RV Camping with Kids – Happy Campers on the road
In a classic Simpsons moment, Bart sits on an airplane and asks his parents, "Are we there, yet? Are we there, yet? Are we there, yet?" - all the way to India. If you've ever been the victim of a bored, trapped child, you may find that vignette more painful than funny. Even if your child throws in a few variations - like "I'm bored" and "He's looking at me!" - you'll both be counting the seconds between rest stops.
And you don't need a degree in child psychology to know a few hours on the road seem like a transcontinental venture to kids. Fortunately, RV camping with kids doesn't have to be Hell on wheels. Ensuring the whole family survives the "road" portion of your road trip is easier than you think. For smooth sailing, try these tips:
- Get your kids to help plan the vacation: Let them help pick the final destination or at least points of interest along the way. Show them now to use the Internet, books and magazines to do their research. The more involved kids are in the planning, the more involved they'll be in the entire vacation.
- Let your kids play tour guide: Teach your children how to read maps and challenge them to chart the most efficient route. If you want to avoid the highway, make the most scenic route their goal.
- Let them navigate: Once they've charted the route, give them a highlighted map and ask them to keep you on course. Along the way, ask them if you've passed certain cities or attractions. If you stick to the agreed upon course, your kids will track your RVing progress like blood hounds
- Keep them guessing: Ask your budding Magellans how long they think it is to the next stop, major city or other landmark on the map. Not only will it hone their navigational skills, they'll be counting the minutes in a positive way. Award stickers, points or some other minor prize for the most accurate guesses.
- Turn them into photojournalists: Give the kids a digital camera and ask them to take photos along the way. Once you're back home, put these pictures into a scrapbook or post them on a blog.
With a little planning and plenty of participation opportunities, your kids should be happy RV campers from your door step to the campground and back again.
Read our other great RV Camping Posts
Charmian Christie,
Outdoor Adventure Expert
