There’s no “right” way to take a road trip—and that’s exactly what makes it so special. Travelling in an RV gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace, turning any journey into a series of mini getaways or one big adventure. It’s like having your own vacation home on wheels! In our opinion, the best way to experience RVing is in a variety of places. And with that, no RV trip is the same. From trips where you spend most of your time on the open road, to laid-back lake getaways with only one destination, keeping everyone in the family entertained during the adventure can be a challenge.

That’s why we’ve created this list of indoor and outdoor activities for every type of road trip. These ideas are easy to set up, require little to no extra gear, and are designed to bring the whole crew together—wherever the road takes you!

Long-Haul Holidays

Some of the best road trips are long ones with multiple stops. Whether you’re crossing the province or the country, those RV journeys often make the best memories. However, long drives and short breaks can quickly become boring or stressful—especially for younger campers. That’s why, along the way or at your campsite, it helps to have a few quick, low-effort activities ready to go.

Indoors

• Road Trip Games: Running low on supplies (or patience)? Try road trip games like I Spy, the license plate game (can you find one from every province?), or a round of trivia. Bonus: some cities sell local trivia cards at visitor centres—fun and educational!
• Activity Books: Great for keeping the kids entertained, you can find these types of books almost anywhere. There’s also lots of free printable colouring sheets available online!
• Movie Night: Perfect for a stop-over on a chilly or rainy evening, enjoy a movie night with your family using your RV’s entertainment system.

Outdoors

• Lawn Games: Bring along some easy to store and set-up lawn games like cornhole, bocce ball, or bucket golf (which you can find at your local Traveland RV!) for hours of outdoor family fun.
• Picture Scavenger Hunt: If your family likes to plan stops in advance, turn it into an adventure! Based on your route, make a list of local plants, animals, and attractions to spot. Have everyone snap photos of the items on your list as they go—it’s a fun activity and a great keepsake from the trip.
• Family Bike Ride: Bringing bikes? They’re a great way to explore the campground—especially if you’re short on time but want to skip more driving. Plus, it’s an easy way to stretch your legs and get some exercise after a long ride.

Urban Escapes

Camping isn’t just for the woods anymore. As we mentioned earlier, RVs are perfect for all kinds of adventures—including city escapes! With plenty of RV parks and campgrounds located near urban centres, you can explore vibrant city life without the hefty hotel price tag. A weekend getaway with museums and restaurants—plus your cozy RV to come home to? Yes, please!

Indoors

• Go on a Local Food Tour: Lots of cities pride themselves on their unique dishes. Check local tourism websites to see if food tours are available —or, better yet, plan your own self-guided tour and treat the family to a fun (and tasty) adventure!
• Explore the Attractions: Cities have endless experiences and attractions for everyone in the family to enjoy. Check out a local science centre, aquarium, or theatre!
• Shop ’til You Drop: Thankfully, RVs have much more storage than your average suitcase, so you can shop around with confidence you’ll have the space to pack it back home! Be sure to visit local shopping malls, artisan markets, souvenir shops, and toy stores – something for all ages!

Outdoors

• Historic Walking Tour: Lots of cities have walking tours designed for both kids and adults. Learn about the city you’re staying in and its historical secrets. If your kids love stories, this is a must-try.
• Picnic in the Park: Pack up some grub and enjoy it in a local park or garden. Most cities have popular natural spaces that are perfect to explore in the spring and summer weather.
• Visit a Local Pool or Water Park: Just because you’re not by the lake, doesn’t mean you can’t have some fun in the water. On a hot summer day, the water park is the perfect place to enjoy with the whole family.

National Park Adventures

As of 2024, Canada has 37 national parks and 11 national park reserves. For nature lovers, taking a national park road trip is one of the best ways to combine camping and sightseeing into one unforgettable adventure. To make the most of your journey, here are a few ways to enhance your Parks Canada experience!

Indoors

• Visit a Museum/Historic Site: Discovery in national parks doesn’t just happen outside! Take your family on a historic and adventure-filled day out by visiting park museums and historic sites. If you happen to be starting or ending your journey near our Langley, B.C. location – we highly recommend you check out Fort Langley National Historic Site.
• Join the Parks Canada Xplorers Program: If you have younger kids and are planning on hitting multiple national parks along your trip, enroll your family in the Xplorers program! This program is for kids aged 6-11 and their families to encourage exploration, education, and guided activity throughout the national parks. While there are many adventures to complete outside, this program also gives out workbooks and discovery activities that can be completed indoors. Additionally, they have free print-out activity and game sheets you can do anywhere. After your kids complete the challenges, they’ll receive an Xplorers award! You can collect these awards by visiting and completing the activities at multiple national park locations. There is no extra cost to join and is included in your regular park entry fee.

Do you have campers that don’t quite reach the age requirement yet? Canada’s national parks also have the Club Parka program for children ages 2-5. Find out more here.

• Stop by the Visitor’s Centre: Visitor centres, especially in national parks, aren’t only filled with brochures and souvenirs. Many of them have interactive exhibits, play areas for kids, and are a great source of learning for your national park journey!

Outdoors

• Try Out Geocaching: There is nothing more fun than an outdoor treasure hunt. Geocaching is an activity where you use an app/GPS to find hidden caches (containers). Lots of Parks Canada locations allow geocaching in specific regulated areas. Find out if the parks on your list have them by visiting ParksCanada.ca.
• Go Sight Seeing: Take your family out for a drive through the national parkways and discover spectacular views and attractions along the way. One of our favourites is the Icefields Parkway in Banff and Jasper, Alberta!
• Wildlife Viewing: There is no better place to get lucky and spot wildlife in their natural habitat than a national park! If your crew loves animals, you have to check out some of the amazing wildlife watching opportunities Parks Canada has to offer.

Coastal Cruising

There’s nothing quite like camping at the beach – the sound of crashing waves and being steps from the shoreline is a must-try RV trip. And the fun doesn’t stop when the tide rolls in or the clouds roll over! From classic seaside adventures to cozy indoor activities, there’s always something to do—no matter what the weather brings.

Indoors

• Storm Watching: Rainy days at the beach don’t have to ruin the fun! If you’re in a coastal area, gather the family and watch the storm roll in from the campsite. Or, if you don’t have a great view, drive your RV over to a parking lot close to the beach and cozy up in your camper.
• DIY Painted Rock Sea Creatures: This is a great beach themed craft you can make in your RV with some rocks and basic acrylic paints. Have fun with the family and unleash your creativity by painting some of your favourite sea creatures!
• Beach BBQ Under the Awning: Alright, so this one isn’t technically indoors, but close enough, right? If the weather isn’t ideal or you’d rather skip hauling food down to the beach, you can still enjoy an amazing BBQ right at your site. Use a camp stove or, if your RV has one, fire up the outdoor griddle to cook up a delicious meal for the whole family.

Outdoors

• Sandcastle Contest: If you’re looking for some creative and friendly competition, try competing to see who can build the best sandcastle! Whether you decide to use castle molds or to craft them all by hand, this is a great way to keep everyone entertained.
• Try Something New: If you’re camping at a popular beach or destination, often there will be activities available like surfing, whale watching tours, and sea kayaking. Don’t be afraid to book a lesson, tour, or experience!
• Explore Nature’s Mini Aquariums: When the tide is out, big discovery is in! As you explore the shore and sea rocks, see if your family can spot tidepools or intact shells. It’s a fun way to unplug, discover ocean treasures, and enjoy a mini treasure hunt together. Just be sure to respect wildlife and follow local regulations.

Off-Grid Experiences:

Going off-grid is a classic way to experience the great outdoors. With limited screens and service, this turns camping into a nature-surrounded escape. But peace and quiet can cause boredom for some family members, so we’ve got you covered with activities for all ages!

Indoors

• Family Game Night: Bring along some of your crew’s favourite card and board games and have an epic night of family fun in your RV!
• S’mores Indoors: Too buggy outside for a fire? You can have just as much fun making s’mores indoors! Roast them in the oven, over the RV stovetop (with care), or even in the microwave. Then, take it up a notch—experiment with flavour combinations using whatever’s in your RV fridge or pantry. For extra fun, turn it into a friendly family competition: who can create the best s’more?
• Turn Your Bunk into a Basecamp: If you’re camping with kids, it’s no doubt one of their favourite campground activities is building a fort. If it’s too chilly outside to hunker down in a forest hideaway, try making a fort in the bunks! All you need is a blanket and a couple of pillows to transform a bunk into the ultimate RV fort.

Outdoors

• Stargazing: Off grid = less light pollution. Take advantage of the dark skies and see how many stars and constellations you can spot!
• Take a Hike: Off-grid campsites are often located near untouched trails, hidden waterfalls, and breathtaking viewpoints. Plus, they offer a true escape from screens and everyday distractions. Just be sure to pack safety essentials like bear bells and water with you and follow local guidelines. For helpful packing lists and outdoor safety tips, be sure to visit AdventureSmart.ca.
• Try Campfire Cooking: If you’ve got a designated fire pit in your campsite and want to conserve energy, try cooking a family feast on the campfire. Just be sure to check local fire regulations, bans, and restrictions before you go.

Not sure where to start? Check out our blog on 10 Campfire Recipes for some inspiration!

Lakeside Getaways

There’s something peaceful about lakeside RV trips—mornings with coffee by the water, evenings by the fire. Whether you’re there to fish, swim, or just unwind, here are some fun activities to make the most of it.

Indoors

• Prepare a Fancy Fish Dinner: Did you find your catch of the day before the rain found you? Now is the perfect time to sit down and enjoy all your hard work. Bake, fry, or grill your fish using your RV’s kitchen set up and make an impressive meal for the family. Get the kids involved too by showing them how to prepare a fish or getting them to help whip up the sides like salad and potatoes.
• Cozy Reading Time: Love to enjoy a book by the lake but the weather ruined your plans? Turn your RV into a cozy reading oasis by building a little reading nook in the bunk. If you have younger kids, host a read-aloud story time (bonus points if it’s a nature or adventure themed book!)
• Make Glow in the Dark Firefly Jars: All you need is some mason jars and glow in the dark paint to make this craft. Store these jars inside or outside the RV at night to bring a little magic to your campsite! Find the instructions below:

DIY Glow-in-the-Dark Firefly Jars

What You’ll Need:

• Clear plastic or glass jar with a lid (mason jars work great)
• Glow-in-the-dark paint (available at craft stores or online)
• Cotton swabs or small paintbrushes
• Optional: Glitter, star stickers, or tiny cut-out firefly shapes

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 Instructions:

1. Prep Your Jar

• Clean the inside of your jar to make sure the paint sticks well.
• Dry completely.

2. Create “Fireflies”

• Dip a cotton swab or toothpick into your glow paint.
• Dab small dots randomly on the inside walls of the jar to mimic glowing fireflies. Try to vary the sizes for a more natural look.
• Let dry for 10–15 minutes, then do a second coat for brighter glow.

3. Add Extras (Optional)

• While the paint dries, you can sprinkle in a pinch of glitter for a stardust effect.
• Stick star stickers or mini bug cutouts on the outside of the jar.

4. Seal and Charge

• Put the lid on tight.
• Place the jar in bright sunlight or under a flashlight/UV light to charge the glow paint.

5. Turn Out the Lights!

• Once charged, take your jar into a dark space—like your RV bunk fort or out by the campfire—and watch it glow like a jar full of lightning bugs!

Outdoors

• Go Fishing: We know this one is a little obvious, but if you’re by a lake that allows freshwater fishing, we highly recommend you give it a try. Plus, some lakeside resorts offer guided fishing trips and lessons for families of all ages, so you don’t have to be an expert to join in on the fun. Just be sure to ask about local regulations and remember to get your fishing license if you don’t have one already!

Find all you need to know about recreational fishing in Canada from Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

• Paddle Adventures: Whether you brought your own or are looking to rent, enjoying a day of adventure out on the lake and in the sun is a great way to spend some time together as a family. Try kayaking, canoeing, or stand-up paddleboarding for an extra challenge!
• Lazy Lake Float: Make the swimming last a little longer by bringing along some floaties! Bask in the warm weather and enjoy some relaxation on the water.

All in all, RV road trips are as unique as the families who take them. Whether you’re travelling across the country or settling in for a quiet weekend by the lake, the freedom to choose your own adventure is what makes RVing so special. Plus, with a little creativity and the right mix of activities, you can keep everyone entertained—no matter the destination.

Happy RVing campers!