Travelling in Canada with (small) children
We traveled with our then mini daughters for several weeks through western Canada. I think a motorhome trip is perfect for a family, especially in the beautiful nature of Canada. Here are my tips for a relaxing and fun RV vacation with kids.
One big advantage: the kids are always in familiar surroundings. They always know where their bed is, where the toys are stored and where the ice creams are. It also saves a lot of lugging, that you don't have to pack the bags every day and check out again at a hotel and back to the car. Once the stuff in the cabinets, well convenient.
Having your own kitchen saves a lot of money and hassle. Not having to eat in a restaurant all the time is often much healthier and tastier in the outback of Canada. An occasional French fry, fine, and then cook again in the RV. Large supermarkets often have RV parking spaces. You easily place the groceries from the shopping cart directly into the refrigerator and kitchen cabinet.
But what do you do with the child seats? That's a recurring question, and rightly so. Because of liability, it is often not possible to rent a child seat in Canada. How do you solve that?
Bring a seat from home. Before doing so, check with the airlines if that is an option and what it costs. We brought a "booster seat" (about 4-8 years old) and we bought a "baby seat" (about 0-4 years old) locally.
Buy a seat locally. First we went to pick up the motorhome at Cruise in Calgary. Since this depot like most of Cruise's and the other companies' depots is in an industrial area, the Walmarts and similar stores are not far. One parent drives and the other holds the child. The seats at a large supermarket cost about as much as the rental an RV rental company that does offer them.
Sometimes you get lucky. And then there's someone who just returned the camper and has the seat left over. Or one has been left in the depot. That's also the best thing you can do with the seat when you return the camper: give it to someone who is picking up the camper or donate it at the depot. They often have a corner in the depot with leftover or donated things that can go another round, ask for it!
What about the other extras?
Many RV rentals have very limited extras such as navigation systems, party tents (awnings) or BBQs. However, you will always be explained how to get to the nearest Walmart etc. where you can buy these items (and more) inexpensively. Sometimes the depot also offers used stuff from other renters. Of course, there is no guarantee on that.
Bring a loose tomtom etc. from home and download from the internet the map of Canada.
In the "personal kit" or bedding/towels package there is one shower towel per person. Often this is not enough, especially if you need a towel for the pool or picnic and one for the shower. Therefore, possibly bring another picnic blanket or something for by the pool. And put the shower towels in the wash from time to time. Almost every campground has washing machines.
Which motorhome should I rent?
Definitely get a spacious RV. An RV where you have to change the beds twice every day is inconvenient and unnecessary work. With two children, an RV of 25-30 feet is recommended.
A camper where small children have to sleep upstairs is not good for peace of mind. The nets, if any, do not guarantee safe sleeping. Put your child on a low bed or bring a travel cot. If yougivethem the bed in the back, you can sit in the "living room" or outside at night.
In Europe, we tend to think these motorhomes are too big and difficult to drive. That's right, I shouldn't think about driving through the suburbs with one of these either. You will find that in Canada a C30 motorhome is a small, modest motorhome. That 1.5 meters shorter a C25 is dwarfed by that.
Tip from Barbara:
For a successful family vacation, it's best if everyone gets on their bill every day. We decided, each day do "something" for the kids and "something" for the parents. As a parent, you don't want to spend days in the playground and the kids usually don't want to spend hours walking. We have used this rule for years with success!