i have been Traveling The world for over 20 years. I booked my first vacation when I turned 21 — to Las Vegas, of course. I’ve crossed the I-95 corridor, stopping Hotels and motels on the way And I have visited Jamaica, Mexicoand the Bahamas, to name a few. I traveled solo in my 20s, but I digress. The point is that traveling is something I love.

It fills my cup.

But what I’m looking for when I travel has changed a lot. Why? Because I have a family. Husband and two children. And while I enjoy it a lot, I’d be lying if I said it was easy. packing More involved. Traveling with children is (exponentially) more expensive. And their attention span is short. Their tastes are different.

Therefore, when we travel, we often choose “playcations” or destinations that focus primarily on being and acting like a child. Because there is something for everyone, big and small.

What is Playcation?

According to Collins DictionaryPlaycation means “holiday consists mainly of play; especially from the child’s point of view.”

Why take Playcation?

You might be wondering why you should take a vacation—after all, a trip focused primarily on whimsy, childlike wonder, and fun doesn’t sound like your typical vacation—but vacations have many benefits: for kids and their parents.

to explore

While vacations encourage you to explore your surroundings, vacations encourage you to explore your relationships with your loved ones and yourself. Why? Because these trips are about unstructured fun—and spontaneous fun. Think playing in the rain, collecting rocks or shells, and making shadow puppets and telling ghost stories at night.

Of course, you can And probably should have a plan in place. (We often do.) But the itinerary is lighter, the days less structured, and both the plan and the resort are kid-friendly. More on that soon.

to play

When we are young, our life revolves around playBut sometimes between adolescence and adulthood, fun and games are left behind. They are pushed aside to make room for work and family commitments. But sports are not a thing of the past. Everyone from 7 months to 70 years can benefit from it. 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, nurture connections, and increase creativity.

What does it look like? Well, for kids that means doing more of what they love: visiting the playground, to swim At the hotel pool, and—if they’re lucky—at the beach, water park, amusement parkor other kid-friendly destination. For adults, that means engaging in things like hang gliding in the Atlantic, skiing in Colorado, rock climbing, ziplining, or go-kart racing.

To disconnect

Whether you’re heading to a popular destination, a remote location, or just getting away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, taking time to reconnect with your loved ones (and yourself) will help 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 playtime, you may also gain a new perspective, especially if you’re older and reconnecting with your inner child.

How to plan a playcation?

Find a resort that works for you

There are countless vacation properties that you and your family can visit. One my family and I love Villatel Orlando ResortNestled in the heart of Central Florida and right off International Drive. the reason? The property offers everything families want and more.

You see, Villatel Orlando Resort is a villa-style hotel. This means that instead of rooms, guests rent tiny houses with full kitchens, indoor pools, arcades, and themed kids’ rooms. (We had blue skies, green trees, lots of dragons, and a super fun slide, neon lights, and bunk beds!) Each villa sleeps 10 to 26 people. Some include movie theaters. And each unit has a washer and dryer and multiple bathrooms.

Traveling with children? Don’t worry. Villatel Orlando Resort has you covered. Each room has a portable crib and high chair.

Enjoy the on-property amenities

Of course, the room layout is only one idea the family has in mind. On-property amenities are very important when traveling with kids, big and small.

The day my family and I arrived at the Villatel Orlando Resort, we got a cabana and enjoyed the Aqua Bay Water Park. My youngest couldn’t 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 by the pool—enjoying both food and drink. When we got our villa, my youngest immediately grabbed a club and played mini golf before jumping into bed. My kids then explored their room, up and down (yet another) slide. And then they played arcade games well into the night. SpongeBob also dominated TV.

That said, amenities vary across properties. At the Villatel Orlando Resort, for example, there is no traditional television service. Instead, you log into your streaming platforms. However, something I always look for, especially when going on vacation, are outdoor play areas, family-friendly dining, arcade and/or game rooms, and water features — think pools, hot tubs, waterslides, and a lazy river. Structured children’s activities are also a nice touch.

Visit nearby hotspots or attractions

When we stayed at the Villatel Orlando Resort, we took advantage of the proximity to some of the area’s biggest tourist attractions: Universal Studios Resorts and Walt Disney World. (Villatel Orlando Resort also offers a free shuttle to both theme parks!) However, whether you’re staying close to “The Happiest Place on Earth” or farther afield, you should be sure to take in the local attractions.

Go to a beach. Experience live music. Go to an aquarium or museum. Take the family to the zoo. And remember, whatever you do, the point is to have fun.

Have realistic expectations

As with any trip, it’s important that you like your expectations. Playstations can be jam-packed with fun. was ours. We went from sun-up to sun-down: every day we adventured our way. (We landed, arrived at the Villatel Orlando Resort, and went straight into the water. We didn’t open a single thing. Before jumping into the poolBut remember that things will get worse. Not every moment will be perfect, and – no matter how hard you try – you can (and can’t) avoid all stress and pressure.

Take a deep breath. 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 vacation — or any trip, really — is to be present: to your family, yourself, and your surroundings. When you are present, you can relax and enjoy where you are and the company you have. You can also let yourself be silly, silly, and—for lack of a better word—unproductive: a beautiful thing.

While we were at the Villatel Orlando Resort, we did a lot of things, including closing the amusement parks two nights in a row. However, my favorite activity (by far) was playing poolside with my family. There was an exciting 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 placation is getting your hair wet.

Takeaway

Of course, you don’t have to visit the Villatel Orlando Resort for your next vacation – although, admittedly, I would return tomorrow if I could. Playcations can happen almost anywhere, as long as you remember to let go, let go, and have fun.