Even though you’re on the road, there will still be times where you can’t control the weather (or lockdowns, thanks to COVID-19), so this may affect your plans to explore your current location. Don’t despair though, just because you can’t venture far from your van, doesn’t mean you have to sit, twiddling your thumbs all day.

Just like when you’re stuck at home on a rainy day or because of lockdown, there are plenty of things you can do to keep yourself and your family entertained. We’ve compiled a list of fun, interactive and relaxing activities you can do to make the most out of your day (or days) stuck in your van.a

1. Board Games

Board games are a great way to keep adults and kids of all ages entertained on the road. There’s so many to choose from, all you have to do is pick your favourites and make sure you pack them before you leave for your trip. Try out Scrabble or Monopoly to get the mind thinking and create a bit of competition amongst everyone playing. Or perhaps you want to perfect your skills at Snap or Go Fish – added bonus here is that cards are so compact, they’ll take up very little space in your van. Maybe you’re more into jigsaw puzzles, after all, they’re a great way to keep you busy, but also allow you to relax. Whatever you choose, board games will ensure everyone is a happy camper!

2. Baking

If you’re looking to treat yourself, but also get the kids involved, baking is a great way to pass the time! You don’t even need to have all the ingredients in your pantry because of this fantastic thing called a packet mix! These mixes are specially designed to make baking convenient and easy, meaning they’re great for baking with kids. Pretty much all you need is eggs, butter, oil and water (and sometimes you don’t even need all of those ingredients!).

That said, if you’re looking to get experimental, there are so many recipes available online for you to try. And being stuck indoors is the perfect time to try all those recipes you’ve been thinking about for months! Plus, once you’ve finished, you get to enjoy a delicious treat.

3. Play Dough

Who doesn’t love play dough? Even adults enjoy it! You don’t even need to make sure you buy it – though that is always an option if you choose. But, it’s so easy to make. You’ll likely have all the ingredients in your pantry, plus, if your kids eat this homemade play dough, they won’t get sick because it’s made from completely edible products.

You could even make a competition out of it – challenge your kids to see who can create the best masterpiece and have a reward for the winner (but make sure the runners up still know they’ve created something awesome). Homemade play dough is also often not as sticky as the storebought stuff, meaning there’s less clean up.

4. Movie Marathon

Whether it’s raining outside or you’re in lockdown, it’s always nice to snuggle up in your van and binge a bunch of movies or even a TV series. This will give everyone some much-needed down time (as we all know the Big Lap can get a bit exhausting). You don’t even need DVDs and a DVD player thanks to the amazing invention of Netflix! And even then, there’s a range of different streaming services you can use. So grab some popcorn, your most snuggly blanket and have a day of chilling out.

5. Colouring Books

Perfect for kids and adults, colouring books are a great way to unwind and relax – and they’ll also keep the kids busy! You only need a few colouring books and colouring pencils, so it’s easy to pick up these resources from a nearby shop, and they don’t take up much space (because we know Big Lappers need to keep that in mind). Colouring has become a much-loved activity with so many interesting books on offer. You can even rip the pages out when you’re done and display your artwork around your van to give it a homey vibe.

6. Trivia

An awesome way to expand your knowledge about your current location or state (or Australia in general), trivia is a fun activity that people of all ages can enjoy. You might have to cater the game to the age groups of your party, as younger kids probably won’t be able to answer tough questions, but all you need is Google to make this one a game. Turn it into a competition and see who’s the most knowledgeable! Trivia is sure to keep everyone entertained for hours.

7. Crafty Activities

It’s time to get your craft on! Anything involving arts and crafts is always a great way to pass the time – you get to pick up a new skill and create something amazing. If you think it’s too hard, don’t worry, there are plenty of kits you can buy that help get you started and teach you the basic skills you’ll need. Try your hand at macrame, knitting, needle point, cross stitch or painting. You can then display your finished products around your van to give it that homey feel.

8. Have A Picnic

While you might not be able to go out exploring, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy an outdoor picnic, just make sure you stay close to your van. You don’t even need a picnic blanket – just throw down a few beach towels and you’re all set! This is the perfect time to enjoy all those sweet treats you’ve been busy baking. Plus, it’s also time for you to reconnect with your family – have a chat about the day, decide what you’ll do tomorrow, brainstorm activities everyone would like to do.

9. Happy Hour Cocktails

You may not be able to head out to a bar or pub to enjoy a chilled beverage, but you don’t have to give up on Happy Hour altogether. Simply look up a few recipes, or perhaps you already have ones you’ve been wanting to try. Break out the booze and be your very own bartender. You’ll be surprised how creative you can get! It will be a nice way to end a long day of indoors activities. Obviously, this one’s for the adults only, but that doesn’t mean the kids have to miss out. Mocktails are just as easy to make and it will ensure the kids don’t feel left out.

10. Read A Book

Being confined to your van is the perfect time to get stuck into those books you’ve been meaning to read. You don’t even need to have books in hard copy anymore as most are available as audiobooks. It’s a great way to pass the time, and it can also feel a bit more productive. If you have kids with you, you can make it an interactive activity by choosing a book for everyone to read aloud – take turns reading so everyone feels included. This will help your kids expand their vocabulary as well – an added bonus if they’re homeschooling on the road!

11. Caravan Karaoke

So, you’ve heard of carpool karaoke… well why not make caravan karaoke a thing! It’s just as fun and easy to do, you’ll be able to keep everyone entertained for hours. Challenge each other to see who can remember the lyrics to each song. Battle it out to see who will be crowned the karaoke master!

12. Update Your Social Media

Life on the road can get a bit hectic, and you’ll find your reception comes and goes. This can make it hard to continuously share photos of your trip so your family and friends can learn about your travels. While being stuck in your van can seem annoying, this is where it can actually come in handy! Provided you have reception, of course, this is the perfect opportunity for you to finally get around to posting your backlog of photos.

13. Reorganise And Tidy Your Van

Just how it can be hard to keep up with your social media presence while on the road, it can also seem impossible to keep your van tidy. Look at being confined to your van as the opportunity to finally break out those cleaning products and get to work. Your van will be spotless in no time!

14. Home Workouts/ Yoga

Keeping fit on the road can be challenging for many reasons – you don’t have access to a gym (in most cases), you’re exhausted by the end of the day, and you’re so busy you have no time for exercise. Having some downtime from travelling is the perfect chance to give a home workout a go. You don’t need all that fancy gym equipment to work up a sweat! Push-ups, sit-ups, and burpees are just some exercises you can add to your routine. You can even get the kids involved – it’ll tire them out too so they’re in bed early! Perhaps you’d also like to try some yoga to destress. Whatever you choose, remember to make it fun!

15. Bingo

What a great way to get everyone involved in a fun, interactive activity! Bingo can get a bit competitive, but it’s sure to put a smile on everyone’s face. You could change the game to make it apply to your current location or the things you’ve seen and done along the way. Whatever you choose, this one’s sure to keep your family entertained for hours!

16. FaceTime Family And Friends

You may find being on the road makes it hard to regularly catch up and check in with your family and friends back home. Being forced to stay in your van ensures you set aside some time to check in with these important people. You can share your travels and adventures and hear how life is going for them back home. It will make you feel like you’re still in touch with everyone in your life, even though you’re so far away.