Discover the top toddler friendly destinations for family travel, from beach resorts in Mexico to city breaks in Singapore 👨👩👦 Plan your next adventure now!
Family vacations are always extra special when you have a toddler in tow. While traveling with a toddler comes with its own set of challenges, the memories you make exploring new destinations together are so worth it. If you’re looking for the best toddler-friendly places to visit on your next family holiday, you’ve come to the right place!
From stunning beaches in Mexico to the magical theme parks of Orlando, we’ve put together an extensive list of the top destinations across the globe that are perfect for families with young kids.
Best Places to Visit with Toddlers in Mexico
Mexico is full of vibrant culture, mouthwatering cuisine, gorgeous beaches, and resorts tailored specifically for families making it one of the best places to vacation with toddlers.
Riviera Maya
The soft, white sand beaches and calm waters of Mexico’s Riviera Maya make it an ideal beach destination to visit with a toddler. Stay at one of the many all-inclusive, family-friendly resorts like the Gran Porto Real Resort where toddlers will love the kids’ club and huge pirate ship waterpark. Or explore nearby Tulum’s famous Mayan ruins and cenotes (natural swimming holes).
Puerto Vallarta
In Puerto Vallarta, you can lounge on Banderas Bay’s beautiful beaches by day then explore the tropical forest and village of Mismaloya or stroll the cobblestone streets and plazas of Old Town at night. Book a room with a kitchenette so you can easily prep snacks and meals for your little one. And make sure to take a ride on the aerial tram for breathtaking views of the city and coastline that both parents and kids will ooh and aah over.
Los Cabos
Los Cabos boasts world-class resorts perfect for those traveling with toddlers like the all-inclusive Hyatt Ziva Los Cabos which offers baby-sitting services, kids’ clubs, a waterpark, and kid-friendly dining. Build sandcastles on Playa Palmilla, book a glass-bottom boat tour to see sea lions, or spend an afternoon at Cabo Pulmo National Park snorkeling over vibrant coral reefs.
Best Kid-Friendly Places to Visit in the USA
From theme parks galore to stunning natural landscapes, the United States offers endless incredible destinations perfect for families with toddlers and young children in tow.
Orlando, Florida
It should come as no surprise that Orlando takes the cake when it comes to the best place to vacation with toddlers in the US. Home to the iconic Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort theme parks, families could easily spend weeks exploring Orlando with kids and still not see it all. Stay at an on-site resort hotel to take advantage of the extra magic hours and simplify your vacation with shuttle transport to the parks. Then spend your days meeting beloved characters, riding child-friendly attractions like Frozen Ever After and Toy Story Midway Mania, and enjoying interactive shows like the Festival of the Lion King.
San Diego, California
In San Diego, little ones will have a blast visiting the San Diego Zoo where they can see pandas, giraffes, monkeys and even take a double-decker bus tour around the park. Plus, San Diego offers perfect year-round sunny weather for playing on the beach, lots of outdoor spaces like Balboa Park which houses the Museum of Man as well as one of the area’s best playgrounds, and a very walkable, family-friendly downtown perfect for strolling on a sunny day.
Williamsburg, Virginia
Step back in time together as a family with a visit to Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia. Get up close and personal with historical reenactors, take a horse and carriage ride, try classic 18th-century kids games, and explore over 300 restored buildings from Revolutionary-era America. Then cool off afterwards at the Great Wolf Lodge indoor water park.
Yellowstone National Park
Introduce your toddler to the wonders of Yellowstone National Park where they can spot grazing bison across the Lamar Valley, witness the mighty surge of water at Old Faithful geyser, and enjoy leisurely wildlife spotting hikes along the easily accessible boardwalks. Just be sure to stick to designated trails and walkways to keep little ones safe. Nearby dude ranches also offer fun family activities like horseback riding, campfires, and fishing in a stunning natural setting.
Best Toddler-Friendly Destinations in Europe
With shorter flights from the East Coast, kid-friendly cultures, and so much stunning scenery to take in, Europe offers loads of incredible destinations for families to explore with toddlers.
Paris, France
In the City of Lights, toddlers will adore sailing wooden boats in the fountains of the Jardin du Luxembourg, riding a historic carousel, and enjoying a show at the whimsical Guignol puppet theater located in the lush Jardin d’Acclimatation. Take the RER commuter train to Disneyland Paris where little ones will delight in princess meet-and-greets, kid-friendly rides, and interactive shows. Families can also explore the halls of Versailles, cruise the Seine River on a bateau mouche ferry for gorgeous views of Paris’ iconic landmarks, dine on crepes and macarons, and stroll down the Champs-Élysées.
London, England
From riding the famous scarlet double-decker buses around town to visiting London’s incredible museums like the National History Museum filled with massive dinosaur skeletons and animatronic T-Rexes, London enthralls toddlers and parents alike. Take a spin on the carousel and enjoy a picnic in Hyde Park, gaze up at Big Ben and cruise down the River Thames on a boat tour for wonderful sightseeing. Top it all off with a trip to Peppa Pig World located at Paulton’s Park about an hour outside central London.
Italian Coast
The stunning Italian coast offers tons of toddler-friendly fun. Soak up the sun on the beaches of Sicily or splash in the surf on the island of Sardinia. Let kids burn off energy exploring the colorful fishing village of Cinque Terre and taste gelato in the canals of Venice. Or enjoy a glacier hike and snowball fights atop the Dolomites in winter. Along the way, kids will revel in pasta at every meal (their favorite) while parents indulge in world-famous Italian vino.
Best of the Rest: More Amazing Destinations to Visit with a Toddler
Hawaii
Often called paradise and with good reason, Hawaii’s beaches offer tranquil turquoise waters perfect for toddler splashing while volcanoes and waterfalls astound. Take a drive along the Road to Hana in Maui, snorkel with sea turtles, or sign toddlers up for a hula lesson during an epic luau feast.
Costa Rica
From exploring butterfly sanctuaries to gliding along ziplines (kids zip with parents), Costa Rica dazzles families with wildlife encounters, rainforest adventures, and gorgeous beaches. Go river rafting along the Pacuare River that boasts Class III/IV rapids for a thrill then reward tired kids with a soak in volcano-heated hot springs afterward.
Dubai
This city of the future in the United Arab Emirates captivates little ones with the world’s tallest building, indoor ski slopes in the desert, elaborate aquariums in colossal shopping malls, theme parks, and family-friendly luxury resorts. Sign kids up for toddler swim lessons at Atlantis The Palm or let them go wild riding the dune buggies, camels, and indoor rollercoasters of IMG Worlds of Adventure.
Whistler, Canada
Toddlers can’t get enough of Whistler’s Peak 2 Peak gondola ride suspended between snow-capped mountain peaks. Families will also love outdoor activities like riding one of North America’s longest ski lift ziplines, nature watching, canoeing on crystalline lakes, relaxing in Scandinave Spa’s geothermal pools, or boarding the Whistler Mountaineer train for breathtaking valley scenery.
Queenstown, New Zealand
Dubbed the “Adventure Capital of the World,” Queenstown still offers plenty for toddlers to enjoy safely like bobbing along the Shotover River, meeting the funny alpacas at OzEncounter farm park, and dining by the lake’s shore. While parents tackle the area’s famous adrenaline-pumping activities like bungee jumping, rafting, and skydiving, tiny travelers can stay busy with playgrounds, gardens, beaches, and even a two-story indoor climbing gym.
All-Inclusive Beach Resorts: The Stress-Free Way to Vacation with Toddlers
When you’re chasing after an energetic toddler all day, nothing beats being able to relax at an all-inclusive beach resort afterwards. At an all-inclusive, all your meals, drinks, activities and amenities are covered in one simple price so you don’t have to stress about budgeting expenses at each place you visit. Many all-inclusive resorts even offer kids clubs, babysitting services and supervised activities so parents can enjoy some peaceful downtime too.
We love taking our toddler to family-friendly all-inclusive resorts in destinations like Mexico and the Caribbean where there are calm, toddler-safe beaches and plenty of adventures tailored to young kids. The beaches of Jamaica’s FDR Pebbles allow toddlers to splash safely in gentle waters and both Beaches and Club Med resorts offer Sesame Street kids programs our little ones adore.
Baby and Toddler-Friendly Cruises: Floating Family Fun
These days, cruises cater extensively to babies and toddlers with playrooms, splash pads, arts and crafts, specialized daycare programs and more. Plus everything is conveniently located right on the ship so you don’t have to hassle with packing up the stroller to go explore new places.
Disney Cruise Line leads the way when it comes to catering towards families with toddlers. Their Disney ships feature expansive kids clubs with spaces and activities for every age group from infant to teen. Plus enjoy character interactions, Broadway-style shows and cabin staterooms with split bathrooms so little ones can have an early bedtime while parents enjoy adult activities on board.
Royal Caribbean also operates many toddler-friendly ships like the Wonder of the Seas featuring an interactive kids waterpark and activities tailored specifically for the under 3 crowd. Or enjoy family shore excursions like regressive rainforest walks in Costa Rica, white sand beaches in the Caribbean, or snorkeling over Hawaii’s sea turtle cleaning stations that toddlers will enjoy from the comfort of mom or dad’s arms.
Family Travel Inspiration: Toddler-Friendly Destinations Around the Globe
Toddlers see the world through the lens of wonder and awe. For them, everyday experiences are new and exciting adventures. As parents, we have the privilege of rediscovering the world’s marvels through our toddlers’ eyes.
Whether you seek lazy beach days or thrilling amusement parks, culture in world capitals or encounters with wildlife, there are countless toddler-friendly destinations ready to ignite your child’s curiosity.
In Cape Town, ride a cable car up flat-topped Table Mountain where inquisitive toddlers will burn off energy scampering amid patches of rare fynbos plants while you soak up panoramic coastal views. Or glide in a canoe through Florida’s Everglades in hopes of sighting alligators, herons, even manatees as your tiny explorer revels at every little fish beneath the water’s surface.
Make it easy to handle excursions with your toddler by booking accommodation equipped with conveniences like kitchens, laundry and flexible baby-sitting services. For instance, Disney Vacation Club villas near the theme parks contain full kitchens, living rooms, patios with child-sized chairs and themed bedrooms tiny travelers will adore.
Seek out more than just sure-to-please family favorites in your destination, but poke down spirited alleyways, mingle with locals, eat street food, allow your toddler to guide you. They will remember the sensory details — sounds of a market or feeling of a forest breeze — more than facts from a tour book. Seek opportunities for safe independent exploration on their level.
Building your itinerary around a child’s delight, wonder and imagination will transform mundane travels into one-of-a-kind adventures that rejuvenate the whole family.
Tips for Planning a Stress-Free Vacation with a Toddler
While all these destinations offer incredible family fun, traveling with toddlers still comes with its fair share of challenges. Here are some handy tips to keep your vacation as smooth and stress-free as possible when vacationing with little ones:
Pack light & use backpack diaper bags to keep your hands free Plan relaxing downtime like afternoon naps & pool days Book accommodations with kitchens or fridges for easy snack prep Have screen-free toys, books & activities ready to entertain them Take child carriers or use compact umbrella strollers for mobility Make sure to keep them well-fed and well-rested! Most importantly, go with the flow and don’t try to cram too much into your itinerary. Follow these handy tips and take your toddler to explore any one of these amazing toddler-approved destinations for memories your family will cherish forever!