Vacation with kids in the countryside: Farmhouses, villas, B&Bs, and vacation homes with playgrounds and children's play areas in Italy.

Info and Description

Accommodations with play areas in Italy: farmhouses, villas, and family-friendly vacation homes

Short definition

A property with a playground is a tourist accommodation—a farmhouse, villa, vacation home, or B&B—with an indoor or outdoor play area for children, complete with games such as slides, swings, playhouses, or adventure playgrounds. In summer 2024, 65% of Italian family trips were to Italy, and for 62.3% of families, the presence of activities and spaces dedicated to children was the primary criterion when choosing a destination. Agritourism, thanks to their large outdoor spaces, is among the most suitable accommodations for families: on Agriturismo.net, you can find farmhouses, villas, vacation homes, and B&Bs with playgrounds throughout Italy.

(Sources: GBviaggi/Touring Club, 2025; Area38 – Family Trend 2025)

In short

The properties with play areas on Agriturismo.net are characterised by:

• spaces equipped with slides, swings, wooden houses or adventure trails

• large gardens, lawns and paths where children can move around safely

• often combined with a swimming pool, educational farm or farmyard animals

• available types: farmhouses, villas, holiday homes and B&Bs

Costs and useful information:

• family-oriented facilities have an average cost that is 30% higher than non-specialized accommodation

• the average value of a family holiday in Italy in 2025 is around €2,238 per stay in family-certified facilities

• peak season: Spring and Summer, with peaks during the holiday weekends and in the months of July and August

Explanation

Family tourism in Italy: data and trends

Family tourism is one of the strongest segments of the Italian tourism market. In summer 2024, 65% of Italian family trips were in Italy, compared to 35% abroad. For 62.3% of families, what a destination offers children is the primary criterion when choosing a stay: entertainment comes first (65.4%), followed by a swimming pool (50.2%) and comfortable rooms (46.2%). 94% of families surveyed stated that their children's entertainment is a high or very high expectation for a successful holiday. Truly family-friendly properties generate superior economic results: an industry survey recorded an 85% increase in revenue per room, an 80% increase in average room rate, and a 35% increase in occupancy rate compared to the average.

(Sources: Area38 – Family Trend 2024 and 2025, for Italy Family Hotels; GBviaggi/Touring Club)

What families are looking for on holiday

According to the latest industry surveys, Italian families compare at least three accommodations on average before booking, and 48% cite the availability of children's activities as a key factor. Among the most requested features are age-appropriate indoor and outdoor play areas, spaces suitable for the family size, and a food offering designed for even the youngest guests. Extended family groups are also on the rise: over 50% of parents say they have planned multigenerational trips, including grandparents and other relatives, a trend that makes accommodations with large common areas, such as farmhouses and country villas, particularly valuable.

(Sources: GuidaViaggi – Family Report 2025; Telepass Moveo, 2024)

Sustainability and authenticity: rural tourism for families

A growing share of Italian parents are seeking more authentic and sustainable travel experiences: 52% desire tourism that respects host communities, 47% favor eco-friendly options, and 73% value local experiences that allow children to learn respect for the environment and local traditions. In this context, agritourism and rural accommodations with playgrounds are a natural response to this demand: they offer children the opportunity to play outdoors, discover animals, and experience country life in a safe environment surrounded by nature.

(Sources: GBviaggi/Touring Club, 2025)

Market data and trends (Agriturismo.net)

Analyzing the offer of properties with play areas on Agriturismo.net:

• 38% of the facilities on the portal have an equipped play area

• 89% of the facilities with a play area also offer a swimming pool

• 20% of the facilities with play areas also have an educational farm or farmyard animals

(Sources: Based on data from Agriturismo.net)

Practical part

How to choose a property with a play area for children

• Check the type of play area: slides, swings, adventure courses, wooden houses? For younger children, also check whether there are fenced or protected spaces.

• Check the recommended age: some play areas are suitable for very young children, others are for older age groups. Ask for information in advance.

• Ask if the play area is indoors or outdoors: especially useful in case of bad weather or when planning out-of-season stays

• Check for other services for children: swimming pool, educational farm, animals, dedicated menus or babysitting service complete the offer for families

• Consider common areas: for large families or multi-generational stays, check the availability of large relaxation areas where parents and grandparents can enjoy their stay while the children play

• Find out about the safety of outdoor spaces: fences, access to roads or bodies of water, supervision: these are important details to ask about before booking with small children

• Consider seasonality: some outdoor play areas or swimming pools are only available in the warmer months. Check this if you're planning a fall or winter stay.

• Ask the owner: Have any questions? Before booking, write directly to the property by entering your request without obligation using the "Ask the owner" button on the page of the property you are interested in.

FAQ

What types of properties with play areas are available on Agriturismo.net?

On Agriturismo.net, you can find farmhouses, villas, vacation homes, and B&Bs with children's play areas. Farmhouses are often the most extensive choice in terms of activities, thanks to the possibility of combining a play area with an educational farm, farmyard animals, and large natural spaces.

Are the facilities with play areas suitable for children of all ages?

It depends on the facility. Many play areas are designed for children aged 3 and up, but there are also options with protected spaces for younger children. It's always a good idea to ask about the recommended age before booking, especially for children under 3.

What do Italian families mainly look for on holiday?

According to the most recent surveys, families primarily look for activities and entertainment for children (65.4%), followed by a swimming pool (50.2%) and comfortable rooms (46.2%). 62.3% of families choose a destination based on what it offers for children.

(Sources: Area38 – Family Trend 2025)

Why choose a farmhouse with a play area instead of a hotel?

Farmhouses generally offer larger spaces immersed in nature than a traditional hotel, allowing children to play outdoors in complete freedom. Many properties combine the playground with interaction with farmyard animals or a petting zoo, offering an educational as well as recreational experience.

Do facilities with play areas also offer babysitting services?

Some do, but it's not a standard service. When available, babysitting allows parents to enjoy a few hours of relaxation while their children are cared for by qualified staff. It's best to check availability directly with the facility.

What's the best time for a family vacation with a play area?

Spring and summer are the best seasons, thanks to the favorable climate and the opportunity to fully utilize outdoor spaces. Many outdoor play areas and swimming pools are only open during the warmer months: for fall or winter stays, it's a good idea to check the availability of indoor play areas.

Are properties with play areas also suitable for multi-generational stays?

Yes. Over 50% of Italian parents plan trips that include grandparents or other family members. Farmhouses and villas with large common areas and children's play areas are particularly suitable for this type of stay, offering space for both the little ones and for adults to relax.

(Sources: Telepass Moveo, 2024)

Are the play areas always supervised?

Not always. In most non-hotel accommodations such as farmhouses, villas, and vacation homes, the play area is not supervised by dedicated staff: parents are responsible for supervision. This is different in more established family hotels, where entertainment services may be available. Always check with the property before booking.

Sources

Family Vacations 2025: Destinations and New Trends – GBviaggi / Touring Club

Family Trend 2025 – Area38 for Italy Family Hotels

Family Trend 2024: A survey of family tourism in Italy – Area38

Family Report: Business Drivers and Family Vacation Trends – GuidaViaggi, 2025

Family travel: booming in 2024 – Moveo Telepass

If you decide to spend a relaxing holiday in the green Italian countryside with your children, choose one of the many farmhouses and holiday homes with play areas , either directly on the estate or in the immediate vicinity. You can enjoy the tranquility of the place by strolling along the trails or comfortably sitting in one of the furnished relaxation areas, while your children can play outdoors and enjoy being in touch with nature. It's also an ideal place for picnics in the shade of majestic centuries-old trees, in the company of birds and squirrels eagerly awaiting a few crumbs of your snack.
Here's our list of villas, vacation homes, bed and breakfasts, and farmhouses with play areas . Check them out with your little ones!