Family-friendly features guests love: Win over summer holidaymakers with kids

1. Prioritise child safety

Nothing matters more to travelling parents than peace of mind. If your property is safe and secure, it's far more likely to attract families.

Consider adding:

• Stair gates (for multi-level properties)

• Plug socket covers

• Corner protectors for low furniture

• Secure balcony locks or fencing for outdoor spaces
  
  

Travelnest Tip: Include “family-friendly” or “child-safe” in your listing description and tags. Many parents filter listings using these terms.

2. Stock up on family essentials

Families often travel with a lot of gear. By supplying a few practical items, you can reduce packing stress and earn bonus points from busy parents.

High-impact items include:

• Travel cot and high chair

• Plastic plates, bowls, and cutlery

• Step stool for bathroom access

• Changing mat or portable potty
  
  

Not sure which items make the biggest impact? Your Travelnest property expert can help you prioritise based on your property size and guest profile.

3. Add entertainment for all ages

Rain or shine, kids need something to do. Whether they’re winding down in the evening or taking a break from sightseeing, in-property entertainment can make or break a stay.

Easy wins:

• Board games, puzzles, and books

• Smart TV with kid-friendly streaming apps

• Colouring books, Lego, or toy box

• Wi-Fi strong enough for multiple devices
  
  

Bonus: If you offer a garden or patio, consider outdoor toys like a football, badminton set, or paddling pool for warmer months.

4. Highlight local family attractions

Families want more than just a place to sleep - they're looking for activities. Help them plan their trip with recommendations tailored to kids and parents alike.

Suggestions to include:

• Local parks and playgrounds

• Beaches with lifeguard coverage

• Soft play centres or trampoline parks

• Zoos, aquariums, or mini golf spots

• Cafés with children’s menus or play areas
  
  

Travelnest Tip: Create a printed or digital local guidebook with a “Travelling with Kids” section and leave it out in plain sight.

5. Make check-in and checkout easy for parents

Travelling with children can be unpredictable. Offering flexibility makes a big difference.

Best practices:

• Enable self-check-in

• Allow early check-in or late checkout when possible

• Send clear instructions ahead of time (ideally with pictures)
  
  

6. Photograph and promote your family features

It’s one thing to offer family-friendly amenities - it’s another to show them off. Make sure your listing images highlight child-friendly spaces and items.

Include photos of:

• The high chair, cot, and games shelf

• Outdoor play areas or fenced gardens

• Kid-friendly dining setups

• Cosy nooks for reading or quiet time
  
  

Need help deciding what to highlight? Your Travelnest expert can advise on which images convert best and how to position them across platforms.

How Travelnest helps you attract family bookings

At Travelnest, we support hosts in getting ready for peak demand from family travellers. Here’s how we help:

• Distribution across top platforms like Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com

• Optimised listings for visibility in family-related searches

• Smart pricing tools to stay competitive during school holidays

• A dedicated property expert to guide you through setup, presentation, and positioning for family appeal
  
  

Families notice the details and reward them with reviews

If your property offers comfort, convenience, and fun for parents and kids alike, families will keep coming back. And they'll tell other families too.

List with Travelnest today and get support from an experienced property expert who can help you make your space a go-to for family holidays.