Publication date February 19, 2024
21 Camping Hacks and Tips for a Successful Trip (No Experience Needed!)
Dreaming of crackling campfires and starry nights? Maybe your first-ever camping trip is on the horizon! Whether you're a regular outdoor explorer or a complete newbie, these 21 camping hacks and tips will have you conquering the campground with confidence.
From essential safety knowledge to handy food tricks and packing like a pro, we've got you covered. Read on to leave your worries behind for an unforgettable adventure in the great outdoors!
Tent Camping Tips: What to take with you
When it comes to smooth camping the most important thing is taking the right equipment with you. This is why we’re starting with some tent camping tips on what you need to take with you.
1. Candle wax. Facing a problem with your tent zips? Candle wax makes for a great lubricant – simply rub an unlit candle along the teeth of your zip and there’ll be no more fumbling when you need to go out to the toilet in the dark.
2. Reflective tape. This is one of the cool things for camping that can help in plenty of ways. Just stick reflective tape on anything you think you’ll need to find at night – toilet roll for example… or even the zippers on your tent and when you’ll turn on your torch the tape will shine bright.
3. Dry bags. One of the helpful camping storage hacks includes dry bags. By choosing dry bags, you’ll not only lose anything but if the worst happens and your tent leaks, all your stuff will also be safe and dry. So Moreover, you can take them out in your kit bag to keep everything highly organized. With dry bags, you’ll be able to pack and unpack quickly and easily and you can even fill them with clothes and use them in place of pillow if you’re comping light.
4. Gaffer tape. As many experienced campers will agree, taking gaffer tape is one of the top camping tips you’ll ever learn. A gaffer tape can be used to fix absolutely anything. But also make sure you’ll never be without by sticking some pieces around your flask. As a bonus point, it’ll give you a better grip when your hands are cold or if you’re wearing gloves.
5. Terracotta pot heater. Want some warmth in your tent, but can’t take the risk of a naked flame next to your canvas? Try setting up a terracotta plant pot heater. Simply place a couple of tea lights on a plate, cover it with a small ruptured terracotta pot and you’ll be impressed to see the difference it can make in heating a small space. However, remember to kids away and make sure you never leave the heater alone and always extinguish it before heading for bed.
Best Camping Hacks and Tips for Your Health and Medical Needs
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6. Anti-insect clothing. Planning to stay near water? Don’t forget to invest in some anti-insect clothing that will keep the bugs at arm’s length. And ensure you pack your midge net, so you don’t get eaten alive. But, in case you just hate having it flapping in your face in the night, try wearing a peaked cap underneath to lift the netting away from your nose.
7. Aloe Vera. When packing for camping, take a tube of Aloe Vera gel with you too. Now you may be thinking how it going to help you in camping but later you’ll find hundreds of uses for it including relief from burns and sunburn, bumps and bruises, blisters, minor allergic skin reactions, and even a general moisturizing cream.
8. Lint rollers. With the increasing condition of Lyme disease-carrying ticks, all outdoor enthusiasts should know that it’s more important than ever to check your own, and the kids’, bare skin and scalps after spending time in the woods or open outdoor side. But did you know that ticks can hide in your clothes too? Make sure you catch any of the little blighters that have stowed around you away by using a sticky lint roller.
9. Bring an emergency survival kit. No matter how well you plan your trip, there are always chances that something unexpected will arise that can be potentially dangerous if you’re not prepared. That’s why the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) suggests packing an emergency kit that includes clean water, a 3-day supply of nonperishable food, a flashlight, extra batteries, a rescue whistle, and waterproof material like a tarp or poncho to protect yourself from the elements.
Best Food Tips for Camping
10. Keep Fresh, cool drinking water. Freeze 2-litre bottles full of water to keep them in your cooler – they’ll take ages to defrost and you’ll have good cool drinking water when they do.
11. Effective wood selection. Thinking of cooking over an open fire? Choose hardwoods like oak and maple for the best taste. Remember to not go for wood with a high sap content like pine, cedar, or other coniferous trees as they may make your sausages taste downright disgusting.
12. Prepare in advance. Try to take a frozen one-pot meal like a stew or curry for the first night, and grab it from the freezer before you leave home.
It’ll slowly thaw throughout the day and you can heat it over a fire once you’ve arrived and set up your tent.
Camping Tips and Tricks When Camping with Kids
13. Choose new, cozy sleepwear. If your little ones struggle to sleep in a conventional sleeping bag, consider investing in a wearable one. These are said to be less restrictive and cozier than normal sleeping bags, giving them the freedom to move in their sleep.
14. Makeshift hot water bottles. If you don’t have enough space to take a hot water bottle to warm the sleeping bags at night, why not let your aluminum water bottle double as one? Simply fill it with boiling water before your kids hit the sack and wrap it safely in a fleece to prevent any burns.
15. Invest in some technical outdoor clothing.
If you’ve decided on a camping place with bright sunshine for your trip, keep the kids covered throughout the hottest periods of the day. Consider investing in sun-protective clothing for extra protection, also don’t forget to keep sunscreen as it will help you from sun damage.
16. Research the camp facilities. If it’s possible, check out the camp facilities before you arrive. Try selecting a place with a pitch that’s in sight of the playground or children’s area and you’ll be able to relax with a glass of wine by your tent while the kids have a whale of a time.
Some Additional Camping Tips for Succesful Adventure
17. Be considerate. If you’re camping with a group of friends, buy a headtorch that has a red light setting so you don’t blind your friends.
18. Invest in Solar power gadgets. Solar power gadgets are now widely available. You can even find multi-devices acting, such as an all-in-one radio, torch, and phone charger.
19. Make your own fire starters. Instead of investing in fire starters from the market, try making your own fire starters, simply take cotton balls with a dab of petroleum jelly on them. Of course, they’re light, cheap, and take up next to no space in your kit bag.
20. Create your own speaker. When it comes to camping with friends, who don’t want to add some music? Use this easy camping hack and create a makeshift speaker for your smartphone by cranking up the volume and simply placing it down into a pot, camping mug, or even a pan.
21. Pack wisely. Always make sure you pack appropriate clothes and stuff according to weather conditions, remember it can get pretty chilly in the middle of the night, even in the height of summer.
So, there you have it, 21 camping hacks and tips you may not have thought of before, from camping storage hacks to cool camping hacks for those who like to travel light. But, wait, are there any hacks we forgot to add to this list that will help make camping smooth? Let us know in the comments below!
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