Our Family Beach Vacation for a 3-Year-Old
To celebrate Frankie’s third birthday, we packed up the car and headed to Destin, Florida for a long weekend at the beach.
Joining us on the trip were Frankie’s grandparents and our dog, Lola, making this a fun multi-generational family vacation. Our goal was simple: relax, spend time together, and enjoy a few days on the Gulf Coast before the busy summer season.
If you’re considering a beach trip with a toddler or preschooler, here’s a look at our stay in Destin and what worked well for our family.
Trip Overview
Who: Our family of three (me, Sarah; my husband, Michael; and our daughter, Frankie), plus our dog Lola and Frankie’s grandparents
Where: Destin, Florida
Dates: May 2–5, 2025
Lodging: Sandpiper Cove Condos
Travel: Approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes by car from Louisiana
Why We Chose Destin & Where We Stayed
We wanted a destination close enough for a long weekend but far enough away to feel like a true vacation.
Destin checked all the boxes for our family: beautiful white-sand beaches, a family-friendly atmosphere, pet-friendly lodging options, and an easy drive from Louisiana.
The biggest planning decision was finding the right place to stay. We wanted a condo that was pet friendly, large enough for grandparents, and on the beach.
Sandpiper Cove ended up being a great fit.
Check-in was simple. We drove up to the guard gate, received our parking passes and property information, and headed straight to our condo which was just steps from the beach. When traveling with a toddler, convenience matters. Being able to walk back for snacks, bathroom breaks, outfit changes, or a quick rest made our beach days much more enjoyable.
Another bonus was the location. A Target was less than a mile away, making it easy to grab groceries and anything we forgot to pack.
Beach Days with a 3-Year-Old
The beach was the highlight of our trip.
Our first full day brought rain, clouds, and plenty of wind, so we made a quick Target run before heading down to the water. Even with the cooler temperatures, Frankie was perfectly happy running through the sand, chasing waves, collecting shells, and exploring the shoreline.
The next day was everything we hoped for—sunny, warm, and perfect for spending hours on the beach.
Watching Frankie play in the water with her grandparents was one of those parenting moments you wish you could bottle up forever. She built sandcastles, made sand angels, splashed in the waves, and laughed nonstop.
When we weren’t on the beach, we spent time exploring the Sandpiper Cove property with Lola. We walked around the canals, checked out the pools, and spotted ducks around the water features.
Sometimes the best family vacations aren’t packed with activities. This trip reminded us that a beach, a bucket, and a little imagination can keep a three-year-old entertained for hours.
The Biggest Challenge: Sleep Away From Home
The hardest part of the trip wasn’t the drive or the weather; it was sleep.
Since our Disney World trip earlier that year, bedtime routines had already been a challenge, and vacation didn’t make things any easier. Between the excitement of being somewhere new, long days outside, and sharing space with family, naps were inconsistent and bedtime often took longer than usual. Everyone ended up a little more tired than expected by the end of the trip.
At the time, I spent a lot of energy worrying about it. Looking back, I’ve realized that vacation sleep is often just different. Young kids are excited, overstimulated, and out of their normal environment.
If you’re traveling with young kids, keep your routine as consistent as possible, but give yourself some grace too.
A few rough nights doesn’t mean the trip is a failure.
What Worked Well
Staying Beachfront
Being just steps from the beach made everything easier. We could quickly head back to the condo whenever we needed a break, which helped everyone enjoy the trip a little more.
Keeping Our Schedule Simple
Unlike some of our other trips, we didn’t plan attractions or activities. The beach was enough.
By keeping our schedule flexible, we were able to adjust around weather, toddler energy levels, and nap times without feeling stressed.
Traveling with Grandparents
Having grandparents along made the trip even more special. The extra help was appreciated, but more importantly, Frankie made memories with her grandparents that we’ll always treasure.
Tips for Visiting Destin with a Toddler
After spending a long weekend in Destin with our three-year-old, here are a few things that made the trip easier:
- Stay as Close to the Beach as Possible
If your budget allows, choose accommodations within walking distance of the beach. Being able to pop back to your room throughout the day is a game-changer when traveling with young kids. - Plan Around the Weather
Spring weather along the Gulf Coast can be unpredictable. Having a flexible itinerary allowed us to adjust when rain and wind rolled through. - Pack the Basics
Some of our most-used items included beach toys, sunscreen, extra towels, and a pop-up shade tent. - Don’t Over-Schedule
Young kids don’t need a packed itinerary to have fun. Some of Frankie’s favorite moments were simply running through the sand, splashing in the waves, and exploring the resort.
Final Thoughts
Our Destin beach trip was exactly what we needed.
There were no theme parks, packed itineraries, or major attractions to check off a list. Instead, we spent our days building sandcastles, splashing in the waves, taking walks with Lola, and making memories together. As parents, those are the moments that make travel worthwhile.
For Frankie’s third birthday, that ended up being the perfect celebration.
If you’re planning a family beach vacation with a toddler or preschooler, Destin is hard to beat. Between the beautiful beaches, family-friendly atmosphere, and easy drive from Louisiana, it’s a destination we’ll gladly visit again.
Sometimes the best family trips aren’t the ones packed with activities, they’re the ones that give you space to simply enjoy being together.
