8 Handy Tips & Tricks For Your Next Camping Trip

Camping is one of the most popular things to do in the warmer summer months, and if you've never spent a night or weekend in the great outdoors, there's no better time than the present! Whether you're a complete novice and have no idea what you're doing or a wilderness master who thought they had done and seen it all, these 8 genius camping hacks will take the entire experience to a whole new level!

1. Wind-Resistant Matches

There's something so cozy about a roaring campfire, but that can be a real problem if it's too windy to even get one started. Thankfully this tip will always ensure you have the tools you need to warm up and roast a weenie.

You'll Need:

• matches
• string
• hot wax
• paper towel

Here's How:

1.1 Place three matches together and wrap them lengthwise with a piece of string. Slide the end of the string in between the matches to fix it in place.

1.2 Dip the bottom of the bound matches in hot wax.

1.3 Roll the bound matches up in a paper towel, wrap string around the paper towel to hold it in place, and dip the end in hot wax once more. Once the wax has dried, place the bundles back in the matchbox.

2. Makeshift Floodlight

Once the cozy campfire burns out, it's time to retreat back to the tent for the night. But if you need some more light to make your way back or just want to stay up and read for a little bit, it's quite handy to have something bigger and brighter than a flashlight.

You'll Need:

• headlamp
• empty white canister 

Here's How:

2.1 Simply wrap the headlamp around the canister and turn the lightbulb in so that it faces the container. 

2.2 When you switch on the headlamp, it illuminates the canister which has now been converted into a floodlight. Pretty easy AND awesome, right?!

3. Toilet Paper Holder

Even the greatest nature lovers miss their clean bathrooms and modern plumbing when it comes to roughing it. To make the situation a bit more bearable, you can ensure that your tushie always stays clean with this handy DIY toilet paper holder.

You'll Need:

• round tupperware container
• toilet paper
• box cutter

Here's How:

3.1 Cut a hole in the lid of a plastic container that's large enough to hold a roll of toilet paper.

3.2 Place the toilet paper roll inside the container, secure the lid, and gently pull the toilet paper through the hole.

4. Insect Trap

There's always an uninvited guest at every party, and when the party's outside, you can guarantee that the uninvited guests will be the annoying bugs and mosquitoes. To stop them in their tracks and make sure they never come back, build yourself this genius contraption.

You'll Need:

• plastic bottle
• box cutter
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp yeast
• 1 cup of water

Here's How:

4.1 Cut off the top part of the bottle.

4.2 Add the brown sugar, yeast, and water to the bottom part of the bottle and stir.

4.3 Place the top part of the bottle upside down in the lower half. Keep the bottle near you to draw in and trap the insects.

5. Hanging Water Dispenser

Dirty hands are inevitable when you're spending time outside, but that doesn't mean you can't whip up an easy way to wash them when you get the urge.

You'll Need:

• syringe
• box cutter
• plastic bottle
• water
• hot glue
• rope

Here's How:

5.1 Cut off the tip of a syringe with the box cutter.

5.2 Place the syringe on the bottle cap of the plastic bottle and trace around it.

5.3 Cut out the circle with a box cutter.

5.4 Insert the syringe into the hole and secure it with hot glue.

5.5 Fill the bottle with water and close it with the syringe lid. Tie the upside down bottle to a tree with some rope to make it even more practical.

6. Pots & Pans Storage

It's great to do your own cooking when you're on a camping trip, but unfortunately the pots and pans tend to get pretty dirty from the surrounding elements. To make sure they stay clean, store them like you would at home.

You'll Need:

• belt
• hooks

Here's How:

Tie a belt around a tree, place some hooks on it, and hang the pots and pans from the hooks. So simple!

7. On-The-Go Cleaning Supplies

The best way to clean your pots and pans while camping is with dish soap, but who wants to lug the whole bottle for such a short trip? This practical solution will come in quite handy!

You'll Need:

• sheet pan
• paper
• dish soap
• paintbrush 
• hanger
• clothespins
• scissors
• containers for the strips
• kitchen sponge

Here's How:

7.1 Place a sheet of paper on a sheet pan, put some dish soap on one side, and then spread it over the whole sheet of paper with a brush.

7.2 Hang up the paper to dry.

7.3 Cut the dried paper into small rectangles.

7.4 Place the small pieces of paper in a container for transport. If you want to wash your dishes in nature, just dip a kitchen sponge in water, place a piece of paper on it and rub it, and then the soap will magically appear.

8. Makeshift Grill

If you don't have enough room in you car to pack a grill, but can't imagine a camping trip without steaks and s'mores, you're in luck, because making your own is as easy as 1, 2, 3. 

You'll Need:

• empty aluminum can
• scissors
• aluminum foil
• charcoal coals
• a small grate or rack

Here's How:

8.1 Cut several vertical strips to the bottom of the ribbed edges of the can, but stopping short of the bottom of the can. 

8.2 Bend the strips backwards, away from the can, so that each strip forms an L shape, as shown in the video. 

8.3 Place the aluminum foil inside the can and wrap it around the spaced-out metal strips. The end result should be a kind of shell with a base.

8.4 Finally, light the coals in the homemade grill and place a grate on top so you can roast your meat.