This post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through one of these links we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, please read our disclaimer.
Knowing the best ways to make the most of your supplies, food, and entertainment is possible with these fun camping hacks. Spending time outdoors cooking, playing, and sleeping will make you a Happy Camper!
We all have those unique ways of doing things. We have our own way of packing the truck. Loading the food in the cooler with just the right amount of ice. Keeping the toilet paper dry (or out of the pine needles). And cooking our favorite dessert or campfire treat.
Now you can add to your quirkiness by picking up a few of these camping hacks. You might need them all. But they are fun to look through. While you are browsing the list, think about how you can tweak them and make them your own.
After all. Camping is supposed to make you happy. It takes a lot of work to prepare for a few days “off the grid” or “unplugged”. Finding the right set of hacks that work for you will make the process a little smoother. It will definitely make you less stressed. And that is what we want. A happy camper!
Hacks for Setting Up Camp
Setting up your campsite is like moving into a new house. Or nesting. Once you pick the perfect spot the next step is to spend some time making it your own.
Figure out where you want the picnic table so you get the best flow between the food area and the fire. Where does the trash go? How are we going to clean up (when we need to)?
These hacks for setting up camp will help you pre-think your design. Then you can spend more time relaxing!
If you don't plan to use briquettes then this will be an awesome way to get a fire started quickly. Especially if it is cold and rainy.
This is a survivalist trick that you can also use for a regular campfire.
Eating dirt while you are camping is just part of the fun. You may even think that washing hands is way overrated.
But every now and then you need a decent rinse. After using the make-shift restroom. Unwrapping a package of chicken. Handling your fresh-caught fish.
This hand-washing station is genius. And easy to use one-handed or with your elbow if you need to!
Speaking of the makeshift restroom. Here is a great camping hack for toilet paper.
Keep it clean. Keep it dry.
I love this idea for keeping everything in a designated space. I don't know about you, but sometimes I feel like we just blow up all over the camp space. There are things all over the table. On random stumps. Left on the tailgate of the truck.
This organizer is a great thing to hang up when you get to camp. Everything has its place. Everything in its place. You could get really crazy and label the pockets even!
This is a super camping hack. Having everything you need to start a fire in one little carton that stacks easily is a great idea. Space-saver, time-saver, and hopefully frustration saver. As long as those briquettes lite!
Keep the kids busy with a game while you are setting up camp. They can start on their scavenger hunt while you are putting out all the camp supplies.
This is a camping hack that the whole family will love.
Container Camping Hacks
These container camping hacks are a great way to keep supplies organized, waterproof, or easy to access.
There are a number of ways to keep your matches dry when you are camping. This camping hack is a good one for reusing baby food containers. No baby food containers? No problem. You can also use a mason jar.
My favorite part of this hack is adding a piece of sandpaper to the top of the container to strike the match on.
Usually if you are keeping your matches in a prescription bottle or something similar to keep them dry...you don't have a surface to strike the match on. This one takes care of that problem!
I'm going to say "I am sorry" in advance for this one. You might get sucked down the rabbit hole looking at all the ways to use old things in a new way.
But this camping hack is too good to pass up. I had seen a similar hack for paint as an art teacher or an elementary teacher. This one moves the hack to the kitchen. And it is very user friendly.
Pancake batter in a pourable container. I don't know about you, but I make a mess when I am making pancakes. Moving the batter from the bowl to the pan always results in a stream of pancake batter that trails across the counter.
This camping hack will help you to prepare the pancake batter in advance. And keep the mess down a little. Okay. You are camping...so a mess isn't as big of a deal. But if you are a little OCD about it. Here you go.
It is also great if you are making a sourdough pancake mix. Because now it has time to ferment a little from the time you mixed it until the time you actually make the pancakes.
You can buy containers that keep your eggs from breaking. But you still have the mess of breaking them open when you are at your campsite (and then needing to wash your hands).
Cracking eggs before you leave the house will save you time and mess later. You can carry them in a mason jar or use a recycled food container such as a creamer bottle.
Not only can you use the Coffee-mate creamer containers to hold eggs for breakfast when you're camping, you can also use them for dried snacks.
Perfect for little hands to grab and dispense. You don't need to worry about an open box rattling around and making a crumbly mess. And you can see how much is left.
That should make you one happy camper!
Camping Hacks for Food
The food is usually the best part of camping (besides the fresh air, birds chirping, early morning coffee, and...).
Some of these recipes look so good that you might just want to try them at home first.
Others make the cooking so easy that you might even try using them in your home kitchen. Don't just save them for a camping hack!
This french toast method is delicious and easy. Adding the parchment paper to the inside of the tinfoil is a great way to keep the bread from sticking once it gets soggy with egg.
The best part about this recipe (besides the fact that it is french toast) is that the clean-up is minimal.
Also, there is no harm in making this one in advance. The longer the egg soaks into the bread the more yummy the toast will be!
This one is a quick and easy breakfast or evening snack by the campfire. It is also a combination that is comforting and refreshing at the same time.
Psst! I have also seen this done with brownie mix in the orange. Something to consider.
Dinners should be quick and easy when you are camping. The less clean up involved the better (dishes in nature SUCK even more than dishes at home).
Walking tacos are always a huge hit. They are easy to prep for. Easy to clean up. And who doesn't love tacos? In all forms!
Bacon is the best breakfast food. Camping or not.
This camping hack is a great way to cook bacon on the fire. Unless you are wanting to save the grease for other recipes.
My kids are in their teens.
They still think this dessert is fun to make. We have made these on the fire a few times now. It is a great version of smores.
It's a fun camping hack. But just as messy as the real thing.
No recipe needed for this camping hack.
Grab a can or two of biscuits, some cooking oil, and cinnamon and sugar.
You can have donuts and coffee with very little effort for breakfast. The neighbors will be envious (if you are in a campground that is).
Why You Need a Few Camping Tips and Tricks
Camping has always been one of my favorite things to do. When I was younger I just thought that we grabbed the tent and went outside to play. The food and gear just magically took care of itself.
Now that I am the one in charge of making the campsite magically come to life, these camping hacks are a salvation. They save me time and my sanity.
There are so many camping hacks that you can browse through. Not all of them will fit your style of camping. A few will definitely improve your camping experience.
Camping should be relaxing. You might get a little stressed out during the prep. The more time spent on prepping will mean you can relax even more once you get to your campsite.
Enjoy these camping hacks. Share any that you like to use.
Want To Become A Camping Expert?
If you want to take your camping knowledge to the next level, you can view my collection of guides by clicking the button below!
Leave a Reply