Baby’s First Vacation: Planning a Trip with a Toddler

I always planned to show my kids the world, or at least the United States. However, when my daughter was born a vacation seemed impossible. Babies require a lot of attention, planning and "stuff". Even a basic trip to the mall takes us an hour of prep! As a detail-oriented person, vacation planning is very time consuming for me. Add a baby in the mix and things get crazy! We are taking my daughter on her first vacation next year when she is 1 ½ years old. Now that there is a kid involved, there are many questions we must answer.

Where to go?
I have a few local spots in mind, but I'm not sure what is best for a toddler. We've always travelled as a couple, so I'll be searching the web for ideas. For this trip I've been browsing the travel section on MidwestLiving.com which highlights many family friendly cities. Then I'll make my usual stop at TripAdvisor.com where I can ask questions for almost any popular spot.

Where to stay?
My husband and I like to stay at a nice hotel when travelling. However, with a toddler, we aren't sure if this makes sense. Where will she play? What if she disturbs the other guests, or they disturb her? For this trip, condos are an option to ensure our quiet and privacy. Alternatively, maybe we will find a hotel that has play areas for kids. Either way we will do what is best for our toddler.

How to get there?
Planes are out of the question as long as my baby still needs a stroller. There's no way I'm flying with all of that "stuff". This will be a road trip so we can fill our car with all of the baby's "stuff" and not have to worry about luggage fees or losing anything. Another positive with a road trip is that we can stop! If my baby gets fussy, we can pull over and take a break. You can't do that on a plane.

What to bring?
Babies require a lot of things. Our toddler will need diapers, of course, as well as a stroller, car seat, and pack n play. We'll pack a selection of her favorite toys and samples of her favorite foods. It's good to have a stash of familiar toys anywhere we go. Seeing her favorite monkey makes her feel like she's at home! As for the food, well, children are picky so it's best to have go-to options.

How to save money?
Most of the plans I have above will ultimately save us money. Driving is cheaper than flying with all the luggage we'd need. Bringing food will save us from buying snacks anytime she is antsy. Also, bringing toys will save us from having to buy things when she is bored. Finally, since she is so young, we will limit attractions to things my husband and I really want to see, since she's too young to care anyway.

Is it worth it? She won't even remember!
I know it will be worth it! The vacation is not just for her, it's for us as well. We will enjoy creating photo memories for her while she experiences new things. My baby will grow up with travel as a part of her life. If you are unsure about travelling with a toddler, hopefully you have gained some ideas from my plans!