Fun Ideas for Family RV Camping Trips
RV trips with family can be an unforgettable and exhilarating adventure that you and your loved ones can always cherish. Many parents and grandparents are RV’ers today because of the camping trips they experienced with their parents when they were kids. Traveling by RV allows you to discover new destinations while experiencing many family-focused activities together. This article explores some unique RV vacation ideas and popular RV road trip destinations to help you plan the ideal family travel experience.
Top Rated Family RV Camping Trips
As an introduction to RV travel, novice RV travelers might benefit from starting with family-friendly trips that don't require extensive knowledge and experience like most city, county and state campgrounds that are easier to reserve sites and visit. More experienced RV’ers may gravitate towards these top picks that are on most families bucket lists to visit, but may take longer to reserve (but worth it) and harder to visit because of limited RV hookup sites available:
Yellowstone National Park: For nature enthusiasts looking for adventure, Yellowstone is an irresistibly captivating RV vacation idea and must-visit destination. With reservations almost a year in advance, your family will enjoy camping from May to October at the Fishing Bridge RV Park (service hookups available) while exploring all the natural wonders Yellowstone has to offer. Experiencing the active geysers like Old Faithful, hiking along boardwalks surrounding steaming hot springs, standing before towering waterfalls, and watching wild roaming buffalo will constantly thrill the whole family.
Grand Canyon National Park: RV camping at the South Rim’s Trailer Village and exploring this iconic destination is the ultimate RV family travel experience. Enjoy miles of scenic hiking trails and overlooks, plus breathtaking sunrises, and sunsets – the family will be talking about for years to come. A free shuttle bus from the Village will make stops throughout the Grand Canyon.
California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains: Lake Tahoe offers something special for every traveler. RV camping opportunities abound here, and camping enthusiasts will also appreciate spectacular scenery around the lake, cold water swimming, charter boat trout fishing, and paved biking and hiking trails as part of an RV family camping itinerary. While you’re in the Sierra Mountains you should also try to camp in Yosemite National Park for the very same reasons as Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon – unparalleled natural beauty and endless adventure. Although hookups are not available, generators are allowed in most of the Yosemite’s campgrounds.
Florida RV Trips
Florida has long been known to be an idyllic location for family RV adventures, offering outstanding state park campgrounds with beautiful beaches and natural springs, plus thrilling attractions that bring millions of visitors to the Sunshine State each year. Here are a few of the most popular (and busy) family RV camping trips you should try in Florida:
Disney World: With something magical for every visitor, Disney World provides something truly wonderful for all ages and interests. Camp at Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground while you explore four theme parks, several water parks, and other popular attractions that make Walt Disney World Resort so popular.
Key West: Key West is an idyllic retreat offering unique bars and restaurants to discover, plus relaxing beaches and endless water activities if you like snorkeling, scuba diving, and saltwater fishing. Your RV is welcome at El Mar RV Resort or Boyd's Key West Campground to take full advantage of all Key West has to offer!
Everglades National Park: Everglades National Park offers visitors many wildlife experiences, from alligators and panthers to manatees and all kinds of birds. RV camping is available at either frontcountry Long Pine Key or Flamingo Campgrounds and explore the national park’s many short interpretive nature trails. There are many canoeing, kayaking and fishing opportunities, plus there are ranger guided programs within these two campground settings. RV hookups are only available in Flamingo.
Photo credit: Outdoor Adventures Resorts
Tips on RV Family Travel
RV family travel can be an excellent way to form stronger ties and bonds among loved ones while creating lasting memories. Here are a few key strategies for RV road trip vacations:
Plan Ahead: Make a list of places and activities you would like to experience and supplies you'll require on your journey. Plan your route. Set stops for rest stops along your route, and reserve campground space well in advance before leaving home.
Pack Smart: When packing for an RV trip, only bring what is essential to optimize space and avoid overpacking. Also be aware of your RV’s GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating) and be careful not to overload your RV with the number of passengers and any bulk items.
Have Fun: RV trips should be fun experiences for everyone, so plan fun activities ahead of time to ensure an unforgettable RV journey experience. From playing group games and cooking meals together to discovering new places - there's a variety of ways to make sure this trip stands out as an unforgettable experience for years to come!
Ideas for Family Games & Activities
Here are a few organized activities and games you may consider on your next RV family trip:
Nature Scavenger Hunt: Create a list of natural items to look for on a hike or walk, such as colorful leaves and flowers, unique rocks, and odd-shaped twigs.
Arts and Crafts: Make fun crafts using the same objects found on the scavenger hunt! Remember to bring along glue, construction paper and miscellaneous craft supplies like scissors and tape to help the kids create amazing artwork!
Family Photo Contest: Have everyone take pictures throughout their journey of what they encounter on this adventure, and then vote for the most memorable photos taken during that trip.
Journaling: Encourage your kids to keep a travel journal of what happened during their adventures to save their memories of the trip. It comes in handy later when their teacher asks, “What did you do on your camping trip?”
Musical Chairs: Bring this classic game back from childhood and use it inside the RV by using the dash radio for music, with sofa and dinette seats serving as musical chairs!
Storytelling Game: Have everyone take turns creating a story together as each member adds the next sentence to develop the plot further.
Beach Day: Spend the day relaxing by the waves, boogie boarding, building sandcastles, exploring sand dunes, and collecting shells for arts and crafts!
Bingo and Card Games: Take on classic games such as Uno, Go Fish, Old Maid, Slap Jacks and War. Bingo is a fun game to play as a family, especially if the winner gets a “chicken dinner.”
Miniature Golf: Find an area mini-golf course to challenge the family to some friendly hole-in-one competition with a prize for the lowest score at the end of 18 holes.
Science Experiments: Conduct simple science experiments using everyday household items; like creating a baking soda volcano.
Board Game Tournaments: Set up several board games to play against one another. Then see who comes out on top after completing all the games. Select games that finish quickly so you can complete the competition in one sitting.
Movie Night: Host family movie nights on select nights if your RV has a TV and DVD player. Hot popcorn straight from the microwave can be a bigger hit than the movie.
Campfires: It’s always fun to sing around the campfire if someone brings their guitar or ukelele. Roasting marshmallows and making s’mores is a family favorite while singing familiar tunes.
Water Balloon Toss: Start by tossing a short distance away from each other. Then move back a foot or two each time the water balloon is caught without popping. Keep moving back further and further until the last balloon pops and everyone is falling down laughing with those who get drenched (bathing suits advised).
Fishing: Take the kids fishing for the first time and if they catch something, they’ll be “hooked” on fishing for the rest of their lives.
Hiking: Pick out a trail that is easy for everyone to navigate. The last thing you want is for the little one to start complaining it’s too hard and want to turn back before the hike is barely started. When they all enjoy hiking together as a family, talking and sharing stories along the way, they will appreciate nature for the rest of their lives.
Charades: Break into teams and play against each other. Make up words or phrases and take turns acting them out so the other partner can guess their charade.
Talent Show: Host a family talent show on the last night of the trip so everyone (usually the youngest are brave enough) can showcase their abilities – including singing, dancing, or imitating an actor. This can be hilarious for the rest of the family to watch and a great way to finish up a fun week of camping together.
First Family RV Camping Trip
If you are planning your first family RV camping trip here are some additional tips to keep in mind:
Begin Small: For your initial RV adventure, start small by planning a short weekend at a nearby city, county, state, or privately-run campground destination that lets you become acquainted with operating your RV equipment and setting up a functional campsite. Keep the kids involved in setting up chairs, tables, hammocks, tents, etc., so they get used to the idea of helping. They can even help with finding firewood for the campfire if allowed.
Keep It Simple: Don't try to overcomplicate things by overpacking or planning too many activities for the weekend. Focus instead on enjoying each other and the experience of RV camping together.
Be Flexible: RV travel requires flexibility, so be ready for plans to shift on short notice due to changes in the weather or unanticipated detours and even “full” campgrounds. Being adaptable will enable you to maximize your valuable time spent with family.
Your RV family adventures can be unforgettable experiences that provide ample opportunities for exploration, memory-making, and quality time with loved ones. By following these tips and trying out some fun game and activity ideas, you can plan an itinerary tailored to everyone as you ensure a successful family RV camping road trip vacation while creating memories to last a lifetime!
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Independence RV offers a huge inventory of vehicles with all the amenities necessary for an enjoyable travel experience, including full kitchens and bathrooms, entertainment centers, and sleeping arrangements for the whole family. In addition, our master-certified maintenance and repair RV technicians ensure your vehicle remains in great shape throughout your travels. Whether planning a quick weekend escape or a long road trip adventure - Independence RV team has everything you need to fulfill your family travel dreams!