Campervan Travel with Kids – Tips and Activities

Travelling in a family campervan with your kids is a brilliant experience and a unique way to bond and explore the sites around Britain. Exploring new places with your children can be a fun experience but there are bound to be bumps in the road. To ensure you get the most out of your trip and are prepared for any event, we’ve created this handy guide of the best tips and travel activities for kids in a campervan. 

Want to get out and about in your own family campervan? We have flexible finance for campervans available so you can get yourself and your little ones out on the road for a price that’s right for you.  

Make sure you choose the right campervan

Before financing your campervan, it’s important to choose the right campervan that can accommodate your kids. There are a few things that you should look out for when choosing the right model which include:

Sleeping Areas – You’ll need to make sure there are separate sleeping areas or enough beds for both parents and children. Some campervans have bunk beds for children as well as adapted family seating.

Seating – When driving, you and the family will all need to be seated with seatbelts on, so it’s important to ensure you have the right amount of seats as well as suitable seating and booster seats for children. 

Bathroom and Wash-Up Space – We all know kids can get messy, so a bathroom and sink access are crucial for keeping your space and your kids clean. 

Space and Storage – A family campervan needs to have plenty of leg room, seating and enough space to store food, crockery and any other campervan essentials. You’ll also need to store clothes for several people for several days so you’ll want to choose a larger model if storage is an issue.

Pack for every possibility 

Although space might be limited, you’ll want to pack for every occasion from wind to rain and sun to ensure the kids are ready for outdoor playtime in all weather. Make sure you’ve got a range of warm and cool clothes and other essentials including: 

• Extra bedding, blankets and pillows for a comfy night’s sleep
• Baby food, wipes, nappies etc if you’re travelling with a young child
• Snacks, dried foods, fruit and juice boxes 
• A first-aid kit
• Antibacterial wipes or spray
• Their favourite toys/plush toys – This is perhaps the most essential item for keeping the kids happy in your family camper van. Forgetting this can lead to mega meltdowns.
• Toiletries 
• Food and kitchen supplies for easy-to-cook campervan meals. For some simple recipes for easy caravan meals, check out our dedicated blog. 
• Tablet, board games and activities for entertainment 

How to prepare for the open road

The journey to your destination is often the most difficult part when in a family camper van, even if you’ve got the amenities you’d have at home. To help make the drive smooth you should prepare a few things in advance.

Plan your route and regular breaks

One of the best camping hacks with kids to keep all the family happy is to take regular breaks and stop off. Make sure to plan your route in advance and mark off any services where you can get out and stretch your legs. 

You can also take a detour to open spaces like fields or playgrounds to give the kids some quick playtime before heading back on the road. If you’re part of a campervan community, you might be able to camp somewhere that has a play centre or creche for children to play too. 

Choose the right location

Some spots might not be the best for family camper van trips. Areas with vast wilderness and mountain treks might be too strenuous for kids, whilst crowded cities can be overwhelming and overstimulating. Try to select a location that caters to all the family as well as your children’s needs. For some brilliant ideas, check out some of the best campsites in the UK.

Travel activities for kids

It’s hard to keep your kids entertained at the best of times so you’ll want to ensure you pack a wide range of travel activities for kids to stop them getting bored and restless. Audiobooks and physical books are great options for solo entertainment when your kids want some time to sit alone.

For younger children, colouring books, sticker books and activity sheets are great and these can be printed at home to save you money too. 

Smartphones and tablets can let kids watch their favourite shows on the go as well as a range of educational videos that can keep them entertained for hours. If you want some modern entertainment ideas, we’ve got a blog on the best motorhome gadgets. 

If you’re trying to limit screen time, you can invest in board games or activities you can play with your children including classics like Scrabble, Guess Who or a range of card games. 

Get the kids involved

A great way to keep the kids happy is to get them involved. Help them plan and pack to make them feel like part of a team. You could also let them choose where you’d like to go or stop off. This inclusion should not only prevent boredom but also make children feel more excited with a level of responsibility. 

Plan an itinerary

Once you’ve arrived at your destination, your trip should be all about spending valuable family time together. You’ll want to plan a wide range of activities to suit everyone. 

Campfire cooking 

A unique and fun activity for the kids that also provides you with a tasty meal is campfire cooking. Teach them how to toast marshmallows over the fire or use basics like pots and pans in a fun and more engaging environment. This is one of the camping hacks with kids that can teach them important life skills whilst still being fun. 

Unwind with a hot meal and tell stories or read aloud around the fire. 

Nature walks and scavenger hunts

Whether you’re camping in a woodland area, a beach bay or a campervan park, there are ample opportunities to get out as a family and explore the outdoors. Take the kids on a walk to see the sites and have them try to spot a range of animals and items from a list. This not only keeps children engaged when out and about but can teach them about different things like species of birds and plants. 

Task your children with collecting different items, such as pebbles, shells, leaves, and feathers, as keepsakes or for DIY projects.

Sketching 

Whether your kids are natural-born artists or still learning the basics, one of the best travel activities for kids is to get them sketching. Have them draw or paint the sites they see on the trip from picturesque landscapes to beautiful beaches. You can also pick detailed leaves and flowers to create paper rubbings for some personalised keepsakes from your trip. 

Research shows that the best way to get children to engage and stay motivated is with social interaction and exploring, so going out and enjoying these experiences as a family can not only be a fun experience but an important part of development in children. 

Make marvellous memories with an Auto Finance campervan loan

Investing in a family campervan allows you to invest in your children’s future. It provides you with a convenient, safe and comfortable space to take your family to some of the best places around the country. With a campervan loan from Auto Finance, you’ll be able to choose the perfect family camper van at a price you can afford. 

Use our vehicle loan calculator to determine how much you’ll be expected to repay before you apply. This gives you the freedom to budget in advance and find the best rates for you. 

If you’re in need of advice on the right campervan for you or you want to know more about our loans, get in touch with our expert team and we’ll be happy to help.