My family likes to camp. Growing up we made several camping trips each summer and we became pretty good at loading up the van and trailer  with all the stuff we needed. My Dad created a special routine we would use, and an awesome list that we would check off as things were packed. This is when camping totes became a thing for our family.

When Ben and I got married, we decided to make a couple of camping totes so that we would be able to grab and go, whenever we decided too. Camping with littles is so much easier if you are organized and know where things are, and these totes allow us to be both of those. 🙂

I wanted to share what we have in our grab ‘n go camping totes, and how you can make yours for right around $35 per person {excluding tent, sleeping bags, etc.} for basic dishes and toiletries, plus activities for rainy days.

 

Making Grab ‘n Go Camping Totes

The first thing that you will need to do is to head to your nearest dollar store. We have a Dollar Tree and Dollar General in our town, and I ended up using both at different times to collect things for our grab and go camping totes.

When we first started putting these totes together, we had three, one for sleeping and tents items, one for kitchen things, and one for food. Now we have added one more small tote for games and rainy day tent play, and will be adding one for bathroom items. These camping totes have made our camping trips so much easier and more relaxing! I don’t have to rush around trying to get things ready, because each time we come home, I go through the totes and replace whatever is needed, then they are all ready next time we head out the door!

I suggest getting all your needed items before getting totes to put them in, especially if you are a larger family that will need more dishes and silverware.

 

Second, start filling your cart with things that you will need. Here is a basic and minimalist list:

Kitchen Grab ‘n Go Camping Tote

1 each per person:

• Plate
• Bowl
• Cup
• Mug
• Silverware setting

Plus:

• Can opener
• 2 serving spoons
• Spatula
• Rubber Scraper
• Paring knife
• Vegetable peeler
• Foil
• Storage bags/containers for leftovers
• Measuring spoons
• Mixing bowl
• Measuring cups
• Saucepan
• Napkins
• Paper towel
• Tongs
• Whisk
• Water Jugs

 

Campfire Tote:

• Hatchet
• Newspaper
• Kindling
• Hotdog/Marshmallow Roasters
• Matches
• Charcoal
• Charcoal Starter

 

Tent Tote:

• Batteries
• Flashlights

 

Bathroom Tote:

• Comb
• Hairbrush
• Toothpaste
• Toothbrushes
• Washcloths
• Shampoo
• Bar soap
• 1 towel per person

 

Rainy Day/Game Tote:

• 1-2 colors books per child
• Decks of cards
• Uno
• Old Maid
• Dice
• Crayons
• Markers
• Notebooks/Paper
• Pencils/Pens
• Stickers

 

Big Items that you will need to collect {not included in the $35 estimate above}:

• Lodge Cast Iron pans
• Tent
• Sleeping Bags
• Air Mattress and Pump

 

Obviously this list is not exhaustive, you may find other things that you want to add, or some that you don’t want.

The third thing that you will want to do is to buy totes that fit your needs, then print off these super cute tote labels, laminate them, and attach them to the correct totes. They are FREE!! There are some already made with an item list, so that you can use a marker and just cross things off as you add them, or make sure they are in the box, and some that are plain just waiting for you to make your own list.

 

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