3 years

Ahhh, things are changing. Those times of indecision and tantrums, independence and clinginess, while not all together gone, have toned down a little, making it possible to have a more complex vacation with your child. Most children tend to get more out of a vacation from this point forward. They comprehend more, can communicate their feelings more thoroughly and can truly contribute opinions on many aspects of your family vacation (OK, eating peanut butter and banana sandwiches while riding a llama on the Disney ship may be a little out of reach, but at least they know what they want!)

Following are some recommendations for vacations with your 3 to 5 year old (and older):

Beach stays:
This is probably still the easiest vacation to take as a family. There are many some resorts that have organized programs starting at age 3 (some do require potty training - wise to check first). Most hotels and resorts offer bed rails, free meals for children and other amenities. Many have kitchenettes, which allow you to savor the restaurant experience only once in a while. One place to consider would be Maui, Hawaii with a hotel on the beach and all the diverse family friendly activities the island has to offer.

Active Vacations (Biking & Hiking):
Many tour operators start charging for children at age 3 on their family departures (non-family departures still tend to have a children's minimum age of 12 and older). Many times this fee is justified, as the children eat all the same meals, participate in the same activities and, at times, have special activities and counselors set-up just for them. Most charges are reduced to 75% or less of the adult rate since the child will be sharing the room with their parent(s) and have reduced entrance fees for many places.
One tour operator that has several family departures, many with low age minimums, is Backroads . This company offers a wide variety of affordable trips, from hiking in the US to biking in Europe.

Cruises:
Well, cruises are now a real option for the parents who would like to relax and not worry about their kids. Most cruise ships have a children's center available with counselors and activities planned for children 3 and older. While the majority do not change diapers, you can be provided a beeper so you can relax until duty calls. Otherwise, the centers are open the majority of the day (and sometimes late into the evening), with closures only during the night and port calls. One cruise line to really consider is Disney . This is one cruise ship that truly caters to the family, with larger staterooms, activities galore for children, and a familiarity with characters which would probably warm up even the most timid child. I recommend taking the 7 day cruise if possible, as the children have more of a chance of forming bonds with the counselors and other children on the ship.

Resort stays:
Something to consider at this point would be the active resort stay or a dude ranch. Most of these places have a minimum 5 or 7 day stay and include all (or most) activities and food. On dude ranches, children have the opportunity to ride ponies if they wish (under supervision, of course) or just participate in the wide variety of activities coordinated just for their age group. Meals tend to be a family affair, as are evenings. Most places offer babysitting at a small fee by one of the local girls or by an off-duty counselor. One place I like to suggest is La Garita Creek Ranch which has a night under the stars once during the week with the children so their parents can enjoy a candlelight dinner under the stars and an evening to themselves.

Another place that I recommend is The Tyler Place in Vermont. During the first two weeks of the summer and the last week of the season, they devote their remarkable resources to babies through 11 year olds and their parents (a true family vacation!). Besides the regular programs, they offer special family/children programs such as farm visits, gardening projects, family wellness workshops and much more.