20 Tips To Making RV-ing With Kids A Breeze
By Marie Loveless
Marie is a lifestyle blogger and proud wife and mother to four boys (and one more on the way). Her family lives in Utah and enjoys camping all year round in their fifth wheel.
Owning an RV can be one of the best ways to create family memories. But traveling and camping with kids can be a little challenging. That’s why I’ve created these simple tips to make RV life easier for everyone in the family.
My husband and I have four little boys ages 10 down to 4. We’ve owned our fifth wheel for more than six years and have driven thousands of miles. So, we’ve learned a thing or two about not only camping in an RV with kids, but having fun and keeping our sanity at the same time. Here’s 20 tips to making RV-ing with your kids a breeze:
#1: Store lots and lots of blankets and sleeping bags
You never know when the temperature is going to dip while you’re camping. So keep plenty of sleeping bags and blankets stored in your RV at all times. Warm kids are happy kids.
#2: Invest in a catalytic heater
In addition to sleeping bags, you can install a catalytic heater in your fifth wheel. It keeps your rig toasty warm and doesn’t drain your battery.
#3: Keep the game cupboard stocked
Sometimes the weather forces everyone inside. That’s when you’ll want plenty of games, coloring books and puzzles on hand to keep the kids happy until the weather breaks.
#4: Buy custom cups for each child
Unless you want to spend a bundle on paper cups, buy custom plastic cups or water bottles for each child with their names on them. They can use and re-use the same cup the entire trip.
#5: Keep an extra set of toothbrushes and toothpaste in your RV
Packing for camping trips can be exhausting. That’s why I always keep a separate set of toothbrushes and toothpaste in our RV at all times. It is one less thing I have to worry about.
#6: Make your older kids pack their own clothes
All of my boys ages five and older back their own clothes when we go camping. They know that if they don’t pack it, they will be going without.
#7: Put your kids to work before and after the trip
If your children want to go camping, they need to help pack before the trip and unpack afterwards. If you are doing all of the work, you are less likely to want to go the next time.
#8: Bring packable crib for babies
Camping with babies doesn’t have to be miserable. One of the most important things to pack is a crib that can be assembled in the RV. Otherwise, they won’t sleep at all the entire trip.
#9: Keep giant bubble and slime ingredients in RV
I always keep ingredients for giant bubbles and slime in my RV for every trip. If the kids get bored, it provides hours of entertainment for everyone.
#10: Install a TV if you don’t already have one
I don’t encourage my kids to watch TV while we’re camping but sometimes you need your kids to settle down for the evening or you just need a little quiet time. Turning on a movie is just the ticket.
#11: Don’t stress over traveling screen time
Speaking of screen time, hours of traveling with kids is enough to drive any parent crazy. That’s why I don’t stress if my kids have watched multiple hours of screens during the drive. They’ll get plenty of play time once you get to your camping spot.
#12: Consider buying an electric motorcycle
You don’t have to own a separate four-wheeler trailer to haul some electric motorcycles inside your RV. Then, your kids will have hours of fun riding the rest of the trip. If you install some solar panels on top of your rig, you can charge your motorcycles easily without draining your battery. Our favorite motorcycles are the Razor MX350 and Razor MX650.
#13: For beach camping, keep a water bucket by the door
No one likes sand all over their RV. So, keep a large bucket of fresh water right next to the door of your RV. Tell your kids to wash off their feet before they go inside
#14: Recover fabric seats with vinyl
It just takes one can of grape soda to ruin your RV couch. If you recover your seats and couches with vinyl or a stain-proof fabric, they will last a lot longer.
#15: Maintain a “no shoes” rule in the RV
You kids might hate this rule but they will get used to it. And your RV will stay in much better condition for years.
#16: Keep track of your family adventures
Capture all of your family camping memories and display it for everyone to see. Print out a camping log or buy a US states travel map.
#17: Keep a fully-stocked first aid kit on hand at all times
From cuts, bee stings to headaches, it’s almost a guarantee that you’ll need a first aid kit while you’re camping.
#18: Invest in a shoe organizer
A shoe organizer will make your life a lot easier if your kids know where their shoes are at all times.
#19: Invite friends who have kids the same age
Our family always has more fun camping when my kids have other kids to play with.
#20: Consider primitive camping
Whenever we camp at paid campsites, I always worry about my kids bothering the other campers. More often than not, we end up camping at a primitive spot so my kids can run around and play without bothering anyone.