Our Current Favorite Gear for the Whole Family
Most recently updated: March 2026
We spend a whole lot of time outside with small humans and an eager dog. So we’ve had lots of opportunities to test out various gear and strategies! I’ve collected our current favorite items here, including what we’re currently or recently using. This list will change over time, as I’ll swap things out if they’re replaced, out of rotation, or if our opinion changes. For comprehensive gear lists you can check out the full length posts for my backpack packing list, and what little guy carries in his pack.
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Hiking Essentials
- Osprey Tempest 22 L : My 2026 backpack upgrade, and I am loving it
- Bug repellent lotion : We swear by this stuff. It works wonders for at least 12 hours at a time.
- Nocs binoculars : Waterproof, compact, durable. They work for us!
- Gregory Zulu 30 L : My husband’s backpack–so far so good. Seems to have resolved any back and shoulder tension he had with his old one.
- SPF baseball cap : I burn SO easily, so this has been a lifesaver.
- Oboz Sawtooth hiking boots : My hiking boots and I love them. Great for narrower feet and ankle support that isn’t restrictive.
Camping Gear
- Coleman Skydome tent : Little guy can and has consistently napped in here. The ‘dark room technology’ works–it stays cooler and darker than any tent we’ve had before.
- Camping cooking utensils : This set has everything we need, so we just keep this with our gear and don’t have to remember to pack a billion extra little things.
- S’more skewers : For marshmallows and hot dogs alike, we like that these are retractable and easy to store in our gear tote.
- Headlamps : Good for hiking safety, necessary for late night bathroom runs. Don’t forget extra batteries!
- Battery pack : I like this one to keep my phone and Apple Watch topped off.
- Insect repellant for gear : Spray it on your tent, boots, and/or backpack if you’re in a tick or mosquito heavy area. So helpful.
- Collapsible sinks : Easy to store but delightful for getting cleaning up done at camp
- White noise machine : Our guy uses a white noise machine at home, so this portable version is perfect for helping him sleep in the tent.
- Reusable ice packs : We like these for the coolers so we don’t end up with melted ice.
Kid Favorites
- Camelbak Mini M.U.L.E : Our youngest’s first backpack, this is working out pretty darn well. He loves the water bladder life.
- Kid’s fishing pole : Little guy has the Spiderman one. Is it the fanciest? No. But he loves it, it works just fine, and he catches all the panfish on this thing.
- Osprey Daylite 13L : The backpacks the girls are using, it carries everything they need and they have no complaints about comfort. I have one myself for low key outings.
- Bubble wands : Everyone loves bubbles!
- Marker set : All 3 of the kids love using this when we’re camping. Remember to bring a zip lock bag to safely store completed art so it doesn’t get rained on. Trust me.
- Battery hand fan : My stepdaughters love these for summer camping.
- Card games: We love to bring some games to camp, but are wary of board games that have too many pieces, so we stick to cards. Current favorites are Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza and Uno Junior.
- Bug habitat : I can’t begin to tell you how much time they spend collecting bugs and examining them in here. Just make sure to release them!
- Campfire color packets : It’s a tradition that after we’re done cooking we end the day with a colorful fire. It really does look cool. Please make sure not to cook on the fire after adding though–this is for end of the night only.
Dog Gear
- Mosquito repellent spray : It seems to help keep the bites down, which I’m sure he appreciates.
- Lead cable : We keep our dog on a 4-6 foot leash while walking, but within our campsite we like to give him more room to wander, as long as he can’t get to the road or other campsites. We’ll generally just loop the cable around a tree.
- Poop bags with holder : Poop happens, and you have to be prepared!
- Ruffwear harness : This harness is adjustable enough to fit our oddly shaped dog, and has never given us any problems with skin irritation or slipping off.
- Waterproof blanket : We set this up over an old Arcadia Trail dog mat so he has his own cozy sleeping space in the tent.
- Life jacket : We consider it best practice to have dogs in a life jacket when near deep water, and definitely if you take a dog paddling. This is especially true when your dog absolutely can’t swim, like our basset mix. This one works well for us, and has never seemed uncomfortable for him to wear.