Incorporating hobbies into your RV lifestyle transforms your travels into a fulfilling adventure. Whether you’re an artist, athlete, crafter, or angler, there’s a place for your passions on the road. As RV living gains popularity, maintaining hobbies is essential for well-being, offering continuity and fulfillment. This guide explores integrating hobbies into your RV lifestyle, enriching your daily experiences.
Hobbies for RV Life
Managing space in an RV is crucial due to limited room, so it’s essential to be selective about the hobby materials you bring. Opt for compact, multi-functional, and easily storable items, and use organizers and storage solutions to keep your hobby area tidy. Additionally, take advantage of local resources and events related to your hobbies, such as workshops and meetups at libraries, community centers, and local clubs, which can enrich your experience and provide new perspectives. Joining online forums and social media groups dedicated to RVing and specific hobbies can also provide support, inspiration, and advice, as these communities often share tips on the best locations, techniques, and tools for hobbyists on the road.
Crafts & Art
Crafting and creative arts are perfect for RV living, offering numerous portable options. These hobbies can also provide extra income by selling your creations at local events and campgrounds. Knitting, crochet, embroidery, and small-scale sewing projects are easily managed in limited space, making them ideal for RV life. Drawing and painting require minimal supplies like pencils, sketchbooks, watercolor sets, and other painting supplies, allowing for artistic expression without taking up much room. Photography is another fantastic hobby, with travel locations offering endless opportunities for capturing stunning images. Our family loves many of these activities, keeping arts and craft bins in our camper and enjoying photography during our travels. I have a recently acquired a crochet kit but have found I’m not really good at it.
Outdoor Activity Hobbies
Outdoor activities are a natural fit for RV enthusiasts, given the access to diverse landscapes and recreational areas. One of the top reasons people are switching to the nomadic lifestyle is to get outside and explore our beautiful world. Hiking and biking are popular choices, with trails and paths often located near campgrounds and parks. Hiking requires backpacks and trekking poles that can be easily stored under beds or in containers inside your RV. As for bikes, transporting them can be trying! We’ve been searching for a while for one that gets them off of our back cargo rack since they were blocking our tail lights and were a big safety issue. This one holds them safely and securely up front! Arvika Bike Racks have racks for 1-4 bikes for either E-bikes or regular bikes and offer racks for travel trailers, airstreams, fifth wheels, teardrops, as well as hitches for trucks/cars! Check them out HERE and for anyone interested in getting one themselves use code “HAPPYTRAILS10” for 10% off!
Skateboarding, Scootering, Roller Skating
Our family has recently gotten into skateboarding, scootering, and roller skating. These activities don’t take up much space to store in our vehicle or RV and can be enjoyed at campgrounds and local skateparks. It’s a fun way to stay active, explore new places, and spend quality time together. These activities are great for all ages and skill levels, making them perfect for family recreation. We always have fun searching for new skateparks wherever we are traveling and discovering new spots to enjoy our new hobby. While we were driving through Iowa we stumbled upon the largest skatepark in the United States that was over 88,000 sqft! It was massive and so much fun to hang out for the day!
Kayaking & Fishing
Kayaking and fishing offer a relaxing pastime, whether by lakes, rivers, or oceans. There are many options for bringing kayaks along on your journey. Space-saving kayaks like inflatable, folding, modular, and packrafts are ideal. Inflatable kayaks can be deflated and stored compactly, while folding kayaks collapse and are easily assembled. Modular kayaks break into sections for easy storage, and packrafts are ultra-light and fit into a backpack. These options ensure you can enjoy kayaking without taking up too much space in your RV. We keep our Origami style fold up kayaks in the back of our truck in case we come across any cool spots to drop them in! They are super easy to put together, fold back up, and very affordable!
Fishing is an activity you can enjoy on a boat, kayak, or simply by itself. Bringing fishing gear while RVing is both practical and enjoyable. Opt for compact, portable equipment like telescopic rods and travel-friendly tackle boxes. Store gear in designated compartments or roof-mounted containers to maximize space and keep them from getting damaged. This setup allows you to easily fish at various lakes, rivers, and coastal spots along your journey.
Gardening On The Road
Gardening can also be adapted to RV life. Container gardening allows for growing herbs, vegetables, and flowers in small pots, adding a touch of greenery to your mobile home. Many RVers who stay at campgrounds long-term have small gardens around their RVs. This can be difficult if you move as often as we do during our travels, but we’ve found that participating in community gardens and attending farmers markets allows us to access locally grown fruits and veggies. Another cool activity in lieu of gardening is foraging! Our kids have been really into foraging and identifying mushrooms during our hikes. We have many books to help us identify all the different mushrooms we see in various areas and seasons.
Movement
Fitness and wellness routines are crucial for staying healthy on the road. Yoga and Pilates can be practiced in small spaces with just a mat. Running and walking are excellent ways to explore new terrains while staying active and don’t require any extra supplies. Home workouts using resistance bands, free weights, and bodyweight exercises ensure that fitness goals remain achievable despite limited space. We carry some free weights in our truck so that Anthony can continue to gain muscle while on the road. He works out outside and even utilizes playground equipment, picnic tables, and trees for pull-ups and other various exercises.
Educational Hobbies
Learning and education hobbies fit perfectly into the RV lifestyle, offering endless opportunities for growth and enrichment on the road. E-readers and audiobooks provide access to a vast library of literature without taking up much space. I don’t yet have an E-reader so I usually purchase a book and then try to sell or trade for a new one once I’m finished reading it. Online courses and educational apps make it easy to learn new skills or pursue interests, from cooking to coding, using just your internet connection! Language learning apps allow you to engage with local cultures and enhance your travel experiences. We use Duo-lingo as a family and it’s a great free app for learning a new language! Additionally, visiting museums, historical sites, and local libraries can provide hands-on learning opportunities, making your travels both educational and adventurous.
Music
Music and performing arts can thrive in the RV lifestyle with a bit of creativity and compact equipment. Portable instruments like ukuleles, travel guitars, and violins are perfect for limited spaces. For instance, we mount Anthony’s guitar on the wall which helps keep it accessible but out of the way. Ezra, our oldest, has been interested in learning piano and so we’ve been on the look out to find a portable keyboard and some online piano lessons for him. Singing and dancing can be practiced anywhere, with campgrounds and local events offering opportunities for karaoke and dance. Engaging in virtual music lessons and performances allows you to connect with others and share your talents, keeping your artistic passions alive on the road.
Gaming
Gaming hobbies are also accessible in an RV. Video games can be enjoyed with compact consoles or mobile devices. We have a gaming laptop that our boys share, a PlayStation that’s mounted to our wall, as well as Nintendo switches that don’t take up any space at all. All of these devices allow for online play, helping the kids stay connected with friends. Additionally, travel-friendly board and card games provide great entertainment and socializing opportunities, with our collection stored in space-saving zippered pouches.
As you embark on your RV adventures, incorporating hobbies into your lifestyle not only enriches your travel experiences but also brings a sense of normalcy and joy to life on the road. From creative arts and outdoor activities to fitness routines and educational pursuits, there are endless opportunities to pursue your passions while exploring new destinations. Whether you’re making art, staying fit, learning something new, or simply enjoying a favorite pastime, integrating these activities into your RV lifestyle ensures a more enjoyable and fulfilling journey. Enjoy the versatility and freedom that RV living offers, and let your hobbies enhance every mile of your travels.
Read more about RV life and family-friendly adventures:
How Your Kids Can Become Junior Rangers in National Parks
How to Choose the Right RV for Your Family
A Camper’s Guide To Freshwater Fishing
