Conquer the chaos: Caravan must-haves for a smooth family trip

The excitement of a new adventure can create some chaos when the family is off on a holiday. For those who have been doing it for years, it’s almost a given.

Each trip brings discoveries, adventure, and laughter, and with each trip, the family writes another chapter into their storybook, certain to include some tall tales over the years. 

It’s all about the joy of finding hidden gems off the beaten path, playing imaginative games, and creating memories of campfire tales. 

Still, camping with kids can be an adventure of its own kind, with all sorts of challenges thrown into the mix. So we are here to give you some tips on conquering the chaos that can come with caravanning with kids, using our top caravan must-haves.

Whether you are a seasoned caravanning family or have just joined the many travelling Australia in caravans, here are our caravan must-haves for a smooth family trip.  

Screen-free caravanning activities for the kids

Planning many activities away from screens can be a godsend for getting the kids to stretch their legs between stops or when you reach your destination. We love to keep a ball in the car for pitstop breaks and plenty of frisbees, old-school cricket stumps, and bats in the storage lockers within the caravan for easy access anytime when stopped. 

Allowing young kids to enjoy the great outdoors can also encourage imaginative play. We are still amazed at the number of activities kids can engage in with sticks and puddles! 

Plan your trip

With so many adventures to be had across our vast and amazing country, each trip can easily mean hours on the road between each main town or stop. Planning your route and kid-friendly activities along the way can make it easier to keep everyone engaged in your planned trip and enjoy the adventure.  

To keep the journey interesting, include planned breaks at community parks, choose a museum to visit, or explore local landmarks. These planned stops can keep younger kids excited to reach the next destination. 

Screen-time while travelling with kids

Ensure you keep any tablets, e-readers and games handy during long trips.  Even if you try to avoid them, sometimes a rainy day or traffic delay can call for these. 

Save your sanity and keep any chargers or batteries ready to go and packed with your devices for easy access. Our affordable Family Escape Family Caravan with bunks also includes a caravan must-have USB chargers close to the beds for easy access and overnight charging. 

On-the-go meals, snacks and drinks for travelling with kids

A little planning goes a long way here. Planning healthy on-the-go snacks for long car rides or days when the shops are not nearby is key to keeping everyone from getting ‘hangry’ (hungry/angry). 

Keep a stash of extra water in the car for drink bottle refills, and ensure everyone has a leak-proof drink bottle within reach while travelling. 

Aim to keep snacks and meals as similar to what the kids love at home as possible. This can help avoid cranky mealtimes with younger kids and ensure their little stomachs can tolerate what they eat on the road (you can thank us later). 

Family caravans with internal and external cooking spaces make mealtimes simple. When camping off-grid, the Maximus Family Caravan With Bunks ensures everyone has ample space to sleep inside. The outdoor kitchen space allows everyone to enjoy the great outdoors, maximising the opportunity to eat outside anytime.

Caravan First Aid Kit

Accidents can happen anywhere; however, while on the road, doctors, chemists and medical assistance can be few and far between in our beautiful country.  Being prepared for (almost) anything could save lives and your trip.

A comprehensive First Aid Kit should include items to handle minor injuries, burns or illnesses.  Ensure it includes bandages, antiseptics, pain relievers and antihistamines.  Your caravanning First Aid Kit should include any personal prescription medications your family needs. 

Familiar and comfortable bedding

Australia has a vast and beautiful landscape, which is true, and it also has wildly varying temperatures and unpredictable weather changes. Preparing for hot, balmy nights in summer also means ensuring you have some extra layers to snuggle under if that temperature drops. 

Great Escape Caravans are equipped with Air Conditioning and Heating units, many with personal fans in the caravan’s bunk space, but there is no replacement for being prepared; with plenty of storage in each family caravan, our tip is to store a few blankets in case of emergency! 

Take your favourite pillow or blanket. This is especially great for the kids as having something cosy from home, like a pillow or favourite toy, can help create a more comfortable environment for sleeping. 

Ensuring each family member has a spacious sleeping area is important.  It allows all to step away to their private space for quiet play or a nap. Choose from many family caravans with bunks to find an internal layout to suit your needs. 

Ensuring you have considered all possibilities for your caravan holidays with kids will keep you prepared for (almost) anything. 

Our best advice is to keep routines similar to home for shorter trips. Bedtimes, bathtimes, and mealtimes help keep everyone on track and facilitate the transition between caravanning trips and time spent at home. 

We would love to hear about your caravanning trips to avoid the chaos; leave us a comment, and let’s add it to the list!