Image from Pexels by Tatiana Syrikova.
When you have children, it can feel as if your life has been turned upside down, and you’ll never be able to do the things you love again. However, the opposite is true; you just have to find different and sometimes more creative ways to do the things you love – with kids in tow or some help.
For example, you can still feed your urge to travel and bring the kiddos along to make some fantastic new memories as a family. A motorhome or RV offers a convenient and comfortable method of traveling and shelter on the open road for families and couples.
Benefits of RV Travel with Kids
There are several primary benefits of traveling in an RV with your whole family:
- It’s a great way to see the country while enjoying modern comforts such as an indoor kitchen and bathroom facilities.
- You can spend more time with your kids without distractions, especially in areas where there’s no cell reception or WiFi.
- You will get to watch your kids learn and grow.
- There are endless learning opportunities and experiences to have on the road.
- It’s easier to teach your children ethics, care for the environment, health, and an appreciation for nature with hands-on experience from an RV or motorhome.
You can learn more about traveling in an RV and tips for families when you learn about The Motorhome Depot and research other companies that offer similar services.
Safety First! 5 Things You Should Know About RV Travel With Kids
Safety is probably your number-one concern with your children, and traveling in an RV presents unique hazards to overcome. Some of the most critical safety concerns when traveling in a motorhome include:
- The type of RV. Avoid older vans such as VW buses and instead, consider safer RV models such as Class B or C motorhomes. These RVs are built on a commercial truck or van base, and they must comply with the same safety requirements for design and seatbelts.
- Seating & Seatbelts. Even though your kids may be excited to ride down the road while lounging on the bed in the rear, it’s essential that they stay seated and buckled in when you’re on the move. There will always be bumps and unexpected movements, so staying seated with seatbelts fastened is vital. You can make this process more fun by playing a couple of games before you get going for the day’s road trip, such as mimicking a flight attendant’s safety speech and incorporating funny faces and jokes (all seriousness to actually buckling up, however). Always follow the federal recommendations for car seat sizes and placement within the RV.
- Falling Objects. If you travel around a sudden turn or hit an unexpected bump in the road, cabinet doors can pop open, and objects can go flying around the inside of the RV, creating a safety risk. Before you get on the move, make sure all items are safely stowed, and cabinets are entirely shut. You might consider using bungee cords or zip ties to add greater security.
You may find that it’s still too risky to allow your kids to ride in the RV while it’s moving, and that’s okay! You can still travel and enjoy an RV, while one parent rides ahead or behind with the kids securely buckled in their own car seats in a passenger vehicle. You’ll have a comfortable ‘home’ for nightly stays in the campgrounds, with all of the safety that your regular family vehicle offers.
Other Challenges for Motorhome Travel with Kids
Despite the fun and adventure of traveling in a motorhome with kids, there are some additional challenges to consider before you hit the open road. Luckily, there are lots of creative ways to overcome them. The main challenges typically include:
- Lack of space and storage
- Chaos and mess in a tiny living area
- Travel sickness (some kids are more susceptible to motion sickness than others)
- Meeting kids’ needs for education and entertainment activities (preventing boredom)
- Financial costs for renting or buying a motorhome, maintaining it, paying for campgrounds, and stocking food and water and other supplies
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