RVing is an adventure. RVing with kids can take things to a whole other level. Whether you’re a parent taking your kids on their first adventure, or grandparents with camping grandbabies, children can be unpredictable. You never know how much entertaining you’ll have to do at the campsite.
Here’s a list of kid-friendly RV and camping activities sure to please every kid out there.
Traditional Kid-Friendly Activities
Luckily for you, RVing is naturally kid-friendly. Children love being out in nature. And are usually happy to just explore their surroundings. This means you can keep everyone engaged and entertained by doing the kinds of things you would do anyway.
Fishing
As an avid RVer myself, I’ve found a lot of RV parks and campgrounds have some sort of fishing hole. My daughter loves grabbing her fishing rod and heading to the water when we arrive at a new campsite.
When you think about it camping and fishing really go well together, don’t they? They’re both peaceful, outdoor activities, and fishing can be an exciting learning experience for your child.
Hiking
You really can’t go wrong with a hike. Especially in mild weather, your kids will love hitting the trail. I know mine does. While researching RV parks and campgrounds, you should look for a trail system. This can be in the campground, or nearby.
State parks are wonderful places to set up the RV for a few days and enjoy hours of hiking as a family. You can also stay in nearby campgrounds that bring you close to the state park.
Many RV parks will have their own walking trails as well. I’ve been to KOAs and Jellystone Parks that have their own small trails. They are usually very easy hikes and short. These trails work for anyone traveling with young children.
With that said, don’t worry if the RV park you want to stay at doesn’t have any. Just going for a walk around the park can be a really fun kid-friendly RV activity. Our family loves to walk around when we arrive at a new park. It’s really fun to look at everyone’s setups and chat with other RVers.
Wherever you decide to hike, your kids will enjoy the fresh air and spotting wildlife. Just be sure to carry some snacks with your so they keep from getting hungry.
Build a Campfire
The campfire is quite possibly the most anticipated and exciting event while RVing. Everyone, young and old, looks forward to gathering around the fire, telling stories, and roasting marshmallows.
Also, creating the fire can be just as much fun! Have the kids gather the kindling on their hike. Or bring newspaper for them to crinkle up before nightfall. Take them to the campground store and have them purchase the firewood. Then show them how to put it all together to start the fire.
If you’re like me and don’t know how to start the fire, let them help you learn. Get out a tablet, computer, or smartphone and let them do some research for you on YouTube. Getting them to help build the campfire is going to make those s’mores so much sweeter, and it’s a great learning experience.
DIY Kid-Friendly RV Activities
While traditional kid-friendly RV activities can provide hours of fun and exploration, sometimes it’s just not enough. Here are some activities that require a little more prep on your part, but are guaranteed fun on your next camping trip.
Cornhole
This is a timeless RV tradition, and your kids will love it. You can make your own set of toss boards or buy the game at your local big box store or Camping World.
I recommend cornhole as a kid-friendly RV activity for three main reasons:
- It doesn’t require a lot of supervision. You can set it up and allow the kids to play to their hearts’ content.
- It doesn’t require a lot of skill. For older kids, they can truly play for the sport of it. And for younger kids, they can just as easily enjoy by playing close-up and gathering the bean bags for other players.
- You can play as a family. This is a game that everyone loves and will want to play. Kids won’t get bored before parents, and vice versa. You can truly bond over a game of cornhole.
I also love this game because it gets the kids outside and moving. Which is the whole point of RVing with them anyway, right?
Water Balloon Batting Practice
This is my absolute favorite camping game, and it really is fun for kids of all ages. Just pack a baseball bat or two and some water balloons on your next RV trip. Fill the balloons, line up the kids, and start having a good time.Have the kids take turns between pitching and batting. Both are really fun.
I like this game the most not only because it involves water, but because you can play for a long time. It can take a few tries for your kids to actually break the water balloons. The pitcher has to learn how to throw the balloon properly, too.
With both the batter and the pitcher learning the specifics of the game, it lasts a long time. It also provides a lot of laughs for the players as well as the spectators.
Laundry basket frisbee golf
Frisbee golf has exploded in popularity over the last decade. Let your kids in on the fun with this simple version you can make yourself.
First, remember how to play:
Toss a frisbee into the target. The player with the lowest amount of throws wins!
While I’ve been to some campgrounds that have frisbee golf courses, most don’t. Fortunately, it’s a very easy game to replicate. Before you head to the campground, make a trip to the dollar store and buy 4-6 small laundry baskets and some frisbees. Label each basket with a number.
When you get to the campground, set up the baskets in various places around your site, in an open field, etc. Now let your kids have the frisbees. They’ll take care of the rest. You can keep score easily on a piece of paper, or let them do it to add to the fun.
While there are hundreds of things for your kids to do at the RV park, these are some of the most fun for my family.
What activities will you try out on your next camping trip? Leave a comment below!
