In most markets, rain or bad weather is inevitable at some point. To help prevent your renters from getting bored (and taking their frustrations out on you or your home!), consider providing some indoor fun for your guests.When adding rainy-day amenities to your vacation home, you'll want to keep both the adults and children in mind. There are plenty of simple and inexpensive ways to keep the whole family entertained. You might also want to get some higher-end amenities that your own family can enjoy when you visit your property.
Family Fun
- DVD and Book Library. Include movies and books appropriate for both adults and children since the types of renters in your home may vary.
- Games. Classic board games like Pictionary, Trivial Pursuit and Connect Four are always a hit with adults. Be sure to include children's games like Candy Land or Chutes & Ladders as well. Twister is pretty universally enjoyed, but make sure you have enough room for guests to play without having to rearrange your entire living room. You can easily provide a deck of cards or a game like Uno, but be sure to buy two decks so if you lose a few cards, your guests will have extras.
- Toys. Some basic dolls or action figures, an Etch-a-Sketch, play food/kitchen tools, and building blocks can go a long way on a rainy afternoon. You can also keep even the biggest kids occupied and entertained with a set of Legos.
- Crafts. Supply construction paper, crayons, glue sticks, and children's scissors for kids with a creative bug.
Pricier Amenities
- Video Game Console. Many families realize that even on a beautiful day, their kids are going to miss their video games! Video games will serve as entertainment on a rainy day, and you can also promote this popular amenity within your property listing.
- Fitness Equipment. If you own a condo, you might already have access to a fitness center. Owners of single family homes, though, may consider adding a treadmill or exercise bike for your ambitious guests to enjoy regularly or on rainy days. However, be sure to consult an attorney or your insurance provider before providing exercise equipment.
- Pool Table. Pool tables are especially popular in cabins and lake rentals where, besides rain, guests might need a break from the cold weather. Although pool tables can be a bit pricy, this is a much sought after amenity for a lot of markets.
- Ping Pong or Foosball Table. If you're not prepared for the cost or maintenance of a pool table, a ping pong or foosball table is a bit more economical, and some will argue, just as fun.
What NOT to Provide
- Noisy games. Games like Operation, Taboo, or Catchphrase that have a buzzer might get a bit loud. This might be a concern for condo owners.
- Games with small pieces. Small puzzle or game pieces are likely to get lost or walk away in suitcases. Plus, there is a risk that small children could try to eat them. It's best to stick to the basics when it comes to board games.
- Anything that makes a mess. It's nice for families to be able to work on craft projects, but it's probably not a good idea to provide glitter, paint, or play dough that could stain your furniture or walls.
Directions to Local Activities
At the very least, you can include directions for indoor entertainment within your renter book. Include local attractions like movie theaters, arcades, pottery studios, bowling alleys, roller skating rinks, and shopping malls to appeal to a variety of renters.
Keeping your guests happy and entertained on rainy days doesn't have to be difficult or expensive. Vacation homeowners should simply choose what amenities are appropriate for their home or market.
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