As soon as the weather starts warming up and the nighttime temperature rises above about 50°, it’s time to go camping in my book. It’s time to dust off the tent, the sleeping bags, and all the other gear that you bring along on your outdoor excursion. At that point you head to the closest beach or mountain range, and set up camp for a few nights. It’s a great way to get away from the hustle and bustle of every day life, while still spending quality time with your friends and family. It’s a great way to get rejuvenated without spending tons of money on a spa day or a massage. Just you and the people you choose to invite, and nature. But have you ever thought that camping should be a little easier? Well have no fear! Here are 24 fun camping hacks that will make you want to pack up your gear and run to the hills!
1. BBQ’d Banana Boats – I’ve actually made these for my family before using the BBQ grill and they were a huge hit. Cut just one side of the banana, remove the banana, and dice it up. Put the banana in a bowl along with whatever toppings you’d like. Some great options are small marshmallows, peanut butter and chocolate chips, and coconut. Mix your banana and toppings together, then stuff it back into the banana. Wrap in foil and BBQ until it’s all been melted together. Top with whipped cream and a cherry, then serve.
2. Campfire Cones – This works similarly to the BBQ’d Banana Boats, but rather than a banana you use an empty ice cream cone. Stuff it with whatever toppings you’d like, but add some fruit like bananas or strawberries. Wrap in foil, then BBQ until melted. Be careful. These can be hot coming right off the fire.
3. Peanut Butter Jar Lantern – This one is very easy. All you need is an empty peanut butter jar, along with the top from another one. You’ll also need parchment paper, glue, a battery operated votive candle, and something to use as a handle. Check out the full instructions HERE.
4. Kamp Kadi – This item can be found in some camping stores or online. It has holders for condiments, a trash bag, paper towels, radio and mugs. Keep your camping kitchen area organized with this awesome tool.
5. Campfire Donuts – These simple campfire donuts are made by using store-bought biscuits and cutting a hole in the middle. You’ll fry them in a dutch oven skillet. You can cover them in powdered sugar and cinnamon or just eat them plain, but they are fun and delicious!
6. Duct Tape Wrapped Lighter – Rather than taking a gigantic roll of duct tape, when you probably won’t need all of it, this easy hack makes it convenient. Wrap your Bic lighter with a small amount of duct tape and you’ll have both a lighter and tape.
7. Eggs In A Jar – If you hate dealing with broken eggs when you get to your camp site, break your eggs into a mason jar, and pack the mason jar in your cooler. You don’t have to worry about egg shells this way either. I’ve also used a large Nalgene bottle as well.
8. Fire Starters – Don’t throw away your toilet paper rolls or dryer lint. Just stuff the lint in the empty toilet paper roll, put in the fire, and light the lint. It’s simple and easy.
9. Kitchen Organizer – Have everything you need within reach by using a collapsible tool organizer and filling it with all of your kitchen items that you’ll need while camping. You can include spatulas, tongs, silverware, measuring cups, foil, etc. You can pick up one of these convenient organizers at your local hardware store. Just take a look at all the tool bags.
10. Water Spout – This is great for washing hands while camping. You wouldn’t necessarily want to drink out of this, but it’s easy to wash your hands using this spout without having to use river or stream water.
11. Itchy Mosquito Bites – If you get bit by a mosquito while camping, that can be terrible! But bring some Orajel or other tooth numbing medication, and just put this on your mosquito bites. Also check out this easy DIY mosquito catcher.
12. Blueberry Orange Muffins – These look so awesome and delicious. You’ll only need a few ingredients to make these muffins and they can just be thrown into the campfire to be cooked. Check out the directions HERE.
13. Pancake Batter Dispenser – Use frosting tubes to store pancake batter without making a mess. Make it before you leave and put it in your cooler. Then in the morning, you’ll be able to make pancakes.
14. Dutch Oven Pizza – Make a pizza in your dutch oven over the fire with just store bought pizza dough, pizza sauce, cheese, and your favorite toppings. Cook until your dough is cooked all the way through.
15. DIY Lantern – This one is ridiculously easy and works really well! All you need is a headlamp and a gallon of water. Put the headlamp around the gallon, with the light facing in. This will illuminate a large space without having to use a flashlight.
16. Camping Scavenger Hunt – Keep the kids entertained with an easy camping scavenger hunt. Print out the image HERE, and glue it to a bag. Add a pen tied to a string and send the kids on their way.
17. Solar Powered Lights – Are you always tripping over your tent stacks, especially at night? Mark them with solar power lights so you know where they are, even when it’s pitch black outside. I’ve seen these type of lights as low as $.97!
18. BBQ’d Starburst – Apparently BBQ’d Starbursts are really, really good. Who knew? Guess this is one I’ll have to try!
19. Taco Salads – An easy meal to eat while camping are taco salads. Especially if you buy the individual size bags, then let everyone stuff their own with toppings like taco meat, lettuce, cheese, tomatoes, and more. The best thing about this is that when you are done eating, there is minimal waste and everything can go in the garbage.
20. Tin Foil Dinners – These are one of my favorites! I’ve made mine with potatoes, carrots, onions, and stew meat, along with a little bit of seasoning or dry onion soup mix. Place everything in the center of a large piece of foil, then throw in the fire until your veggies are tender and the meat is cooked thoroughly. You can make them before leaving to save even more time and clean up.
21. Campground Toilet – All you need is a toilet seat lid, a five gallon bucket, a little bit of kitty litter, and a garbage bag. Just put a little bit of kitty litter in the garbage bag once it’s inside the bucket. This helps minimize any smell and helps so you don’t have to go running into the woods if you have to use the bathroom late at night.
22. Dry Toilet Paper – Worried about your toilet paper getting wet and ruined? Just put it in a coffee can and you’re good to go!
23. Kitchen Utensil Organizer – Keep all things in one go-to spot using a shoe organizer. Stuff it with silverware, rags, wet wipes, and more. Everyone will know exactly where everything is without having to ask.
24. Water Pump – This may be one of my favorites, just because water is always a huge concern while camping. You can find a pump similar to this at a hardware store or outdoor store. Then all you’ll need is a 5 gallon bottle full of clean drinking water. Not everyone wants to drag along a 5 gallon bottle, but at least you’ll have clean drinking water and lots of it.
Some of these are just too easy, there’s no reason you shouldn’t be using them. For example, putting the eggs in the mason jar. Most of the time, the eggs are getting scrambled in the morning, so why not make it easier on ourselves by leaving the shells at home in the garbage. I really can’t wait to get out there and go camping with family and good friends! The great thing about camping is that once you have all of the gear, you don’t have to pay for much! It’s the cheapest getaway you’ll probably ever take!
Which one is your favorite? Let us know in the comments.