When it comes to finding a rental for a family vacation, a spot with tons of kid perks is kind of like finding the rainbow at the end of the rainbow—practically impossible. Since it’s our mission to give you every advantage to a smooth travel experience, we scoured the web for homes that don’t just have Wi-Fi, but a score of other kid perks: think sandbox, kiddie pool, the ultimate game room and more. Keep reading to see them all.
Adventure Treehouse in Paradise - Mt. View, HI
If your idea of a vacation means starry night skies and the soothing sounds of the jungle all around you, this cozy Hawaiian eco-cottage is the place to be. Designed to be as off-grid as possible while still maintaining a sense of luxury (meaning there's running water, wifi and electricity but the whole place has a tiny ecological "footprint" and is solar-powered), this small home was featured on HGTV's "Tiny Paradise" and boasts unique (and repurposed) features in every nook and cranny. Perched eight feet above the ground, the home comes complete with a full kitchen, bathroom, living room and loft space bedroom—as well as a swinging bridge that leads to a quiet sitting area in the trees. There's also a jungle zip line (!), outdoor shower and ground-level hangout space. The entire place may be small, but with two doors and 18 windows overlooking the surrounding Ohia and Hapu'u forest, you'll have plenty of space in the views.
Note: This home is recommended for kids seven and up because of the inherent risks associated with the loft, swinging bridge and zip line.
Sleeps: 4 guests
Cost: $99/night and up
Online: airbnb.com
The Disney House—Davenport, FL
Located just one exit away from Disney World, your kids won’t complain when it’s time to go back and rest. There’s the 101 Dalmatians room with spotted walls, twin beds and stuffed dogs everywhere. The Frozen room is decked out with floor-to-ceiling decorations from the movie and stuffed Olaf and friends on the twin beds. Mom and Dad will appreciate the Mary Poppins master suite. The house’s game room is themed with Star Wars and features a space-age ping pong table, a conventional pool table and a foosball table game. If the kids didn’t burn off enough energy at the theme parks, there will be pretty much time to do so in the home’s private indoor pool.
The home also comes with a full kitchen, dining room that seats 10, living room, air conditioning and TVs in every bedroom. A grocery store and fast food options are only a mile away too.
Sleeps: 10
Cost: $135 per night
Online: airbnb.com
The Mecca of Fun—Des Moines, IA
If the photo of this home's game room doesn't convince you that it's a totally awesome place to stay, check this out. Sitting on over an acre of land, this home has a hot tub and the best game room you've ever seen with ping pong, pool table, arcade games and more. Bike paths connecting you to Des Moines extensive trail system are minutes away with bikes available for use.
Sleeps: 16
Cost: $413/night
Online: airbnb.com
The Kiddie Pool—Arlington, VA
This large home in the heart of Clarendon in North Arlington offers a wading pool perfect for pint-sized swimmers. Before or after your dip, don't forget to roast marshmallows in the outdoor fire pit. Feel free to leave your car at home; this house is conveniently located near a metro stop.
Sleeps: 12
Cost: $1065/night
Online: airbnb.com
Architectural Retreat—Seattle, WA
If you’ve got a little LEGO lover in the fam, he or she is going to think everything about this house is awesome! The bright and funky architectural home (Wendell Lovett) includes LEGO design elements in the kitchen and LEGO wall art (using real bricks!), as well as plenty of open space and light-filled rooms. Parents and kiddos alike will love the A-frame design and spots of bright colors and stylish furnishings around every corner.
Set back on a wooded lot (with an outdoor eating space), the home features three bedrooms, a loft and two and a half bathrooms and feels very open and airy with its high vaulted ceiling and open stairwell. This house has easy access to Matthews Beach and Magnuson Park (two kid faves), as well as the retail shops and restaurants at University Village. It is just far enough away from downtown Seattle to feel private, but also close enough when it’s time to go have fun.
Sleeps: 8
Cost: $260 per night
Online: airbnb.com
Pirate Ship Adventure Cabin—Lyndon Station, WI
Ahoy, me hearties! Pirate-loving littles will definitely want to spend a night aboard the “Passing Wind,” outside of Wisconsin Dells. The unbelievable Pirate Ship Adventure Cabin has room for six and is guaranteed to make memories. A slide, swing set and tons of pirate décor add to the fun. Parents should know that the ship’s two bedrooms are separated by a short 15-foot walk across an outdoor lower deck, and bathrooms are a short walk away.
Sleeps: 6
Cost: $108/night
Online: airbnb.com
Anaheim, CA
Just a 9-minute drive from Disneyland, this Anaheim abode is tailor made for families and Disney fanatics alike. With a heated pool and spa area decorated with Disney characters and a game room filled with arcade machines, foosball, a ping pong table, basketball shooter and even a free claw machine, this is pretty much kid heaven.
Sleeps: 8
Cost: $520/night
Online: airbnb.com
Olympic Equestrian Estate | Olympia, WA
You’ll have the whole farm to yourself in this wonderful Olympia estate. The five bedroom home offers an animal sanctuary, horses to ride, walking trails and a large pool. The pool is not heated, so you might want to warm up in the adjoining hot tub. In the barn you’ll find a foosball table, air hockey, a karaoke machine and even a piano. With ten beds and room to sleep up to 16 people, you can bring the whole extended family! We love the fact that this place is just minutes away from Puget Sound beaches.
Sleeps: 16
Cost: $504/night
Online: airbnb.com
Rustic Paradise | Sheboygan, WI
The kids will literally freak out when they see the huge indoor 1,600-square-foot pool room with a hot tub. Add in the seclusion of the woods, cul-de-sac location and a large yard with a firepit and covered gazebo and you have all the makings for a relaxing vacation.
Sleeps: 8
Cost: $450/night
Online: airbnb.com
Deltahouse Waterfront Getaway
Wake up to the calm Delta waves when you stay at this waterfront home in Discovery Bay, the community with a "Live Where You Play" slogan. At this end of Contra Costa County, the people still live the slower-paced lives of more genial times beside rows of crops and open land while remaining in reach of San Francisco and other globally known cities. This spot is a great getaway when grandparents are in town as it has enough room for everyone to spread out with three bedrooms and three bathrooms. Floats and rafts for swimming (as well as life jackets) are available. Kids looking for some play time on-land can dig around in the sandbox.
Sleeps: 10
What to do: Rent a stand-up paddleboard, kayak or jet ski or sail away on a guided cruise tour of the Delta on Captain Morgans Delta Adventures while watching the sun set. In this family-centric community, mostly everything is kid-friendly.
Online: airbnb.com
—Gabby Cullen
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