First time road-tripping with kids? Exploring Sydney sites while getting some quality time in a campervan is something every family should experience. It’s chaotic at times, but you’ll share tons of unforgettable memories. That being said, it’s best to go into this adventure with your eyes wide open and prepared for everything, and that’s what brought you here.
In this article we’re going to cover some of the best survival tips you should implement on your road trips to help minimise the worrisome scenarios and make your family roadtrip a memorable experiece in the best way possible. Let’s get going!
Contents
1. Always be prepared for the unexpected
No matter how big or small your family is or how old your kids are, always anticipate that some things are not going to go according to plan. The golden rule of van life—always be prepared! This will cover all the scopes of van life, from the important administrative tasks like making sure you have adequate campervan insurance and roadside assistance to checking that all the necessary safety essentials are on board to the nitty-gritty details of making sure you have enough toilet paper.
2. Pack what you REALLY need
Even if you rent one of the bigger campervans, you’re still going to be confined to a certain amount of space for hours on end, and when you’ve got kids, you need all the available space you can get – so try as best you can to avoid over-packing.
At the same time, you don’t want to underpack either. So, even if the weather forecast says that it’s going to be clear skies ahead – pack the rainboots and windcheaters. Remember that layering is your friend. As far as entertainment and toys go, make sure there’s enough to keep your kids entertained but not too much that they take up too much space.
To make sure you’ve got everything you need, check with your rental company and camping spots to see what is included in the vehicle and at the site. This way, you’ll know if there’s anything else you need to bring. Small things like dishwashing soap, a mini washing line and cutlery are easy to overlook but make all the difference on the trip.
3. Do your research before choosing a campsite
When it comes to travelling with kids, you don’t want to drag around for too long in the day unless you love dealing with cranky kids. Look for camping grounds that offer various family-friendly activities and amenities and ones that are close to as many of the attractions as possible (preferably on foot). We’re talking about checking for ones with swimming pools, jungle gyms, close to restaurants, the works!
Another make or break for the campsite is checking that the sites are flat. For those in a campervan, it’s absolutely essential to park on flat ground to prevent the vehicle from rolling, to make sure you sleep comfortably and ensure that everything in storage stays in the right place.
4. Maximise your living space with pop-up tents or an awning
The key to a successful camping trip is to make sure you have as much space as possible, whether that be while on the road or when you’ve set up camp. You can do this by getting a pop-up tent or awnings that will extend your ‘living room’ at the campsite – these are great for storing things you’ll be using every day, too.
5. Be flexible
By the time you’ve gotten to the point where you’re confident enough to travel with your kids, you should have learnt the art of being flexible. Being flexible with your plans is key to surviving road trips with kids. Make sure your chosen routes have enough pit stops for them to stretch their legs and go to the bathroom. Also, include them when making plans, so it makes it more exciting for them.
6. Prioritise entertainment
There will be days where you spend a few minutes on the road and others where you’ll be in the van for a few hours – either way; you need to find ways to keep your kids entertained. Nobody wants to hear the infamous words “I’m bored” 50,000 times in one sitting. So, whether it’s magnetic boardgames, iPads, books or toys, pack them and have a plan to keep the fun times rolling.
7. Choose the right vehicle
Along the same lines as maximising space, a big part of this is choosing the right vehicle. When travelling as a family, make sure that everyone feels as comfortable and relaxed as possible on the road – the worst thing is feeling cramped when you’re on the road for hours.
A few things you’ll need to consider are:
- Is the campervan big enough to fit everyone?
- Is there enough space to comfortably fit all the luggage?
- What is the fuel consumption like?
- What are the travel limits per day?
The vehicle you choose will make or break your trip, so make sure to do your homework and get the one that best suits your budget and needs. Check out cheap campervan hire options in Sydney here!
Final Thoughts
Road-tripping with kids is no easy feat, so you’ve made the right decision by trying to get as many tips as possible. With these survival tips, you should be prepared for almost anything and be well on your way to experiencing an adventure that you and your kids won’t forget!