There’s nothing like RV camping to get you up close and personal with the great outdoors, especially if the weather is perfect. But, when the weather isn’t perfect, when it’s wet, cold, nasty and the kids have been driven inside, you need a rainy day plan to save your RV camping adventure.
Explore
One of the great benefits of owning an RV is the portability of your vacation. You don’t have to be cooped up in the same spot all weekend long. You can rescue your RV trip from a soggy, cranky meltdown with a little advanced planning and ingenuity.
Take advantage of your get-up-and-go option by researching local rainy day activities in advance. Visit museums, historical sites, or tourist attractions. Enjoy kid friendly activities like bowling, trampoline parks, or have the kids burn off a little excess energy at a YMCA or a recreation center.
The key to making this strategy a success is to know what your options are in advance. When planning your trip, just take a few minutes to create a list of “just-in-case” activities nearby. You’ll be glad you did.
RV Games and Crafts
Keeping energetic children occupied and out of trouble in a small space like a recreational vehicle is challenging. Activities can’t be too physical because there simply isn’t space. With short attention spans and excess energy, children’s rainy day activities should be varied and fun.
Arts and crafts activities can be a great way to occupy busy hands for a morning or afternoon. Pack a bin with all their favorite art supplies, recyclable items and some unique ideas for fun crafts. From original greeting cards to homemade jewelry, most kids enjoy a little arts and crafts time.
Keep a stack of board games handy, preferably not the “go-to” games they usually play. Novel activities will hold their attention longer than games they play on a regular basis.
Card games are great for rainy days in the camper. And don’t underestimate the kids. They love to learn the games they see their parents and other adults playing. If the age is right, take the time to teach them the intricacies of games for the next level of their maturity. Poker, bridge, black jack or Euchre, learning to play these games with family is the best of memories. It may even save them a few bucks out in the “real world” someday when a real card shark shows up.
Quiet Time
If you’ve worn them out with game and activities, it might be time for some age-appropriate quiet time for your campers. For a little down time activity, always have some books on hand. You can also encourage older kids to write a journal about their RV adventures. It will sharpen their skills and create memories more meaningful to them than any selfie or panoramic photo.
For group downtime, take advantage of your RV’s television and WiFi access (if you have it) and snuggle up with a movie or a little streaming video. Be sure to pack some popcorn and maybe a secret stash of movie candy for a treat.
Let Them Take Ownership
If they really need to burn a little energy, have the kids pitch in with chores around the RV. Cleaning, vacuuming and cooking are all part of the RV experience. Let them make a special dessert or prep the vegetables for the next meal.
If appropriate, let them help you plan the details of your next RV adventure. Even simple tasks like mapping out the route, choosing the next campsites and talking about the activities they can do along the way will create a sense of ownership in the vacation.
Rain or shine, RV camping is a great way for families to build great vacation memories. If a new RV is in your future, stop by our showroom to see what child friendly RV features are available or click here to check out our huge selection of new and used RVs at Ketelsen RV.
