Portable barbecues, solar panels, awnings, and other essential accessories for a comfortable family caravanning experience.

Caravanning attracts all types of adventurers, but families lead the way in sales and interest in camping. According to a survey of visitors to the recently held Barcelona International Caravanning Show , 72.4% of them said they were interested in models that allow them to travel comfortably with their partner and children .

Getting started with RV camping or campervanning can seem overwhelming, but with the right equipment , family RVing can be a great experience. In this article, we'll discuss child safety features, as well as entertainment and organization solutions to make the trip as pleasant and comfortable as possible.

When traveling with children, safety comes first. Just like cars, modern RVs are also equipped with advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) , with features such as adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, cross-traffic alert, and lane departure warning, among others.

But beyond these technological features, it is vitally important to ensure the physical safety of children while traveling by placing them in child restraint systems (CRS) appropriate for their age. With the entry into force of the I-Size regulation, which replaced ECE R44/04 on September 1, 2024, child seats are classified by the child's height (size) and not by their weight; this information is included on the orange approval label on CRSs.

Once you arrive at your destination, it's also important to have good protective solutions while camping. We can install anti-fall bed rails from Hauck or Jané (from 35 euros), as well as security locks for cabinets and drawers, such as those from Thetford or Fiamma, designed to withstand vibrations while traveling.

One of the challenges parents fear most is taking long trips with small children . It's common for them to constantly ask, "Is it much further?" throughout the journey. This situation can be avoided with a little foresight, patience, and, as a last resort, the use of technology. Keeping them entertained will make the trip more enjoyable.

Word games, such as "I Spy" or identifying other vehicles by color, are great alternatives, but in this article, we're talking about accessories, so we're going to make some suggestions to keep children entertained. For example, there are magnetic travel games from Ravensburger or Cayro (starting at €10), which are compact and safe to use while traveling. When these games are no longer enough, tablets are a good ally, and universal holders from Hama or Ugreen (starting at €25) will keep them safe. They can also be used while camping, although we mustn't forget that the great outdoors is the best part of this vacation style.

Traveling with children means carrying more things than you might imagine. Maintaining order in a small space requires austerity, ingenuity, and the right accessories to keep everything in its place. The foldable fabric pockets from Brunner or Outwell (from €20) are perfect for storing toys, books, or clothes.

The backseat organizers sold on Amazon Camper or Norauto (starting at €15) are also very useful, while the washable mats from Decathlon (€10-20) make cleaning up after snacks or indoor games easier.

When it comes to family caravanning, the great outdoors is part of the charm. Dometic Kampa awnings (from €900) provide extra space for eating or playing, while Outwell or Brunner camping mats (from €50) help keep the area clean.

Bicycles, tennis rackets, soccer balls, and swimsuits or mountain clothing—depending on the destination—are essential for children. If you're looking for something more original, the Nature Fun or National Geographic Kids children's exploration kits (from €25) are extremely complete, with binoculars, a compass, and a flashlight. These kits stimulate children's curiosity and their connection to nature.

To cook the best barbecues while on a getaway, you can opt for portable units or a gas grill that guarantee outdoor meals with a taste of adventure.

At the table, the best are children's folding chairs, which you can find at Quechua or Coleman, but when there are children, the most important thing is the tableware. Melamine is a good option because it doesn't break, but if you want something more sophisticated, Stanley has a cutting-edge stainless steel collection.

Properly equipping your motorhome or camper is the secret to enjoying family caravanning. And to maintain energy independence on these getaways, it's a good idea to bring specific equipment. These include extra portable batteries or solar panels. In the latter case, make sure that their installation isn't considered a renovation that requires approval and a repeat MOT .