Booking a family-friendly Airbnb

Booking an Airbnb with kids in mind can be exciting! Your family has finally decided on a destination, and now you’re ready to plan it all out. Dates – Check! Number of guests – Check! Price range – done! Still too many homes to choose from? Now what??

What to check off when booking an Airbnb

First off, choose Entire Place under Room type on Airbnb if you want to have complete privacy. No bathrooms to share with other guests when you’re trying to get to the amusement park before it opens. No worrying about who’s around when your two-year-old is throwing a tantrum (or you are). Everything runs smoother when it’s a space for just you and your family.

Next, choose Family friendly! Airbnb hosts mark their spaces as family friendly for a couple of different reasons. Either they have kids themselves, or they’re trying to make it kid-friendly for the families who need it to be. You may find the space already equipped with a pack and play, bunk bed, toys, and a little library for rainy days or downtime. There might even be a nearby playground, park, or a fire pit for S’mores. Perfect! Even if it’s not listed, go ahead and check the satellite map to see what’s in the area. And don’t forget the photos – a great way to introduce your kids to the space before you even get there. Are there board games, stocked fridge, complimentary tea or coffee? It’s an exciting time – let them in on the excitement!

Still need to narrow down that daunting list of available homes? Here’s some amenities you may want to check off to keep those kiddos (and mom and dad) happy and comfy…

Air conditioning or Heating – You can even check off indoor fireplace for winter!
TV – Doesn’t mean you have to turn it on. It just means it’s available if you need it.
Wifi – A Must-Have. Because every kid (and parent) needs to blog their travel ;).
Kitchen – Especially if you’re planning on a budget for a family, if you have kids who have allergies, or your kids just LOVE mom’s cooking, you definitely need a kitchen!
Parking – Sometimes overlooked, but you definitely want to know there’s somewhere to park your car (or minivan) after a day of sightseeing.
Washer and Dryer – The last thing you want on day one or two is to have to find a Laundromat because Suzie’s lil blankie got some mud or cotton candy or something mysterious on it. If there’s access to a washer and dryer – DONE!

A few more things to check off…

Smoke detector (Yes, please!)
First aid kit (And yes again!)
Essentials (in case you don’t want to pack those bottles of shampoo and conditioner)
Iron (helpful for those character breakfasts)
Hair dryer (you get them in the hotel, why not in your Airbnb as well)

And when you’ve finally slimmed the list down to the last few choices, read carefully through the details and descriptions. Hosts usually list what’s in walking distance, modes of transportation, and nearby family activities or special events. You also want to read through the house rules, check in and check out times, the cancellation policy, and additional prices. Always feel free to contact the host with any questions you might have. They’re usually pretty helpful in giving you details you may not have seen on the site and making you and your family feel comfortable about their space before you even arrive. Easy button – check!

And there you go. Now that you’ve checked lodging off your list, it’s time to start packing!

Next up, what would Mary Poppins put in her luggage?… 😉