Traveling With Kids? Don’t Pack Until You Read This!
We all want our children to see the world, but each new experience we provide our little ones presents new challenges. Thankfully, with a few preparations, you can enjoy everything from a weekend getaway to a long sabbatical anywhere in the country, even with babies and toddlers in tow. Read on for some tips from Johnnie Walker RV.
Using the Right Travel Tools
First and foremost, it’s important to use the right travel tools based on where you plan to go. When your itinerary includes Disney World, Disneyland, Universal, or other family friendly destinations, make sure to visit travel websites to help you determine the least crowded, least expensive, and most ideal time for your family to visit. Weather is also a contributing factor when RVing. You don’t want to take the family to the Dunes in the middle of July!
Avoid Grogginess
Something many first-time parent-travelers fail to consider are the time changes associated with long-distance travel. Make a point to address this early so that you can avoid a meltdown while you’re trying to enjoy the sights. A few tips here include switching everyone’s bedtime a few days in advance, eating plenty of healthy foods, staying hydrated, and trying to limit naps to no more than 20 or 30 minutes once you get settled into your RV camping spot.
Go for a Virtual Visit
If your kids are old enough to pay attention to the computer screen, take them on a virtual visit to your destination before you go. This way, they will know what to expect and can get excited about seeing landmarks in real life. Depending on where you go, you should have plenty of options to see what’s ahead. The official website of the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center for example, offers insight on many ways to tour the Capitol.
Avoid the Food Fight
If you don’t have a picky toddler, consider yourself lucky. The rest of us may have a problem when it comes time to visit a new area that might not have chicken fingers readily available. Luckily there are several tips on how to manage picky eaters while traveling. These include encouraging then to try new flavors and packing what you can. Your RV has a fridge, take advantage of that! Sometimes resorting to a PB&J can be a great option as well.
Choose Your RV Spot Wisely
While Disney and Universal cater to little ones, not every accommodation is so… accommodating. When you’re looking to have your first family vacation, you cannot just pick a destination. You have to pay close attention to your RV park or resort destinations. According to the Camper Report, in a 2021 survey, over 50% of people indicated they would be securing more of their campground locations ahead of time than in previous years. Sadly, it’s no longer the days where you can show up to a state park with plenty of available camping spots. Thankfully, making reservations is easy when done online, simply type in your destination to find any available campgrounds in the area!
Allow the Kids Some Authority
We are not saying that your children should pick your destination, travel time, or where you will eat each meal. However, you can make it more exciting by giving the kids an opportunity to choose at least one family event on your vacation. There are plenty of child-centric activities across the country. Look for a few of these close to your destination, and let your kids decide. You might also let your kids pack at least one outfit of their choosing.
The kiddos can also be a great help when it comes to technology, which is a way to keep them engaged. One way to do this is to share your vacation adventure via social media like YouTube. Make a channel that family and friends can watch and follow along on your adventures. One of our JWRV salespeople, Shambaugh, creates short movies on YouTube during their family trips. Check-out this one for example!
Pack Comfy Clothes and a Camera
It may go without saying, but going prepared entails packing comfortable clothes. If you need a new outfit, look for stretchable clothes that don’t sacrifice style. For example, some new activewear and quality walking shoes or sneakers can make you feel great and look good for your travels.
Give a little kid a camera, and they will photograph everything that catches their attention. It is also a great way to help them get excited about seeing a new destination. Digital Camera World has the scoop on the best options for kids.
While you still have tons of planning to do, today’s tips can help you get through some of the most pressing challenges of traveling with children. From avoiding grogginess to giving the kids a say-so on what you do while you’re away, the more preparations you can do now, the more fun you’ll have.
Johnnie Walker RV is your number one dealer in Southern Nevada who will be around to take care of you for years to come. Contact us today for more info!
