1. Create ownership & investment (for the caravan or holiday house)
 
With the aim of making the kids feel that our van was ‘home’ we allowed our girls to choose their own doona covers and pillows for the van. To be honest the result is that the back of our van looks a pale blue and glitter explosion from the movie Frozen! That said the girls love it. It’s their own specially created space that they can retreat to. The girls make their own beds, lay out their teddies and feel great ownership of their own space in the van.

If you’re staying in a hotel or resort you can always pack the kid’s own pillow and teddy, a compromise for when you can’t bring ‘the works’ from home.

2. Stick with your routine
Big days of adventure and excitement makes for over tired children. Late dinners and late bed times can make for challenging nights. Of course breaking the routine can be part of your holiday fun but if this is leading to disastrous bedtimes there’s nothing fun about it for parents or kids. Be aware of your own kids’ needs and what works best for them and you.

3. Wind down for the win
If your kids need a little help in dozing off it might be beneficial for everyone if you pop your wine back in the fridge and dedicate that little window they need. I know on holidays I love to get into relaxation mode and expect the kids to climb into bed and just disappear into the land of nod but basically, that never happens. Give your kids notice that it’s bedtime soon, change into pyjamas and then have story time etc. If you need to lie with your kids for a short period, do so, it encourages them to be calm, sensible and relax. Your wine will be all the more delicious when you return, just don’t fall asleep lying there with them – it’s a small investment of time for your sanity.

If you’re looking for more tips about holiday sleep you might like to click through to further tips here.

From my family at Caravanning with Kids to you – we wish you safe travels and good sleepers! Share with us your tips for getting kids to sleep in the van – if you know something we don’t, please let us know your secret! Until then, keep making memories, there’s nothing more precious.