We’re always on the look out for cool vacation homes to impress the kids (whilst keeping parents happy too). Toddlers and younger kids are easily impressed with toys or a garden, while older kids need great activities, fun bunk rooms or a garden to run off some steam. Teens are harder still, needing cool interior spaces, privacy, or lots of entertainment on offer to make a good impression.
Finding somewhere that ticks all the boxes can be tricky, but we’re proud to say we’ve definitely got a good bunch of them here on Kid & Coe. No matter what age your kids are, you still want to stay somewhere that feels comfortable and exciting for parents too, so we do our best to curate the best vacation homes for the whole family – whether that’s unique locations, a strong design focus or a super kid-friendly feel.
Here’s our pick of 9 cool vacation homes that are sure to impress kids of all ages.
The Eagle Vista Drive Residence – LA
The hosts have 5 children, so the house is well stocked with Legos, dress up clothes, art supplies, books, and magnatiles for children under 10. The playroom is decked out with a foam pit, climbing monkey bars, a large table for arts and crafts, and a projector and screen for entertainment.
The kids will be entertained for hours in the amazing backyard, complete with pool, mud kitchen, playhouse, trampoline and slide. There’s also a waterfall/stream down the backyard, a fire pit and a tree weave (large hammock for kids to play on) with killer views.
The Estrada da Praia da Mata Residence, Portugal
What could be better than sleeping directly on the sands of a beach? Kids will find it amazing to wake up with the sand right outside the door. They can build sand castles, splash in the waves, play with the beach toys or slide down the hills of the dunes on body boards. Nearby there are surf schools, skate schools and paddleboarding lessons for older kids and teens, as well as a trampoline park 15 minutes away by car.
The Leobo Private Reserve, South Africa
This house and estate offers an experience of a lifetime for kids of all ages. There is a lovely big swimming pool with a shallow gradient that suits young and older children alike. Activities include quad biking, fishing, kayaking and game views. Along with ponies and horses on site, there is an observatory and you can spot giraffe, hippos, zebra and antelope. To add to the fun, the kids bedroom has a triple bunk bed, and there is a mezzanine home cinema snug too.
The Rua Do Pinhal Residence, Portugal
Children and teens will be in awe of this super cool villa. It has a mini football field, basketball court, ping-pong table and pool outside, while indoors boasts a media room with Netflix and Apple TV and bedrooms with graffiti-style murals, connecting rooms for their friends or siblings, and fun bunk beds. There are beaches less than 10 minutes away by car and hosts can help with arranging surfing, tennis or muay thai lessons for kids.
The Copake Lake House Residence, New York
The house conjures summer camp vibes with a fun built-in bunk bed room for the kids, 25+ board games, Legos, blocks, trucks, crayons, balls and accessories to turn the dining table into a place to play ping pong. Outside, there’s no shortage of kid-friendly activities year-round on or near Copake Lake. In the spring and summer there’s swimming, kayaking, canoeing and fishing in the clear freshwater lake. The hosts have recently installed a 14′ slide that’s built into the hillside between the entry to the property and the main cottage. Pontoon boats, water skiing and wake boarding can also be arranged. In Autumn kids can jump around in the colorful foliage, hike at Bish Bash Falls or bike along the Harlem Valley River Trail. In the winter, ice skating, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and ice-fishing are all possible on Copake Lake when weather and conditions permit.
The Driftwood Drive Residence, New Jersey
In addition to the in-ground pool, there’s a playroom complete with tons of games, books, toys, and art supplies. This can also be used as an additional bedroom (with a fold-out double sofabed), ideal for teens. In the shed, you’ll find all sorts of recreational items, including bikes, kayaks, fishing poles and crabbing gear, sand and water toys, and sports equipment. The hosts also have plenty of pool toys, floats, diving rings and a floating basketball hoop so the kids can happily splash around in the water all day long. There’s even a wood burning fireplace and an outdoor firepit where the whole family can toast marshmallows in the evening.
The Rolling Fairway Residence, Orlando
When it comes to cool vacation homes, this one is next level. It could be our most kid-focused property ever! Fun is the main priority here, with a glow-in-the-dark arcade room, a soft play princess room with swings and a slide, as well as Disney and Star Wars themed bunk rooms and a cute jungle twin room too. As well as the private pool, there’s also a huge community pool within the complex and of course the attractions of Disney and Orlando’s best family tourist spots nearby.
The Rua Dos Acores Residence, Lisbon
Young kids will delight in the playroom at this residence that has toys and games suited for girls and boys under 10. There’s a play kitchen, a teepee with cushions and soft sheepskin rugs, a toy zoo, musical instruments for a sing-along, and a mini table and chairs with craft supplies. Local playgrounds are a short walk away and kids will adore the beautifully decorated kids’ room with 3 child-size beds with star wallpaper and cuddly animal cushions. The hosts also have bikes for kids to explore the city.
The Miami Beach Waterfront Residence, Miami
Kids will love the table football and splashing with the provided floats in the private heated pool, as well as walking to the beach. There are dolphins and exotic birds to spot on the swimmable stretch of sea in front of the house – magical manatees visit at night. With the proximity of the water, teenagers can spend hours paddleboarding and kayaking – and they’ll love the look of this waterfront home with the boat outside.
Check out our Design Standouts collection for more cool vacation homes or get inspiration for your next family vacation with our different collections for toddlers, older kids or teens.