Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to consider Thailand or the Maldives with young children? Or elsewhere?

31 replies

Holidaydreaminggg · 18/04/2026 18:17

Looking for some nice holiday suggestions with a 1 and 5 year old. I was thinking either Thailand or the Maldives but really open to anywhere!

I’d like somewhere relaxing but where there’s also lots to do with the DC. We’ve previously enjoyed Sani, Ikos, Atlantis and JBH in Dubai, so looking for somewhere with a bit of luxury but a bit of adventure at the same time.

OP posts:
BananaPeachPie · 18/04/2026 19:55

We did 7 weeks in Thailand last year with 4 children. It was an amazing experience and so easy. The Thais love children. You need to think about things like car seats, but if you don’t mind the length of flight for a shorter holiday (I’m not sure I’d bother for less than a month) then definitely go for it.

lookinggforadvice · 18/04/2026 19:53

Also consider with the Maldives you won’t land on the island with the resort on. You will need to either get a speedboat or seaplane after the initial long flight. I wouldn’t fancy either with a one year old.

AdventureAnonymous · 18/04/2026 19:50

We travelled SE Asia (including Thailand) with a baby + toddler whilst I was on maternity leave - it was amazing! Would absolutely do it again!
We also loved Vietnam and Cambodia.

No issues flying that far, either: they were fine - although my then 3-year-old definitely exceeded the screen-time recommendations on the flights 😉

Favouritefruits · 18/04/2026 19:43

I’d avoid both places till kids are a bit older! No animal sanctuary worth their salt will let 1and 5 year olds do anything apart from look at a distance at the animals. The plane to the Maldives will be hard with kids I’ve know adults who said it was lovely but the flight nearly killed them. I just couldn’t put other passengers through my kids noise on a long flight, I feel it’s not fair but I know others feel differently.

Original poster
Holidaydreaminggg · 18/04/2026 18:20

rubyslippers · 18/04/2026 18:19

Both of those places are pretty long flights with long transfers to resorts

if you’re looking for pool and all inclusive then I wouldn’t go to either of those destinations with such young kids
Maldives - basically water sports at resorts so not sure they’d be lots to do

Not really looking for all inclusive. I like the idea of the ethical animal sanctuary’s in Thailand - my eldest would really enjoy that.

OP posts:
rubyslippers · 18/04/2026 18:19

Both of those places are pretty long flights with long transfers to resorts

if you’re looking for pool and all inclusive then I wouldn’t go to either of those destinations with such young kids
Maldives - basically water sports at resorts so not sure they’d be lots to do