Whenever you travel with kids, preparation is vital. Once you’re on the road, you’ll need to be able to adapt to unexpected snags, illnesses, and other challenges along the way.
Packing extra forms of entertainment is a good idea, too, because children often don’t realize how fortunate they are to have the opportunity to see more of the world. To kids, travel doesn’t hold the same appeal as it does for adults, and boredom is inevitable.
Before you load up the camper and hit the road, make sure you have these 5 things.
5 Things to Pack for a Family Road Trip
1: Water
Crossing wide open spaces is one of the joys of RV travel. The views are incredible, the drive can be incredibly relaxing, and you develop a real appreciation for the sheer magnitude of the United States.
The open road also has its risks.
Becoming stranded on one of those long, uninhabited stretches of highway is stressful, and if you’re not prepared, it can be quite dangerous.
Dehydration is one of the first dangers involved in being stranded. Always keep drinkable water in your vehicle, and prevent headaches and irritability by staying properly hydrated while you’re on the road.
2: First Aid Kit
Accidents happen.
Your first aid kit should include:
Elastic wrap bandagesMedical adhesive tapeBandage strips like band-aidsSterile gauzeInstant cold packsCotton ballsAntibiotic ointmentAntiseptic solution and/or wipesAloe veraCalamine lotionStomach medicinePain relieversAntihistaminesHydrocortisone cream
Be sure to also pack any emergency medications you might need for special complaints, like epi-pens, inhalers, or prescription medications.
3: Wet Wipes
Wet wipes are useful for spills, dirty hands, sticky children, wiping up dust, and plenty of other small tasks.
If you’re the boy scout, always prepared type, you can bring disinfectant wipes and baby wipes so that you have supplies for skin and for surfaces.
Keep a container of wipes within reaching distance when you’re in the car so that you can quickly clean up splashes and mishaps on the go, and wipe down germy surfaces at stops to keep everyone healthy and well.
4: Electronic Devices with Headphones and Chargers
You’re there for the sights and the experiences.
For your children, the sights and experiences are probably boring.
Prevent fighting and keep kids entertained with music players, tablets, or other small electronic devices. Headphones prevent their activity from irritating others in the car, and they also give kids some time to themselves.
Remember that your children want some alone time, too, and on a road trip, privacy is hard to come by. Electronics give kids that moment of retreat so that they can refuel, reset, and get ready to spend more time with family.
5: Travel Pillows and Blankets
Sitting in an RV over long stretches can get exhausting, even for experienced road trippers.
Travel pillows help make car weary passengers more comfortable, and you can even catch a quick nap if you need to catch up on sleep.
Meanwhile, packing a couple of lightweight blankets is a quick way to settle air conditioner level disputes. When one person is cold, they can cover up without starting a battle for climate control.
This information is for educational purposes. VIARV shall not be responsible nor retain liability for RVer’s use of the provided information. Prior to making any RV service decision, you are advised to consult with an RV professional.
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