While there is a certain allure to taking your kids out on a road trip, there’s no denying that this style of family travel can be stressful.
After all, you’re going to be spending a lot of time together in a relatively confined space. This, plus a traffic jam and an overtired toddler (or teen, for that matter), can be a recipe for disaster.
That being said, there are plenty of steps that you can take to make sure you enjoy every moment of a family RV trip, as opposed to coming back feeling more stressed than you were before you left. Read on to find out more.
Find ways to keep your kids entertained during the drive. A recent study found that it takes, on average, just 70 minutes for children to start throwing a tantrum during a long drive. If you’re going to be spending hours a day on the road, this is hardly welcome news. However, you can help to mitigate this by finding as many ways as possible to keep them entertained on the drive. Think old-school games such as iSpy, listening to their favorite music, or downloading films onto a tablet for them to watch ahead of time.
Figure out the quickest route from A to B. While you may be more than happy to take the scenic route, figuring out the quickest path between destinations is often key to keeping spirits high during a family RV trip. This is because it minimizes the amount of time your child has to sit still, leaving plenty of time for fun, exploration, and play instead.
Stay at RV parks with plenty of amenities. When it comes to finding an RV Park, keep an eye out for those that provide you with the amenities you’ll need to relax and refresh. For example, this could be as simple as an electrical hookup and running water, or a play area for your kids to run around in. Booking ahead will guarantee that you have a spot, reducing the need to try to find somewhere at the last minute.
Enjoy some non-travel days too. Try to plan your trip in a way that allows for a little downtime at each destination as opposed to moving immediately from one place to the next. This gives everyone a break from the monotony of driving for hours on end each day, while also giving you the chance to visit tourist or kid-friendly attractions along the way. When it comes to finding something to do, try to let each person take a turn picking an activity.
Final thoughts. While the guide above will not guarantee that your trip is tantrum or frustration-free, it is a great way to minimize this! This means that you can make sure that everyone is having a good time while making lasting memories together. Try to embrace the joy of being able to spend so much quality time together, even if you feel as though they are driving you a little crazy!
