Creating Hotel Happiness

Some of my fondest memories as a child are of staying at a hotel, either en route to a destination or at the resort where we were vacationing. For children, the hotel stay is sometimes just as much fun as the actual destination. Maybe it’s because the hotel is a new place to explore or because they know not all the usual house rules apply there.  

Whatever the cause for their excitement, keep it going the entire trip! Here’s a list of fun and easy ways to make your next stay at a hotel or resort just as memorable as the attractions you came to enjoy.

• Pull back your hotel room’s curtains and have your children draw what they see outside.
• Order room service and try new items that you wouldn’t usually have at home. Maybe even have dessert for dinner!
• Splurge on an in-room movie rental and bring supplies to make ice cream sundaes or popcorn.
• Give your children their own allowances to use at the hotel lobby concession. 
• Make a fort with the blankets, sheets and chairs in the room.
• Have a PJ party and snuggle on one bed. Tell each other what the best part of your trip has been so far and let everyone share what they are most excited about for tomorrow.
• Play elevator tag. Pair off into groups and ride separate elevators. The object of the game is to try to find each other on different floors or in different elevators.
• Race up the stairs.
• Go on a scavenger hunt. Make a list of items or actions they must find throughout the hotel. For instance, take a picture of someone working out or someone reading a book. Check with the front desk to see whether they might have a scavenger hunt already made.
• Bring walkie-talkies and play hide and seek.
• Make up stories by using the tourist pamphlets located at the front desk as inspiration.
• Make towel animals.  You can find tutorials and ideas on YouTube and Pinterest.
• Have a pillow fight.
• Jump on the beds, of course!
• Make hats, disguises and costumes out of toilet paper. Have a contest to see who is the most original, creative, silly, etc. (Please remember to roll it back up so it can be used again.)
• Let your kids give you a makeover or give them one. Take before and after pictures, then post to Facebook—if you are brave!
• Write letters to loved ones using the hotel stationery and tell them all about your trip. This will be a great activity for young ones to practice retelling current events and also writing.
• Draw pictures on the steam-covered mirror after someone has taken a shower.
• Have a dance party.
• Turn off the lights and make shadow puppets.
• Play charades and let your location be the inspiration for your topic and categories.
• Be secret spies. The object of the game is to go from one end of the hallway to the other without being seen or heard.
• Mini-spa night. Use the hotel toiletries and other goodies you brought along to have a pampering party. Paint nails, moisturize your skin, apply masks and take bubble baths.
• Find things in the room to build boats and see whether they float in the bathtub. Extra points if you can get them to race!
• Play I spy in the hotel lobby.
• Have a late night swim, pool hours permitting.
• Roll up a pair of socks and have a basketball shoot-out with the garbage can.  
• Hide small objects in the room and have the kids go on a treasure hunt.
• Play table hockey. Get creative and use things such as a soda top for the puck and cups or hairspray caps for the pushers.
• Bring along a few of your favorite games that don’t take up much room and have a family game night.
• Relax from a long day of sightseeing by reading aloud from the kids’ favorite book.
• Skype or FaceTime with loved ones. I’m sure they would love to hear all about your trip!

Fun Supplies to Bring

• Art supplies
• Tape
• Nail polish and beauty supplies
• Walkie-talkies
• Books
• Board games and cards
• Popcorn
• Scavenger hunt list
• Movies
• Ingredients for ice cream sundaes
• Cash for concessions

Jennifer Duxbury is an Olathe resident who still gets excited about staying the night in hotels. Now she has a toddler and preschooler to share that with her.