Traveling in a motorhome with kids can be a fun adventure and an important family bonding experience. It’s also a great way to spend time together and make memories.
But if you have young children, you might be wondering how to make your motorhome and RV more kid-friendly. Spending hours on the road for days on end might bore or tire them out quickly.
Luckily, you can do a few simple things to make your motorhome more comfortable and convenient for your little ones.
This guide will show you how your motorhome can be the perfect kid-friendly place for your family to create lasting memories.
Quick Navigation
Plan Your Campervan Route
After getting your motorhome ready for the road, you must familiarize yourself with your route before starting your trip. This means knowing the roads and exits you’ll need to take and any landmarks you’ll need to look for. This will help you stay on track and avoid getting lost, leaving everyone stressed.
Motorhomes are large vehicles, and bendy roads might be tricky to navigate. However, it is possible to safely drive a motorhome on bendy roads with careful planning and practice.
When approaching a curvy stretch of road, slow down and take your time. Use your mirrors to help you monitor traffic, and be prepared to make sudden stops if necessary.
RV Safety is Crucial
When you’re taking a family trip in your motorhome, it’s essential to consider the safety of your kids. Children can be unpredictable, and little ones may wander off when they get bored or tired.
If you have toddlers or infants, ensure you are ready for anything by baby-proofing everything in and around your RV—from cabinets to appliances and drawers.
There are some areas to focus on:
Bedding Area in RV
Childproof bunk beds and sleeping sections in your motorhome to avoid accidents for small children. Ensure to secure any bedding or pillows so they cannot be pulled down and trap a child.
RV Heaters and Water Pressure Precautions
Hot water is a precious resource, especially when you’re holidaying in your motorhome for any stretch of time. You might be lucky to have a motorhome that allows you to adjust the water temperature to your preference.
However, most motorhomes come with just one setting, and the hot water can get boiling hot while running. Of course, you can just run the hot and cold faucets to mix the water, but your toddler might turn on the hot one and get scalded.
To prevent that, you can use a valve bypass to adjust the water temperature on your heater. This will allow some cold water to mix with the hot right from the heater, so warm water flows through your taps.
Shower Time for RV Kids
Ensure you place anti-slip mats in your bathroom to prevent your kids from slipping and falling. You can add velcro strips to fasten them to the floor so they stay in place.
The door should remain closed when you aren’t using the bathroom/toilet. Lock the doors with a toilet latch to be extra sure.
Embrace the Mess and Chaos
Kids can get up to mischief in there, so you want to make sure they stay out unsupervised.
Gas Stove
Another area you should monitor is your cooking area. Your gas stove has knobs, (oven) doors, and surfaces kids love exploring. Unfortunately, some accidents around an RV include gas explosions and severe burns.
Protect your kids from searing themselves on hot surfaces by using a stove guard. Also, put knob covers over the knobs of your gas stove so your kids do not turn them on.
You can also use an oven lock to prevent your children from opening the door. An open oven can also cause accidents in your motorhome.
Safe Outlets and Plugs
Child-proof the outlets and plugs in your motorhome. Here are a few simple tips:
- Use outlet covers
These are inexpensive and easy to install, and they’ll help keep curious fingers away from dangerous electrical outlets.
- Use plug covers
These fit over the plugs themselves, and they’ll help prevent little fingers from accidentally inserting them into outlets.
- Use cord shorteners
These devices attach to the end of electrical cords and shorten them, so kids can’t reach them and pull them out of outlets.
Cabinets and drawers
You can install cabinet locks to child-proof cabinets and drawers in your motorhome. These locks will prevent children from opening cabinets and accessing any dangerous materials that may be inside.
You can also put rubber stops on drawers, which will prevent them from being opened all the way and injuring little fingers.
Remember to keep all hazardous gear locked away in drawers or cabinets, like fishing hooks, matches, and roasting forks.
Space Saving Toys
Yes, avoid a full barbie doll house or the entire collection of care bears. Opt for space saving toys that are compressable, inflatable and easy to pack and store.
Install Window Guards
Window guards can help prevent kids from accidentally falling out of open windows. They also provide an extra measure of security in case of a break-in.
Installing window guards is relatively simple, and they can give you peace of mind knowing that your kids are safe and secure while you’re on the road.
Entertainment in the RV on the road
One way to make your motorhome more kid-friendly is to download kids’ shows and games on tablets or laptops, so they have plenty to watch. Or bring along handheld game consoles, so they can play their favorite games while traveling.
In addition, a small library of storybooks, coloring books, and puzzles will help drive boredom away while cutting down on screen time. These will help keep them entertained if you’re in an area without Wi-Fi.
Plan your Kids Meals
Another thing you should consider is packing kid-friendly foods that are easy to put together.
Pack Easy, Kid-friendly Foods for RV Meals
Think simple sandwiches, pre-cut fruit, and snacks that don’t need to be refrigerated.
Don’t Forget the Drinks and Hydration
If you’re in an area where you can’t get any fresh water, we recommend loading up on packs of drinking water. This way, everyone can stay hydrated.
To prevent spillage, consider getting anti-spill and anti-slip cups for your kids. This way, they can snack and have drinks on the go.
Maintain Regular Bedtime Routine in RV for Kids
Getting enough sleep is crucial and keeping a regular bedtime routine is essential for children, even on vacation. Doing this in a motorhome can be challenging, but it is possible if you plan and organize.
Try to keep the same bedtime and waking up time as at home, and include some calming activities before bed, such as reading or taking a bath.
Slow Down your Travel
This will help your child feel comfortable and safe in the motorhome and make the transition back to a home life more manageable.
You might need blackout curtains. The shades block out sunlight and streetlights, which can be difficult for kids to fall asleep with.
Many RVs come equipped with these curtains, but several options are available online if yours don’t. Be sure to measure carefully before ordering so they’re the correct size and fit perfectly when closed.
Be Prepared for Emergencies on the Road
Keep a first-aid kit on hand and know what to do in emergencies. It’ll come in handy in minor emergencies, such as a cut or scrape. CPR can be lifesaving if a more severe emergency arises, so we recommend learning how to administer it.
However, if you have questions about how to use the supplies in your first-aid kit or perform CPR, don’t hesitate to call 911.
Other emergency supplies you might need are:
- A fire extinguisher. Make sure it is easily accessible and up-to-date.
- A spare tire, jack, flashlights, and batteries (in case you get a flat).
- A survival kit in case of an emergency.
Trial Runs of RV Living
RVing can be a great way to see the country and spend time with family and friends, but it can be intimidating if you’ve never done it before.
The best way to ease into RVing is to start with short trips not too far from home. With that, you can get a feel for the RV lifestyle without committing to a long journey immediately.
That way, you can ensure that you genuinely enjoy the RV lifestyle before making a big commitment.
Once you’ve taken a few short trips and are ready for something longer, then you can start planning extended RV camping trips.
Conclusion
If you’re a first-time motorhome owner, the idea of taking your kids on a road trip for an RV living adventure can be overwhelming. The good news is that there are plenty of ways to make traveling with kids more manageable and fun! With these tips and tricks in mind, you can enjoy the journey as much as they do.
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