3.5 year old constantly getting out of bed

[Teaandbiscuits16]

DS is 3.5 and we took the sides off his bed about 6 months ago. It was smooth sailing until about 6 weeks in and ever since he’s come into our room every night without fail at least twice a night, sometimes up to 6 times a night with all kinds of “reasons” as to why he’s up. It’s getting worse and for the last 4 nights he’s come bursting in screaming and crying (we think he’s had bad dreams) and will NOT go back to his room. Last night he was up from 1-5am.

We’ve tried everything that has been suggested so far (except locks on doors as it’s not our style) or a stair gate as he’ll either scream and scream waking his 17 month old sister or climb over it and hurt himself.
We’ve tried walking him back to bed calmly and quietly, being firmer, letting him choose another teddy to take to bed, talking to him about his dreams and reassuring him, bringing his mattress into our room, letting him sleep in our bed but he can’t settle and fidgets too much.

We’re at a loss of what else we can do. He simply will not stay in his room for more than 10 seconds when we take him back. He settles fine at bed time and doesn’t nap anymore so it’s not a timing issue in my opinion.
I’m broken from months from sleepless nights.

I should also add he has his door open and a nightlight in his room

for What period of time have you tried the walking back to his room method? It will work eventually, after the first time I would say do not speak, just return. A stair gate on the room is an idea but appreciate you’re worried he’ll climb over it. I wouldn’t worry about waking his sister, it would only be for a small while whilst he learns the boundaries.

For what it’s worth I’m in hell with my 2 yr old who has just learnt to climb out the cot and thinks of it as a game at bed time and in the middle of the night. It’s hell !