If you’re new to the RV lifestyle, you’ll find that family
camping experiences create special bonds and priceless memories that last a
lifetime. If your childhood included
camping with your family, you know that your children and grandchildren will
treasure memories of camping with you!
In planning your camping trip, ask the children what
activities they’d enjoy on the trip and what kinds of places they want to
see. If they prefer beaches, mountains,
hiking, swimming, Civil War sites, national parks, historic monuments, sporting
events, fishing, theme parks or anything else, you can plan accordingly. You can have each child choose something that
they want to do and involve them in the planning. Then you can research
campgrounds that are kid-friendly with activities they will enjoy.
If your children or grandchildren have never traveled or
camped in an RV, it may be helpful to spend a night in the RV before you leave
home. They can get used to it and will
feel more comfortable on their first trip.
When packing for children, it’s good to bring clothes that
are durable, easy to wash and dry and can be layered. Take healthy snacks and minimize those that
create crumbs and are sticky. Let the
children pick out favorite toys and books.
If possible, give each child a place of his or her own in
the RV. Also give them each a place to
keep their belongings. Teach them to
pick up after themselves and put their things away each day. When converting dinettes and sofas to beds,
it’s easier to use sleeping bags than to make up beds each day. You can get sleeping bags equipped with
removable sheets that you can wash. Or
you can attach your own removable sheets inside sleeping bags. If they can manage, the kids can roll up and
put away their own sleeping bags in the morning.
You can give the children maps or atlases and teach them to
follow your route as you drive. They may
enjoy learning about places you’ll pass along the way and how far it is from
one destination to the next. A journal
or notebook and a camera (even a disposable camera) will give them a way to
record their travel experiences, new friends and acquaintances and favorite
sights.
While riding in a motorhome or tow vehicle, seatbelts must
be worn. The children can enjoy games,
music, DVDs, toys, etc. as long as they’re fastened in while traveling. There are many games you can play while en
route such as license plate games, alphabet games, geography, etc. It’s good to stop every two or three hours so
everyone can get out, stretch and use the bathroom.
When you reach a campground, your children may enjoy helping
you set up your RV. It makes them feel
good to help. Then they’ll enjoy
exploring the campground, going swimming, playing ball, meeting other children,
going on a hayride and whatever other activities are available. In the evening, the campground may show
movies, have roasted marshmallows around a campfire, sing-alongs, stories,
games, etc. It’s easy for the children
(and adults) to make friends as everybody is there for the same purpose.
Your children may enjoy sleeping outside in a sleeping
bag. A great way to do this is to attach
a screened in room to your extended awning.
The screened in room also comes in handy when you’re eating or sitting
outside.
Some campgrounds have organized activities for children throughout
the day. Others are quiet and give
families opportunities to enjoy the area on their own. There are many Junior Ranger programs for
kids in state and federal parks. These
give children a great opportunity to learn about history and nature and to earn
a badge.
Your family will have a great time, you will share
experiences that you never would have if you traveled by plane and stayed in
hotels and you won’t have to spend a lot of money! Your children or grandchildren will always
remember these special times!