The Complete Checklist for Camping in a Cabin
Have you ever gone on a trip and forgotten something? Or had the kids in the back of the car crying because their favorite pillow was left behind? My checklist for camping in a cabin has evolved over many years as a blended family of seven. We’ve had our share of items forgotten and running to the store for something we wish we had brought along.
Camping with my kids in Michigan has been one of the greatest joys of my life. Some of the best memories are from our family unplugging technology, shutting off devices, and spending time outdoors. Our tent camping memories stretch from small family campgrounds like Triponds in Allegan, Michigan to more rustic camping at Muskallonge State Park. We’ve also borrowed a pop-up camper a couple of times and gone to places like Duck Lake RV Campground. Tent camping has been affordable for us as a family of seven.
But when we want to splurge a little and sleep with fewer bugs, we’ve enjoyed small and large cabin rentals throughout West Michigan and places like Lake Leelanau or road trips to the Great Smoky Mountains. We’ve tried it all.
The Right Time of Year
We have camped at different times of the year from Spring Break in March to hunting season in November and December. I plan most of the trips over spring break and summer. Tent camping during cooler months is more enjoyable in my opinion. But if you have to go in the heat of summer, be sure to reserve a spot with trees and shade.
My husband, Scott, plans the hunting trips. He has his favorite cabins in Irons, Michigan and bounces between Best Bear Lodge and the Irons Campground.
I am a planner by nature. I enjoy having things organized and believe proper planning creates a more peaceful getaway. Fewer things are forgotten. Money is budgeted and used more wisely. It also teaches our kids to think ahead and be less impulsive. I’m the queen of packing and know how to make everything for seven people fit into a minivan.
Over the years, I have written many notes for my kids to use for packing or scheduling their day. I usually start weeks ahead and add things to the list as they come to mind. And I will spend time going through photos from previous trips to remember things I might have forgotten.
Big Families in Small Cabins
We are a pretty large family with five kids. And my husband and his son are over 6 feet tall. We have more fun when the whole family can spread out a little. They need enough room for comfort, rest, and a good night’s sleep. So when we look for a cabin getaway, I like to make sure we have enough beds for everyone and separate bedrooms to recharge. Even though our trips intend to have family bonding time, it’s also healthy for everyone to be able to wind down and have their own space.
Cramming everyone into a small cabin to save money has never been a good idea. By the end of the trip, everyone is grumpy and forgets the good times they had. On one occasion, when the cabin didn’t have enough room, we pitched a tent in the yard for two of the kids.
Fun Things To Do
Another challenge I will spend time planning is the activities we will do on the trip. Kids have different interests, personalities, and expectations. Some of our kids enjoy water sports and outdoor activities. While others would rather chill in a hammock, collect rocks, or spend a quiet morning fishing. I recommend making sure there is something for everyone. And if you have two parents, it’s okay to split up and do different activities sometimes.
On one of our cabin vacations, I took the boys kayaking, while Scott spent the afternoon with our daughter at a local museum. We’ve also tried to be intentional about planning 1:1 time with our kids when it’s possible. Since we are a blended family, this has helped create bonds and special attention for reassurance.
Camping Traditions
If you find a cozy cabin that works for your family, I also believe in traditions. My kids are more likely to remember vacations if they are repeated. The same campground year after year became something they looked forward to. Kids also have less anxiety if they know what to expect. Our boys have a fun motto with Scott “What happens at deer camp, stays at deer camp.”
Essential Tip:
For our first few camping trips with younger kids, we picked camping cabins that were close to home, just in case we forgot something.
Feeding the Family at the Cabin
Meal planning can also help your trip go smoother. If your kids are old enough, involve them in the planning. This way they’ve had an opportunity to speak into the food they will eat and learn life skills in planning. It also comes in handy when the inevitable complaint pops up “There’s nothing to eat that I like”
Finding a weekend before your reservations to do batch kitchen preparations and freeze ahead of time, can save time and money. Otherwise, with young kids, it can feel like you are preparing, eating, and cleaning up just in time for the next meal.
Our blended family food preferences are pretty varied. Some of our kids love routine and will eat the same thing every day without complaint. Others were more picky when they were younger and needed variety or a hot meal three times a day. This can be exhausting if you’re a single parent on the trip. Especially, if you’re a beginner at making campfires outside.
But after a while, I embraced the challenge and got creative with camping irons (hobo pie makers) and tin foil breakfast or desserts in things like waffle cones. Pinterest is full of ideas!
Checklist for Camping in a Cabin
For a long cabin camping trip away from home, here is a cabin checklist for a family camping trip. If you know your location is near grocery stores, you can of course choose to get some of this when you arrive. Some cabins come equipped with different items, so if you’re renting, some of this might be extra. You can also download our free printable cabin packing list.
Road trip suggestions
- Hourly grab bags
- Prizes for behavior
- Rationed snack surprises
- License plate game
- Road trip printables
Dry Food, Drink, and snacks
- Camping stove
- Bottled water
- Powdered flavor packets
- Granola bars, buts
- Chips and cookies
- Bread, jelly, peanut butter
- oil spray
- salt and pepper
- Condiments: Ketchup, mustard, mayo
- S’mores: graham crackers, marshmallows, chocolate, Reeses cups,
- Coffee and tea
Refrigerated food (or kept on ice)
- Cooler with ice
- Cheese
- Bacon
- Eggs
- Butter
- Milk
- Hot dogs, hamburgers
Cooking supplies
- Tin foil
- Long tongs
- Dish rags, dish soap, scrubber
- Ziplock bags
- Large spatula, spoon
- Scissors, knives
- Potholders, oven mitts
- Hobo Pie makers
- Campfire skewers
Camping Supplies and Cabin Essentials
- Tablecloth if you have a picnic table
- Garbage bags
- Bug spray and sunscreen
- First Aid Kit
- Phone charger
- Matches, lighter, lighter fluid, kindling
- Firewood, newspaper, kindling
- Tarps and rope
- Flashlights
- Bucket, laundry hamper
- Extension cords and power strips
- Batteries, chargers
- Cups, plasticware, napkins, paper towel
- Duct tape
- Can/bottle opener
- Small coolers for picnics
Personal items (bathroom necessities)
- Soap, shampoo, deodorant
- Towels, washcloths
- Hair brushes and hair products
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Toilet paper
- Sleeping bag and blankets for a cold night
- Pillows and sheets for rustic cabins
- Refillable water bottle
- Favorite stuffed animal, blanket or security item
Clothing
- Comfy clothes (PJs, sweats, favorite shorts)
- Fleece jacket or hoodie
- Swimsuits (pool, hot tub, lake, ocean)
- Bandana, sun hats, visors
- Quick-drying clothing
TIP: Sometimes it’s nice to have a swimsuit for the pool and a different one for the lakewater shoes, flip-flops, slides, Sandals
Things to do and fun activities
- Floaties, goggles, flippers, lifevests
- Beach umbrella and towels
- Beach or camping chairs
- Sand buckets, shovels
- Fishing gear, bucket
- Kites
- Skateboards, Bikes
- Outdoor games, football, frisbee, pickleball
Rainy Day
- Raincoat or ponchos
- Boots
- Good books
- Puzzles, board games, decks of cards
- Travel games in tins
You can also download our free printable cabin packing list.
