We’ve officially completed our third Folkman family reunion at Lake Tahoe, and the memories were as golden as the sunsets over Emerald Bay. With 13 of us packed into the Marriott Vacation Club’s Timber Lodge (which, by the way, has the best location in South Lake Tahoe), we swam, hiked, paddled, and picnicked our way through one of the most beautiful places in the country.
But let’s be honest—family travel is a lot easier when you’re prepared, and this year, we had some MVP Amazon purchases that saved the day (and the sanity). Whether you’re planning a multi-generational vacation or just love peeking into other people’s packing lists, here’s everything we brought and loved—plus a few Tahoe tips along the way.
🎒 Our Must-Have Amazon Favorites
1. Hydro Flask 20L Cooler Bag
This was by far our most-used item. It’s light enough for short hikes, small enough to slide in the front seat of the car, and big enough to pack lunch for 11 people—and still keep everything cold for hours.
👉 Shop the Cooler Bag
2. Rechargeable Electric SUP Pump (20 PSI)
Game-changer. This rechargeable, portable pump had our paddle boards inflated in minutes. No sweat, no swearing.
👉 Shop the SUP Pump
3. Inflatable Stand-Up Paddle Boards
The kids spent hours exploring coves and jumping off rocks at Sand Harbor. These were sturdy, easy to pack, and added a ton of adventure.
👉 Shop Paddle Boards
4. Double Lake Float with Cooler & Cup Holders
Calen’s favorite. He floated in this for hours, snacks and drinks within reach, not a care in the world.
👉 Shop the Double Float
5. Rock Painting Kits + Acrylic Markers
When the grandkids weren’t swimming, they were crafting. Laura brought rock painting books, kits, and markers that kept them entertained for hours.
👉 Shop Rock Painting Kit
👉 Shop Acrylic Markers
👉 Rock Painting Idea Book
6. BINGO Prizes for the Grandkid Games
We do a big Bingo night every year—and Laura always stocks up on fun Amazon prizes. Some of this year’s biggest hits:
- Glow-in-the-dark gloves 👉 Shop Now
- Magnetic men 👉 Shop Now
- Mini Crochet Animals 👉 Shop Now
- Robot toys 👉 Shop Now
- Fingerlings Shop Now
7. Bracelet-Making + Origami Kits
The girls made matching bracelets with this cute kit, and the kids origami book was a surprise favorite.
👉 Shop Bracelet Kit
👉 Shop Origami Book
🏞 Tahoe Favorites & Travel Tips
- Where We Stayed: Timber Lodge at Marriott Vacation Club
- Best Walk: Pope and Baldwin Estates—beautiful grounds and easy for all ages.
- Favorite Hike: Lower Eagle Falls to Vikingsholm and Emerald Bay. Bring water and swimsuits!
- Best Beach: Sand Harbor—but make a reservation! We snagged a last-minute spot at 10:30am when they opened parking to the public.
- For the Littles: Tahoe Trout Farm. No license needed, gear provided, and everyone caught a fish. We grilled them that night!
- Don’t Miss: Tahoe Shakespeare Festival. We saw Twelfth Night with a lakeview backdrop. Magical—but bring warm jackets!
🥘 Our Family Menu (Feeding 13 People)
Cooking for 13 isn’t for the faint of heart, but with full kitchens and a Costco run on day one, we made it work.
Dinner Menus
- Night 1: Grilled Tri-Tip + Beet Wedge Salad with Blue Cheese Dressing
- Night 2: Hamburgers + Corn on the Cob + Watermelon
- Night 3: Grilled Fish + Baked Potato Bar + Broccoli + Homemade Tartar Sauce
- Night 4: Taco Salad Bar (Carnitas + Leftover Fish + All the Fixings)
- Night 5: Breakfast-for-Dinner Hash with Sausage, Onions, Peppers, Eggs + Leftover Corn + Peaches & Ice Cream
Lunches for the Lake + Boat
- BLTs
- Chicken Salad
- Turkey & Cheese Sandwiches
- Tuna + Pickles
- Mediterranean Dense Bean Salad
- Crackers, Chips, Fruit, Meats, Cheese
One Night Out:
Base Camp Pizza (right across from our hotel) is always a hit!
💡 Final Thoughts
We love Lake Tahoe for its beauty, activities, and the way it brings our family together. Whether you’re headed to the mountains or planning your own family getaway, we hope this list helps you pack with confidence and make memories that last.
Have questions about Tahoe? Drop them in the comments or reach out—we’re happy to share more.