If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, SheKnows may receive an affiliate commission.
Vacation rentals have been a more popular alternative to hotels as of late for more reasons than one. They’re private, spacious, often more affordable, and can be seriously out-of-this-world cool. And if you’re traveling with your family, there’s hardly an advantage to booking a tiny hotel room when you can vacation at a unique pad (though these travel companies will help you book a kid-friendly hotel). You might already be familiar with Airbnb, but there’s another vacation rental company you need to check out: Vrbo.
Like Airbnb, Vrbo offers vacation rentals around the world, and since we’ve already scoped out the best kid-friendly Airbnbs, it was time to do the same for Vrbo. And let us tell you—there are some wacky, wonderful, and majorly next-level kid-friendly Vrbo rentals out there.
From a Florida home decked out like a literal theme park — we’re talking a Candyland-themed kids’ room encapsulated by a ball pit, complete with an ice cream-shaped swimming pool (we’re not even kidding!) — to a fairytale cottage in California, prepare to wow your entire family when you book one of these spots.
And if you’re looking for something more modest and budget-friendly, there’s a kid-friendly Vrbo for you, too. Ahead, check out the best Vrbos for your next family vacation.
A version of this article was published in 2021.
-
Celeb-Style Private Island
Image Credit: Vrbo Accomodating you and up to 42 of your besties, The Ever After Estate in Clermont, Florida (it’s in the Orlando area) boasts a slot in “America’s Top 10 Most Outrageous Homes” according to HGTV. The 62 private, gated acres feature so many things to do — including four arcades, indoor and outdoor movie theaters (one is poolside!), mini golf, a ballpit room, and tons more. It’s like your own private resort!
-
Animal Lover’s Paradise
Image Credit: Vrbo With an “exceptional” rating and hundreds of rave reviews, Mountain Magic in Boone, North Carolina has — wait for it — a private petting zoo with goats, donkeys, and a pot-bellied pig. Six people can sleep in this charming cabin, which also boasts a waterfall, hammocks, decks, a hot tub and jacuzzi. Located in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, it’s just 15 minutes away from all sorts of amenities and things to do. Plus, it’s also pet-friendly with deposit.
-
Texas-Sized Treehouse
Image Credit: Vrbo Up to 8 guests can enjoy this 2-bedroom, 1-bath treehouse in New Braunfels, Texas. The Redwood Tree Haus is one of four treehouses around a shared pool. Kids will love the mini children’s playground and the whimsical tree right in the middle of the house.
-
A Disney-Adjacent Dream
Image Credit: Vrbo Located in Anaheim, California, this beauty is within walking distance of Disneyland! The Neverending Story Home features enough Disney-themed bedrooms to sleep 10 people, plus a Disney karaoke stage, salt-water pool with a built-in hot tub, and a kids’ play area. (And if you’re traveling with infants, there are baby amenities too!)
-
A Gamer’s Dream House
Image Credit: Vrbo Located in Clermont, Florida with space for up to 54 people, this 13-bedroom funhouse is totally game-themed. We’re talking Minecraft, Pac-Man, Scrabble, CLUE, and more. Each room at The Great Escape Parkside is actually a game! It features an escape room, human bowling, giant Whac-a-Mole, a laser maze, and much more.
-
Games Galore
Image Credit: Vrbo Fun is the name of the game at The Sundown Estate in Scottsdale, Arizona. This 6-bedroom, 6-bathroom mansion sleeps 15 — but you won’t want to sleep because there’s too much to do! From swimming (and a splash pad!) to bowling to mini-golf, the outdoor recreation area features a ton of fun activities for kids and adults alike. Indoors, there’s air hockey, foosball, and a poker table, among tons of other amenities. And if you’re traveling with infants, you’ll love the free included “baby package” which gives you access to essentials like high chairs, toys, and pack-n-plays.
-
Candyland Dreamhouse in Florida
Image Credit: Vrbo What kid wouldn’t want to live in Candyland? This Clermont, Florida mansion will make that dream come true with each of its decked-out spaces. From the lollipop kids’ room complete with a literal ball pit to the ice-cream shaped pool and a huge game room, this massive rental is hard to beat. With a capacity of 52 people, (11 bedrooms and 7 bathrooms) this rental is great for combined family getaways or even a family reunion! And yes, pets are welcome.
-
Waterfront Chalet
Image Credit: Vrbo If you’re in the mood for a waterfront getaway, this picturesque chalet in New Hampshire sits on 100 feet of sandy beach on Conway’s pristine Pequawket Pond, giving you access to swimming, boating, fishing, skating, and cross country skiing all in your backyard. Located in the heart of the Mount Washington Valley, the three-bedroom two-bath chalet boasts a beautiful view of the White Mountains and is located about ten minutes away from Kahuna Laguna (the 40,000 sq. ft. water park at the Red Jacket Mountain View Resort) and well as the world famous StoryLand.
-
40 Acres of Fun
Image Credit: Vrbo Situated in Chimacum, Washington, close to the beautiful Olympic State Park, this house (which accommodates up to 24) may look unassuming from the outside, but the kiddos will love what lies within — including a room full of building blocks, a soft foam block room, a huge playroom equipped with plenty of cool ride-on toys, and an actual (but non-scary) labyrinth! There’s also plenty to do outside.
-
Personal Tropical Resort
Image Credit: Vrbo This unique and beautiful tropical home offers 3,200-square-feet of tropical comfort, perfect for families with children. It features a huge open-plan kitchen with all the essentials, one full acre of beautifully maintained yard and tropical gardens, and three bedrooms with eight beds. Oh, and did we mention it also has a pool with a water slide, jacuzzi, and a sand pool for kids?! Plus, it’s location is close to the town of Hilo, Akaka Falls, Honomu zip line, beaches, parks, and many other activities.
-
California Barn
Image Credit: Vrbo If you’re looking for a more laid-back getaway, a barn is a solid choice. This charming barn located in Newcastle, California is situated on a 52-acre cattle ranch that’s sure to wow the little ones. It’s located in the heart of wine country, so parents in need of some vino are sure to enjoy it too. The spacious patio has a fire pit and BBQ, and there are a few friendly farm cats that’ll likely come stop by and say hello. You’re just 15 minutes away from hiking, golfing, restaurants, and more, so you’ll have no issues finding things to do.
-
Luxury Beachfront Home
Image Credit: Vrbo For an ocean-filled holiday, you’ll want to book this luxury beachfront escape. Located in Hutchinson Island South in Florida, this retreat is the ultimate place to get away from crowds. It boasts 8 bedrooms, so you’ll definitely want to share it with extended family members or friends. And if you want to feel really fancy, there’s an elevator, so it’s perfect if you have older family members as well.
-
Treehouse Retreat
Image Credit: Vrbo What kid (or adult) wouldn’t want to stay in a treehouse during vacation? This secluded treehouse is under 15 minutes from Ohiopyle State Park and Ohiopyle Falls, and it packs all the amenities a small family could need in its cozy space. With a queen bed in the bedroom and two twin beds directly above in a ladder-accessible loft, the 900-square-foot nest sleeps four. Enjoy gorgeous views from every space — even the hot tub — and soak up all the nature of rural Pennsylvania.
-
Games Galore in Austin
Image Credit: Vrbo This self-proclaimed party pad in the heart of Austin will not disappoint. It sleeps 18 and includes soccer, volleyball, giant connect four, cornhole, pool, tabletop shuffleboard, plus three arcade games! If that wasn’t enough, the rental also has a pool and is a stone’s throw from Austin’s world-renowned natural spring, Bartin Springs Pool.
-
X Marks The Spot
Image Credit: Vrbo Your kids will not want to leave the treasure hunt-themed bedroom in this Orlando Vrbo. Unless, of course, they want to take a dip in the pool or you’re doing the 7-minute drive to Universal Studios Florida!
-
Pin it!
Save this list to Pinterest so you can find it later!
More Stories from Parenting
