When you think back on summer getaways when you were a kid, you don’t think about screens, right? You think about doing family activities, being out in the sun, enjoying the great outdoors, those sorts of things. And while sure, sometimes car rides, even RV rides, could be boring because you’re just staring out of a window, in general, you probably had some nice memories, right?
Well, screens are the easy button on trips. They work fast, they keep the peace for kids who use screens daily, and sometimes they’re the reason a long drive doesn’t turn into a full-blown emotional event. It’s true, screens are good, but they’re so bad, they’re a necessary evil.
But at the same time, constant screens can start feeling like the trip is happening around the kids, not with them. Like, the whole point was making memories, and instead it’s tablets, earbuds, and the same show that’s watched at home. So, with an RV trip, how can you make it screen-free, or at least screen-light?
What Activities Can be Done in the RV?
Well, outside of just sitting around and staring out the window, watching movies, scrolling on the phone, well, any screen time examples, what other activities can be offered in the RV? Be it when the RV is parked or even when the RV is driving, just think about the options first.
Obviously, it depends on the age, as a preschooler will probably enjoy sticker books, magnetic games, mess-free coloring, small building toys, and activity books that don’t require a whole art studio. You get the idea, most of these are for younger kids, so you’ll need to accommodate based on the age of your kid. But kids love stuff that feels like it belongs to travel. Like, the same coloring book at home might be ignored, but in an RV, it becomes an event, because it’s different.
Make the Outside Stops Do More of the Work
So, something else to think about here, kids don’t need constant entertainment when their bodies have been allowed to move. A lot of screen cravings are really just restlessness. Well, not always, but a good chunk of the time at least. So the trip routine should include real movement breaks, not quick bathroom stops where everyone’s still tense. It helps to have long stops.
Also, if you’re staying the night somewhere like an RV campground, how long are you planning to stay there? If it’s more than a night, like staying for two nights, then you could look into one with some amenities so the kids can actually run around and play. That alone basically guarantees low to no screen time.
Keep Screens as a Tool, Rather than the Default
Well, you can’t just remove screens from your kids cold turkey; if it’s not something they’re used to, they’re just going to see this as a giant punishment (and you don’t want that). So, just remember this: screens aren’t the enemy! They’re just more enjoyable when they’re not constant. The same can be said for adults, too. But a good rhythm is saving screens for the hard parts, like the last hour of a drive, bad weather, or moments when adults need quiet to focus.
So, just understand here that kids usually don’t mind getting off the screens when theres things to do that they’ll be having fun with, but just sitting while their parents drive in the dark is the furthest thing from being fun to them.