Tips for travelling with children in a motorhome
If you are thinking about taking a family trip, a motorhome could be your best ally. A motorhome trip with children combines adventure, comfort and freedom: you are not dependent on hotel schedules, you can stop whenever you need to, and the kids feel like they are travelling in a “little house on wheels”. But to make the experience truly enjoyable, it is best to be prepared.
In this article, we have compiled several tips for travelling with children in a motorhome: safety, organising space, meals, sleep and, very importantly, how to avoid the “Are we there yet?” question every ten minutes.
Why is travelling with children in a motorhome a good idea?
Travelling by motorhome with children has many advantages:
Flexible routine: they can take naps, play, read or draw without depending on a hotel.
Contact with nature: many overnight stays are in quiet areas, close to beaches, lakes or mountains.
Constant learning: maps, new towns, languages, rules of coexistence… the journey becomes a practical lesson.
Sensación de hogar: aunque cambies de sitio, los peques mantienen su cama, sus cosas y su entorno conocido.
Of course, for the plan to work, it is important to adapt the pace of the trip to them: fewer kilometres per day and more planned stops.
Basic safety for travelling with children in a motorhome
Safety is the first thing when we talk about tips for travelling with children. a5> tips for travelling with children in a motorhome:
Approved child seats and booster seats: just like in a car, each child must use a child restraint system appropriate for their age and weight.
Seats with seat belts: you may only travel in seats equipped with seat belts (not on side sofas without seat belts or beds).
Nothing loose while driving: large toys, bottles or backpacks must be stored away; they could fly out if you brake suddenly.
Clear rules: before setting off, make it clear that while the motorhome is moving, no one is to stand up, walk around or play in the aisle.
A good trick is to make the seatbelt part of the ‘travel ritual’: put on the seatbelt, choose some music or an audio story and… off you go.
Organisation of space when travelling with the family
Space is limited in a motorhome, and even more so with children. Good organisation can be the difference between “what a pleasure” and “what chaos”.
Sleeping area for children
Si hay literas, suelen ser el rincón favorito de los niños: conviértelas en su “cueva” con una pequeña luz, un peluche y su cojín.
If they sleep on a convertible sofa bed in the living room, try to make it quick and easy to set up so that they can help you.
Bring bedding that is easy to put on and take off, and a small bag or box to store pyjamas during the day.
The clearer it is who sleeps where, the fewer night-time negotiations you will have.
Toy and entertainment corner
There is no need to empty the games room:
Choose a few well-chosen toys: small building blocks, dolls, cars, a notebook, colours…
Use a box, bag or basket as ‘the travel toy box’ and always keep it in the same place.
Avoid toys with lots of tiny pieces that will end up scattered all over the motorhome.
A good idea is to let each child choose a limited number of things to take with them. This also teaches them how to select.
Meals and routines: how to maintain balance
One of the best tips for travelling with children in a motorhome is to maintain certain routines:
Approximate meal times: it is not necessary to be exact, but it is important to maintain a routine so that they do not become too unsettled.
Always have healthy snacks on hand: fruit, nuts (depending on age), plain biscuits, breadsticks… this way you can avoid untimely hunger pangs.
Combine meals inside and outside: some days at a restaurant or bar, others with home cooking in the motorhome, which can also be part of the fun for them.
Hydration: on the road, people talk, sing, run… and sometimes drink very little. Bring reusable bottles for everyone.
As for sleep, respect their hours as much as possible. A very tired child in a small space is not the best company.
Ideas for keeping children entertained during the journey
To make the kilometres go by faster:
Games of road: count lorries of a colour, look for number plates from different counties or countries, invent stories with what you see outside the window.
Audio stories and music: these work great because they don’t make you feel as dizzy as looking at screens.
Kits for simple crafts : stickers, colouring books, mazes, puzzles…
Tablets or screens: they can be used, of course, but it is better to use them in moderation and with downloaded content so as not to depend on the connection.
The ideal is to mix moments of entertainment with moments of a6> simply looking out the window and chatting, so that they do not become overwhelmed.
Final tips for enjoying your family trip
Finally, here are some tips for travelling with children in a motorhome that often make all the difference:
Fewer stops, but well chosen: it is better to make a few cool stops (beach, park, grassy area) than many stops in places that are of no interest to them.
Let them participate: help set the table, choose the next stop on the map, or pick up their things.
Always have a “plan B” in case it rains or a place is full: another nearby town, an alternative area, an indoor game ready to go.
Accept that there will be noise, toys everywhere and moments of tiredness: it is part of the journey, just as it is at home.
Travelling in a motorhome with children is not about doing it “despite them”, but with them and for them. With a good dose of patience, some organisation and realistic expectations, it can become the whole family’s favourite way to discover new places together.
