Traveling with a toddler and showing them the world can be magical… and completely exhausting. Between naps, meals, and meltdowns, parents aren’t looking for perfection. They’re looking for an Airbnb that simply gets it.
The good news? You don’t need a fully stocked nursery. Even just a few thoughtful additions go a long way to make your Airbnb more appealing to families.
Here are a few ideas to make your Airbnb more toddler-friendly:
1. Pack-N-Play
Having a safe option for baby or toddler sleep is a game changer for guests with kids. If the guest knows they won’t have to lug their own pack-n-play to their vacation destination, it’s a huge reason to book your Airbnb.
These are items that we have in our Airbnb that have held up well across multiple toddler-friendly stays:
- Pack N Play: Pamo Babe
- Pack N Play Mattress (optional, but more comfortable): YENING Bamboo Pack N Play Mattress Pad
- Sheets: We swear by these super-soft Yoofoss Pack N Play Sheets
2. Blackout curtains
Many babies and toddlers need a dark room to fall asleep and stay asleep. Blackout curtains can be a huge benefit for both kids and adults.
Here’s a few options depending on what you’re looking for:
- Great quality, subtle pattern, matches most aesthetics (My favorite option): DriftAway 100% Blackout Curtains
- Great quality, solid color: INOVADAY 100% Blackout Curtains
- Adorable for a kid-friendly room: Lino Rosa Kids Blackout Curtains
Hack: If you’re on a budget, another option to advertise blackout sleep conditions for a toddler is using this Pamo Babe Blackout Covers for Pack N Play. We use one of these for traveling with our 18 month old and love it because:
- Packs up super small
- Easy to install
- More affordable than blackout tents
3. High Chair
This is a must-have when it comes to being accommodating for young travelers. Fewer things create more chaos than kids on the loose during meal time.
My recommendation: Graco Ready2Dine Chair is suitable for many ages, easy to clean, and can store away easily.
Budget-friendly option: Hiccapop Omniboost Travel Chairs. It folds up even smaller than the Graco above, and guests can even use it on-the-go (which makes this a great option for beach Airbnbs).
4. Silicone Toddler Eating Essentials
Parents frequently forget things like toddler plates, utensils, or bibs when traveling.
Having one or two of these Travel Silicone Portable Feeding Supplies kits available for use at your Airbnb can be super helpful to parents.
5. Baby Bath
Having an option for bathing a baby and toddler bathing at your Airbnb is essential, especially if you only have a shower without a tub in your space.
This Angelcare Baby bath support is a fantastic option because it’s easy to use, easy to clean, and stores away easily.
6. Baby gate
This is optional depending on the layout of your space. If you have any stairs, having a baby gate is really helpful to keep kids safe. This can also be helpful if your Airbnb is pet-friendly.
Hack: Baby gates can be found for a good bargain on Facebook Marketplace.
7. Toys & Books
Toddlers love discovering new things, and parents love having entertainment options for their little ones. Some toys that you could have available that are easy to clean, safe, and reusable for multiple guests are:
- Board books
- Large legos or building blocks
- Magna-tiles
- Stacking rings
- Chunky cars/animals (avoid toys with small parts)
- Wooden puzzles
- Outdoor options: basketball, sidewalk chalk, frisbee
Things to avoid that are harder to keep clean and could be risky to have in your Airbnb are:
- Stuffed animals
- Markers
- Toys with tiny pieces
- Musical toys (to keep parents and neighbors happy)
- Slime or PlayDoh
- No balls inside – keep outside to prevent breaking anything indoors
Key things to keep in mind: you want toys that are low mess, easy to clean, and low noise.
Final Thoughts:
If you want to appeal to families, you don’t need to put together an entire playroom. Even one or two of the toddler-friendly features listed above signal that your space is welcoming, thoughtful, and stress-reducing.
Happy parents tend to leave happy reviews! 🙂
