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Every family has that one moment before a camping trip — the “where are the marshmallow sticks?” crisis, or the hunt for the one missing hiking boot that always seems to vanish into another dimension.
For me, packing for family camping trips used to be a full-contact sport. I’d start strong, armed with good intentions and a cup of coffee, and end up surrounded by piles of gear, second-guessing whether we really needed three flashlights for one night in the woods.
But after years of chaotic mornings, forgotten essentials, and gear explosions in the back of the car, I finally figured out a system that works — one that keeps everyone’s stuff organized, clean, and adventure-ready without losing my sanity in the process.
Here’s how I pack for our family camping trips now — and why I’ll never go back.
Step One: Divide and Conquer (a.k.a. Embrace the Packing Cube Life)
If you haven’t discovered the joy of packing cubes, let me introduce you to your new obsession. These packing cubes have completely changed the way I organize everything from socks to sweaters.
Each family member gets their own color-coded set, which means no more digging through the duffel to find one child’s missing pajama top. I use smaller cubes for undergarments and swimwear, and larger ones for bulkier layers. Everything stays compact, visible, and (miraculously) wrinkle-free.
Pro tip: when you get home, keep the cubes packed with each person’s camping basics — headlamps, socks, an extra base layer — so next time you can grab and go without starting from scratch.
It might seem like overkill at first, but trust me — having pre-packed cubes means the “we leave in 20 minutes” panic no longer ends with someone wearing mismatched pajamas to the campfire.
Step Two: Keep It Dry, Keep It Simple
No matter how organized you are, something always ends up wet. It’s an unspoken rule of family camping.
That’s why I always pack a waterproof stuff sack like this one for swimsuits, towels, or muddy shoes after a spontaneous dip in the lake (or a not-so-spontaneous downpour). Instead of letting damp items mingle with clean clothes, they get sealed away until we get home.
This one tiny habit has saved countless car rides from the smell of “wet camp.” You know the one.
Another bonus? It makes end-of-trip cleanup a breeze. I toss all the wet items into the stuff sack, zip it shut, and throw the entire thing into the laundry room when we get back. No mystery damp clothes hiding in duffels for days.
Step Three: Duffel Bags That Don’t Make You Cry
There’s a reason I love a good duffel bag, and this one has become my go-to. It’s roomy but still folds up small when not in use — which means it doesn’t take over the garage between trips.
I used to overthink the packing process (“Should we bring one big family bag or four smaller ones?”). The truth? A mix of both works best. I use one large duffel for shared items — like camp towels, bulkier clothes, and communal gear — and smaller bags or cubes for personal items.
This combo makes loading and unloading faster and keeps the tent from becoming a cluttered sea of mystery bags. Everyone knows which one is theirs, and I’m not constantly answering the question, “Mom, where are my socks?”
When we return, I fold the duffel flat and slide it into our storage shelf — part of the system I built after The Day I Finally Took Back My Garage: One Mom’s Gear Storage Makeover That Saved My Sanity (and My Gear). I like to think of it as my victory lap: clean, organized, and ready for the next trip.
Step Four: The Great Toiletry Divide
This next step is a sanity-saver.
I used to pack one giant toiletry bag for the whole family. By day two, it looked like a raccoon had gone through it. Toothbrushes mixed with sunscreen, shampoo leaking onto bug spray — pure mayhem.
Now, each person gets their own toiletry bag — like this compact one that’s easy to hang and has plenty of space for personal items. It’s amazing how empowering it is for kids to be responsible for their own soap and toothbrush. (Okay, “empowering” might be a stretch — but it’s a start.)
That said, I still bring along one shared toiletry bag like this family-size version, which doubles as our sun + bug station. I keep all the sunscreen, aloe, and repellents together so we’re not constantly digging through five different bags. It’s our grab-and-go “safety stash” that lives in the camp kitchen bin.
It might sound excessive to have two toiletry systems, but it’s the difference between calm and chaos. The shared bag means no one has to ask where the sunscreen is (again), and the personal bags mean fewer morning meltdowns over “who used all the shampoo.”
Step Five: Expect Scrapes (and Be Ready for Them)
No matter how smooth the trip goes, someone’s going to need a bandage. Or three.
I used to throw together random supplies in a zip bag — which, as you might guess, never ended well. Now, I pack a proper first-aid kit like this one. It’s compact but fully stocked with everything we’ve ever needed for bumps, cuts, and bee stings.
I keep it in an easy-to-grab spot (usually near the snacks, because that’s where we all end up anyway).
Pro tip: After each trip, do a quick restock — refill bandages, replace anything that’s expired, and tuck in extra bug bite wipes or allergy meds before the next outing sneaks up.
You’ll thank yourself the next time someone trips over a tent stake right before s’mores time.
Step Six: The One Rule That Keeps You Sane
The real secret to packing without losing your mind? Start early and pack in stages.
I used to try to do everything the night before — laundry, food prep, gear check, packing, and the last-minute “where’s my sandal?” panic. Now I stretch it out over a few days.
Day one: pull out bins, check the gear list, and wash anything that smells questionable.
Day two: pack clothing cubes, refill toiletries, and load the dry food bin.
Day three: double-check the essentials, zip up the duffels, and reward yourself with a snack because you deserve it.
That last part is non-negotiable.
You can even keep a running list on your phone of those “forgot last time” items — because we both know there’s always something. (For me, it’s always the spatula. Always.)
Step Seven: Keep the Fun in the Plan
Packing for a family camping trip can feel like a logistical marathon, but it’s also the start of the adventure. The more streamlined your system, the easier it becomes to focus on what matters — actually getting outside, not just preparing to.
And if you want to keep your system working year-round, take a peek at The Day I Finally Took Back My Garage: One Mom’s Gear Storage Makeover That Saved My Sanity (and My Gear). It’s all about keeping gear clean, dry, and organized between trips.
Or if you need a laugh and a reminder that you’re not alone in over-preparing, check out The Ten Essentials: Why It Feels Like the 30 Essentials at Times. Because every mom knows — packing for adventure always involves a little extra “just in case.”
Packing for a family camping trip doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With the right tools — a few good bags, some smart planning, and a willingness to laugh when things go sideways — it can actually be enjoyable. (Dare I say it: even satisfying.)
So next time you’re gearing up for a weekend under the stars, remember: the goal isn’t perfection. It’s preparation that lets you breathe a little easier — and maybe even laugh when someone inevitably drops their marshmallow in the dirt.
Because at the end of the day, adventure is messy. But with a little organization, it’s also magic.
Moms Go Adventure | Camping Essentials, Hiking Gear in Boise ID 