3 Quick Hacks to Childproof a Vacation Rental with Toddlers

When I check into a vacation rental with a toddler, I have a few immediate concerns:

Can they break anything?

Can they access anything dangerous like knives, cleaning supplies, or outdoor areas?

Will I actually be able to relax on this vacation???

If you're wondering how to childproof a vacation rental quickly, these are the three things I do within minutes of arriving.

After many trips to not-quite-childproof homes, I've come up with three quick and easy hacks to immediately make an Airbnb or vacation rental safer for a baby, toddler, or preschooler.

Because let's be honest—most vacation rentals weren't designed with toddlers in mind.

Hack #1: Never Travel Without Painter's Tape

My number one hack—and the thing I never travel without, even for hotel stays—is a roll of painter's tape.

Painter's tape can be used to tape shut cabinets that may contain bathroom or kitchen cleaners. It can be used to tape shut a door to a room you don't want your child accessing. (I like to travel with a knob cover too, but tape works as well!)

Tape can keep a drawer full of knives closed because FOR SOME REASON vacation rentals often have the knives stored in drawers. Child-height, easy-to-access drawers.

You can even cover accessible outlets in lieu of outlet covers. (Although I like to travel with a few outlet covers too. But again, tape works in a pinch!)

A roll of painter's tape takes up almost no room in your suitcase and solves an impressive number of vacation rental safety problems.

Hack #2: Create a Toddler Contraband Closet

Many vacation rentals are beautifully decorated.

Unfortunately, toddlers tend to appreciate decor a little differently than adults.

When I arrive, I gather up anything I don't want my child touching and stash it in a closet, pantry, or unused bedroom.

This includes:

• Breakable decor

• Board games with small pieces

• Fragile keepsakes

• Choking hazards

• Remotes and battery-operated items

Before moving anything, I take a quick photo so I can put everything back exactly where I found it before checkout.

Not only do I remove breakable decor, but I scan for anything that may become a problem later.

It's great that many Airbnbs and VRBOs provide board games. But if I'm traveling with kids under five, I do not want Scrabble tiles scattered all over the floor.

Bonus tip: Keep remotes and battery-operated items somewhere inaccessible too. Ingested batteries send many children to the ER every year.

Hack #3: Use Dining Chairs as Temporary Baby Gates

This hack is simple, but sometimes the simplest solutions are the best.

Open concept is great until your toddler is constantly wandering into the kitchen and getting into things.

Grab a few dining chairs and place them side-by-side across the entrance to a room you'd like to block off.

This works especially well for:

• Kitchens

• Home offices

• Laundry rooms

• Areas with extra breakable decor

Just be sure to turn the chairs backwards so they don't immediately become a toddler jungle gym.

Will a determined toddler still find a way through eventually?

Probably.

But you'll have more time to intercept them before they access something dangerous.

Pin these tips for later!

The Most Important Vacation Rental Safety Tip Happens Before You Arrive

These hacks are helpful, but my number one tip for keeping kids safe in a vacation rental actually happens before check-in.

Talk to the host.

The truth is that no Airbnb, VRBO, or vacation rental will ever be perfectly childproof.

The goal isn't perfection. The goal is knowing what to expect so you can prepare.

Before arriving, I like to gather information about:

• Outdoor access

• Pools and water hazards

• Cleaning supplies

• Knives

• Stairs

• Choking hazards

• Sleeping arrangements

• Baby gear already provided

Knowing these details ahead of time helps you decide what safety items to pack and what adjustments you may need to make when you arrive.

Nobody wants vacation to begin with a frazzled trip to Walmart in hopes of finding the right-sized baby gate so their child doesn't take a tumble.

A family-friendly vacation rental doesn't have to be perfectly childproof to work well for your family.

A little preparation goes a long way.

These simple hacks can help take a "family-friendly" vacation rental to the next level by making it safer for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers.

If you'd like even more help preparing for family travel, check out the KidReady Travel System where I share the exact categories I ask hosts about before booking.

And if you'd like more tips for traveling with young kids, make sure you're following along on Instagram and Pinterest.

Aaaaand if a printable Safe & Simple Packing List designed to help you be prepared without packing your entire house sounds like something you need, snag that below!