Tired of spending money on camping gear because it is just so darn expensive? Ever taken a trip outdoors in your tent and realized you spent way more money than you would have on a hotel ofor a few nights? We have, too, and but we just love camping, so we went looking for some awesome budget ideas to take along on our next camping trip. Try these ideas for the campfire, essentials to take along, candles, hacks for camping foods and drinks. Check out the step tutorials and pack em up and head outdoors!
DIY Camping Ideas
2. Mason Jar Citronella Candles
I am a big fan of fun crafts, and this mason jar citronella candles idea is one of my favorites. I will admit I have messed this one up before by skipping a step I thought did not matter, so trust the process. This one always gets asked about when I bring it out. Even if you are newer to this, it is a forgiving one to start with. You can grab the whole recipe from Onelittleproject at the link.
3. Make Your Own Fire Starters
This make your own fire starters idea is simple, quick, and exactly a clear how-to I keep coming back to. A friend of mine swears by doubling the batch, since it never seems to last as long as you think it will. Even on a busy night, this one is realistic to actually make. You can scale it up or down depending on how many people you are making it for. Get the full recipe from Frugalfamilyhome to see every step.
4. Self Feeding Fire
Why not try an easy tutorial the easy way? This self feeding fire idea makes it simple. I used to overthink this one, but it turns out the simple version is just as good as the fussy one. A little effort goes a long way with this one. The whole thing comes together with basic tools and ingredients, nothing fancy or hard to find. Head over to Architecturendesign for the complete recipe.
5. Protect Your Toilet Paper
Protect Your Toilet Paper – yes please. This one delivers on handmade goods without any fuss. My first attempt at this was not exactly picture perfect, but it still turned out great, which taught me not to stress over it. No fancy equipment needed, just a few basics you probably already have. Even if you are newer to this, it is a forgiving one to start with. Check out Fieldandstream’s full tutorial for all the details.
6. Keep Bugs Out Of Your Drink
This is home decor, and I never get tired of it. I learned the hard way that rushing this one is not worth it, so give yourself the extra few minutes. It’s simple to put together and always turns out great, especially with the out your drink. You can scale it up or down depending on how many people you are making it for. Mom4real has the full step by step tutorial if you want to make it yourself.
7. Camping Margaritas
Whether it is a weeknight or a get-together, this camping margaritas idea fits right in if you love craft ideas. I almost skipped this one the first time around, and I am glad I did not, because it turned into a regular around here. It keeps well too, so it’s easy to make ahead of time. The whole thing comes together with basic tools and ingredients, nothing fancy or hard to find. You can grab the whole recipe from Aroundmyfamilytable at the link.
8. Rub Hiking Boots With Paraffin
Give this rub hiking boots with paraffin idea a try the next time you want DIY projects. This is one I originally made by accident, sort of, after improvising with what I had on hand, and it stuck. It comes together faster than you’d expect for how good it tastes. Even if you are newer to this, it is a forgiving one to start with. Get the full recipe from Happymoneysaver to see every step.
9. Waterproof Match Container
Theburlapbag nailed it with this waterproof match container idea – easy crafts, no fuss. The first time I tried this I rushed it, and it taught me that a little patience really does pay off here. It’s the kind of thing you can whip up without any fuss, especially with the waterproof match container. You can scale it up or down depending on how many people you are making it for. Head over to Theburlapbag for the complete recipe.
11. Popcorn In A Can
Ever crave a fun DIY? This popcorn in a can idea is the one I keep going back to. A friend of mine swears by doubling the batch, since it never seems to last as long as you think it will. Even on a busy night, this one is realistic to actually make. Even if you are newer to this, it is a forgiving one to start with. We’ve got the complete tutorial for you right at the link.
13. DIY Outdoor Movie Night
This diy outdoor movie night idea is quick, easy, and a real win for a clear how-to. My first attempt at this was not exactly picture perfect, but it still turned out great, which taught me not to stress over it. No fancy equipment needed, just a few basics you probably already have. The whole thing comes together with basic tools and ingredients, nothing fancy or hard to find. Get the full recipe from Thetaylor House to see every step.
14. Terracotta Fire Pit
Why make it complicated? This terracotta fire pit idea keeps an easy tutorial simple. I learned the hard way that rushing this one is not worth it, so give yourself the extra few minutes. It’s simple to put together and always turns out great, especially with the terracotta fire pit. Even if you are newer to this, it is a forgiving one to start with. Head over to Nestofposies Blog for the complete recipe.
15. Hand Washing Station
Hand Washing Station? Sign me up. This is handmade goods done right. I almost skipped this one the first time around, and I am glad I did not, because it turned into a regular around here. It keeps well too, so it’s easy to make ahead of time. You can scale it up or down depending on how many people you are making it for. Check out Doitandhow’s full tutorial for all the details.
16. Proper Way to Clean Dishes While Camping
Here is home decor, and I keep coming back to it year after year. This is one I originally made by accident, sort of, after improvising with what I had on hand, and it stuck. It comes together faster than you’d expect for how good it tastes. The whole thing comes together with basic tools and ingredients, nothing fancy or hard to find. Dianarambles has the full step by step tutorial if you want to make it yourself.
17. Coffee Creamer Containers
From a quiet night in to a full house, this coffee creamer containers idea works if you love a fun DIY. The first time I tried this I rushed it, and it taught me that a little patience really does pay off here. It’s the kind of thing you can whip up without any fuss, especially with the coffee creamer containers. Even if you are newer to this, it is a forgiving one to start with. You can grab the whole recipe from Frugelegance at the link.
18. Tackle Box First Aid Kit
Try this tackle box first aid kit idea next time you’re after fun crafts. I will admit I have messed this one up before by skipping a step I thought did not matter, so trust the process. This one always gets asked about when I bring it out. You can scale it up or down depending on how many people you are making it for. Get the full recipe from Foodstoragemoms to see every step.
19. Nature Scavenger Hunt for Kids
Thetaylor House really knows a clear how-to, and this nature scavenger hunt for kids idea shows it. A friend of mine swears by doubling the batch, since it never seems to last as long as you think it will. Even on a busy night, this one is realistic to actually make. The whole thing comes together with basic tools and ingredients, nothing fancy or hard to find. Head over to Thetaylor House for the complete recipe.
20. Repurposed TicTac Boxes for Travel Spices
Around here, this repurposed tictac boxes for travel spices idea disappears fast whenever I make an easy tutorial. I used to overthink this one, but it turns out the simple version is just as good as the fussy one. A little effort goes a long way with this one. Even if you are newer to this, it is a forgiving one to start with. Check out Seattlesundries’s full tutorial for all the details.
22. Outdoor Drink Holder
I will admit it, I am obsessed with a fun DIY, and this outdoor drink holder idea proves it. I learned the hard way that rushing this one is not worth it, so give yourself the extra few minutes. It’s simple to put together and always turns out great, especially with the outdoor drink holder. The whole thing comes together with basic tools and ingredients, nothing fancy or hard to find. You can grab the whole recipe from Positivelysplendid at the link.
24. Place Yoga Mat Under Sleeping Bag
No need to overthink a clear how-to – this place yoga mat under sleeping bag idea is refreshingly simple. This is one I originally made by accident, sort of, after improvising with what I had on hand, and it stuck. It comes together faster than you’d expect for how good it tastes. You can scale it up or down depending on how many people you are making it for. Head over to Happymoneysaver for the complete recipe.
25. Tent Camping With Foam Floor Tiles
Tent Camping With Foam Floor Tiles, and it is a good one. Just an easy tutorial, no fuss. The first time I tried this I rushed it, and it taught me that a little patience really does pay off here. It’s the kind of thing you can whip up without any fuss, especially with the foam floor tiles. The whole thing comes together with basic tools and ingredients, nothing fancy or hard to find. Check out Alittlecampy’s full tutorial for all the details.
26. Portable Potty
I do not think I will ever get tired of a fun DIY like this. I will admit I have messed this one up before by skipping a step I thought did not matter, so trust the process. This one always gets asked about when I bring it out. Even if you are newer to this, it is a forgiving one to start with. Littlevintagetrailer has the full step by step tutorial if you want to make it yourself.
27. Camping Pantry
Weeknight, weekend, or a crowd – this camping pantry idea covers fun crafts either way. A friend of mine swears by doubling the batch, since it never seems to last as long as you think it will. Even on a busy night, this one is realistic to actually make. You can scale it up or down depending on how many people you are making it for. You can grab the whole recipe from Mountaincampingz at the link.
28. Camp Fire Monkey Bread
Put this camp fire monkey bread idea on your list next time you want a clear how-to. I used to overthink this one, but it turns out the simple version is just as good as the fussy one. A little effort goes a long way with this one. The whole thing comes together with basic tools and ingredients, nothing fancy or hard to find. Get the full recipe from Saynotsweetanne to see every step.
30. Change The Color Of Your Campfire
We go through fun crafts like this quickly at my house, and this change the color of your campfire idea is a favorite. I learned the hard way that rushing this one is not worth it, so give yourself the extra few minutes. It’s simple to put together and always turns out great, especially with the color your campfire. You can scale it up or down depending on how many people you are making it for. Check out Skyaboveus’s full tutorial for all the details.
31. Dollar Store Magazine File For Paper Goods
Craving a clear how-to without much effort? This dollar store magazine file for paper goods idea has you covered. I almost skipped this one the first time around, and I am glad I did not, because it turned into a regular around here. It keeps well too, so it’s easy to make ahead of time. The whole thing comes together with basic tools and ingredients, nothing fancy or hard to find. Organizingmadefun has the full step by step tutorial if you want to make it yourself.
