Feeling really lost holidaying with a toddler. Please help :(

[Litsy]

This feels like a first world problem, so sorry in advance for that!

We took my DS away to an AI when he was 8 months and it was great.

He's now 20 months old and I've got such bad anxiety over where to go or what to do. He's that little boy who's got boundless energy, can't sit still, has to run/climb/grab everything and knows his own mind. Think endless tantrums.

I love him to bits as he is and wouldn't change a thing, but I don't know how this translates into going on holiday.

We're very fair skinned and he can't sit still, so it feels like another AI is out. We will be chasing him around the complex constantly.

Long flights feel like they'd be a challenge.

I'm thinking city break with a beach preferably? Somewhere that's great for a little boy with endless energy would be amazing.

Please help if anyones got experience or ideas?

Thank you in advance x

There are some websites which have rounded up a lot of kid friendly options and I’ve found really useful

Babyfriendlyboltholes
i-escape with kids
TotsToo (this one tends to be lux hotels/villas)

Blogs like minitravellers are also useful for ideas

Ha to the 2500 mile trip round California and “they fit in with you”. Must have missed the bit where OP said her DS doesn’t sit still.

AL September in the Balearics. Look hotel specific aimed at young children.

UK - defo, wherever. Go for the easiest journey coupled with the attractions you want. They won't know Skegness from St Barts.

Brittany

Look at Bluestone in Pembrokeshire. Great for little ones.
https://www.bluestonewales.com/

A more absurd idea would be hard to find! I've done this kind of holiday with older DC and it was fab and I can honestly say that with two tots it would've been utter hell!

Thanks everyone, some amazing suggestions on here.

sounds like centre parcs could be a good option. We’re in the north west so would likely be sherwood or elveden. Can’t believe the price of them though! You could go away for that money although it would probably be more convenient going CP.

to the person who suggested flying to America and taking my DS on a long road trip - I can only assume you didn’t read my message fully or you have very chilled out children 😂

We did AI in Mallorca very high energy DS at 21ish months. It was actually okay - but to be honest it wasn’t at all relaxing and my expectations were in my boots before we went, so they weren’t hard to exceed 😂 He absolutely adored the novelty of the flight and the coach transfer which was handy - more so then I think he would now at 3.

We went out most mornings to the beach/local town then came back for the afternoon around the resort. He’d either nap back in the room after lunch or very occasionally in the stroller. We went to a resort with a massive play area which was a godsend as he wasn’t actually that fussed on the pool - he was done within about 15 to 30 minutes and obviously couldn’t run around the poolside for risk of slipping. Having food on tap was great, especially as DS is pretty good at eating whatever he is given. I can really see the attraction of Eurocamp as well though, especially if you have a more reluctant eater. We might try one of their central French resorts next year. Having our car with us would be great bonus to get out and see more.

Driving 2500 miles around California with a toddler sounds absolutely atrocious 😂