Going in A Camper Van With Kids
A campervan holiday is the ultimate family-friendly holiday as a campervan is essentially, a home on wheels.
Apart from getting popular during the pandemic due to the travel bans, with everything you need at an arm’s reach, a camper makes it a breeze to travel at your convenience with minimal social exposure, to the beautiful parks and holiday homes maintained by the caravanning community of the UK.
This community is a bright, accommodating, and jolly one, and the members will be of great help to you if it is your first time caravanning.
The word campervan and motorhome are often used interchangeably and essentially, they’re both recreational vehicles with providing both, sleeping and transport accommodation however, a motorhome is a mobile home with more amenities and segregated living areas such as a ‘bedroom’, ‘living room’ and ‘kitchen’.
Most motorhomes also come with a shower and fully equipped bathroom however, a campervan at most, has a portable toilet since its purpose isn’t to provide a comfortable living.
However, if you have looked for campervans for sale in the UK, you’ll know that they do still come with the basic amenities such as a small fridge and a water heater.
If you have little children, a motorhome will be the more favorable option for you as it obviously comes with more space for storage and living.
With the little ones, the more amenities at your disposal, the better; a TV to keep them occupied, a cooktop and microwave to make meals quickly, and a shower to clean up the post-meal time mess.
All the parents surely get what I’m trying to say and this is what motorhome dealers in the UK will also tell you.
Tips in A Camper Van with Kids
Packing
Packing for your trip ahead of time will go a long way, with small kids, you need to have everything stocked and ready from the moment you get on the camper as they won’t wait to reach a rest stop to have their needs sorted.
Shop for comfortable car seats, fill your propane tanks, charge the leisure battery, and clean, restock and organize the vehicle a few days beforehand.
Also, consider buying a small safe to keep important documents and cash safe from the hands of naughty kids. You can find full packing checklists online.
Planning
Plan out your holiday down to every detail before you head out because, with kids, uncalled-for surprises are an absolute nightmare.
If you’re renting a motorhome, there are different classes and it’s important to know your exact needs before you dip into your savings to get the most bang for your buck.
For a trip close to nature, you might want to book a spot in a park campground however, the costs vary depending on the parking spot’s ease and view and these often do not come with hookups.
If that is the case, be prepared with your water storage and leisure battery charger. If there’s a developed campground with amenities, plan your showers and laundry around them and pack up shower caddies and flip flops, etc.
Also, carry a charger to charge your battery on site. If your motorhome is a class B or C, you should be fine at a regular gas stop however, any bigger than that and you’ll need to get gas from truck stops.
Lastly, plan ahead for the weather and pack a couple of blankets just in case a thunderstorm hits at night.
Keep the Camper Tidy
The good thing about small spaces is that they’re very easy to clean but at the same time, they get dirty fast as well.
A cluttered space means a cluttered mind so, it’s a good idea to use sofa covers and sheets on all the surfaces that the kids are using to make for easy cleanup, pack on the lighter side and plan for laundry trips at local laundromats.
Before you get on the road, put everything back in its spot as one bump and everything will be knocked off the countertops.
Take the Family Pet Along
Every family with a pet knows what a bummer it is to have to leave them behind. This is the biggest advantage of a vacation on the road!
The kids will have a buddy to be engaged with and your fuzzy baby will get to explore nature with you. Just make sure your animal is well behaved and will stay sat in one spot while the camper van is moving.
Be Flexible
While it may be tempting to try to make the most out of the trip, try to keep the destination close and not be too strict with the schedule.
Any parent will know that if you leave the kids together for too long, all hell breaks loose; it’s important to give them time separate from each other, maybe on the campground, letting them make friends their age or someone on one time with each child.
Traveling in a motorhome can be exhausting and it might be a huge hit to book a hotel or a guest room for a night just to sleep in a proper bed and have a private bathroom.
Let them bring some toys and activities and don’t stress too much about space. At the end of the day, it’s about making pleasant memories with your family. Take lots of pictures and try not to dictate to everyone too much.
Looking for a great Camping and Caravanning site, check out West Runton in Norfolk or Crowden in Peak District