4 Weeks, 2 Toddlers, 1 Van: Our Scandinavian Adventure

All-inclusive resort, Airbnb/Hotel or a campervan adventure?

This was the dilemma on our minds early last year. We’ve traveled with kids before, but never in a van. What does a home on wheels even look like with a 2 and a 3-year-old? Not to mention all the research, planning, driving and the other questions we were having. What if the weather is not great? Will we drive each other crazy in such a small space? What if the kids don't sleep well in a campervan?

Family time in Kinsarvik. (Animated with AI)

The amazing thing was watching the girls adapt. The toys from home were quickly forgotten, replaced by sand, rocks, and tree branches. Their environment became their entertainment. It turns out, nature is the world's best babysitter. Though the incredible playgrounds at Danish and Norwegian campsites certainly helped too.

For anyone who has ever doubted whether they should pull the trigger on a camper trip: go for it. If you love the outdoors, it's the lifestyle for you and your family. You just can’t beat it: wake up, take two steps, and you’re breathing the freshest air with the most wonderful views right at your doorstep.

The next camper adventure awaits for us! Stay tuned!

Nevertheless, we chose the unknown: a 4-week Scandinavian journey through Denmark and Norway. And boy, am I glad we did. While it took a few days to find our ''van-legs'', the lifestyle felt natural almost immediately. While this wasn't our first camper trip, it was a first for us as a family of four. And we quickly realized that traveling with toddlers requires a total corporate restructure.

Without even discussing it, our roles evolved to meet the demands of the road. My wife stepped naturally into the role of Hospitality Manager, mastering the art of keeping the kids entertained, fed, clothed and turning our tiny living space into a sanctuary rather than a cluttered mess. Meanwhile, I became the Operations Manager, a role that involved water and waste management, navigating narrow Norwegian roads, camper setup and pack-down, etc. It turns out, when you’re 24/7 in a van, you don’t just need a mom and a dad, you need a high-functioning team.