Rving With Kids: Fun Activities And Games To Keep Them Busy

Camping with children can be a great way to introduce them to nature. It’s also an opportunity to bond with your kids, who will love spending time outdoors. 

You’ll want to make sure you have ample activities planned for them while you’re camping so they don’t get bored and restless or begin bothering other campers. 

Travel Activities for Kids – Fun Finds for Road Trips
Takeaways
RV trips can be an exciting way to explore the great outdoors with your family.
Planning ahead and bringing the right gear can make your trip more enjoyable.
There are many fun and creative ways to keep kids entertained during RV trips and camping adventures.
Road trips and camping provide opportunities for outdoor activities, education, and quality family time.
With the right planning and mindset, RVing and camping can be a fulfilling and rewarding way to travel.

Here are some fun things you can do with your kids at the campsite:

Campground Scavenger Hunt

You’ll need:

A list of things to find. This can be anything from a specific type of plant and animal to the name of a bird.

A printed copy of the list. Use one page per item on your list and print it out (or make copies) at home before you head out into the great outdoors. That way, if anyone loses their list, they don’t lose all the hard work that went into making it! 

You may also want to keep track of where everyone found each item so that when you get back to camp, you can award prizes for first place through last place based on who found which items first or most frequently (depending on how many people are participating).

When we say “find” something, we mean either seeing/observing it in person or collecting tangible evidence that verifies its existence for example, if my scavenger hunt has me look for “a piece of amber” as one item on my list, then I might collect some pieces of amber while hiking through trees near our campsite so I can show them off later and prove that yes indeed there was indeed some amber within those woods.

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I Spy

  • The I Spy game is a great way to keep your children engaged and entertained during long car rides, or when you need a break from the open road.
  • When you play this game with kids, they will develop their observation skills while having fun at the same time!
  • You can play I Spy anywhere: in an airplane cabin, on your RV deck (as long as it’s not windy), or even in your hotel room if the weather is bad outside.
  • This game is also beneficial because it helps build empathy between everyone involved in the activity.

Rock Painting

Rock painting is a simple activity that you can do with your kids at home. Gather rocks from the backyard or park, then use some acrylic paints and paintbrushes to get creative. 

You can either buy acrylic paint in tubes, or make it yourself using cornstarch and water (just add a few tablespoons of cornstarch to 4 cups water).

When painting on rocks, the key is not to go too heavy on the paint because this will eventually drip off onto anything else you set them down on later.

Use an old towel to protect your table top during this process as well! This is also an excellent opportunity for children to learn how colors work together by mixing different shades they have chosen themselves into one master piece; don’t be surprised if they start experimenting with their own unique combinations!

If doing this activity outside isn’t possible then try placing all materials on a tray covered by newspaper before moving inside somewhere dry where there aren’t any potential messes like carpets etcetera (it’s best not having those types things around when doing arts & crafts).

Type of Rock PaintingDescription
Mandala Rock PaintingSymmetrical patterns and designs that promote relaxation and mindfulness.
Animal Rock PaintingPainting animals, insects, or creatures on rocks for a fun and creative project.
Inspirational Word Rock PaintingPainting inspiring words or quotes on rocks to spread positivity and motivation.
Nature-Themed Rock PaintingPainting natural elements such as trees, leaves, flowers, and landscapes on rocks.
Abstract Rock PaintingUsing a variety of colors and shapes to create abstract designs and patterns on rocks.

Rope Making And Knot Tying

Making a rope and tying knots is a great way to keep kids busy. It’s easy, it’s fun, and the results are useful for many other activities like making a hammock or building shelters.

Here’s how to do it:

Get some rope about 3 feet long that hasn’t been treated with chemicals or coated in plastic (you can find this at any hardware store). Make sure you leave one end of the rope long enough to tie up into something else!

Cut off the other end by cutting diagonally across the middle of your rope using safety scissors (or better yet, an adult should do this). 

This will make two strands that look like they’re tied together at first glance but aren’t actually tied together until someone pulls them apart. These strands will be used later when making things like ladders or bridges… just remember not to cut too much off!

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Nature Bingo

Nature bingo is a great way to keep kids entertained while teaching them about nature. You can make your own bingo cards with pictures of various items found in nature and use them for both picture and word bingo. 

For example, on one side of the card draw a picture of a dandelion seed head and write “dandelion” underneath it. 

On the other side, draw another image that represents something else you might see while rving – this time write down the word “butterfly” next to it (or whatever word you think would work). 

Use words that are related but not identical like “dragonfly” or “grasshopper.” As you travel through different environments, add new images as needed so everyone has something fresh to look forward too!

Pebble Tic Tac Toe

These are some pebble tic tac toe boards that I made in the desert.

  • First, use sticks to draw a grid on the ground, like so:
  • Then, place stones at each intersection of your grid (if you don’t have any rocks around and can’t find any small enough to fit in the spaces, just leave them empty).
  • Finally, pick a player and give them one stone. The winner is whoever gets three in a row first!

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Camping Bingo

  • Print out the downloaded camping bingo cards and cut them up into smaller pieces.
  • Give each child a handful of bingo cards to put in their basket or bag.

Read the first number, which will be the name of a place you are camping at that night. Have your kids sit quietly for about 30 seconds and then say “bingo!” if they have a card with that number on it in their basket/bag (they can use any color pen or crayon to write down their number). 

The first person who gets 5 numbers right wins! If you’re not playing with other people, keep going until someone gets all 6 numbers right within an hour or two of playing this game together – then stop and go do something else!

Type of Camping BingoDescription
Scavenger Hunt BingoPlayers find and mark off items on the bingo card as they explore the campground.
Nature BingoBingo card includes items found in nature such as birds, plants, and rocks.
Camper BingoBingo card includes items related to camping such as tents, campfires, and RVs.
Animal BingoBingo card includes pictures or names of animals that can be found in the wilderness.
Hiking BingoBingo card includes items that can be seen or found on a hiking trail such as flowers, bugs, and trail markers.

Collecting Sticks, Rocks And Pinecones

Collecting sticks, rocks and pinecones can be a fun activity for kids. It’s a great way to get them outdoors, explore nature and work their muscles.

Pinecones are cones that are produced by various types of pine trees. They can be found in mountain forests or on the sides of roads during autumn (fall).

Rocks are pieces of stone that have been broken off from a larger piece. You can find rocks on the side of the road or by digging in your backyard or at the beach!

Sticks generally come from trees but sometimes they’re called twigs instead because they’re smaller than branches. They’re often shaped like pencils with leaves still attached at one end when you find them outside after falling off a tree over time through rot or weathering conditions like freezing temperatures causing wood decay which causes death.

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Sand Playdough

Sand playdough is a fun activity for kids. It’s easy to make, and can be made in any color you want. The best part is that you can use it indoors or out!

Materials Needed: flour, salt, water (and other ingredients if desired)

Steps: Mix 1 cup of flour with 2 cups of salt in a bowl. Add 1/2 cup hot water at first and mix thoroughly until blended together (you may need more hot water depending on how dry your flour is). You can also add ingredients like glitter or food coloring to make it more fun!

Bring A Favorite Toy To Play With Outside

If you want your child to stay entertained while RVing, bring along his favorite toy and let him play with it outside. 

Kids love to play with water and sand, so take advantage of this by bringing along buckets and shovels so they can make a sand castle or dig in the dirt. They may also enjoy collecting rocks or pinecones as souvenirs from your travels. 

If your kids like to draw, try making rock paintings: simply take a piece of paper and place it on top of a flat rock (or any smooth surface), then have your child use different colors of paint brushes to paint on top of the paper!

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Conclusion

We hope this post has given you some ideas for fun activities to do with your kids while camping. 

It can be hard to keep them busy when they’re confined to a campsite, but hopefully we’ve given you some inspiration with these ideas! 

And remember if all else fails, just bring a favorite toy outside and let them play in the dirt.

Further Reading

Here are some additional articles that may be helpful for planning an RV trip with kids:

6 Best Ways to Keep Kids Entertained in the RV: This article offers creative ideas for keeping kids of all ages entertained on long RV trips, from playing classic road trip games to trying out new hobbies.

Road Trip Activities for Kids: This blog post provides a comprehensive list of fun and educational activities to keep kids engaged and entertained during a road trip, including scavenger hunts, storytelling, and more.

25 Camping Activities That Will Keep Your Kids Busy All Summer: If you’re looking for ideas for outdoor activities to do while camping, this article has you covered. It includes a variety of games, crafts, and outdoor adventures that are perfect for keeping kids active and engaged.

FAQs

What are some popular RV destinations for families with kids?

Some popular RV destinations for families with kids include national parks like Yellowstone and Yosemite, beach destinations like the Florida Keys and Myrtle Beach, and family-friendly theme parks like Disney World and Universal Studios.

What should I pack for an RV trip with kids?

When packing for an RV trip with kids, it’s important to bring a variety of clothing for different weather conditions, as well as toys, games, and other forms of entertainment. You’ll also want to stock up on groceries and other supplies before hitting the road.

How can I keep my kids entertained on long RV trips?

There are many ways to keep kids entertained on long RV trips, including playing road trip games, listening to audiobooks or podcasts, watching movies, and trying out new hobbies like knitting or painting.

How can I make RV travel more comfortable for my kids?

To make RV travel more comfortable for your kids, consider investing in comfortable bedding and pillows, packing their favorite snacks and drinks, and creating a designated play area in the RV. You can also encourage them to get involved in trip planning and navigation.

How can I ensure my kids stay safe while RVing?

To ensure your kids stay safe while RVing, make sure they understand basic safety rules like wearing a seatbelt while the RV is in motion and not playing near the stove or other potential hazards. You should also have a first aid kit and emergency supplies on hand in case of accidents or injuries.