It could be so many things at that age. Even being a boy could mean he at the stage of higher testosterone which could be effecting his sleep as things are changing. Does he have a night light? We use a red light at night and my son really likes it, it means he can see a bit when he wakes but it isn’t disruptive.

Maybe look at whether they are having too much day nap or the temperature

Are they too hot or cold? I thought my son would need a heater in his room but he actually sleeps better when it’s cooler. He had also started wanting a night light. He was going through a stage of waking because he could hear a cricket outside so we just reminded him it was out in the garden and he would go back to sleep.

How far off 3 y.o. is he? I was told by a Registered Nurse that from about the age of 3 little ones develop a strong imagination and some scare them. I know of one that used to get out of bed and run to his parents room crying. I minded he a few times at that age. When I picked him up he was shaking. When he was about 4.5 he started them he had a dream during the night and whether it was a good one or bad one. If you stop the drinks he could wake up thirsty. If anybody knows they are thirsty they are already starting to dehydrate.

I am going through the same and it’s exhausting. I just go in see what he needs, quick cuddle or kiss and leave

my daughter was exactly the same at that age! we got a night light with white noise just to remind her its ok. Maybe something like that, otherwise it would be toilet and then nightlight and she would be back asleep before no time. We kept it pretty simple no talking for long periods of time to stimulate her enough. Hope this helps

Does he wake you up? Our boy is the same age and I hear him wake a few times in the night, but he never comes out of his room. When we put him in bed each night I remind him to stay in bed until it’s light outside, so far it’s working

Not nice! How are you responding when he wakes up? It is best to not pay too much attention, even better if you leave him to settle himself. But if you have to go in to settle him, limit speaking, just lay him down tuck him in and leave. If you stay to settle him back to sleep, you could be stuck doing it for months or even years on end

I normally spray some lavender mist to help my son sleep a better through the night. Make sure they’ve eaten alot for dinner, they could be hungry, thirsty or itchy. Also I make sure my son sleeps in total darkness so he knows its night time

You have to check:make sure he doesn’t drink a lot of water just before he goes to bed ,you also have to check
Is he hungry ?
Full nappy ?
Teething?
In pain

Do you know what’s waking him up? Is he hungry, cold, is something in his room scaring him? I know two year olds aren’t easy to ask, but maybe you could try a few changes and see what works.

These tips might be helpful for you https://www.whattoexpect.com/toddler/behavior/night-waking.aspx