Tips for Planning a Great Family RV Trip

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Taking the family on an RV trip can be a great way to see new and interesting places while bonding with your children at the same time. Depending on the length of the trip and the route, an RV adventure with the family can involve visiting several major cities and soaking in all the sights and sounds they have to offer, as well as the regions in between.

With that said, an RV trip is not something to be taken lightly. It involves a certain degree of preparation in order to be an optimum experience for everyone. Planning ahead and considering the tips of other families who have previously gone on an RV adventure can save you time, money, and frustration. With this in mind, here are the top suggestions for planning a great family RV trip:

Pack Fun Activities for Kids of All Ages

If you’re bringing kids on an RV trip, the one thing you absolutely cannot forget to do is bring along activities to keep your children occupied. Consider bringing activities for yourself, as well. Road trips can become long and tedious when there aren’t enough things to keep everyone entertained. In addition to a tablet, if you have one, bring along board and card games, puzzles, books, music, and DVDs.

Scatter Your Stops

One way to make that drive less monotonous is to plan to stop for one activity each day. Taking a break from your drive to stop at a tourist attraction or amusement park can add some excitement to the day and help you build positive memories with your family. Or, plan to pull over somewhere with a pretty view, extend those recently installed day night shades, and enjoy a roadside picnic.

Be Selective in Choosing Your Campgrounds

As you plan your motorhome road trip, take the time to research the RV campgrounds along your route and arrange to stop at those with the best amenities. While not every campground will be kid-friendly, some do have swimming pools, game rooms, playgrounds, and scheduled activities to help keep your children from getting bored.

Safety on the Road

While most people may not force their kids to buckle up for the ride in a motorhome, parenting experts recommend taking these safety precautions. Younger children should be restrained in car seats as well. It’s important to remember that the more time you spend on the road, the greater your risks of becoming involved in a highway accident. By keeping your children buckled, you’ll ensure they’ll be safer if something does happen.

Don’t Rely on Fast Food the Whole Time

Aside from it being unhealthy, fast food is expensive and can cut a huge chunk out of your budget, which means you’ll have less money for the activities you really do want to do. Instead, pack healthy snacks, lunch meat and cheeses, crackers, and other items that can easily be stored. This will allow you to save on your total budget, as well as ensuring your kids aren’t ingesting large quantities of refined sugars and unhealthy fats.

Educate Yourself About the RV’s Electric Capacity

Experienced travelers recommend learning the specs for the RV and labeling appliances, so your family can avoid overusing the available power. For instance, most RVs have a 30 amp capability, so using the 15 amp air conditioner in conjunction with three 5 amp appliances may put too large of a burden on your system. If you know your microwave uses 15 amps, turn off the A/C, while it’s in use.

Taking an RV trip with your children can be a great way to spend part of their summer vacation. However, going unprepared could end up costing you in more ways than one. By determining your power needs, keeping an eye on safety issues, and planning ways to keep the long drive interesting, you can ensure your family will have a much more positive experience. Planning ahead and sticking to a schedule and your budget will help everyone have fun on the road.