After a full day of traveling, your kids are bound to be in search for some fun when you finally stop for the night. You’re not alone when you start thinking about what to do after you get hooked up. You can bet the kids are thinking the same thing.

Rather than listening to all the complaining, pack up these ideas and take them along on your next road trip

1. Corn Hole Contest – You can buy these game sets out of a variety of materials, but some of you handyman types may want to make your own. This Old House provides easy DIY instructions for building your own corn hole set & fun ways to personalize it. All ages can play.
2. Watermelon Seed Spitting Contest – If your kids like watermelon, they’ll love gathering the seeds and spitting them as far as they can. You get the watermelon, you set the rules, and get ready for some laughs!
3. Rock Painting – Let the kids take a walk in search of smooth rocks (big enough to paint or write on) while you get out the markers and/or paints. Have the kids wash the rocks in a bucket outside and dry them. Everyone can enjoy this activity, they make clever gifts for friends or family!
4. Balloon Challenge – All you’ll need is a blown-up balloon (bring a bag of extras for when they pop). The challenge is to keep the balloon from hitting the ground. It can be played with two or more people. Hit the balloon from person to person, counting the number of hits until it touches the ground.
5. Eye Spy Scavenger Hunt – A little competition and just plain fun, there are many ways to play this game. One of our favorites is from The Joys of Boys site, called Eye Spy Nature. Click HERE to link to their free printable list, or better yet, make your own. The items on your list should vary depending on the ages of your kids.
6. Glow-in-the-Dark Ring Toss – For less than $10 you can find this night-time game at most Walmarts and it will provide hours of fun for the whole family.
7. Build a Campfire – Everyone should learn to build a campfire, and all the safety tips too. Be sure to check first if campfires are allowed at your campsite. You’ll need tinder, kindling and firewood which you should be able to find in your surroundings. Don’t forget to brush up on your campfire songs.
8. Make S’mores – Once you have a nice fire burning, get the kids to find a few 2-3′ sticks. One of the older kids or an adult can whittle one end of each into a point for the marshmallows. Your camping s’mores kit should include graham crackers, chocolate & marshmallows in one gallon baggy. Mmmm good!
9. Flashlight Tag – This is the classic game of hide and seek, but played with flashlights.
10. Fun Campfire Recipes – Your family will never tire of the kid friendly camping recipes that we found on the Dating Divas website. The meals are nutritious and super fun to put together. Let your kids pick the meal and do the cooking.
11. Tin Can Lanterns – Don’t throw away all those tin soup cans, wash them out, file down any sharp edges and put them in a craft bin/bag with a couple permanent markers, a small hammer, a couple of nails, and some tea lights or votive candles. The kids can make a design with dots on the outside of their can and then take the nail and place it on the dots and lightly hammer the nail until it makes a hole in the tin. Once it’s dark, light a candle inside and they’ll be delighted with their handiwork. The lanterns will add ambiance to any campsite.
12. Wiffle Ball – The game has been around for decades and is the perfect outlet for pent-up energy. The bat is light enough for kids of all ages and the perforated plastic ball keeps players safe. Play in a field, shallow water or on pavement. Remember to yell WIFF whenever someone swings and misses.
13. Round Robbin Storytelling – A round robin story is one that each person adds to. It’s most common to create a story sentence-by-sentence, going around in a circle. This is a fun way to end a day while sitting around the campfire.
14. Map Making – Understanding what a map is, and how to read one is a great skill for kids of all ages. The area surrounding your campsite is a perfect spot for your kids to try and make their own map. You can talk about landmarks and teach them about directions. All they’ll need is some some paper, pencils and crayons.
15. Arts & Crafts – Just like at home, it’s a good idea to pack a bin of arts & crafts when you travel. Some of the items that can be used to make a variety of crafts include string, beads, popsicle sticks, markers, glue, scissors, pipe cleaners, feathers, colored paper, pom poms, ribbon, sequins, shells and whatever else you want to include. Add to these items things the kids can pick up around your camp site like leaves and twigs and let their creativity run wild.

Plan your next family vacation at Stonebridge RV Park and use this list to help pack and your kids will undoubtedly make lots of memories!

Photo by Alaric Sim on Unsplash

 You’ve made the exciting decision to rent an RV, so now what?!! You’re about to join millions of others who are stepping away from the traditional hotel and houses to embark on accommodations that are way more fun and more adventurous. There are many reasons for renting an RV, the most popular…a family vacation. These tips will get you off to a great start for creating memories that will last a lifetime.

1. Have a destination in mind. Explore any restrictions that may be in place. Reserve a rental site with full hook-ups (fresh water, electricity, and sewer). Without hook-ups, you’ll be operating off the grid , and unless you’re an experienced RVer, it’s not advised.
2. Plan your route, including stops for fuel.
3. Book your rental well in advance so you can find the perfect RV that fits your wants and needs.
4. Create a checklist and get answers directly from the owner (What are the cancellation & refund policies when renting? What is required to tow a trailer? Can the awning be used? Can our pet come along? What are the pick-up and return times? Are kitchen items and bedding included? Is there a generator? Is there A/C and/or heating? What happens if something breaks down?)
5. Ensure you, or the owner, has reliable RV rental insurance.
6. Take time with the owner to learn all features, systems and operations of the RV, internal and external.
7. Know all the fees involved (mileage fee, generator fee, dumping fee, cleaning fee, pet fee, etc.) and don’t hesitate to bargain for unlimited mileage or free generator use. Do keep in mind, owners have many expenses to upkeep their RVs.
8. Last, and most important, take your time, vow to laugh, relax, and enjoy your adventure!

Here are a couple other of our fave sites for helpful tips:

https://www.tripsavvy.com/tips-for-first-time-rv-rentals-2912598

http://familyrambling.com/rv-tips-fun-family-vacations/travel/camping-rving/

Do you have an RV rental story to tell? Share it here!

As a parent, one of the funnest things you can do with your kids is to take them on vacations. RV parks, such as Stonebridge RV Park in Sweeny, Texas, offer beautiful scenery and great opportunities for family bonding time.

When you watch this video, you will learn all about the benefits road trip vacations offer to young families. One of the most appealing things about traveling in an recreational vehicle is that you don’t have the added high costs of staying at hotels, and having to eat out for all your meals. You can pack food that you know your kids like and have them help you make some really fun campfire meals.

Most families rent an RV close to where they live. Owners list them on sites like Easy RV, where the payment is handled safely, and all the details is worked out between the owner and renter directly. Once you have an RV or trailer reserved, you’ll plan your trip using tools such as RV Trip Wizard. Planning your trip route, stops and fueling are all important when traveling in an RV.

Be sure to pick stopovers and a final destination that offers things your entire family will enjoy. You’ll want full hook-ups for water, electricity, and sewer. Room to run, play and swim is important for kids. What other activities do you want to enjoy? Hiking? Crafts? Bonfires? If you’re bringing along a pet, you’ll want to be sure you reserve spots at parks that are pet-friendly.

When you hit the road, you will have the opportunity to bond with your kids like never before. So start planning your vacation now!

Whether you’re seeking quality short or long term RV lodging, look no further than Stonebridge RV Park.  As the leading RV park in Sweeny, TX, we offer all of the amenities and services that you need to feel right at home. Some of the amenities we offer are a family-friendly swimming pool, on-site laundromat and stocked fishing ponds. You’ll also find a fire-pit, a community pavilion for BBQing, and and a lodge where you can settle in with a good book.

Many spots are shaded by huge, beautiful Oak trees and others are in the open to allow for night-time stargazing.

All sites are concrete with full hook-ups.

There is plenty of room for two vehicles at each site and there is overflow parking throughout the grounds as well. At Stonebridge, we ensure the comfort and safety of our guests with a series of rules and regulations that are clear and easy to follow.

Free WiFi and cable are offered to every guest. Although many RVers choose to use their own hotspot and satellite TV.

We are pet-friendly! There is a large open area behind one of the ponds where dogs can run around without a leash.  In all other areas of the park, we ask guests to keep their pets leashed.

The laundromat is new and clean. There is a TV and magazines so you can pass the time in comfort. You’ll have lots of fun at our two fishing ponds, which are catch and release, so all ages can participate. There are ducks to feed and all kinds of Texas birds to watch.

Guests will find our staff to be friendly and customer service oriented, which you can tell by all the reviews on Google. Feel free to call ahead to reserve your spot, or email us at info@stonebridgervpark.com.  We hope you’ll be our guest soon!

If you have always dreamed of seeing the country, you may want to consider investing in an RV. While some RV owners spend their vacation time on the road, others choose to live in their vehicles full time. A park offering long term RV lodging in Sweeny, TX can provide you with the amenities that you need to feel right at home in your RV. Whether you are headed out for an extended RV vacation, or you are planning on living in your RV throughout the year, finding quality long term RV lodging will ensure your comfort when you are taking breaks from the open road. Here are some tips for making the open road your home when you live in your RV.

Decorate Your Space

To make your RV feel like home, it is a terrific idea to decorate your space. Your favorite photographs, paintings, and other items of décor can spruce up your space and provide you with the comforts of home. While your RV’s kitchen will be smaller than that of a regular sized house, you can also create a homey feel by bringing along your favorite dishware and utensils.

Stay in Touch With Family

As you are traveling the country in your RV, it is important to remain connected to your friends and family back home. Social media and the internet have made it easier than ever to communicate with people around the world. To keep your loved ones up to date on your travels, you may also want to consider making your own blog.

Find a Comfortable RV Park

When it’s time to take a break, you’ll want to make sure that you park your vehicle at a comfortable site. RV parks offer a range of amenities and services, including electricity, water, and other hookups. Staying at an RV park will give you a chance to make new friends and share stories from the road.

Are you ready for a vacation? If you’re like most people, chances are your answer is a resounding yes. With all of the stresses of modern life, it is important to take a step back, relax, and get out of your normal settings. It’s easy to do just that when you take a vacation to Sweeny, Texas, and visit Stonebridge RV Park & Resort. You could spend your time arranging for airline tickets, rental cars, and hotels, but when you travel in an RV, your life will be much simpler. Read on to learn why you should stay in an RV park instead of a hotel during your next vacation.

Home Away from Home

Even if you stay in a relatively nice hotel, it can be hard to shake the feeling that you’re just passing through. Hotels can make you feel out of touch with your surroundings, especially if you’re in a new area. When you travel in an RV, however, you’ll have all of your belongings with you—even your own bed and pillows. At an RV park, you can hook up your RV so that you have amenities such as internet access, electricity, and water. You won’t have to lug a suitcase in and out of a hotel every night. Instead, everything you need is right there in your RV.

Community Interaction

Traveling can be tiring, but sometimes it’s a good idea to interact with others around you to get a feel for local color and attractions. RV parks have a sense of community that hotels don’t. As you step outside your RV, you’ll find other travelers just like you who are friendly and welcoming. This is a stark contrast to hotels, where many guests simply go to their rooms and shut the door. Fellow RV travelers can give you insider tips for what to do in the area so you can make the most of your vacation.

An RV park gives you the best of both worlds: socialization and community when you want it, and the ability to retreat to your RV for sleep and privacy when you don’t. One of the newest social tools for RV life is RVillage, and app that will connect you with others who share your interests!

When you’re ready to get away from it all, there’s nothing quite like taking a road trip in an RV with your family. Traveling in an RV means that you’ll have the comforts of home right at your fingertips all of the time. After a long day of driving and seeing the sights, you can stay at an RV park in Sweeny, Texas and truly relax. RV parks offer convenient amenities like WiFi and full hookups so you’ll always feel right at home. Read on to learn how you can make the most of your next RV vacation.

Plan Ahead

Some people like to go where the wind takes them when on a road trip. A little bit of planning can help ensure that you make the most of your free time. Grab a map and plan out a route of where you want to go, and stay each night. You might decide to see as many sights as possible, or use an RV park as a home base and venture out from there each day. Either way, it’s a good idea to plan ahead so that you have a spot at the RV park where you can return to every evening to rest up for your next adventure. Check out RV Trip Wizard to help you plan the ultimate road trip.

Pick New Sights

It is exciting to choose destinations that are new to everyone on board. This could mean a museum for the kids, national park, or a lake where you can fish, boat, and swim. You don’t necessarily have to travel far from home to explore someplace new. Just point your RV to where you want to go and start having fun.

Start Early

It’s perfectly normal to want to rest up on your vacation. But sleeping in can mean that you won’t get to see everything you want. Decide which days you’ll use for relaxing and which ones you’ll use for sightseeing so you can get an early start from the RV park in the morning.