The Ultimate Cabin Fun List

If there is one thing I’ve learned about traveling in Washington State, it’s that you need to book your trip well in advance. So when I started looking for fall cabins, it was 81 degrees and sunny in Seattle and I was already trying to remember what I own in my autumn wardrobe and mentally preparing for the inevitable rain.

Which is why I’m sharing one of my all time favorite lists: everything you need to make a cabin trip genuinely wonderful, rain and all.

This list is broken into five parts for maximum fun and works beautifully for solo travelers and groups alike. Whether you’re heading out with siblings, your partner, or just yourself and a stack of books, there is something here for you.

The Ultimate Cabin Fun List // Fire Pit // Allison of On the Trip Side

Table of Contents

Friends/Family Travel Fun

My siblings and I are deeply, embarrassingly competitive. Always in good fun and we never hold grudges, but we will absolutely hold it over each other’s heads when it’s funny. Which is why portable games are always the first thing I pack.

Games and Activities:

Scrabble – my mom’s choice, an oldie but genuinely a goodie and it’s portable
Travel Table Tennis Set (paddles, balls, net and carrying case) – also makes a genuinely great gift
Portable Cornhole Set (two colors, matching bean bags, carrying case) – we could play this for hours, especially around a fire
The Game of Life – my personal favorite board game and always a crowd pleaser
What the Meme – I haven’t played this yet but it has been recommended to me by approximately everyone I know

Cozy Cabin Drinks

Whether you’re with a group or flying solo, a good warm drink is non-negotiable at a cabin.

Hot chocolate – and a dairy free option for those of us with intolerances 🙋‍♀️
A good electric kettle if your cabin doesn’t have one
Your favorite loose leaf tea or tea bags (or this wellness trio)

The Ultimate Cabin Fun List // Hot Tea on the Porch // On the Trip Side Blog

Solo Travel Fun

For those of us who plan solo road trips, book solo cabin weekends, or simply need some introverted quiet time away from the group. These are for you.

Games for One:

A classic deck of cards – there is nothing more soothing than sitting in front of a fire playing solitaire for hours. I stand by this completely. (I am obsessed with this wildflower deck)
Crossword puzzle book – genuinely good for your brain and incredibly satisfying
Cold Case Murder Mystery game – one player, designed for people who love detective shows, which is me and probably you

Quiet Time: My Favorite Part

Honestly? This is what I come to the cabin for. A fire, a hot drink, a blanket, and absolutely no obligations.

Puzzles: A 1000 piece puzzle by the fire is one of life’s true pleasures. A few beautiful options: (ShopMy links for each)

Books:

I always bring at least three books to a cabin and read approximately one and a half of them. Current favorites for a rainy cabin weekend:

The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena – a newborn is kidnapped while the parents are at a dinner party next door. You will suspect everyone the entire time
My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite – Korede’s sister Ayoola is many things: the favorite child, the beautiful one, possibly sociopathic. And now Ayoola’s third boyfriend in a row is dead, stabbed through the heart with Ayoola’s knife. It’s so good!
And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie – a classic I keep meaning to read and you probably should too
The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman – if you love cozy mysteries with a witty edge, this series is everything

The Ultimate Cabin Fun List // Quiet Time // Allison of On the Trip Side Blog

Cozy and Mindless

Sometimes your brain just needs a full rest and that is completely valid.

Adult coloring books – genuinely relaxing and more fun than it sounds
A good movie marathon – I always rewatch Practical Magic in the fall and add in Hocus Pocus around Halloween
S’mores supplies – non-negotiable whether you’re solo or with a group
A cozy candle for the cabin
A soft throw blanket

A Few Cabin Essentials Worth Packing

While you’re at it, don’t forget:

A good headlamp
A portable bluetooth speaker
Your favorite journal
Warm bootie slippers – always more than you think you’ll need
A The North Face Alta Vista Rain Jacket – Women’s
because PNW

Thanks so much for reading, friends! Cabin season in the PNW is one of my favorite things and I hope this list makes your next trip a little cozier and a lot more fun.

What’s on your cabin packing list? Leave it in the comments below!