Serendipity Mommy

For happy, healthy, thriving moms

RV Travel Hacks For Moms

by

Travelling around the country or simply head off for a short yet sweet camping adventure with your best and littlest friends is no easy task. As a mother, you have so much to remember and plan for on a daily basis, you’re likely already pretty equipped to take on the challenges of a camping trip with the whole family along for a ride. There are, however, a couple of travel hacks that are going to help you on your way and make that upcoming adventure as smooth sailing and as successful as it possibly can be! These are as follows…

Your Camper Trailer is Your Best Friend

Firstly, never forget the value that your camper trailer has when you’re out there on the road with your kids. It’s your home away from home, protection, shade, bed, kitchen and bathroom all in one! Treat it with care and maintain it meticulously to ensure that your camper trailer is fighting fit all year round, not just when you’ve planned to take it out for a spin.

And if you’re still in the process of buying your first camper trailer or replacement for your old one it would be wise to first learn about different options you can choose from and learn different advices on owning one. There are variety of resources online like Cub Campers that can help you make smart decision on the type of camper that suits your needs.

Bring the Car Seats

Bring the car seats along to ensure that your kids are safe and secure whilst you’re driving to your chosen destination. You can strap those small ones in and be confident that they are nice and safe even when you’re tackling off road terrain! An adventurous spirit should never come before safety and security, so stayed prepared for any rocky roads or varying surfaces with your car seats, even if they are met with groans about being too old for them.

Sneaky Storage Solutions

Storage is a family’s finest asset! Try to prioritise smart storage solutions such as decanting your toiletries and kitchen essentials, rolling clothes instead of folding and minimising the amount of unnecessary clutter that tends to build up in your camper trailer packing collection overtime. Even the smallest storage adjustments can make a big impact in the long run, so don’t disregard the power of tweaking the smaller details.

Separate the Grown Ups’ Packing from the Kids’

You don’t want to have to fumble through toys, wipes and first aid just to try to find your keys or phone charger, do you? No! You spend the rest of your life doing that anyway! Make sure to separate your kit from your kids’ belongings to make finding your bits and bobs easier.

Bring Entertainment

A big mistake a lot of parents make when they take their kids camping is they ditch all forms of entertainment in an effort to get their children to embrace the great outdoors. The intention is great, but the execution? Not so much. If you want to get rid of the screens, that’s amazing, just be sure to bring plenty of arts and crafts, books, music and games to keep those active minds stimulated during downtime, evenings and bad weather days.

Pack Plenty of Food

This is an obvious one, but it is so imperative that it deserves a shout out every time you’re hunting for camping tips. Pre-plan every meal that you’ll be tucking into, bring plenty of dry snack and try to keep your breakfasts cold, dry and easy to eat to take a lot of work out of at least one of your meals.

Remember Your Own Relaxation

Lastly, please don’t forget that this getaway is as much for you as it is for the rest of your family! It is so easy to put everyone else before yourself and focus on everything going brilliantly instead of actually relaxing, but you really should. A relaxed, rested and happy parent is as important for your kids as an amazing trip is.

Planning The Perfect Camping Holiday For Your Family

by

A camping holiday is something that many Australian families enjoy. With so much spectacular natural beauty available, it is easy to see why camping is the perfect holiday for many Australians. If it is something that you are not familiar with, then here is some advice that can help you to prepare the ideal camping holiday for you and your family. With a little bit of planning and preparation, you can have the trip of a lifetime, in your own back garden. Who needs to fly abroad when you can enjoy the beautiful scenery that Australia has to offer?

Planning your Camping Trip

The first thing that you will need to do is to research where you are going to go camping, the time of year that you are going will also be an essential factor in choosing a suitable location, as well as the equipment that you will need to take with you. You can use the internet to search all the attractions in your closest national park which will show you what you can do on your family adventure, and there are lots of things to keep everyone entertained.

  • Kayaking
  • Hiking
  • Cycling
  • Swimming
  • Wildlife Watching
  • Relaxing

Make Sure You Have The Correct Equipment

You will also need to ensure that you have all the correct equipment for when you are camping to not only remain comfortable but also to prepare for any eventuality. If you are camping during the colder months of the year, then you may need a sleeping bag with a higher TOG rating, than if you are going during the warm summer months. You will need to be able to take plenty of water with you, more than you need for your trip, just in case you end up staying longer than expected for whatever reason. The night time in the bush can also be deadly with some of the poisonous insects, reptiles, and other dangerous animals that can be found in the Australian wilderness. As such, you may wish to check out Hard Korr Australia’s folding camping solar panels which will give you all of the light that you need at night time when you need to run to the toilet quickly or get yourself a drink of water. Another essential piece of equipment that you will need is a first aid kit, and depending on how far in the Outback you are going, a satellite phone may also be a handy addition to your equipment.

Check With The Local Park Authority

It is also a good idea to check the parksaustralia.gov.au website, as here you will not only be able to see a list of all the popular activities that are on offer, but you will also be able to find out about any warning or restrictions that may be in place. If you need some general advice and cannot find the answer on their website, send them a quick email, and they will be able to respond with the information that you require.

If you prepare for any eventuality, you will be ready no matter what your family camping trip throws at you. You may end up taking some kit that you do not use, but it is better to have it and not need it, rather than need it than not have it. With a little preparation, you will be able to plan the perfect holiday for your family and get to explore some of the great outdoors that Australia has to offer.

Outdoor Travel: 5 Tips to Enjoy It With Kids

by

Have you always enjoyed outdoor travel but can’t do it more often because of the kids? These tips will help you enjoy the great outdoors with your children.

While we may have more digital distractions than a generation ago, family trips are still popular.

About a third of families vacation together, with more than half choosing outdoor travel excursions. Not all family vacations work out, of course.

This is especially true for families that have kids. Keeping the little ones entertained can be a challenge outdoors. Don’t worry, we have the perfect tips to make your next trip a good one.

Here are five big ways that you can make sure everyone has fun together!

1. Be Flexible with Destinations

One common, yet fatal flaw, with family vacations is trying to do too much. When it comes to outdoor travel, you definitely don’t want to overdo it. Kids need the freedom to roam and be kids.

The best strategy is to set goals, but only reveal them one at a time. This keeps kids anticipating the next surprise, while avoiding the time crunch.

The journey should be more important than the destination.

2. Prepare and Pre-prepare

Don’t leave any room for regret, shortcomings, or risks of any kind. Your outdoor travel preparations should start at least a month in advance. If you have to save up for the trip, make sure you have your finances in order.

Kids will be able to tell when you’re being “cheap” or holding back on travel items. Prioritize health, convenience, entertainment, and food expenses. Kids who don’t do a lot of outdoor travel may get bored easily. That’s where cool outdoor gadgets are your best friends.

3. Beat the Elements

If you’re going somewhere that has weather outside your usual, buy proper clothes. Buy backup clothes, too, so the kids can get dirty or wet and not be worried. Be the parents who lug that extra bag along to ensure everyone is comfortable.

If you are going camping, you can cheat a bit by using an awning to create more protection. This avoids having to haul big tents along with your gear. 4WD Supacentre has a great selection of awnings for different vehicles.

4. Don’t Overexert Yourself

If you’re going on a trail by foot, make sure you know where all the rest stops are. Pacing is so important outdoors. Nobody wants to explore the woods when they have leg cramps and sore feet.

Use landmarks to keep morale high among the kids. This also motivates them to keep going and not get too distracted along the way. Check with everyone and make sure they are staying hydrated.

Thirsty travelers can get cranky and lead to headaches and cramping.

5. Make it a Habit

The best way to improve your traveling experience with your kids outdoors is to do it often. Once they get used to all the walking, lack of electricity, and problem-solving, they’ll fall in line. Not in the forced punishment kind of way, but in a “Hey, I know what to do!”

More Outdoor Travel Ideas

We hope these tips take your travels to the next level. If you are curious about exploring more outdoor destinations, we have lots of great info.

Go ahead and check out our travel blog to get inspired.

Happy trails!

15 Camping Activities Your Children Will Love

by

Summertime provides the family with a perfect opportunity to explore the great outdoors with a camping trip. However, before you set-off on your adventure, it would be wise to plan some camping activities to keep the children entertained throughout the experience. Check out these fifteen camping activities your child will love.


  1. Make Delicious S’mores

Nothing tastes sweeter than a scrumptious s’more around a campfire. Tell scary ghost stories that your children will love as you melt together marshmallows and chocolate onto a cracker or another s’more recipe. You can guarantee the taste of the treat will linger on their tongue all evening long, providing the perfect end to a fantastic day of camping.


  1. An Animal Checklist

If you are camping in a state or national park, we recommend finding out about the animals who live there in advance. You can then create a fun checklist for your children, so they can tick an animal off their list as soon as they spot one. You can guarantee they will love looking for squirrels, deer and ducks.


  1. Cook Over a Campfire

Allow your children to help you create delicious camp cooking recipes for all the family over a campfire. It’s a great way to get your children involved in the camping experience, while teaching them how to cook, which are skills they can use later in life.


  1. Flashlight Tag

There are a million and one ways to entertain your little ones on a camping trip. For a game that will have them laughing out loud, play flashlight tag as a family. The goal is for a player to shine a light on another family member’s clothing, who will have to dodge out of the way to avoid the light shining on them. However, ensure you play in an uncluttered space that’s away from the campfire!


  1. Sing Songs Around a Campfire

There’s no better time to enjoy a family sing-a-long than when you’re sitting around the campfire. It’s the perfect time to let your vocal talents shine or to get a little silly, using different voices and singing different songs. You could even make a campfire song up as a family that you can sing on every trip.


  1. Create Shadow Puppets

Capture your child’s imagination by making fun shadow puppets when the sun goes down. You can create images of animals and characters using your hands or by using cardboard images. They’ll love it so much they will probably try to create their own, so it’s a great way to encourage your little one’s creativity.


  1. Play Board Games

While many campers will pray for the sunshine, it does not always come out as hoped. Ensure the children will have fun whatever the weather by taking along some board games. From Pop Up Pirate to Monopoly, there is a game to suit the whole family. It will stop your children from feeling bored so that they will embrace the experience from start to finish.


  1. Teach Your Child the Constellations

Encourage your children to fall in love with astronomy by teaching them about constellations during a camping trip. If possible, point out constellations such as Ursa Major or Ursa Minor, plus more. You could even develop their interest by giving them a children’s astronomy book before your camping trip or by telling them facts about the solar system, star formation or the milky way.


  1. An Explorer Journal

Buy your little one a journal that allows them to write about the many different sights, sounds and smells around a campsite. They can use the journal to write a diary or stories, or they can even draw pictures of animals, bugs or their favorite memories from the vacation.


  1. Charades

A game of charades can provide plenty of family fun before bedtime. The whole camp will be laughing their layers off as you try to figure out a word. It’s a great way for your children to unleash their creativity and enjoy some fun away from a smartphone or tablet.


  1. Glow in the Dark Ring Toss

One inexpensive game that’s ideal for an evening around the campfire is the glow in the dark ring toss game. All you need is a small pole and some glow in the dark bracelets to get started. Each member of the family should pick one glow stick color and whoever lands the most rings around the pole wins the game.


  1. A Scavenger Hunt

Give your children a bag to enjoy a scavenger hunt around the campsite. Ensure you follow them as they run around to find different objects to put in a bag. You could even place items you want them to find in different locations to make the game more memorable for your little one. Once the game is over, empty their bag to see what treasures they have found and tick objects off your scavenger hunt list.


  1. Play Catch

Every child likes to play catch, even when they’re enjoying camping. If your son or daughter becomes a little restless, it’s a great way to entertain them and tire them out at the same time.  Add an element of danger to the game by playing with a water balloon, if the weather is good enough of course. They will be laughing about the game all day long and will sleep peacefully in their sleeping bags throughout the night.


  1. Go on a Hike

Most campsites are located near different hiking trails for different skill levels. Opt for a family-friendly trail that will allow your children to explore nature without having to walk too far. You could even ask them to find a good walking stick along the way.


  1. Rent a Canoe

Take your children on a trip across a lake in a canoe. They’ll love nothing more than absorbing their surroundings, staring into the lake or attempting to row the canoe across the water. Don’t be scared to show your son or daughter how to hold a canoe paddle and allow them to put the paddle in the water.  It’s a great family activity your children will remember long after the camping trip is over.

get children’s educational toys from dhgate.com

Recent Posts

Calling All Moms!

Welcome to Serendipitymommy.com! The woman and parenting resource brought to you by a mom, for moms. I also write articles about travel, business, finance and many more subjects to take your super-momness to the next level!