As fun as RVing with your spouse can be, there’s a completely different kind of experience when you travel with your children. Kids see the world in a different light and you might find you enjoy vacations in a new and different when when you start bringing the whole family along. Not to mention, your children will then have lots of great memories and stories to tell their own children, and hopefully one day carry on the tradition with their own children.
But if you’re preparing for a vacation with your kids, you’ll want to approaching preparation and planning a little differently, so Airstream of Montana has provided some tips for getting started. If you need additional advice, then stop by our RV dealership in Missoula, Montana, near Bozeman and Kalispell.
Get your Kids Involved
You might be used to being in charge and making all the decisions, but consider loosening the reins just a little bit and getting your kids more involved in the planning process. Rather than trying to guess where they want to go, ask them. Ask them what they want the final destination to be and if they want to make any stops along the way. Clearly, you’ll still need to decide if it’s feasible time-wise and if you’re comfortable driving there, but getting your children involved can not only take some of the decision-making burden on your shoulders, but can help them get more excited about their trip.
Another way they can help out is by doing their own packing. Some of your younger kids might need help still, but as they grow older, they’re going to have a better idea of what kinds of things they need over the course of a long trip. This way, they can pack things they’ll really like, like favorite clothes, games, and books. If they need help remembering the essentials, consider making them a checklist to guide them.
Everyone Needs Their Space
On priority you should have is making sure everyone has their own space. At the very least, this means everyone should have their own bed and place to sleep. Don’t send anyone to the floor to save a little money. This may mean having an RV with a master bedroom, bunks, fold-out furniture, and even an additional private room.
But beyond that, you might want to think about their privacy as well. Living in close quarters may not be so bad for you, but kids need a way to separate themselves from their parents every once in a while. Plus, if everyone’s cooped up inside on a rainy day and there isn’t a lot of room, your campers will start to get ansty. You’ll want to keep in mind your kids’ need for their own space when you start shopping for RVs (or consider upgrading from the one you currently have).
The Games We Play
Kids also need to be entertained. Not the fun events you have planned or the attractions you’ll go see. Those will be entertaining on their own. You’ll want to make sure you’re also prepared for the down time that they’ll need to relax. Relax, but still stay engaged. For anyone not taking a nap, consider bringing along a deck of cards, favorite board game, movies, or books to give you and your family something to do when it’s time to come down from the excitement of the day.
Hopefully this helps, but at the end of the day, your trip should be tailored to be the best trip for your family. Just like your RV. If you need a camper or if you need to upgrade the one you have, stop by Airstream of Montana and let one of our friendly staff show you the models we have available right now. We proudly serve Missoula, Bozeman, and Kalispell, MT.
