RV Camping with Children
What are your favorite memories from childhood? If you grew up with an RV, chances are they include a few fun-filled camping trips. Family vacations are all about sharing new and exciting experiences and creating memories that can last a lifetime. That said, traveling with kids can present a few challenges! Create a kid-friendly camping plan with the following guide from Herold Trailer Sales.
Need a new RV for your upcoming family adventures? You can find a great selection of new and used RVs for sale at Herold Trailer Sales. Our friendly staff can help you track down the perfect RV for your needs and budget. We’re in Indianola, IA.
Entertainment Options
Staving off boredom on the long drive to your destination is the first challenge you’re going to face. Sure, you could lead the whole gang in an old-fashioned singalong, but what if you prefer a more relaxing ride? Encourage your kids to pick some favorite toys, books, and movies for the road. Crayons are the best choice for mess-free coloring, and friendship bracelets are always a big hit with crafty kids. You can also give each child their own blank journal to document their travel experiences with drawings and stories.
Sleeping Arrangements
Kids need plenty of sleep to restore their energy, especially before and after an exciting day of outdoor adventure. Make sure your RV has room for everyone to sleep comfortably, with curtains or partitions for privacy if needed. Dim the cabin lights and set the thermostat to a pleasant temperature. If you’re looking to simplify things, sleeping bags are a convenient alternative to blankets and sheets, and many kids love burrowing into them at night.
Structure and Routine
Traveling means stepping outside your comfort zone, which makes it all the more important to create a sense of structure. Anxiety levels creep upward in the absence of a predictable routine, so try to stick as close as possible to your normal weekend schedule when you’re on vacation. Your days may be filled with new experiences, but you can still aim to have meals at the same time each day and maintain your usual bedtime.
Trip Planning
The parents may be the final authority when it comes to planning a family vacation, but involving kids in the decision making process can help them feel more empowered and increase their level of engagement. Ask your kids what their dream vacation would look like. Are they more excited about swimming or riding horses? Do they prefer museums or nature hikes? However enthusiastic your kids may be, remember their limits. You may need to choose short hiking routes or plan to spend only an hour at the museum. While schedules are important, always allow some wiggle room and be prepared for spontaneous fun! You never know when you might stumble across a great playground or waterpark that will have your kids eager to change course.
Learning Experiences
Learning isn’t limited to the classroom! Every child is a brave explorer, and traveling encourages their natural curiosity and expands their worldview. You can add even more educational value to your RV trips by taking the opportunity for a geography lesson. Supply your kids with a big road atlas so they can follow along as you drive, or ask them to act as tour guides by reading aloud from travel brochures. You can also take advantage of Junior Ranger programs at national parks and kid-friendly museum tours. Meanwhile, gift shops can seem like a minefield of tempting toys and gadgets, but giving your kids a limited amount of spending money before going through the door can help them learn to keep a budget.
We hope this guide helps you plan the perfect family vacation! Here at Herold Trailer Sales, we love sharing the joy of RV camping with people of all ages. We proudly serve Indianola, IA, along with our neighbors in Des Moines, IA, and Omaha, NE.