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10 Tips for Camping as a Family

Jul. 30 2020 Lifestyle, Travel Tips By Hannah L.

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RVing with your family is great way to travel with your kids and dealing with added frustrations like missing your flight at the airport, paying hotel fees, and losing your luggage. Taking to the open road is a wonderful way to let kids experience the world around them firsthand. For a smoother traveling experience it’s good to stock up on some essentials and keep some tips in mind.


  • Choose the right location. Every RV park, resort, and campground is different. It’s important to consider your kids and families unique interests when you are selecting one to stay at and making reservations. Does your family like swimming and water activities? Or hiking? Or is it important to have amenities and scheduled activities nearby? You can research places to stay through sites like Campendium, Good Sam, or KOA. The best spot will give you all room to run around and have fun.
  • Involve your kids in the planning process. Getting them involved is going to build excitement about the trip. Letting big kids look at a map can help teach them about geography and if their old enough you can let them research some of the places you are planning on going to.
  • Decide and discuss travel expectations. Decide as a family and discuss with your kids expectations around things like screen time, chores, cleaning and designate age appropriate tasks for each family member. Explain campground rules to your kids ahead of time concerning how to treat the campground and local wildlife.
  • Plan for rainy days. The weather can change your plans in an instant. Have some boardgames or even video games handy in case you are unable to go outside.
  • Bring a baby gate or pack and play for your youngest campers so it is easier to keep everyone safe around the campfire.
  • Let the big kids help. If your child is old enough to help let them pack for themselves or be responsible for packing outdoor necessities for the whole family like bug spray, towels, etc.
  • Set a schedule for cleaning. An RV is a smaller space to clean than your average home but it will also need to be cleaned more often. An easy way to keep your space clean is to have everyone help clean after each meal. Dishes, clothes, toys can all be picked up at once then everyone can head outside for some fun.
  • Remember to have fun and enjoy being together! Some things may not go as planned and things might get messy. But letting go of the idea of a “perfect family vacation” will make the journey easier on all. Be flexible and open to changing how you spend your time. Look at the stars, make some smores and enjoy your kids being kids and the way they see the world.
  • Think about purchasing a sound machine. If you want to stay up late without keeping the kids up to a sound machine can help drown out noise in another room. You can also download some as an app for your smart phone or tablet.
  • Downtime. Don’t forget to leave time for downtime even though you might be tempted to go, go, go and hike and explore and see all the things. Consider investing in some good camping chairs or even a hammock for reading a book, cuddling, or if you’re lucky, taking a nap!


RVing as a family can have some challenges but a little planning and patience can go a long way! And remember that “misadventures” or changes of plans and spontaneity often make for the best bonding moments and memories! We hope you enjoyed these family travel tips and have a safe and fun summer! Join us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest for more RV education and inspiration.