Family vacations build memories that last a lifetime. So you want to make sure that your dream vacation stay doesn’t turn into a nightmare for you and your young ones. Selecting a vacation rental home for your holiday helps to take the stress and hassle out of a holiday. Here in your home away from home you’ll have the needed space for nap times, playtime, or those inevitable melt downs.

We’ve gathered a few baby travel tips for you. Included in these tips are questions you’ll want to ask yourself and the host to assure their home is a right fit for you and your children. We recommend you either call or email any question you may have.

Baby Travel Tips for Parents Selecting and Staying at Vacation Rentals

Experiences and events

Select a location that provides both indoor and outdoor activities for busy children. You’ll want to do your best to avoid the most dreaded words on a vacation, “Mom, I’m bored!” Are there playgrounds, recreation centers, parks, museums, and events available to explore together? What family games are available for guests to enjoy? What activities could be done indoors should you be faced with a rainy day on your holiday?
Baby/kid-friendly amenities:

Look closely at the amenities offered and their description. Does your potential vacation rental home list high chairs, play pens, portable cribs or children’s beds? Do you need to request them early to reserve them or are they readily on site? How do the guest rooms look? Is the decor child- friendly and inviting? Some vacation rentals, such as Abalone Bay at Sea Ranch have only king or queen beds. Ask yourself and even your children if they would be able to sleep peacefully together in the same bed?
Make it a whole family decision:

We recommend bringing your children and other family members into the decision making process. How do they feel about the home(s) you’re considering for your holiday location? Even children as young as 4-years will have an opinion of what would be a good fit for them. Will this home meet those expectations? Are the amenities sufficient for everything you hope to do. For example does it have a fully equipped kitchen for making dinner or even baby food?
Safety and baby proofing available:

Safety restrictions would be dependent upon the age of your children. For crawling babies and toddlers how easy will it be for your children to move about the home without accident? You’ll want to check for the following:√ Stairs have gates
√ Balconies have good railings with protections to prevent falls
√ Plug outlet covers are available
√ Decor items are not likely to be pulled down and damaged or injure your child
√ Appliance knobs are out of reach
√ Pools and hot tubs have covers and/or gates
√ Courtyard enclosures have gates that latch
√ Neighbors are friendly and neighboring areas are safe for youngsters who wish to play outside of the home’s yard
Laundry Services:

With little ones, there’s bound to be lots of laundry. Check for washer and dryer on site or nearby. With laundry facilities, you’re able to pack less. Even better if you wash prior to backing for your return trip home all you’ll have to do is put your clothes back in the drawers and relax.

Baby Travel Tips for Staying at Abalone Bay

Deborah Coleman, baby travel tips — Young family enjoys Abalone Bay at Sea Ranch. Photo by Deborah Coleman

Measuring Up to Baby Travel Expectations

So how does Abalone Bay measure up against these baby travel tips?

We have many recommendations for experiences and explorations for our little guests and their families. In fact, we have dedicated a whole page on kid-friendly items your children may find entertaining, fun, and (shhhh! our secret) even educational.

Be sure to also visit our blog and further explore posts that highlight Kid friendly topics. And if it should finally rain we are ready with a list of Rainy Day Activities.

Abalone Bay bedrooms include a king size bed in the principal bedroom and queen beds in our two guest bedrooms

Baby Amenities

Our baby, small child amenities list includes:

highchairs and booster chairs
outlet plug covers
children’s books including infant stories and children’s recipe book
bath mats and hot water ducky (determines safe water temperature)
sippy cups, unbreakable dishes, and cups
enclosed gated courtyard
hot tub with latched lid
kitchen equipment to help you prepare meals for baby and all

We do have one major safety precaution for parents at Abalone Bay. We do strongly advise that parents accompany their children and hold the hands of very young ones while walking along the ocean bluff trail. The trail is not fenced and could be very dangerous for a child running towards its edge.

Amenities for Big Brother and Sister

Many amenities found in Abalone Bay’s Game Room help to keep big brother and sister occupied while you tend to your little one. Older children will discover games, puzzles, art supplies and books geared for their interests as well. With plenty of playing space all will enjoy family time together.