Taking a family trip to a vacation rental is an excellent alternative to spending a fortune at a resort or hotel, or to the dreaded “summer spent at home,” but there are a few things you’ll need to keep in mind when you’re choosing a vacation rental property to stay in with children. Some of these things will apply only to those with very small kids, and others will apply to all age groups – either way, considering your kids is imperative before you settle on a vacation home.
Choose a Family-Friendly Destination
While you and your spouse might be itching to spend a week playing Blackjack in Las Vegas, if your kids are coming on vacation with you you’ll want to pick a destination that’s more kid-friendly. Yes, there are some parts of Vegas that kids can and do enjoy, but most of the insides of the casinos are off-limits to anyone under 18 – so while Vegas might look like a theme park, it’s really more of a theme park for adults. You’ll be better off, and your kids will be happier, if you pick a holiday destination that has as much fun stuff for them to do as it does for you.
Know What Extras are Necessary
Obviously you’ll be bringing some kid-related stuff to your vacation home (like diapers, toys, and books), but if you don’t have room to pack a toddler’s playpen or crib in your minivan you’ll want to make sure the vacation rental you choose has those things available for you. Figure out ahead of time what “extras” you’re not planning to haul with you, and then make sure the vacation properties you consider have them listed in the amenities section. (And if the ideal vacation home doesn’t have the things you need, ask the homeowner or rental company whether there’s a service in the town that rents them!)
Think About Safety Factors
Is your vacation rental on a lake or river? Then make sure you either bring life jackets in the appropriate sizes for everyone in your family or can find them locally for rent. Does your vacation rental come with bicycles, or do you plan to rent some during your trip? Then either bring properly sized bike helmets with you or plan to rent those, too. Remember that just because you’ve got kids doesn’t mean that everyone who stays in that vacation home does – so be proactive about getting the right safety equipment for whatever activities you’ll be engaging in. And if you’ve got a really little one who’s got his or her fingers in everything, make sure the property either has child-proofing on the cabinets and electrical outlets already, or remember to bring your own.
Find Out About Local Babysitting Services
Now, even though you love your kids and want to spend your vacation together as a family, you might want to have a romantic dinner for two one night with your spouse – and that’s okay! You can usually find out from the owner of the vacation property or the management company you’re booking through whether there are babysitting services locally that you can take advantage of for a night or two during your trip.
Plan to Do Laundry
You’d want to whether there was a washer/dryer in the vacation home one way or the other, but when you’re traveling with kids you’ll want to make sure you don’t rent a vacation home without a laundry room! Being able to do the laundry in your vacation rental saves you time and money that you might otherwise have to spend in the local laundromat, and also makes your luggage lighter.
Explore Your Surroundings
When you first arrive at your vacation home, after you’ve taken a look at the house itself (and done any child-proofing you need to on electrical outlets and cabinet doors!), take a drive or a walk around the town to see where you can find child-friendly restaurants, movie theatres, video rental places, fun shops, nearby grocery stores or markets, and any area attractions that spark interest. Then you’ve got a list of things to do or see if someone says, “I’m bored!”
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