Beach Vacation with 1 year old?

I am contemplating trying to convince DH that we should go to Aruba with DS who is 1. He thinks it's not going to be too much fun running after DS on the beach - and that we really won't be able to enjoy ourselves. For those of you who have gone on a vacation like this with a DC this age, how was it?

Re: Beach Vacation with 1 year old?

We just got back from a vacation w/ DS (14 months) and DD (5 yrs) and we are exhausted!! It was non stop movement and there was NO relaxation. As long as you are aware of this going in, which we were, it will be fine.
We all had to go to bed at the same time and it was also hard at nap time. We ate every meal out, which was not so enjoyable w/ a one year old.

We knew it would be a crazy "vacation" and the kids had a great time but it was definately not relaxing.

Re: Beach Vacation with 1 year old?

We just got back from Topsail Island in North Carolina with a 15 month old. We beached it every day and she did very well, but we were on our toes the whole time. My dd is fearless when it came to the water and wanted to run into the waves the whole time. We rented a house so we were able to cook and eat as needed. I could imagine a hotel room might have been harder. We ate 1 meal out and it was pretty difficult despite the fact that we usually take her out to dinner once a week. I think the newness of it made it more difficult.

Re: Beach Vacation with 1 year old?

Hey

Want me to convince him for you? Because I will. lol

No matter what, its going to be hard to take a baby anyplace, but I can tell you from experience, I just recently went on vacation without my son, and all I could think of was how much I wish I would have brought him!!!!

I wouldn't go for as much as a week- Try going for a long weekend. yes, it will be exhausting, theres no denying that, but at least you will be in a more relaxed atmosphere without worrying aboiut work or anything like that.

The only thing that would worry me is the long plane ride. I dont know how my ds would behave on a 5 hour ride to Aruba.

Good luck!

Re: Beach Vacation with 1 year old?

I would not want to take my 1 year old on a beach vacation... 1 day at the beach with him was enough on our vacation. Like the pp said, he runs for the water, eats the sand, rubs sand in his eyes, gets sunscreen in his eyes, etc. Definitely not relaxing at all!
We just did Busch Gardens, Colonial Williamsburg, Water COuntry USA, and Virginia Beach and it was great with a 1 year old.

Re: Beach Vacation with 1 year old?

I find that spending time at the pool is much easier then the beacjh when they are that little. My son was eating/throwing sand at that age and the beach was tough. Another thing to keep in mind is the long flight. I would probably consider doing something shorter, unless you believe your DS would be ok with a 5 hour flight (mine would not have been, and is maybe getting to that point now at almost 3.)

Re: Beach Vacation with 1 year old?

hmmm - getting the feeling I should just stay local and hit the beaches here. I completely forgot about the 5 hour flight - in my head it was shorter. Guess I'll postpone the family beach trip until he's older -or until I can bear to leave him!

Re: Beach Vacation with 1 year old?

Posted by SIBride06

Hey

Want me to convince him for you? Because I will. lol

No matter what, its going to be hard to take a baby anyplace, but I can tell you from experience, I just recently went on vacation without my son, and all I could think of was how much I wish I would have brought him!!!!

I wouldn't go for as much as a week- Try going for a long weekend. yes, it will be exhausting, theres no denying that, but at least you will be in a more relaxed atmosphere without worrying aboiut work or anything like that.

The only thing that would worry me is the long plane ride. I dont know how my ds would behave on a 5 hour ride to Aruba.

Good luck!

Re: Beach Vacation with 1 year old?

I actually am on vacation now with my 18 month old, and have had a very positive beach experience with DS. I found that there is so much more for him to do at the beach than at the pool. DS played with his sand toys, and we brought him in the water with us....granted my parents are with us so there are 4 of us to take turns with him, but we had him at the beach with us for the afternoon and it was great. Not exactly what I would call relaxing (but no part of life with a toddler is) but definitely tons of fun. I brought tons of snacks, toys, etc. and it was fine.

Re: Beach Vacation with 1 year old?

Re: Beach Vacation with 1 year old?

I am going to Maine for 7 days in August with my DC and they are 20 months and 8 months. We plan on spending most of the time on the beach. I know it will not be relaxing, but my kids like the beach. We rented a cabin with a small kitchen, but I do plan on going out to dinner or lunch most days. The only thing is we are driving. I am not ready to fly with my 2 children to a beach destination, but I have friends who would do it without hesitation.

Re: Beach Vacation with 1 year old?

As long as you realize that it won't be relaxing, the ngo for it. We've traveled with DD to islands since she's been 4 or 5 months old (which was great- much easier then! lol) I find it easier at the pool also as someone else said. Esp if there is a baby pool where they can walk freely (with you close by of course). We took DD to Aruba when she was 14 months old and she did great. We just went back last month when she was 2 1/2. Where are you looking at staying? Aruba is a very kid friendly island.

Re: Beach Vacation with 1 year old?

In October we are going to be going to Hawaii with my DD who will be 1 at the time. In August we are going on a cruise too. Hopefully it will be a good experience

Re: Beach Vacation with 1 year old?