Keep your RV stocked and ready for RV camping to ease the burden of packing and to avoid problems at the next RV camping site. Stock the RV kitchen with needed pots and utensils. Towels, bedding, camping chairs, cleaners, ropes, lanterns and camping toys can all be stored in the RV ready to go. A first-aid kit complete with bandages and anti-itch ointment, should be stored in the RV bathroom supply cupboard.
Children can learn to take responsibility for packing their own clothing in the RV. Parents should provide each child with a general list of clothing needed for the trip and a place to store the clothing in the RV. Also allowing each child to pack a few favorite toys in the RV can make the trip more pleasant. Kids like having their own individual flashlight or battery-operated lantern because it provides them a sense of security while RV camping.
Easy-to-prepare meals are best for RV camping. Meals that kids can help cook are definite winners. On the morning of travel days, children like making their own sack lunches, including a choice of sandwich, vegetable, fruit and snack. Also plan to take along plenty of surprise travel snack foods like crackers and peanut butter, trail mix, fruit, carrot sticks and lots of water. But if you are pulling the RV, you can stop at a pretty place along the route and make a quick lunch, avoiding the cost of McDonald's.
Be sure to keep a few favorite board games and cards packed in the RV. If it rains, playing games while drinking hot chocolate with your kids in the comfort of the RV will be a favorite memory.
The challenges of traveling with kids while RV camping can be alleviated by planning activities for the road. A plastic box can protect the travel library of reading books. Have each child should choose three to five books at their reading level to put in the library box. Be sure to bring books along for the adults to enjoy, too. The travel library should also include a few animal and bird reference guides for spotting wildlife during your RV camping trip.
Plan to stop frequently to explore sights along the route or take the needed potty breaks. Another advantage of RV camping with kids is the bathroom is close by if needed. Use the stops as signals to change the seating arrangements. This helps keep tempers cool and changes the family interactions through out the trip.
Be prepared to play games while traveling with kids. Tell stories and sing funny songs to make the travel time pass quickly. Reading a story aloud to the group can also be entertaining. Try reading a play script then record the play when you arrive at the destination.
Colored pencils and paper can provide hours of drawing fun. Crayons can easily melt if left in a vehicle in hot weather.
Provide children with a copy of the map with the destination marked as an excellent way to teach map reading skills and develop interest in the mileage road signs. Let the kids figure out how long it will be until the group reaches the RV campground.
On arrival at the RV campground, take the time to help the kids explore. Make sure they know the site number and location. Get the kids involved in setting up the RV site, cooking the meals and clean up. Use this as an opportunity to teach the kids about taking care of our environment.
Check at the RV campground office for information on local activities and places to visit. Some RV campgrounds have special activities for families to enjoy such as ranger talks, art activities or ice cream socials.
Use the time at the RV camp site to teach kids good camping etiquette such as respecting other campers' privacy and belongings. Keep your camp site quiet especially after hours, and clean up litter. RV camping provides an opportunity to teach children how to safely build fires and practice fire safety rules.Teach your kids to stay with their family members while traveling, but also teach your children what to do if they should get separated or lost. Based on crime statistics, teach kids to tell a woman their problem, preferably a woman with children.
Once your RV camp is set up, relax and enjoy being together as a family, doing activities you might not do at home. Hiking, fishing, looking at the stars, capturing wildlife in photos, riding bikes together or just playing in the sand on the beach are all part of the fun of a family RV camping trip.
