3 year old won't stay in bed or sleep

[fit2btied]

We can not get our 3 year old to stay in his big boy bed. It is a game to him.  He slept well in his crib until he started getting out so we put him in a regular bed.  He picked it out.  He has all his animals etc from his crib.  he has a night light, calming cd.  We have tried positive reinforcement, laying down with him, taking things away, constantly putting him back to bed.  It usually takes 2 1/2 to 3 hours of putting him back.  well over 100 times.  he does not give up. on the off chance he will finallly drop and go to sleep he will sometimes get up during the night. he was up 230-600 the other night.  he is sleep deprived now.  he used to sleep so well.  he won't nap anymore.  We take him to the gym everyday and have him take some kind of activity class. This is driving up crazy.  He just thinks it is all a game.  Absolutely NOTHING works. HELP

[margypops]

You are sending him mixed messages, if you lay down with him he has won and he knows he has, you have to be consistant in your behavior,no laying down with him, to him it is  a game because you give in, it becomes a battle of wills, so read him some stories say goodnight and leave him, if he yells ignore it , if he gets out take him back,yes it will be over and over, but if you stay with it, he will get it into his head its not working. Does he sleep during the day? as if he does at day care or at home he wont be tired enough. Oh and no talking to him when you take him back to bed , just quiet firmness.Good Luck