Everything you need to know about RVing with your toddler.
It may seem daunting to plan a RV trip with your toddler, but don't worry, this blog post will give you all of the tips and tricks you need to have a successful vacation with your toddler.
Strategically pick your toys
If you have a toddler, you know they are constantly on the move; and in a RV, their play area often spans from the inside to the outside. With toys going from the dirt to the lake to the RV and back again, finding the right toy lineup for your little one is key to maintaining both your and their sanity. Also keep in mind that toys that go on RV trips typically get put through the ultimate durability test, so beware of which ‘long term’ toys you bring from home.
The ideal toy lineup:
RV inside toy (stuffed animals, cuddle toys)
Dirt outside toy (tractors, beach toys)
Water outside toy (pool toys)
Game toy (puzzle)
What types of toys to look for:
Toys that can go in the sink for a quick wash
Easily dryable toys
Floating toys
What types of toys to avoid:
Toys with hair or fur (anything that can soak up the mud and water)
Non-weatherproof electronics
Toys that store water
Bring a white noise machine and blackout curtains
If your toddler doesn’t already sleep with a white noise machine, we highly suggest getting one before your trip. White noise machines allow you to put your toddler down for bedtime or a nap and not worry about having to be absolutely silent as they snooze.
We always recommend that folks traveling with toddlers also bring a set of blackout curtains - these come in handy more often than not. Every RV has a different optimal area for your toddler to sleep, and often that place changes between nap time and bed time so bringing plenty of material to block out unwanted light is paramount.
Create a ‘Kids’ corner’
RV trips can be a lot for a little one to handle, so we’ve found that giving toddlers their ‘own’ area of the RV is the perfect way to give them some comfort and a bit of control of the situation. Having a safe space for the kids to play in and call their own makes all the difference in their morale during the trip. And we all know that having good morale amongst the kids can make a or break a trip. Remember to bring plenty of toys and blankets for the space, or better yet, have them ‘decorate’ their own corner with them before you take off.
Some of the best places for kids’ corners are:
The cabover bed in a Class C RV
In a corner behind a bed
Under the dinette
In an unused bunk
In the unused driving area when parked
Pick the perfectly protected campsites
Reserving a campsite at a campground is one thing, but reserving the perfect site for you and your family’s needs at a campground is a whole other thing. This can be anything from the proximity to the bathroom, size of the site, area of the campground, etc. With toddlers, we always recommend finding the campsite with the least amount of RV/car traffic. Take a look at the campground map and look for areas in the back of the campground and on the perimeter of loops, these are often less trafficked and encourage play away from the road.
Worried about finding the right site, let us plan the perfect trip for you.
Plan tons of kid-specific activities
If there’s one thing we know for sure, it’s that toddlers have a terribly short attention span. That said, we recommend planning plenty of short and engaging activities on your RV vacation with your toddler. Having a list of activities in your back pocket for each location is essential for a stress-free RV trip with your toddler.
If you run out of activities or need something in a pinch, here are some of our favorites:
Find a spot to throw rocks, whether that be at a pulloff along a river or lake, or just the side of the road, rock throwing is a calming remedy for all - even for grown-ups!
Seek out the local park. Most communities have some sort of grass and play structure for your little one to get their wiggles out.
Swim at the local recreation or community center. It may sound odd, but recreation and community center pools are amazing fun for the family - it's the perfect break for everyone. Pro Tip: Santa Fe’s Genoveva Chavez Community Center is a MUST DO if you’re in the area.
Need help planning your toddler-friendly RV family vacation? Contact us now for your next trip!