When you go take off on a family RV trip with your family, you can enjoy a cheap vacation while giving your kids memories to last a lifetime. From catching that first fish to nightly campfire cookouts, RV camping with kids is even better when you follow these four tips for a wonderful family RV road trip.
First, Talk to RVing Families
Experienced RVing families have valuable insight about getting along in a small space. You can build connections with RVing parents by joining groups like Families on the Road, where you’ll find family RV trip veterans that are experienced road-trippers like author Shelley Zoellick, who offers great advice about RVing with children, such as:
- Only give healthy snacks that won’t crumble or get sticky
- Don’t pack battery-operated toys that make loud, annoying noises
- Direct your kids interests toward outdoor activities so your rig doesn’t feel crowded
Rent or Swap a RV
Renting before buying is the best way to find out if camping vacations are right for your family. However keep in mind that most rentals start at $1,000 for a week-long vacation in a family-sized RV. It sounds expensive but when you factor in the costs of taking a traditional family vacation with airfare, hotels and car rentals, taking a family RV trip vacation is still cheaper. The RV rental companies Cruise America and El Monte RV are two of the largest RV rental providers but you can also check out Craig’s List classified listings to find private party RV rentals near you.
Family RV Trip with Purpose
Instead of hitting on the road with one ultimate destination in mind, why not plan a family vacation consisting of multiple stops along the way? This ensures a more harmonious vacation if every family member’s interests are taken into consideration. You can also create an itinerary with destinations that coincide with whatever current subjects your children are studying in school, such as the Revolutionary War or the California Gold Rush. The U.S. National Park Service website has endless ideas for kid-friendly trip destinations with RV camping options.
Get Organized and Keep It Simple
Keeping things simple helps you stay sane no matter what happens during your family RV trip. From the menu items you choose to what toys the kids bring along, simplifying your life for a RV road trip reduces clutter and ensures your days are spent having fun, not cooking and cleaning. For example:
- Choosing “one pot” meals are easiest to prepare and clean up
- Give each child one small storage box they can fill with their favorite toys. Teach them that if they bring a new toy on-board, an old one has to go.
- Save the electronics for rainy days and focus your kids’ energies on outdoor activities instead.
- Choose campgrounds with organized activities for kids, such as National Parks.
One of the greatest things about a family RV trip with kids is you’re not stuck in one location. If the weather turns sour or the location doesn’t live up to your expectations, you can always pack up and leave for another new adventure. Before you know it, you might want to make it a permanent lifestyle choice, just like this full-time RVing family with 12 kids did!
