10 Unusual Things to Bring RVing

May 28, 2010

Everyone has his or her favorite thing to bring RVing, whether it's an MP3 player, fishing or other hobby gear. Having something you like to do in case it rains, or the mosquitoes drive you inside, makes RVing a lot more fun.

But in addition to the usual board games, hobby gear and toys, there are 10 unusual things you can bring that can make your camping trip truly memorable or just easier:

(1) White bedsheet and portable shop light. Bring a flat, white bed-sheet, a package of large index cards, a couple of pairs of scissors and a strong clip-on shop light or a flashlight with a very strong beam. Hang the sheet between two trees, or on the side of your RV. Plug in the shop light or use your flashlight and make shadow animals with your hands. You can also cut out all sorts of animals or creatures with the paper and scissors to create silhouettes. Use the silhouettes and your hand shadows to create your own plays, or to tell ghost stories. Experiment with size and shapes to get the best results. To learn how to make shadow puppets with your hands go online to: www.shadow-puppets.com

(2) Shaved ice machine. Shaved ice is an inexpensive and sweet treat for both adults and kids. It's less messy than ice cream and is a great way to involve kids in fixing their own snacks. Ice is inexpensive and almost always available from the camp store. You can buy shaved ice flavorings at most grocery stores.

(3) Telescope. Telescopes of any size are always fun when camping. Being away from the city lights makes the stars so much more visible. Bring a sky chart and try to identify and find the seasonal stars.

(4) Do-It-Yourself Kaleidoscope. Do-It-Yourself Kaleidoscopes have a compartment you can add your own items to, to create a unique, one-of-a-kind kaleidoscope. Sand, small stones, bits of glass, leaves; shells or even paper can be added, replaced and enjoyed.

(5) A handheld GPS. The sport of Geocaching is growing around the world. It's essentially a high tech treasure hunt game. It's played by people of all ages who are equipped with handheld GPS devices. The basic idea is to locate hidden containers, called geocaches, outdoors and then go online to share your experiences with others. There are over one million geocaches around the world, including Canada and the US. For more information on geocaching go to: www.geocaching.com to read more about how to start, and about the experiences of others!

(6) A magnifying glass. Nature is wonderful to the naked eye, but watching bugs under a magnifying glass is like entering a world of giants! Get one large enough for two or three people to view an item comfortably together.

(7) Kites: There's no better way to spend a breezy, sunny afternoon than flying kites. It's the perfect activity for any age group, from toddlers to teens to adults and seniors. Everyone can participate. If you want a real challenge, get a box kite, or a set of fighting kites and have fun maneuvering them across the sky in loops and dives!

(8) A small digital photo printer and digital camera. These small printers don't need a computer to print photos. So you can make your own postcards from digital photos you take of your trip and camping experience. On rainy days, or at night when kids whine, "There's nothing to do," print photo postcards and have them write notes to friends and family and send them. Even if you beat the cards back home, it's still fun to get reactions from friends. You can also have them mail cards to themselves with notes about what is happening in the photo. These cards can later become keepsakes or photos in a scrapbook or album.

(9) Cornhole platforms and bags. Played much like horseshoes, this game is easier, safer and fun for all age groups. Call it "bean bag toss," or "cornhole," the fun is the same. Visit "Corn Hole Canada" at www.cornholecanada.com for details on how to play and where to buy or how to make the equipment.

(10) Folding card table and chairs. True, most campgrounds have picnic tables, but for a good game of cards, or a board game, or even ease of use (you can set up a card table quickly and move it around where you need it), you can't beat a card table. Not everyone is comfortable, or can fit into the narrow space at some picnic tables, so a card table is a welcome relief for them. You can also put a card table under your awning or closer to your RV than you can a heavy picnic table. Padded folding chairs are easy to store and four chairs and a table (or two!) don't take up as much room as you might think.