Life On The Road With Kids: 6 Tips For A Smoother Transition

RV travel has become somewhat of a fashionable way to travel and even live your life in recent years. Since the pandemic, more and more families are upping sticks and taking out the roads to give themselves a better quality of life and a different way of living. If you have been on social media recently, you will likely have seen many accounts which are now “fulltiming” life on the road and committing to the Van Life experience.

While these influencers are doing their best to showcase the positive side of living in confined spaces with kids, it isn’t for the faint-hearted. Uprooting your children and taking them from a family home to a smaller space that is on the move might seem like you can live the dream, but in reality, it can be a logistical nightmare for first-timers.

If you want to hit the open road with your kids and give them a life experience like no other, then RV travel can be an excellent option for you. However, before you uproot your life, it can be worth trying out life on the road with kids for short periods before committing fully. If you’re considering venturing into the RV lifestyle, finding the right vehicle that suits your family’s needs is critical. An excellent place to start is to browse RVezy’s selection of new and used RVs for sale. They offer a wide variety of options to fit different traveling styles and budgets, making it easier for you to make an informed decision before hitting the open road with your kids. It is also a good idea to look into the practicalities of life in a vehicle to make sure you can meet your family’s needs and not go without or make life harder than it needs to be to detract from the experience.

Want to know what it takes to prepare for life on the road with kids, for a week, a month, or full-time? This post has some valuable tips to get you going.

Follow Influencers

Whatever your thoughts on influencers and people documenting their life via social media, there is no denying that they can be a valuable source of information. Find accounts that document the realities, not just the rosy side of life on the road with kids, to find helpful and practical tips to help you prepare. From hacks to products to the harsh realities of living in confined spaces with kids, you can get a better feel for what it might be like and what you might need to buy before heading off.

Buy A Generator

A generator can come inbuilt into your van, or you can purchase a portable generator for rv to help you ensure you have all the power you need. It is important to do your research into the portable generators available, the power you will need, and how you fuel your generator; from a gas/diesel generator to a solar or wind-powered model, you need to be confident it can handle the expected usage. Remember, things like a refrigerator, toasters, lights, and charging electronics will require a power source, and your generator will need to be able to cope with the demand of the whole family. Do your research to avoid being left high and dry with a generator unsuitable.

Plan Shorter Travel Days

While it might seem like traveling with kids in an RV will be easier than in a car, remember they are still cooped up in a vehicle, and this will likely cause frayed tensions. Keep Your travel items shorter and allow yourself more time to get anywhere. While you might not need to stop for toilet breaks as frequently, they will still need to get out of the RV from time to time to let off steam and stretch their legs. So try not to push through to reach your destination and give your kids the opportunity to stop and get out of the RV to avoid them becoming bored.

Pitch Up Longer

Kids will appreciate being able to stop for a little while longer to play, meet other kids in the same position and enjoy the chance not to be cooped up in the van, no matter how much they love it. For adults, it can be tempting to move each night and keep going so things stay fresh. But kids don’t work like that, and if you want to keep it fun, allow them to stay and explore their surroundings for more prolonged periods from time to time before moving on. After all, you want everyone to have the best experience.

Indoor/Outdoor Entertainment

Being able to occupy the kids in all weather is vital for everyone’s sanity. So you need to ensure you have activities and amenities on board for them to stay busy and engaged, whether playing indoors or outdoors. From having books, board games, toys, and a cozy little “kids area” in your van to having outdoor rugs, seating, and toys for them to play with when you reach a campsite but don’t want to go too far, or you need a rest day. Kids still need to be stimulated and allowed to play to let off steam and relax, and preparing for this will benefit everyone in the long run, regardless of how long your trip is.

Have Fun

Lastly, you must let go of all your expectations and simply go with the flow. Kids will play up, adults will get tired and stressed, and the weather can change from hour to hour in some locations. By taking the trip as it is, living in the moment, and letting go of any expectations, you can enjoy the experience more and ensure everyone gets more out of it. See the fun in the small details, make the best of bad situations, and take each day as a learning experience.

Conclusion

Taking your kids for a once-in-a-lifetime trip or starting a new life on the road can be thrilling. As parents, you want to do what is best for your family. However, you need to be fully prepared for what this lifestyle can offer you and how you can best live with kids in a van on the road for the best experience possible. Do your research, prepare thoroughly, and you will give yourself and your family the best chance of success living the RV life! It won’t be perfect all time, but then again, life very rarely is.