13 Awesome Tips for RV Camping with Kids

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Updated February 26, 2024

Susan and I have been RVing with our kids, and now grandkids, for decades! So, we thought we would revise this article to include some of our very best tips for RV camping with kids as well as a handy checklist at the end of the article.

RV camping with kids is an awesome way to vacation and experience nature. The great thing about RV camping is it is very convenient. If you own your RV, everything you need is packed all the time, except for food and clothes.

So, it’s really easy to prepare to RV with kids. And our 13 Tips for RV Camping with Kids makes it even easier!

I have gone tent camping with my kids ( and now our grandkids), but they even prefer RV camping. An RV has a stove, an oven, a microwave, and a fridge with a separate freezer. It also has comfy beds and a full bathroom so no one has to use the public restrooms.

If you don’t own a camper or RV try renting one for a week and see for yourself how convenient and easy RV camping with kids can be. There are Pros and Cons of Owning an RV but it’s a great way to spend time together as a family and you may find yourself enjoying the many Benefits of Family Camping more often.

So, whether you RV camp with your kids or are considering it check out our 13 Tips for RV Camping with Kids for some helpful advice to make your next RV camping trip a great one.

13 Tips for RV Camping with Kids

Our best tips to RV with kids include things like involving children in planning, bringing their favorite stuff, and helping them enjoy the overall experience.

The entire family can enjoy RV camping – it’s not just for the adults! Load up the kids and get out there, but not before you read these tips.

1. Plan Ahead and Get the Kids to Help

When you are planning your RV camping trip be sure to plan ahead and get lots of input from the kids. Planning the family camping trip is part of the fun of going RV camping because it builds anticipation and excitement.

And your kids will be more inclined to enjoy the camping trip more and complain less if they help to plan all aspects of the trip including the location, campground, activities, and meals. Plus your kids will learn how to plan, prioritize, and compromise by going through the planning process with you.

2. Bring The Kids Blankets, Pillows and Stuffed Animals

Kids tend to sleep better when they have their own blankets, pillows, stuffed animals and any other personal items you think will make your kids comfy. Since the RV will be their home away from home for a week or more make it as familiar and comfortable as possible.

3. Pack Plenty of Games and Activities for RV Camping with Kids

Playing games helps the whole family to laugh together and bond. So be sure to bring some fun games for the kids to play both inside and outside of the RV. Some awesome outdoor games all family members like to play are Ladder Ball and Corn Hole.

Bring some board games to play inside the RV to have something to do after dark and before bedtime. To make your camping trip really special surprise your kids with a brand new game. They will love it!

4. Bring Things To Help Them Enjoy the Outdoors

Bring items like binoculars, a magnifying glass, a butterfly net, a book to identify butterflies, a bird identification book, or a telescope for star gazing. Or you can just get an outdoor exploration kit like this one! The point is to bring things they normally don’t use at home to spark their interest in things outside of the norm.

5. If Camping Near Water Bring Water Toys and Floaties

If you will be camping near a lake or the ocean bring water toys, sand toys, and floaties. The kids will enjoy having buckets and shovels to build sand castles. And if they will be swimming don’t forget to bring rafts and or floaties.

RELATED READING: If you are looking for an awesome beach vacation check out our article 21 Best RV Campgrounds on the Beach | East Coast Guide.

6. Pack Plenty of Snacks for RV Camping with Kids

Pack plenty of healthy snacks for the kids. Part of the enjoyment of camping is experiencing different things. So bring some new and healthy snacks but also bring some of the old standbys just in case they want their favorite snacks from home. Also, pack plenty of water bottles.

7. Have the Kids Prepare a Meal

When I was growing up my mom was determined to teach us how to cook, clean and do the laundry. So many kids today can’t do any of the three. So, while you are camping, put each of your kids in charge of cooking dinner one night.

Have them help in the planning stage to pick a recipe and buy the groceries to prepare the meal. And then have them cook it while on the camping trip. They will learn a new skill and maybe you can make it a part of your weekly routine when you return home from your camping trip. We all want to spoil our kids so why not spoil them with new skills and talents that will serve them for the long run.

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8. Bring the Bikes

Biking is the perfect speed for seeing nature. Walking can be too slow and driving is way too fast but biking is a perfect speed. Plus you can stop wherever you like and take pictures or park the bikes and go for a short walk. And biking is a great way for the whole family to get some fresh air and exercise too.

9. Let the Kids Sleep in a Tent

Bring a tent and let the kids sleep in it for part of your camping trip. They will enjoy sleeping outdoors and having a little independence. And everyone needs some of their own space every now and then. Plus you can teach your kids how to pitch a tent.

10. Plan for Rainy Days

If you go away for a week or more it’s almost certain that you will have a rainy day or two. Before your camping trip, help your kids plan some rainy day activities so they are prepared and know what they will be doing on the occasional rainy day.

11. Bring a First Aid Kit

I’m always surprised by the number of RVers who don’t have a first aid kit on board their RV. But it’s worth having one when you need it and especially when camping with kids. Kids get bumps, bruises, cuts, and scrapes way more than adults so it’s important to have a first aid kit handy.

12. Let the Kids Take Lots of Pictures

If the kids are old enough let them take lots of pictures and then make a slide show of kid pics to watch in the future to remember your RV camping trip. I’m suggesting this because I love to take tons of pictures and videos. But, my kids get bored watching me take pictures.

However, when I let them take the pictures the whole dynamic changes. They actually love taking pictures and one of my daughters went on to major in Electronic Media Arts and Film Making. She now takes incredibly beautiful photos of nature. You never know what talents your kids will develop.

13. Bring Something to Haul Your Stuff Around

Don’t forget to bring a backpack or a foldable wagon to haul all the stuff you need for the day’s activities. You will need to haul stuff, especially if you are going to the beach or going on an adventure away from your campsite and RV.

You may need to haul a cooler with sandwiches, snacks, and drinks, a picnic blanket or beach towels and water toys, and who knows what else. When you have kids you need stuff. So bring something to make hauling your stuff easy and convenient.

Join a Local Camping Club…The Kids will Love It!

Camping Checklist for RV Camping with Kids

Unfortunately, we can make this thorough checklist of camping supplies because we have been on the forgetting end of it more times than I’d prefer.

The problem with forgetting items is that you often don’t know you have forgotten anything until you need it. This problem exacerbates itself when it is late at night, the forgotten item is essential, or you are miles from a convenience store.

Fortunately, you can benefit from our prior mistakes. This list covers the basics of the items we find necessary when camping with kids and explanations of these items if needed. Previously mentioned items might not be listed.

• Water—many campgrounds do provide potable water, but it is best to always have your own. One gallon per person per day is generally considered necessary, but you might not need that much with kids.
• Matches—or lighter for starting campfires, stoves or grills
• Blankets, pillows and other bedding
• Your family’s essential items
• Cookware and dinnerware
• Wet Wipes—for cleaning small messes or freshening up when running water is not available
• Individually-wrapped snacks like granola bars
• First aid kit
• Acetaminophen or other pain relief
• Anti-itch lotion
• Hats and Sunglasses
• Large trash bags—they can be used as ponchos if caught in the rain
• Scissors or pocketknife
• Bug spray and sunscreen—bug-bitten, sunburned kids make the worst camping buddies
• Play-yard or Pack and Play for small children
• Toilet paper—even if your campgrounds have facilities
• Camping lantern or flashlight
• Backpack or small personal bag for daily excursions
• Locking cooler to keep wildlife out of your food supply
• Portable camping toilet—especially if the facilities are far away
• Kid’s safety whistles on lanyards in case they get separated from the family
• Glow sticks
• Outdoor toys

Related Questions about RV Camping with Kids

1. I’m interested in RV camping but how much does an RV cost?

There are lots of RVs to choose from and they can be broken down into two categories: the kind you drive and the kind you tow. Either type is great for RV camping with your kids. The towable RVs are less expensive but you need a vehicle strong enough to tow them.

So, if you need to buy a vehicle then maybe you should consider the drivable type. I have an article called Class C vs 5th Wheel – Which is Better and Why, where I deep dive into which type of RV is best for you and why. Check it out!

2. I don’t own an RV. Should I buy one or rent one first?

I would recommend renting an RV first for a number of reasons. First of all, you can see if RV camping is for you before you make an investment in an RV.

And second, you will make a much better buying decision if you have some experience with RVing first. We rented an RV before we bought an RV and it led us to find the perfect RV for our family’s needs.

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Related Reading: For more info on renting an RV check out my article How To Find the Perfect RV Rental By Owner

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Do you have some helpful advice about camping with your kids that you would like to share? Please leave a comment below.

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