15 Smart Camping Hacks You'll Want to Steal for Your Next Trip
Save time and money with these clever tips and tricks.
By Maria Carter
These sanity-saving tips and tricks make time outdoors even more enjoyable.
Mac n' cheese, please
There are tons of genius ways to make your favorite foods outdoors. Blogger Lauren uses mini pie tins to pre-make individual macaroni and cheese servings that can be heated over the fire later.
Get the recipe at Lauren's Latest.
Fun distractions for little ones
Stop by the dollar store for the makings of camping kits that'll keep kids entertained while you're cooking or setting up camp.
Learn more at The Coupon Project.
Make your own mosquito repellant
This homemade bug spray is natural and nontoxic, just like these remedies for keeping pests out of your home and yard.
Get the recipe at Surviving the Stores.
Create a softer landing
Use foam floor mats to shield feet from the gravel beneath the tent. Bonus: this hack also helps insulate the floor from cold air, keeping your air mattress or sleeping pad nice and cozy.
Learn more at A Little Campy.
Glue sandpaper to your matchbox
Matches will stay dry in a reusable plastic container; a swatch of sandpaper makes a reliable striking pad.
Get the tutorial at Craftaholics Anonymous.
Hang in there
Blogger Amanda keeps her family organized by using what she calls the "Ziploc bag packing method" and by hanging this Ikea organizer to separate everyone's stuff.
Learn more at Mama Momtourage.
Make hand-washing easy
Create a sink station by filling an empty laundry detergent container with water and a placing bucket below to catch runoff water.
Get the tutorial at Outdoors Mom.
Whip up a batch of travel-friendly booze
This set-and-forget sangria was literally invented for camping and formulated for large batches. You'll need white wine, vodka, fruit, and (what else?) a Mason jar.
Get the recipe at The Mighty Mrs.
Light up the night
Add glow sticks to bottles to use for mood lighting and illuminating paths to tents and restrooms.
Learn more at Moore Minutes.
Build a campfire in no time
You know how you're supposed to remove lint from the dryer after each cycle? That's because it's highly flammable, aka the perfect ingredient for DIY fire starters.
Get the tutorial at Frugal Family Home.
Keep bugs at bay
Blogger Hannah Clay Wareham made this mosquito-repelling candles with soy wax flakes, citronella oil, and lemongrass oil.
Get the tutorial at Autostraddle.
Protect your paper
Nothing puts a damper on camping like damp toilet paper. Keep yours dry by storing it in an old CD spindle or plastic coffee canister.
Simplify skillet pancakes
Bring the fun of pancakes to the campsite without all of the mess. Pour batter into freezer bags before you leave, store them in the cooler, and then snip off the tip when you're ready to make breakfast.
Get the tutorial at A Mum 'n the Oven.
Keep ice contained
Use frozen water jugs in place of ice to prevent water seeping into other foods and making them soggy. Plus, you'll have clean drinking water as the ice melts.
Learn more at Camping Blogger.
Manage your meds
Nix the bulky bottles and bring just enough of what you might need in a days-of-the-week pill case.
Learn more at Or So She Says...
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