Ah, Valentine’s Day. Candlelit dinners, uninterrupted conversations, long walks on the beach… oh wait, you have a toddler. So instead, we’re looking at early wake-ups, sticky hands grabbing at your food, and a romantic moment maybe happening in between diaper changes.
Not everyone has the luxury of a built-in babysitter (shoutout to the grandparents who live too far away). And for some of us, the idea of leaving our little one behind for the weekend just isn’t realistic—whether it’s separation anxiety (theirs or ours) or logistics. But that doesn’t mean we can’t still celebrate love! we just have to adjust expectations, plan ahead, and bring the right tools to keep the chaos under control (trust me, I learned this the hard way).
Here’s how to make a Valentine’s trip less stressful and fun for everyone—yes, even with your toddler along for the ride.
1. Right Destination is Key
Let’s be real—this is not the trip for an adults-only luxury resort. Instead, look for toddler-friendly destinations that also have something for you and your partner.
- Beach resorts with kids’ clubs? Perfect.
- Cozy cabins with outdoor space to run around? Great.
- A city with a walkable downtown so you can pop your toddler in a stroller while you sip coffee and hold hands? Even better.
Avoid places where you’ll be constantly chasing a toddler away from breakable things or places where romance relies on silence and candlelight. (So yeah, maybe skip the fancy five-course dinner.)
2. Travel Light (But Smart!)
Gone are the days when you could just toss a weekend bag together and go. But that doesn’t mean you have to pack everything your toddler has ever touched. Stick to the essentials, and pack in a way that keeps everything organized.
- Use packing cubes to separate toddler clothes, snacks, and essentials.
- Keep a “grab bag” with diapers, wipes, and a change of clothes easily accessible (because you will need it mid-travel).
- Secure everything neatly on your rolling suitcase with a Travel Soxiety trolley strap—so you’re not wrestling with a runaway diaper bag while also trying to hold a toddler's hand.
Checkout the great way one our customers used the Trolley Strap on a recent trip with her little ones.
3. Plan Toddler-Friendly "Date Night"
Okay, we’re probably not getting a candlelit dinner, but we can still have sweet moments together:
- Early "date nights": Find a spot with a kid-friendly dinner menu and dine early—before the toddler meltdown hour. Bonus: Fewer crowds and quicker service.
- In-room romance: Bring a bottle of wine, order dessert to the room, and celebrate surviving another travel day together once the kiddo is asleep.
- Breakfast in bed: Order a breakfast spread for you and your honey. Enjoy it as breakfast or dinner while the little one enjoys a little screen time.
4. Surprise Each Other (In Small, Realistic Ways)
A grand romantic gesture might not be in the cards this year, but small, meaningful moments count too. Maybe it’s a favorite coffee in the morning for your honey, sneaking a handwritten note in her bag, or just taking over toddler duty so he can sleep in. Those little things? They are romance when you’re parents.
5. Embrace the Chaos (And Don’t Forget About You)
Will your toddler interrupt any romantic moment you try to have? Probably. Will something go hilariously wrong? Almost definitely. But here’s the thing—we don’t have to turn our whole life upside down just because we have a kid. Parenthood changes things, yes, but it doesn’t mean we stop deserving joy, fun, or even a little romance (small r—because let’s be real, it’s less candlelit dinner and more stolen kisses between snack breaks).
Most importantly. Lets remember to be kind to ourselves and our partners. Maybe our “romantic dinner” this year is takeout eaten on a hotel bed while our little one sleeps nearby. Maybe the big adventure is a morning walk together, coffee in one hand, stroller in the other. Maybe it’s just making eye contact across the room while building a tower out of legos, thinking Yeah, I picked a good one.
The point is—we still get to have love, connection, and joy, even in this crazy season of life. It just looks a little different now. And that’s okay.
Would you plan a Valentine’s getaway with a toddler? Tell me in the comments! 💕