Camping trips are a fun way to pass the time, no matter if you prefer to go in the warmer or the cooler months. But, it’s not always the easiest thing to get used to.
Thankfully, there are plenty of camping hacks to make things easier. As an added bonus, they will free up your time so you have more of it to spend with your family exploring the great outdoors!
Intrigued? The following list of 24 camping hacks will make your days in the great outdoors better than ever before:
1. Peanut Butter Jar Lantern
This hack is a great way to light up those dark nights around the campsite. It’s super easy to make. All you need are two empty peanut butter jars and a battery operated votive candle. You will also need some glue, something to use for a handle, and parchment paper. For full instructions visit Made By Cynthia Rae.Blogspot.
2. Dutch Oven Pizza
Love pizza? Make your own at the campsite with a dutch oven, store bought pizza dough, and this camping hack. You will also need your favorite toppings, cheese, and pizza sauce. Simply assemble your pizza and place in your dutch oven. Keep it on the fire until the dough is thoroughly cooked and you are ready to ear. Visit What’s Cooking America for the full recipe.
3. Grilled Banana Boats
These can be made on a BBQ grill and are a treat that everyone is guaranteed to enjoy.
Ingredients:
- Banana(s)
- Favorite toppings (dried coconut, chocolate chips, peanut butter, and mini marshmallows)
- Maraschino cherries
Instructions:
- Turn on your grill and warm it on medium heat.
- Cut a slit in one side of the banana.
- Remove the banana and cut it up.
- Place the banana in a mixing bowl and add your favorite toppings.
- Mix everything together and put the mixture back in the banana.
- Wrap the banana in foil and place it on the grill for 5 minutes, or until it is melted and gooey inside.
- Remove the grilled banana from the grill.
- Add whipped cream and top with a cherry.
- Serve and enjoy!
It’s important to be careful when cooking these because they are hot when they come off the grill.
4. DIY Lantern
Do you love reading but find it harder to do when you are camping? If so, you’ll love this easy camping hack. The only items you need are a gallon of water and a headlamp. Simply place the headlamp around the jug with the light facing the water. That’s it –you are done. This DIY lantern is powerful enough to light a large space without having to strain your eyes with a flashlight.
5. Kamp Kadi
This hack doesn’t require you to be creative or nifty with your hands. You can find this product online ($22, overstock.com) or in some camping stores. It is excellent for keeping your camping kitchen area well organized. With holders for mugs, a radio, paper towels, a trash bag, and condiments, you will never again have to to search through the back of your car for important camping items.
6. Camping Scavenger Hunt
It can be hard to keep kids entertained if you don’t have easy access to a TV and other electronic devices. With this nifty scavenger hunt, you can keep them busy as bees during the day. All you have to do is make a list of things of things you would find in nature and glue it to a paper bag. After it’s dried, give it to your kids, and send them on their way. To download a copy of the hunt pictured above visit Creative Homemakers. blogspot.
7. Campfire Donuts
These campfire donuts are easy to make with only need a few ingredients and a cast iron skillet.
Ingredients:
- 1 can of store bought biscuits
- Oil
- Powdered cinnamon and sugar
Instructions:
- Heat your skillet to medium heat and add oil.
- Cut a hole in the middle of the store bought biscuits.
- Fry the biscuits in your skillet. Turn them over once a minute so they get a nice even color..
- When the dough is thoroughly cooked, remove the donuts from the skillet.
- Coat them in powdered cinnamon and sugar.
- Serve and enjoy!
8. Solar Powered Lights
Finding it hard to get around in the dark? Place solar power powered lights around your campsite to ensure that you can see where you’re going, even on the darkest night. As an added bonus, they’re super cheap. In fact, there are models available for around $1 each.
9. Duct Tape Wrapped Lighter
Taking one of those huge rolls of duct tape with you on your camping trip can be a hassle. Instead of lugging a large roll of duct tape around, this easy hack will make things much more convenient. All you have to do is wrap your lighter with a little bit of duct tape and you’ll have both a lighter and tape in one convenient package to take along with you.
10. Roasted Starbursts
These campfire treats are super delicious and a breeze to make. It’s just like roasting marshmallows. Simply place your Starburst on a stick or a skewer and roast it over the campfire. When it starts to brown around the edges, remove it from the heat and enjoy your ooey gooey fruity treat.
11. Eggs in a Jar
Hate dealing with broken eggs at the camp site? If so, this hack is a lifesaver. When you get to the camp site, break your eggs and place them all into an empty mason jar. When you are finished, put the mason jar in the cooler to keep the eggs fresh. You can also use a large Nalgene water bottle.
12. Taco Salad To Go
Looking for an easy and delicious meal to cook while camping? Taco salads are the best, especially when you buy individual size bags for everyone to enjoy their own. All you have to do is cook the meat at home, place it in the cooler, and heat it up when you get to the camping site.
While the meat is heating up, set up the ingredients on your camping table, like an impromptu salad bar. The final step is to give everyone their own bag and set let them loose! The best thing about this hack is that there’s no mess to clean up when you are finished eating. Simply, throw the bags in the trash and you are done.
13. DIY Fire Starters
It’s not always easy to start a fire when camping, especially if you can’t find kindling. Thankfully, with this hack, you won’t need any. All you have to do is to is remember to save your dryer lint and empty toilet paper rolls. Then, when you are ready to start a fire, stuff the lint into the toilet paper roll. Place the toilet paper roll in the fire pit/grill, and light the lint on fire. Quick and easy.
14. Aluminum Foil Dinners
This dinner is delicious for those who love big meals, but don’t love cooking at the campsite. The ingredients can be anything you like. For instance, one popular option involves stew meat, onions, carrots, potatoes, and dry onion soup mix. Put everything in the middle of large piece of aluminum foil, close the package, and throw it on the fire. Let it cook for about ten minutes, turning it over every couple of minutes. This should be enough time for the veggies to get tender and the meat to cook thoroughly. Remove the packets from the grill and open them up to let the steam out. Once your meal has cooled, take a huge bite and enjoy your dinner underneath the sky. You can pre-package these meals at home to save time and hassle.
15. Camp Kitchen Organizer
This collapsible tool organizer will keep everything you need in easy reach. It’s especially handy for holding kitchen items like tongs, spatulas, measuring cups, etc. You can buy one of these convenient organizers in the tool bags section of your local hardware store.
16. Pretty Potty
Tired of running into the woods to use the bathroom at night? If so, this campground toilet hack can help. To make this toilet you will need a garbage bag, kitty litter, a five gallon bucket, and a toilet seat lid. Place the garbage bag in the bucket and add a little bit of kitty litter. This will help to reduce any smells.
17. Water Spout
This hack is great if you are looking for a convenient way to wash your hands. No longer will you have to use stream or river water. All you will need is an old bottle of laundry detergent filled with water. To use as a water spout, simply turn it on its side, spout side down, and turn the tip. Voila. You’ve created your personal water spout!
18. Keep Your Toilet Paper Dry
No one wants to use a soggy roll of toilet paper. Luckily, there’s an easy fix for that. All you have to do is put a roll of toilet paper in an empty coffee can and go on your way.
19. Dealing with Mosquito Bites
Mosquito bites are itchy and annoying, especially when you are in the middle of the woods. To get rid of the itch and quickly get back to your camping fun, simply put some Orajel on the bite. You can use the store brand version as well. Another option is to make some DIY mosquito traps. All you will need is yeast, brown sugar, water, and a 2-liter bottle.
20. Kitchen Utensil Organizer
It can be hard to keep things organized when you are in the great outdoors. Use an inexpensive shoe organizer to keep everything in one spot. You can stuff it with wet wipes, rags, silverware, and just about anything else that you wish. This way everyone will know where everything is at all times.
21. Blueberry Orange Muffins
Did you know that you can bake your favorite treats on a campfire? This hack shows you how to make delicious muffins quickly and easily. To make this particular recipe, you will need oranges and blueberry muffin mix. You will also need milk, eggs, and vegetable oil. If you don’t like blueberry muffins, simply swap this mix out for your preferred flavor. You’re welcome. For the full recipe instructions visit Tasty Kitchen.com.
22. Water Pump
It can be hard to find drinking water when you are camping, but this hack will remove this concern. You can find a pump just like the one in the picture at a your local outdoor or hardware store. You’ll also need a 5 gallon bottle of clean drinking water. It can be a hassle to lug around a big bottle of water. But with this hack, you are guaranteed to have lots of clean drinking water whenever you need it.
23. Pancake Batter Dispenser
Do you love the taste of pancakes cooked over a campfire, but hate the resulting mess? Now you can cook them without spilling one drop. Simply make some pancake batter at home and store the mixture in frosting tubes. Place them in the cooler and off you go! In the morning you’ll be able to enjoy your pancake while basking in nature’s wonder.
24. Campfire Cones
This concept is just like the recipe for hack #3, or the grilled banana boats. But instead of using a banana, swap it out for an empty ice cream come. Add some fruit along with your favorite toppings, wrap in aluminum foil, and grill until it is melted. It’s important to be careful when cooking these because they are hot when they come off the grill.
The Bottom Line
Most of these hacks are so simple that they can easily be added to your camping regimen. Try them in good health and happy camping!
What did you think of these hacks? Do you know any that you think we should add? Leave your thoughts in the comment section below.
