19 Tips for Stress-Free Caravanning With Young Children

This blog will focus on parents now turning their attention to bringing their children on tours.

It will include helpful tips on maintaining the usual bedtime routine, making the most of outdoor space with an awning or partitions, packing indoor games and toys, plus having wet weather activities as a backup plan.

1. Choose Your Caravan Carefully

Is there enough space for everyone to sleep comfortably and have a bed?

Choosing the right caravan for your family can be beneficial. Consider getting a caravan with a double in the lounge for smaller families.

Most caravans have a large single bed above the driver’s cab for larger families, leaving space for storage and cupboards.

2. Plan Your Route and Ensure You Factor in Plenty of Stops

Plan your route, especially if you have a long distance to travel and are taking young children with you. This will allow you to factor in bathroom breaks and meal stops.

In addition, you will want to give yourself plenty of time so that you do not have to rush and risk putting yourself under pressure during your break.

Keep up with the latest traffic news because the last thing you want is to be stuck in a traffic jam with your children desperate for the bathroom.

3. Invest in Good Quality Travel Games and Books

It is extremely important to keep children entertained to prevent them from becoming bored on long trips.

You can keep your children entertained for the journey in many ways, such as by listening to an audiobook, listening to music, reading a story, or playing travel games together. As long as you can keep busy, young minds occupied with interesting activities, they are less likely to become unhappy and frustrated.

4. Pack Plenty of Snacks and Drinks

Pack plenty of snacks and drinks on long journeys. Grapes, raisins, apples, carrots, and bananas are all great snacks that are easy to pack. Water is also essential as it will help to keep them hydrated and stave off hunger pangs.

To keep yourself in check and avoid excess sugar, limit the number of sweet snacks you pack in the lunchbox. Packing plenty of snacks and drinks will help prevent tantrums when hunger or thirst strikes on long journeys.

5. Have a Wet Weather Plan

When going on holiday in a caravan, it’s always a good idea to have some indoor activities up your sleeve if the weather worsens.

A simple board game or favourite DVD could fill any lulls in proceedings and put a smile back on their faces. Some parents might even bring along toys that will click and clack on the floor, keeping them amused for a few minutes while they do so.

Whatever activity you bring along, having something to entertain your youngsters will make all the difference to the journey ahead and help you stay relaxed and stress-free.

6. Make the Most of Your Outdoor Space

If you have an awning or partitions, it is a good idea to set them up, not just for you to have somewhere to sit and relax for an evening but also so the children have their play area where you can keep an eye on them if you are inside tending to any tasks.

Making the most of your outdoor space is essential, as is lighting the outdoor area if your awning or partitions are in place.

7. Keep to Your Usual Bedtime Routine

It can be tempting to keep children up later than usual while on holiday, but it can also cause problems when trying to get them to sleep because they might be overtired and irritable.

If you stick to your normal bedtime routine during the evenings, you can help everyone stay calm and relaxed.

8. Let the Children Help With the Packing

Letting the children help you pack for a trip away will help them feel involved in the planning and preparation and give them a sense of ownership over the trip.

Things like packing their lunchbox or washing up their cups at the sink will help them to feel positive about the trip and make them feel part of the process. This can also be a real-life saver because you will spend quality time with them and not worry about what they are up to.

9. Take Some Time Out for Yourself

It’s essential to have some adult time, even if it’s just for an hour or two each day.

This could be as simple as going out for a stroll or bike ride on a caravan holiday. Even if this simply involves sitting and reading a magazine or a book while supervised, this will give you some much-needed time to switch off and relax.

10. Have Realistic Expectations

Don’t expect everything to go perfectly, as there will inevitably be hiccups. However, preparation beforehand will help ensure that you and your children have a stress-free and enjoyable time away.

11. Keep Communication Open

If there are any problems, discuss them openly so everyone is on the same page.

Then everyone can work together to try and fix whatever went wrong. The bottom line is to try and keep communication open at all times, as this will help you achieve everything you set out to do on your holiday.

Everyone will be much happier and enjoy themselves much more if everyone is feeling relaxed, happy, and on an equal footing.

12. Don’t Forget the Essentials

You must pack all necessary items, such as food, clothing, and toiletries, so you won’t run out of anything while on vacation.

If you don’t pack the essentials, you don’t know if you will be able to find something at a nearby store.

13. Be Prepared for Emergencies

It’s always a good idea to have a first-aid kit on hand, as well as any other essentials.

Preparing for emergencies will give you peace of mind during your trip and make things easier for everyone. For example, if you are travelling with young children, a first-aid kit may be a good idea, just in case they injure themselves or fall ill.

14. Drive Safely

This is one of the most important things to remember, especially if you have young children in the car.

It may seem daunting at first, especially if it is your first time driving abroad, but your confidence will soon grow after you have been driving for a little while. It is well worth practising your driving skills beforehand to feel more at ease on the road.

15. Stick to a Budget

It’s easy to overspend when you’re on holiday, so set a budget in advance.

This will ensure you stay on track and do not overspend. An unnecessary purchase can add up and leave you with a hefty bill at the end of your holiday.

So try to stick to your budget and avoid unnecessary or unplanned expenses.

16. Don’t Forget to Have Fun

This is the most significant thing! After all, that’s what vacations are all about. Make sure you have lots of fun with your family! Stay positive and upbeat, and you will find that you have a wonderful time.

17. Take Plenty of Pictures

Make sure to take plenty of pictures! You will want to make many memories you can reflect on and enjoy. A photo album is the best memento.

18. Relax and Enjoy the Ride

Caravanning is a great way to see the country, so sit back and enjoy the scenery.

19. Make New Friends

You can make new friends from all over the country or world by caravanning. That’s one of the best things about it!

When you meet new people worldwide, you never know where your journey will take you! You may even exchange contact details and arrange a future holiday together.

Conclusion

Travelling with children can be daunting, but if you plan and pack sensibly, it can be a hugely enjoyable experience for the entire family.

At Northam Farm Caravan Sales, we understand the importance of family holidays and have years of experience helping families get on the road. Contact us today to learn more about our range of caravan holiday homes, and let us help take the hassle out of your next trip.