Family RV Camping with Kids sleeping in Camper packing checklist

Your Essential RV Camping Checklist 2023 (+Printable Checklist)

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What do you need for a family RV camping trip?  Here is my best resource for RV packing list for the family. You are getting a sneak peek at my personal RV packing checklist for camping with babies, toddlers, and big kids. You will see a special section just for packing for the baby or toddler.

The first baby we took tent camping at a few weeks old.  Since then we have been tent camping and backpacking with infants and toddlers but now with #5 and #6 we have been enjoying RV camping.  

See our sanity-saving tips for RV camping with a toddler and packing checklist specifically for RV camping with a toddler.

I love to tent camp but RV camping with young children has allowed us to get out and camp more and extend the season.  Plus, we have been able to take very long, 3 week and month road trips, that would have never worked in a tent or car camping.

Our first RV experience was renting a camper. We rented from Canadream on a half-price special. Otherwise, that would have been quite expensive.

You have some great options for renting campers. One option to find the best and most flexible RV rental rates (and lots of insider tips) is Outdoorsy.

A basic Google Doc for you to download a packing list that you can edit is at the end of this article or subscribe to get full access to discounts, checklists, and travel planners. If you want a checklist specific for babies and toddlers, you can read more and download that checklist at our article RV Packing Checklist for Babies and Toddlers

You can get a printable checklist when you sign up for our trip planning kit (it is prettier than the Google file) or download your own copy in a Google file. Click this link for the Google file, choose to make your own copy (on the dropdown on the left), and save to your own Google drive.

I hope you find this checklist helpful for answering all your questions about – What Should I pack in my RV checklist?

Family RV Camping Trip Packing Checklist

Family RV camping checklist with kids - download checklist
Family RV camping checklist with kids –

Whether you have been tent camping, or are new to camping altogether, RV camping requires some equipment specific to an RV.   

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    RV Equipment and Necessities

    • Hitch 
    • Weight distribution bar
    • Leveling blocks
    • Wheel chocks
    • Tire pressure gauge
    • Generator
    • Fuel for the generator 
    • Surge Protectors
    • Electrical adapters
    • Water pressure regulator
    • Water purifier
    • Drinking water hose
    • Sewer hoses and gloves
    • Shovel
    • Battery jumper cables
    • Roadside emergency kit with flares or triangles 
    • Small tool kit with screwdrivers, hammer, wrenches
    • Fire extinguisher
    • Hydraulic or scissor jack

    A travel trailer and fifth wheel must be towed safely with the correct hitch.  A motorhome is one unit and does not include a hitch – so you can cross that off your list along with the weight distribution bar.

    RV Kitchen Checklist

    Family RV Kitchen and Cooking Supplies print and download checklist
    RV Kitchen and Cooking Supplies

    In an RV you will have the luxury of cooking as you do at home.  Take advantage of this by having a well-stocked kitchen, ready to make, fun meals for the whole family.   When we are boondocking, I use the built-in propane cooktop and oven.  When we are camping at a campground, I pull out all the electric appliances and use the power from the campground.  So I have multiple options when cooking. 

    • Utensils
    • Pots 
    • Pans 
    • Griddle
    • Lid- One size fits all
    • Microwavable bowl
    • Pressure cooker (Instapot)
    • Electric griddle
    • Tea Kettle
    • Coffee Pot 
    • Potholders
    • Can opener
    • Knives
    • Flat wear
    • Plates
    • Bowls
    • Cups
    • Water bottles
    • Paper plates
    • Napkins
    • Ziplock bags

    Cleaning Supplies List for RV

    The best and worst thing about an RV is cleaning.  In this small space, you can clean your entire house in just minutes but the mess will also happen in just minutes.  So you can feel like you spend your entire day cleaning small messes.  Be prepared with some cleaning supplies on hand to make the job easier and faster. 

    • Dishtowel
    • Sponge
    • Dish soap
    • Paper towels
    • Brillo pad
    • Rubber gloves
    • Magic Erasers
    • Fabric/upholstery cleaner
    • Carpet cleaner
    • Trash Bags
    • Toilet brush
    • All-purpose cleaner
    • Dilute bleach
    • Toilet bowl drop-ins

    RV Bedroom and Sleeping Checklist

    Family RV Bedroom and Sleeping Supplies print and download checklist
    RV Bedroom

    Sleeping in an RV can be as much as camping or home as you would like it to be. You can have the comfort of sleeping at home with sheets and blankets, or the kids can still have a campout and sleeping bags.  

    In cold season camping, the bottom of the beds and floor can get cold. So we use wool blankets under the sheets or electric blankets to keep warm. 

    • Waterproof mattress pad
    • Sheets
    • Pillowcases
    • Pillows
    • Blankets 
    • Sleeping bags
    • Wool blankets (for under or on top)
    • Electric blanket
    • Air mattress
    • Lovey or stuffed animal for the kids
    • Window coverings
    • Space heater (safe and electric)

    RV Bathroom Checklist

    I think the most wonderful thing about RV camping is an indoor bathroom.  Especially with kids …. In the middle of the night.  You do need to have some RV bathroom essentials and keep up with the cleanliness in this tiny space though.     This is our RV bathroom packing checklist: 

    • RV toilet paper
    • RV toilet drop-ins
    • Toothbrushes
    • Toothpaste
    • Floss
    • Qtips
    • Small paper cups
    • Shampoo & Conditioner
    • Bath Soap
    • Washcloth
    • Quick-dry towels
    • Brush and comb
    • Lotion
    • Deodorant
    • Laundry soap
    • Dirty clothes bag
    • First aid kit

    Other RV Camping Essentials

    • Camera
    • Shade tent 
    • Bug screen tent
    • Portable table 
    • Headlamps
    • Water purifier
    • Backpacks
    • Camp chairs
    • Doormat 

    Hobbies and Camping Activities

    Family RV camping with bikes for kids on the activities checklist
    Bring the bikes on your RV camping trip

    RV camping is about having fun and exploring the area around you.  This may mean riding bikes around the campground, swimming in a lake, or hanging out by the campfire.  This is list is likely more comprehensive than what you will need on every trip but it is a start. 

    Some of the athletic gear and bikes go on a platform on the back of our travel trailer.  We also have a specific bike rack that we squeeze a couple of extra bikes onto. 

    • Scooter
    • Bike
    • Helmet
    • Glow sticks
    • Headlamp
    • Collapsible bucket
    • Butterfly net
    • Sports balls – Soccer, football
    • Binoculars
    • Puzzles 
    • Drawing and art supplies
    • Playing cards
    • Swimsuits
    •  towels
    • goggles
    • toys
    • bag for wet suits
    • life jackets
    • Sand Toys


    RV First Aid Kit
    Checklist

    Our first aid kit has grown over the years from some basic anti-biotic cream and bandages to include more things for emergencies.  With 6 kids, we have had our share of bumps, bruises, accidents, and the occasional stitches.  Here is our personal checklist for our RV first aid kit. 

    • Triple Antibiotic
    • Anti-itch cream or hydrocortisone cream
    • Bug spray
    • Sunblock
    • Aloe vera
    • Burn Cream
    • Band-Aids
    • Absorbent compress dressings
    • Tweezers
    • Scissors
    • Individual eye drops 
    • Thermometer
    • Blanket
    • Baby fever medication
    • Fever and cold medication
    • Pain reliever
    • Allergy pills
    • Children’s motion sickness pills
    • Prescription medications
    • Nausea and diarrhea remedies
    • Vitamin and supplements
    • Sewing kit
    • Coconut oil
    • Water purifier

    Camping Clothes Checklist

    • Pants (Hiking pants)
    • Shorts
    • Short sleeve shirts
    • Long sleeve shirts
    • sweatshirts 
    • Socks 
    • Underwear
    • Dresses
    • Laundry soap
    • Dirty clothes bag

    Camping Outerwear for the Family 

    • Rain Jacket and Pants
    • Fleece Jacket
    • Snow Jacket and Pants
    • Galoshes
    • Snow Boots
    • Hiking Boots
    • Sneakers
    • Sandals
    • Gloves
    • Hat
    • Scarf
    • Hand Warmers

     Baby and Toddler Camping Gear Checklist

    Camping at Green River campground and hiking Green River Trail at Dinosaur National Monument Utah and Colorado
    Camping at Green River campground and hiking Green River Trail at Dinosaur National Monument Utah and Colorado

    Traveling with a baby or toddler in tow requires some extra gear.  When we travel in the RV we take along some of the comforts of home.  Taking care of a baby or toddler in the camper is much easier when you have the basics on hand.  Your baby or toddler will be more comfortable and happier also.  See our article here on the blog for a complete checklist for RV camping with a baby or toddler.

    • Diapers or pull-ups
    • Wipes
    • Diaper cream
    • Bottles and cleaning supplies
    • Nursing supplies (breastfeeding)
    • Sippy cup
    • Bibs
    • Burp cloth
    • Sun hat
    • Fleece sleep sack
    • Warm hat for sleeping
    • Baby sleeping bag
    • Portable bassinet or sleep tent
    • Small booster seat (at the dinette)
    • Baby monitor
    • Portable High chair
    • Wagon
    • Stroller
    • Vitamins

    RV Dog Essentials Checklist

    A baby and dogs are a big reason that we transferred from tent camping to road tripping in an RV.  The dogs loved tent camping but in order to do long trips with dogs, we chose our travel trailer.  

    • Food 
    • Treats 
    • Food bowls
    • Collar and tags
    • Leashes
    • Tie-out
    • Dog towels (rags)
    • Waste bags
    • Blankets or pet bed
    • Portable pen
    • Medications
    • Toys

    Get this 19-page
    Travel Planner
    that I personally
    use for our family trips

      We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at anytime.

      Rounding up the Family RV Camping Packing Checklist

      You can get a printable checklist when you sign up for our trip planning kit (it is prettier than the Google file) or download your own copy in a Google file. Click this link for the Google file, choose to make your own copy (on the dropdown on the left), and save to your own Google drive.

      Get the ultimate guide to planning an RV Vacation and the Family RV Packing Checklist (and more RV hacks) by subscribing to our newsletter and get the Family RV Discounts and Packing Checklist

      Oh, and one more thing – I have the RV packing checklist set for 3 kids – but you already know I have more than that. So just make more rows or print more copies for more kids.

      If you prefer, you can use this live camping checklist by Outdoorsy and click the boxes.

      RV rental in Canada for our family RV camping trip
      RV rental is a creative and cheap family accommodation

      Our first time traveling as a family in an RV was when we flew to Toronto Canada and rented an RV.  The time we had planned to visit downtown Toronto turned into an unforgettable adventure to the surrounding Provential Parks, Niagra Falls, and upstate New York.    

      No moving in and out of hotel rooms, traveling with our bathroom and bedroom in tow.  

      We all loved the whole time that we came home and started dreaming about an RV.

      Then, we went tent camping with 4 kids (including a baby and toddler) in the rain and I was totally sold on an RV. (Psst – you read our article here for 27 more pros and cons of RV travel.

      We have some great options for renting campers. One option to find the best and most flexible RV rental rates (and lots of insider tips) is through RVShare. Another option in the sharing space which is the largest RV rental marketplace in the US and Canada is Outdoorsy.

      We now take short and long road trips in our travel trailers.  Every time we leave, I use this RV camping trip checklist to pack the RV for our trip.

      Grab a copy of the checklist and start packing everything you need right into the camper. If you are renting a camper, use this packing list to ask the company what they supply for your trip and what you will need to bring.

      I hope this checklist helps you prepare for your next trip too. 


      Shauna Kocman founder Family Travel Fever
      Shauna Kocman founder of Family Travel Fever

      Hi, I’m Shauna – Welcome to Family Travel Fever.  We are a large family, that was bitten by the travel bug!  I take the kids by myself because I don’t mind flying or driving solo with my crew to discover the coolest places.

      Sign up for our email list for my best travel tips plus get the family travel planner free. 

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