Traveling with your children or grandchildren can be incredibly rewarding for you and them, but it has its own challenges as well. Below are more tips to help you keep the little campers safe and happy.
- Pay attention to the campground rules and explain them to your children. Most of the time they are there for the children’s safety. Don’t be one of those parents (or grandparents) who turn their little ones loose to annoy other campers or get into dangerous situations. – Fran Lathe (FL), Westminster, MD
- Bring plenty of items that will keep your children active after a long day on the road—sports gear, snorkels, bikes. At a campground, two people throwing a football around can soon become a full-fledged touch football game. – FL
- When camping with children in a pop-up trailer or other vehicle that does not have a bathroom, experienced parents choose a campsite close to a campground restroom. – FL
- Using a sleeping bag for children at bedtime eliminates making up a bed with sheets and blankets, and the children like it because it seems more like camping. Simply roll up the sleeping bag in the morning. – Joyce and Carroll Dell (JD and CD), Littlestown, PA
- When you camp with children or grandchildren, keep the following items on hand to entertain them if the weather is bad: games, puzzles, videos, coloring books and crayons, and snacks such as popsicles, juice, and pretzels. Outside items (for when the weather is good) can include any throwing game, such as a Frisbee or a Velcro ball and catch mitt, which keeps the children busy in the campsite without bothering neighboring campers. – JD and CD
- If you camp in national parks during the summer, take advantage of the many free ranger-led activities offered by the National Park Service, such as campfires, nature hikes, and informative talks. You may find a few activities offered in the off-season as well.
- Keep a small whisk broom handy near the entry so your family can brush dirt or sand off their shoes and clothes before they enter the RV.
- Take food that everyone likes, but be prepared to eat out too.
- Pack After Bite in your first aid or toiletries kit. It really works to stop the itch of mosquito bites. It comes in a small lipstick-sized tube with a screw top.
- Bring along a few birthday napkins and candles if someone in your family will be celebrating a birthday on the road. (Parents appreciate a little festivity on their special days too.)
- Involve the whole family in “departure” meetings so everyone knows the day’s plans and destinations and routes.
Enjoy your RVing!
Bernice