

Campervan Holidays with Kids
My family and I have taken many campervan holidays in both New Zealand and Australia.
Having 3 boys (ages 5, 12 & 14), we had to prepare ourselves for the usual arguments, and ways of keeping them occupied while driving.
A good start is to plan your travelling times. Try not to drive more than 2 hours in one day. Stop at rest areas when you can and get out and have a walk around. The kids need to take a breather once in a while. Having them cooped up for hours on end is not the answer!
Take turns letting the kids sit in the front seat with the driver. It's a more comfortable place to be, and helps to stop them fighting!
We found the iPads were a god send on the trip, both when driving and at night. TV reception in the camper can be iffy in some places. A portable DVD player was also great. We could settle the kids down for the night with their portable devices while we sat outside for cocktail hour!
Another great portable device was our iPod. The camper was supplied with a cord which you could plug into the stereo and our music would play over the speakers throughout the van.
During the day the camper was an awesome dollar saver. We could park up anywhere for lunch, be it the beach or outside the expensive theme parks. We never paid $12 for a small bowl of chips! The kids would stay happy while Mum cooked up a storm in the camper (and Dad had a beer).
Things you definitely have to consider is how quickly the camper becomes messy. Having 3 little pigs, it’s a good idea to allocate each one of them a job. Taking out the rubbish, packing away the dishes before travelling, and SWEEPING all of the sand and dirt out before it gets into the beds!
Camping is a great family experience, so if you choose to ‘glamp’ like we did be prepared to share a small space with your loved ones.
TOP TIP: Try to avoid using the chemical toilet. The smell does linger long after emptying. Parking at ensuite sites at campervan parks is the go! Though a bit more expensive, ensuites are a welcome luxury and well worth the extra money.