Big Fun Family RV Travel Essentials
Living as a full-time RV family has taught us how to live well with less. Finding multifunctional items allows us to save space and really get creative. We're finding that not everything costs less, but buying up is worth the cost when a product simplifies our lives without compromising our lifestyle, or we can use it in multiple applications. We've compiled a list of some of our favorite things to date and will continue to update it as we go. We hope you find something here that you love, too!
Hydroflask Kids - It seems like every mountain town we've visited, these water bottles have been a staple with the locals, so we had to check them out. They're a bit pricey compared to some other stainless steel bottles out there, but the wide mouth makes them easy to clean, they're super durable, have loads of great accessories, and keep your water cold and tasting fresh. By ordering the kids' pack, you get a great deal, because they come with the flex boot to keep it from skidding around (take it off and you have a portable water bowl for your dog, too!), and an insulated BPA-free closable straw lid. I specifically point out that the straw lid is closable because we've had trouble with less expensive brands leaking when the cup falls over. Bonus: the kids love personalizing their Hydroflasks with stickers from places we've traveled! Find them here.
Nature Nate's Mess Free Honey Packs - Our daughter is obsessed with honey and keeping it in the RV is a disaster waiting to happen. But, finding raw, unfiltered honey in something other than messy plastic travel sticks really narrows our options. These 2 TBSP servings come in easy open paper packs - hallelujah, we have honey! And it's not just ANY honey, it's honey from our hometown bottler Nature Nate. If you aren't familiar with this producer, check them out at www.naturenates.com. They support local beekeepers, fund honey bee research, and tirelessly give back to our community. We're proud to bring their products along with us on our adventures. Go McKinney ... Go Texas! Find them here.
Stikbots - When my kids asked for Stikbots, I couldn't figure out what the appeal was. But, they had suction cups on their hands and feet, so they wouldn't be flying around the RV and that was enough for me. As it turns out, these little stick figures have helped us rack up hours of entertainment. The kids each have their own sets of people and pets, and they create everything from epic battles, to silly dance-offs. For older kids (and adults alike), there is a Stikbot Studio App to create stop-animation videos. Find them here.
Non-Slip Shelf and Drawer Liner - Since not everything has suction cups, this liner is the next best thing. We make placemats out of this stuff, so the kids can lay their books, snacks, and toys on them while we're en route. It's a true sanity saver and has drastically reduced my time as a retriever! We also line our cabinets and drawers with this to help with shifting while we're driving. It's inexpensive and comes in different sizes and colors. Find it here.
Plastic divided shower caddy - This particular caddy is small enough to fit in most overhead storage cabinets and has a compartment large enough to hold notebooks, another to hold a small Hydroflask, and another for toys and art supplies. Line the bottom with the non-slip drawer liner and this is the perfect kiddo entertainment caddy. Find it here.
Instant Pot - From boxed mac-n-cheese to a beautiful rib roast, the Instant Pot was made for RV life. Multifunctions like pressure cooking, slow cooking, and sautéing let you set it and forget it, or cook in a hurry. Best of all, it doesn't heat up the coach like using your propane stove does. Just remember to vent the steam under your cooktop's hood fan when you release the pressure. Find it here.
Modkat Top Entry Litter Box - For those of us who take our four-legged family members on the road with us, this litter box is awesome. Never did I ever think I'd call a litterbox awesome, but this cube litter box fits neatly in the corner of any camper. The top entry format allows your cat to have privacy, keeps litter from tracking out of the box, and hides those nuggets from sight. There are less expensive models out there, but I've yet to find one that has a perforated top like this one does. This allows the litter to fall back into the pan, instead of collecting in the ridges on top until you manually empty the lid. Find it here. Fill it with Fresh Step Crystals and you'll forget you even have a litterbox - seriously, it's that good.
Inflatable Paddle Board with Kayak Conversion - Twice the fun in one compact package. Once you inflate this 10-foot board, you'll be amazed at how sturdy it is. I was skeptical at first, but now I prefer this to a traditional board. It's super versatile; we've taken this SUP surfing in the Pacific Ocean, paddleboarding in the Ozarks, and my sister-in-law has even taken it white water surfing on the Colorado River. The kayak conversion is great for piling the kids on and paddling around. This particular bundle includes a convertible 2-blade paddle, backpack storage bag, coil leash, and a carrying strap. Find it here.
Castile Soap - We like our products and appliances to have at least dual purposes and this castile soap delivers multifunctionality in spades. From a simple body wash to laundry detergent, here are a few ways we like to utilize this wonder soap. Find it here.
1. In a reusable foaming hand soap bottle (this one is glass and is still working perfectly after 2+ years), mix one part castile soap with five parts water for perfect kid-friendly hand washing foam.
2. In a large spray bottle, combine one part castile soap with 10 parts water for an all-purpose cleaning spray. Doctor it up with 15 drops of lemon oil and 15 drops of orange oil for a grease cutting, antiseptic, antiviral cleaning spray that smells amazing!
3. Use 1/3-1/2 cup of castile soap per load of laundry; half the measurement for HE washers.
4. Squirt a small amount onto a shower pouf for use as a body wash; it's safe to use directly on your face as well. We've used it as shampoo in a pinch, but you definitely need to follow up with conditioner to detangle longer hair.
Essential Oil Diffuser with Nightlight - This may not sound like an essential to some people, but when a product works as hard as this diffuser, its a winner in our book. It is made with BPA free materials and has a large enough reservoir to serve as a humidifier also. With a few simple essential oils, you can clean the air in your camper, drive bugs away from your campsite, and lull your family to sleep while providing soft, ambient light. There are plenty of diffusers on the market, but we like this one because it carries a lifetime replacement guarantee and the all-white design makes it virtually disappear into your decor when it's turned off. Find it here.
These are the three oils we keep on hand at all times to diffuse: Serenity for sleep, Lemon for air purification and mosquito repellent, and Orange to boost immunity and repel fleas.
