Camping comes with its own set of challenges, but there are plenty of clever ways to make it easier. Here are some of the best camping hacks for making your outdoor trips more enjoyable.
Knowing a few simple tricks can help you save time, money, energy, and improve your overall experience. From meal planning ideas to gear storage solutions, you can rely on this list to help you make the most out of your camping trips.


Camping is one of the most fun outdoor activities you can do with the whole family. Who doesn’t love eating BBQ’s and taking in nature while sitting around the campfire?
Want to know a few tricks to make camping even more relaxing? Check out these expert campers’ best camping hacks to make camping a breeze!
How do I make camping not boring?
There are many ways you can make camping more fun and exciting for you and the whole fam.
For those who enjoy sports activities, you can do activities such as hiking, biking, disc golf, Spelunking, soccer, lawn bowling, and so much more.
For the Nature lover, you can do Animal/Bird watching, camping scavenger hunts and you can also teach your kids about different bugs and wild berries that you can find on various campgrounds.
For those who enjoy more laid-back camping you simply swing in a hammock, take naps and listen to nature.
You can also make camping night more enjoyable by making shadow puppets for the kids, playing board/card games, studying the stars, storytelling, singing campfire songs, and trying out new varieties of s’mores.
What Are The 10 Essentials For Camping?
Dating back to the 1930s the “10 Essentials” is made by The Mountaineers which is a Seattle-based organization for climbers and outdoor adventurers to people be more prepared for outdoor emergencies.
Here are the “Ten Essentials”
- Navigation: map, compass, altimeter, GPS device, personal locator beacon (PLB), or satellite messenger
- Headlamp: plus extra batteries
- Sun protection: sunglasses, sun-protective clothes, sun hat, and sunscreen
- First aid including foot care and insect repellent (as needed)
- Knife plus a gear repair kit
- Fire matches, lighter, tinder, and/or stove
- Shelter carried at all times (can be a light emergency bivy)
- Extra food Beyond the minimum expectation
- Extra water Beyond the minimum expectation
- Extra clothes Beyond the minimum expectation

Camping can be an enjoyable experience for everyone. But it can also be difficult and overwhelming if you don’t have the right tools and tips to make your trip easier.
Fortunately, there are plenty of clever hacks that experienced campers use to make their trips more enjoyable and hassle-free.
Best Camping Hacks
Keep a Checklist
Camp Essentials says,
"We keep an ongoing list while we’re actually camping of things that we run out of need replacing. We then do this as soon as we return from our camping trip and add it to the camping kit so we’re good to go for the next trip".
Must-Try Camping Fire Hacks
Whether you're telling ghost stories, roasting marshmallows, or just keeping warm on a chilly night, nothing beats gathering around a crackling fire to bond with friends and family in nature. However, the process of building an effective campfire can be tricky—especially if you don't have much experience doing it. Read on to learn some easy camping fire hacks!
7 Essential Family Camping Tips to Avoid Disaster
The Soccer Mom Blog says,
"Learn from my mistakes!! Make lasting memories and avoid preventable disasters with these 7 must-remember family camping tips!".
String Up Some Battery Powered Fairy Lights
Best Things To Do In York says,
"Take some battery powered fairy lights that you can string up in the tent. These create a cosy atmosphere and can be left on all night for a bit of nightlight reassurance for the kids (and will help you find the zip when you need to head out for a wee in the night!)".
Put Your Headlamps On
Holidays From Hels offers these tips:
Head torches for bag rummaging
Mystical Fire: a powder that you can throw on the fire after cooking - it burns bright blue
Glow in the dark toys ( glasses/ necklaces) so your kids can play and be seen in the dark.

Bring A Shaker Bottle
The Stoke Fam says,
"Eggs are often a challenge to take camping, but they are one of our favorite breakfasts. So, what we've started doing is cracking our eggs ahead of time into a shaker bottle (like the ones you use for a protein shake). No broken eggs in the cooler, plus it makes meal prep at the campsite a breeze!"

Packs Some Sand Mats When Camping
A World Of Travels With Kids recommends,
"We have sand mats outside the door and then another inside the door to stop the sand getting into the tent and beds. Has totally made camping easier for me".
DIY Roasting Forks Cover
Let's Camp S'More says,
"Keep your dirty roasting forks from getting your camper messy with this clever Roasting Forks Cover tutorial".
How To Stay Warm In A Tent during Cold Nights
Big family Blessing suggests,
"My children and I camp in the mountains most years in early spring and late fall. The days are generally beautiful and sunny, but the nights can get really chilly. We’ve learned all kinds of ways to stay warm in our tents at night, so that we can enjoy beautiful daytime hiking and adventure spring weather in the mountains. These are my best tips for keeping warm in a tent at night. allows".
DIY Insulated Cooler Cover
Let's Camp S'More have this amazing DIY idea,
"Extend the usefulness of your ice chest with this Cooler Cover tutorial".
Camping Scavenger Hunt
Mommy Made That offers this tip,
"To keep the kids busy and entertained, we have fun scavenger hunts. Looking for all the nature items helps the kids really take in all the natural sites around them and gives them a fun activity when we're hanging around at camp".
Homemade Instant Maple Oatmeal with Chia Seed
Simple Bites offers this recipe,
"This homemade version of a grocery staple is a recipe to keep in your back pocket year round. It yields a tasty breakfast that is easy to prepare and replaces a popular supermarket item with something much more nourishing".
Wrapped Walking Stick
Imaginative Homeschools says,
"Decorating a walking stick can be a fun camp fireside activity".
How To Make A Swedish Fire Log And Save Fuel
4T Adventure offers tip,
"Save fuel by making a Swedish Fire Log"
Baked chocolate coffee granola
Coffee Wisee Wise says,
"How about packing quick and easy breakfasts with minimal cleanup? This baked chocolate granola is the perfect camping breakfast idea for those looking for a quick no clean up breakfast when camping".
Damper
The Aussie Home Cook offers,
"This Aussie damper is about as iconic as Australian food gets. A quick easy rustic bread that was eaten by settlers camping in the Australian bush. With instructions for cooking in a camp oven or over a camp fire".

Bring Tea Light Candles And Small Jars
TraveLynn family says,
"Also - Pack tealights and small jars for light in the evening. Makes for a magical / romantic setting".
13 Tips for Finding Water While Travelling Australia
My Rig Adventures has this helpful tips,
"Water Bladders fold up relatively small for storage when not in use. You can get them in all different sizes, so it's easy to pick one that suits your space (long for the car floor, square for the back of the ute etc.). We find that our Water Bladder is perfect for easily topping up our water supply while camping by just taking the bladder in the car to the nearest drinking water tap".

Use Packing Cubes For Clothes
Wanderlust And Wet Wipes suggests,
"Use packing cubes with outfits for the family for each day so you’re not constantly packing and unpacking in a small enclosed space! This was a godsend to us in Namibia when we had our tents on the top of the car!"

Pack Small Cereal Packs
Peak District Kids offers this tip:
"Save on washing up in the morning by using small cereal packs and putting the milk straight in to the plastic bag".

Pack A Hammock
Flip Flop Globetrotters offers this tip:
"Bring some hammocks (don’t forget extra rope!). If you’re short on space there are very lightweight ones that fold up really small. Most if not all campsites will have some trees so you can put them up. Kids will love playing with them and they’re so comfy to relax and read".
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