2.5 Year Old Doesn't Sleep Through the Night!

Operating on the principle that if you physically exhaust him, he will be so tired he won't wake up, I have these suggestions:

You might consider shortening or eliminating his nap time. He is about that age.

Another thing is to increase his activity level. Swimming lessons at the Y are really good for exhausting him, as are regular outings like long walks without the stroller everyday (I sound like a dog walker!! :) ) or playing games outside with Daddy everyday.

I wouldn't move his bedtime up if he doesn't have to go to daycare.
Our toddler (same age) goes to bed at same time because I'm a SAHM.
It works for us. He will rise at 8am, most usually take a 2 hr nap at 2pm if we are active and busy then to bed at 9:30 (sometimes 10pm as he has an older sister w/a later betime 9:30pm which usually ends up a few mins later.
Continue to do what works for your family!
If it's 7-8am get up
2-3:30pm nap
and
9-10 pm bedtime
If it works for you, then do it.
I do it as it TOTALLY works for us and our family.
I'm a SAHM so my schedule can easily change.
Okay so he has a night light, pees before bedtime, you go in when he is afraid and wakes up to soothe him gently, quietly. That's all good!
Is he warm or cold?
Adequate blankets?
Sometimes they just have a bad dream and will wake up. Simply soothe quietly then leave the room once he's fallen back asleep. Hang in there.:)

He is getting perfect amounts of sleep. You are doing well. He has probably just outgrown the toddler bed and when he turns over or moves he bumps into the edges or his legs/arms fall off and it wakes him up. Try moving him to a regular bed and see if it makes a difference.

Seems to me that all my grandkids did this at that age too. My 4 yr. old went through a stage recently where he woke up every night around the same time, wandered in to our room and crawled in bed with us. Dragging his blanket and pillow with him and bumping into walls. He stopped after a few months and then the 7 yr. old did something similar.

Unless there's an actual reason for it, I'd move his bedtime so that he's falling asleep closer to 7:30-8 instead of 10 - that's pretty late. Odds are he'll still wake up and nap normally, he'll just be better rested.

Could he be getting ready to night-time potty train (if he isn't already)? Maybe he's waking up cuz he has to pee?

We all wake up multiple times per night. Adults just don't usually notice. But for young children it can totally throw them off. If all he wants is a hug and kiss to go back to sleep, then I'd just do it. I'm sure if you keep the interaction quiet and robotic he'll stop needing it soon.

If it makes you feel any better, my 5 year old *just* started sleeping through the night :o)