I have been traveling the world for more than 20 years. I booked my first vacation shortly after I turned 21—to Las Vegas, of course. I’ve traversed the I-95 corridor, stopping at hotels and motels along the way. And I’ve visited Jamaica, Mexico, and the Bahamas, to name a few. I cruised solo in my 20s, but I digress. The point is travel is something I love.
It fills my cup.
But what I’m looking for when I travel has changed quite a bit. Why? Because I have a family. A husband and two kids. And while I enjoy it immensely, I’d be lying if I said it was easy. Packing is more involved. Traveling with kids is (exponentially) more expensive. And their attention spans are shorter. Their interests… different.
That is why, when we travel, we often opt for “playcations,” or destinations which focus primarily on being and acting like a kid. Because there is something for everyone, big and small.
What Is a Playcation?
According to Collins Dictionary, a playcation is “a vacation predominately consisting of play; especially from a child’s perspective.”
Why Take a Playcation?
You may be wondering why you should take a playcation—after all, a trip focused primarily on whimsy, childlike wonder, and entertainment may not sound like your typical vacation—but there are numerous benefits of playcations: for children and their parents.
To explore
While vacations encourage you to explore your surroundings, playcations encourage you to explore your relationship with your loved ones and yourself. Why? Because these trips are all about unstructured joy—and spontaneous fun. Think playing in the rain, collecting rocks or seashells, and doing shadow puppets and telling ghost stories at night.
Of course, you can and probably should have a plan on a playcation. (We often do.) But itineraries tend to be lighter, days less structured, and both the plans and resorts are kid-friendly. More on that soon.
To play
When we are young, our lives revolve around play, but sometime between adolescence and adulthood, the fun and games get left behind. They are pushed aside to make room for work and family commitments. But play doesn’t have to be a thing of the past. Everyone can benefit from it, including those from 7 months to 70 years. The key is to relax, let go of your inhibitions, and just have fun. By freeing yourself from the constraints of everyday life, you can reduce stress, nourish connections, and boost creativity.
What does this look like? Well, for kids it simply means doing more of what they love: visiting the playground, swimming at the hotel pool, and—if they are lucky enough—going to a beach, water park, amusement park, or other kid-friendly destination. As for adults, it means indulging in things you may not often do, like hang gliding over the Atlantic, skiing in Colorado, rock climbing, ziplining, or going go-kart racing.
To disconnect
Whether you are going to a popular destination, remote location, or simply stepping away from the hustle and bustle of daily life, taking time to reconnect with your loved ones (and yourself) will help ground you, allow you to be more present, and—of course—give you uninterrupted time with each other, helping you make those extra special family memories. During a playcation, you may also gain fresh perspectives, especially if you are older and reconnecting with your inner child.
How to Plan a Playcation?
Find a resort that works for you
There are countless playcation properties you and your family can visit. One my family and I adore is Villatel Orlando Resort, nestled in the heart of central Florida and right off of International Drive. The reason? The property offers everything families could want and more.
You see, Villatel Orlando Resort is a villa-style hotel. This means that instead of rooms, guests rent small homes with full kitchens, indoor pools, arcades, and themed kids rooms. (Our’s had blue skies, green trees, several dragons, and a super fun slide, neon lights, and bunk beds!) Each villa sleeps anywhere from 10 to 26 people. Some include movie theaters. And every unit has a washer and dryer—and multiple bathrooms.
Living room and kitchen at Villatel Orlando Resort
Traveling with a baby? Don’t worry. Villatel Orlando Resort’s got you covered. Every room has a portable crib and high chair.
Enjoy the on-property amenities
Of course, room layout is but one consideration families have on their minds. On-property amenities are pretty important when traveling with kids, big and small.
The day my family and I arrived at Villatel Orlando Resort, we got a cabana and enjoyed Aqua Bay Water Park. My youngest could not get enough of the splash pad, which had several small slides, sprinklers, and a large dump bucket. We played in the water, relaxed in the lazy river, and ate poolside—enjoying both food and drinks. When we got our villa, my youngest immediately grabbed a club and played mini golf before jumping on the beds. My kiddos then explored their room, going up and down (yet another) slide. And then they played arcade games well into the night. Sponge Bob also dominated the TV.
Splash pad at Villatel Orlando Resort
That said, on-property amenities vary. At Villatel Orlando Resort, for example, there is no traditional television service. Rather, you log into your streaming platforms. However, some I always look for, especially when going on a playcation, are outdoor play spaces, family-friendly dining, arcades and/or game rooms, and water features—think pools, hot tubs, waterslides, and a lazy river. Structured kids activities are also a nice touch.
Head to nearby hotspots or attractions
While we were at Villatel Orlando Resort, we took advantage of its proximity to some of the area’s biggest tourist attractions: Universal Studios Resorts and Walt Disney World. (Villatel Orlando Resort even offers a free shuttle to both theme parks!) However, whether you are staying near the “Happiest Place on Earth” or in a remote area, you should be sure to take in local attractions.
Cinderella’s Castle at Magic Kingdom
Head to a beach. Experience live music. Go to an aquarium or museum. Take the fam to the zoo. And remember that, no matter what you do, the point is to have fun.
Keep realistic expectations
As with any trip, it’s important to temper your expectations. Playcations can be jam-packed with fun. Ours was. We went from sun-up to sun-down: adventuring our way through every day. (We landed, arrived at Villatel Orlando Resort, and went straight to the water. We didn’t unpack a single thing before jumping in the pool.) But keep in mind that things will go awry. Every moment will not be perfect, and—no matter how hard you try—you can (and won’t) escape all stressors and pressures.
Take deep breaths. Relax, and remember to go with the flow. This is a playcation, after all.
Be present
The most important thing you can do on a playcation—or any trip, really—is to be present: with your family, yourself, and your surroundings. When you are present, you can relax and truly enjoy the places you are in and the company you are with. You can also let yourself be silly, goofy, and—for lack of a better word—unproductive: a beautiful thing.
While we were at Villatel Orlando Resort, we did many things, including closing out amusement parks two nights in a row. However, my favorite activity (by far) was playing poolside with my family. There was a rousing game of Marco Polo. My youngest taught me how water works, and did I mention there was a lot of splashing? Sometimes the best part of a playcation is getting your hair wet.
Takeaway
Of course, you don’t have to visit Villatel Orlando Resort for your next playcation—though, admittedly, I would go back tomorrow if I could. Playcations can happen almost anywhere, as long as you let go, let loose, and remember to have fun.
Read the original article on Parents
