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Reposted from the KOA blog:
Many parents can’t wait to pass their love for camping and the outdoors onto their child, but did you know that infancy and the toddler years are actually the best time to do it? Research shows that much of a child’s important brain development happens within the first few years. One of the best ways to establish a sense of learning and curiosity in your baby is to expose them to different types of stimulating experiences. Camping is full of exciting sights, sounds, textures and smells that your child will love exploring.
Early childhood is the ideal time to start taking camping vacations because you don’t have to worry about school schedules or find a sitter when relaxing in the outdoors for a few days. A camping trip can help teach your child how to adapt to new environments and situations, which is a skill they will continue to develop into childhood. For parents, camping with your infant or toddler means you have an excuse to wake up early each morning and catch the sunrise. Compared to older children, babies are much more flexible when it comes to the activities you participate in.
Camping with your infant or toddler allows you to start creating lasting memories right from the start. Even if your child is too young to remember the details of the outing, regular camping trips will begin to foster a sense of adventure and interest in the world around them. RVs allow you to enjoy all of these camping-related benefits but from the comfort of a controlled, familiar environment.
Keep reading to learn some helpful tips and tricks for successful RV travel with toddlers.
Today, RVs have more features and layouts than ever before. As you search for the best RV for your family, always check for:
Some families have found success with RVs like the Keystone Avalanche, Fleetwood Flair, Holiday Rambler Vacationer and Keystone Laredo because of spacious layouts with bunk areas, ample storage and built-in bathrooms. Choose your RV carefully — it will be your new home away from home!
In addition to standard camping essentials, be sure to bring along everything you need for your infant or toddler’s daily routine and a few extra supplies to make the trip easier. Here is some RV gear for infants you may want to consider:
Once you have found the perfect RV and packed your suitcases full of baby-friendly camping gear, it is time for your camping trip! Here are nine tips to help you have a successful RV trip with your baby.
Many parents find it useful to bring a pop-up playpen or fenced-in baby enclosure to set up at the campsite. This way, you can put your toddler inside with their favorite toys and watch them play from the comfort of your camping chair. When creating a play area at your campsite, make sure it is on level ground, far away from any rocks, tree roots or the fire ring. If you want to keep your little one off the ground, bring along a foam mat or soft, interlocking tiles to create a mess-free play area.
If you are a parent, you already know the importance of babyproofing everything. Here are some tips for babyproofing your RV:
While outside, be aware of potential dangers, such as poisonous plants, biting insects, wildlife and the fire pit.
Work your way up to extended RV camping trips by starting with short trips not too far from home. This way, you can see how your baby responds to the changes and whether there are any additional considerations you need to account for. If a weekend away still seems like a big step, that’s okay! Set your RV up at home and have a trial run. Once you have mastered the trial run and the weekend trip, gradually increase the amount of time and distance traveled for each camping trip.
The best way to transition into infant and toddler RVing is to stick to your child’s established schedule. This includes when they wake up and go to bed, mealtime and playtime. Since you are on a camping trip, find unique ways to incorporate this routine into your camping traditions. If your child is an early riser, encourage the whole family to wake up and catch the sunrise and enjoy an early campfire breakfast. You could also make nap time the part of your trip where you focus on relaxation. If your baby is young enough to sleep in their car seat or in a baby carrier, pack a picnic and enjoy some time by the water or at a nearby park until they wake up. By sticking to a familiar schedule, everyone will be more comfortable and know what to expect. There will also be minimal readjustments to make once you return home.
Although camping trips are a good time to kick back and unwind, exploring the outdoors and caring for a baby at the same time can be a little tiring. It is also possible that the change in scenery or sleeping conditions might make it difficult for you and your baby to feel fully rested on your trip. To combat this, make sure you get plenty of quality sleep before your camping vacation. By starting your journey refreshed, you are setting yourself up for success.
One of the biggest challenges when RVing with kids — especially young ones — is bedtime. One simple way to help a toddler sleeping in an RV to stay asleep is to designate a baby-only sleep area. Make this area as comfortable and familiar as possible, including their usual bedding.
Consider the following:
If you choose to camp somewhere primitive or without access to electricity or clean water, don’t forget to bring some with you. You can find gallon jugs of water at the grocery store, and they are great for ensuring safe bathing, drinking and bottle-washing water. If your baby is drinking formula, ask your pediatrician for specific guidance.
Remember not to let your child drink from or expose them to river, pond, stream or lake water if you are hiking or traveling away from the campground. Though beautiful to look at, these sources often contain contaminants such as parasites, bacteria and viruses.
Regardless of the destination, always expect to go through more clothes than you normally do at home. This is a general rule of camping that applies to both babies and adults. Because your baby will be exposed to dirt and is more likely to sweat, bring plenty of backup outfits. If your RV does not accommodate a washer and dryer, stay at a campground with on-site laundry facilities so you can keep your suitcases light and prevent staining.
Look for a campground that is safe, clean and near family-friendly attractions. Choose a destination that has a good balance of grown-up fun and activities that a toddler will enjoy. For example, many places have aquariums and zoos that your little one will love, as well as easy walking trails and sightseeing opportunities.
With these tips in mind, RVing with your infant or toddler is sure to be an exciting and memorable adventure for all of you. KOA has more than 500 locations across North America, and each one has everything you need for a fun camping trip — including on-site amenities that allow you to have a good time while remaining a short walk away from your RV. Every KOA RV Site is level and spacious enough for the whole family. Choose from either Back-In or Pull-Thru Sites, as well as full 30 or 50-amp electrical hook-ups. Many KOA locations also have RV Sites with KOA Patio™, a spacious on-site patio area that provides additional seating and extra amenities.
Visit KOA online to learn more about RV Sites and reserve a stay for your family today!
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Make checkout easy by booking all your reservations at once. Add your sites from different campgrounds into your shopping cart* and then choose checkout.