are for bigger kids only. We really enjoyed it there.

Kim - posted on 07/23/2009

My family stayed at Sunset Beach Resort & Spa in Montego Bay, Jamaica a couple of years ago. My kids were 9 and 7 at the time and absolutely loved it. The resort has a lazy river and water slide. There are a few pools and lots of water activities. There is a kids' club too. It may be a bit difficult with the 18-month old, but it was a lot of fun. We have an 18-month-old this year and are trying to plan a vacation as well. Good luck and I hope it works out for you.

Jennifer - posted on 03/19/2009

we just booked a trip to FDR Jamaica with the nannies.. Trip Advisor great resource.. families with small children seem to love it.. you can even pay $4 a hour after the normal 9-4 time with them.. can't wait for total relaxation.. we were a little skeptical at first but have read wonderful things. jenn

Lisa - posted on 03/10/2009

we did a long weekend 3 years in a row to Sesame Place in Langhorne, PA...great for little ones, shuttle service to the park, not too expensive.

Jennifer - posted on 03/10/2009

also in jamaica consider FDR and FDR pebbles resorts (google them) These are the resorts that provide you with a personal nanny during your stay everyday from 9-4pm. You can just have her as an extra set of hands or as your trust builds up she will care for the kids and give you some free time. One of our best vacations for the adults and the kids.

Wendy - posted on 02/28/2009

Quoting Cynthia:

Wow ... only 4 hours ... no lay-over, I assume. Have a great trip. You'll have to let me know how you and your kids enjoyed it.

Well, WE have a lay-over because we are flying from Ottawa to Toronto!!! :) But then it is a direct flight from Toronto to Jamaica. I'll definetly let you know how the trip went. If you don't hear from me next week (after the 10th), write me a message on my wall to remind me. Did you check it out on line??? I'm pretty sure the kids would love it...............only 4 days to go. Yiipppeee!!!! :)

Tia - posted on 02/27/2009

Wow ... only 4 hours ... no lay-over, I assume. Have a great trip. You'll have to let me know how you and your kids enjoyed it.

Tia - posted on 02/27/2009

Wow ... only 4 hours ... no lay-over, I assume. Have a great trip. You'll have to let me know how you and your kids enjoyed it.

Wendy - posted on 02/27/2009

My husband and I are taking our 5 and 2 1/2 year old to Beaches Boscobel (Jamaica) in 5 days. It is one of the resorts that have the Sesame Street characters on sight. It is completely targeted to young children.  From Toronto to Jamaica, it is a 4 hour flight.

Tia - posted on 02/18/2009

Thank you, thank you, Kate. I checked out the tylerplace.com website as i couldn't find your earlier post. This is exactly what we're looking for. I can't wait to tell my husband about it!

Kate - posted on 02/18/2009

Not sure how far from Toronto the Vermont border  is, but the Tyler Place (only available in the summer) is perfect for little ones and parents.  My daughter was 1 1/2 and my son 3 1/2 when we went this summer and it was AWESOME.  Check out my earlier post for more details or their website tylerplace.com.

Tia - posted on 02/15/2009

Thanks for the info Kristin. We'll definitely consider it.

Kristin - posted on 02/11/2009

I am also looking into vacations this summer.  My kids will be 1,2, and 8.  I looked at Tampa Bay, they have a great pass on Expedia called the Tampa Triplet.  This pass gets you into the Tampa Lowrey Zoo, an Aquarium and the Science and Industry museum.  The nice thing is it is $56 for an adult and kids 2 and under are free!  I think for 3-9 it is $40.  It looks like a great deal.  The zoo is family oriented ( you can even feed some of the animals ) and the aquarium you can come nose to beak with the penguins.  I am not sure if your kids would be interested in the museum but who knows.  Also you can get a great ocean front suite for like 89 a night.  Hope this helps.