Camping life hacks
Discussion
Planning a camping trip with the Mrs and kids to a family friendly music festival. I'm fine with camping, as is she. Kids will obviously need a bit of thought, so I've got plans for torches, fun food, sleeping arrangements etc.
Was just wondering if the lateral thinkers on here had any surprising little hints or tips, little methods that make camping life a bit easier or more comfortable or would give the kids (primary school age) an "oooh" moment, and maybe make them a little more compliant without resorting to ropes and tent pegs.
Also interested to hear about culinary tips, easy single burner recipes etc.
Over to you... What are your camping secrets, inventions, and essentials?
Was just wondering if the lateral thinkers on here had any surprising little hints or tips, little methods that make camping life a bit easier or more comfortable or would give the kids (primary school age) an "oooh" moment, and maybe make them a little more compliant without resorting to ropes and tent pegs.
Also interested to hear about culinary tips, easy single burner recipes etc.
Over to you... What are your camping secrets, inventions, and essentials?
Don't think you need to 'plan' anything in particular, just what you're going to do about breakfast. If it's a music festival you'll be watching bands until well after their normal bed times so they should sleep well, food-wise there'll be plenty of stalls dotted around to try out pretty much everything you fancy - and it'll more than just burger and kebab vans too, and if it's family orientated there'll be loads of hands on things to do like crafts and workshops for little 'uns. Plus, finally, if it's a festival you'll only be there for a couple of days anyway so it's unlikely you'll run out of things to see and do.
Last time we went with our son (admittedly he was a teenager at the time) the only time we went back to the tent was to go to bed.
Last time we went with our son (admittedly he was a teenager at the time) the only time we went back to the tent was to go to bed.
Type R Tom said:
One of these
and a length of these
Instant day light inside the tent, makes getting ready for bed so much easier and much cheaper than the ready made version, assuming you can do a bit of simple wiring!
If I am a complete idiot, is there anywhere I can go to work out this simple wiring? How would you do it? That solution looks great compared to anything to but off the shelf.and a length of these
Instant day light inside the tent, makes getting ready for bed so much easier and much cheaper than the ready made version, assuming you can do a bit of simple wiring!
eric twinge said:
If I am a complete idiot, is there anywhere I can go to work out this simple wiring? How would you do it? That solution looks great compared to anything to but off the shelf.
I'm guessing there will be 2 wires at the end of the lights, those would be connected to the 2 wires coming out of the battery packs.eybic said:
eric twinge said:
If I am a complete idiot, is there anywhere I can go to work out this simple wiring? How would you do it? That solution looks great compared to anything to but off the shelf.
I'm guessing there will be 2 wires at the end of the lights, those would be connected to the 2 wires coming out of the battery packs.
Wet wipes are your friend, take loads.
Head torches are a must have too IMHO. Useful for finding stuff in a dark tent such as "favorite teddy", bog roll, car keys, the wife etc.
I hate camping, wife and kids love it so anything I can do to make my life easier is a bonus.
Boiling eggs in the kettle for breakfast work well, and saves on pans.
Try Youtube "camping hacks" for more useful tips.
Good luck OP
Head torches are a must have too IMHO. Useful for finding stuff in a dark tent such as "favorite teddy", bog roll, car keys, the wife etc.
I hate camping, wife and kids love it so anything I can do to make my life easier is a bonus.
Boiling eggs in the kettle for breakfast work well, and saves on pans.
Try Youtube "camping hacks" for more useful tips.
Good luck OP
OpulentBob said:
a family friendly music festival
Is that the Beautiful Days Festival? My tickets arrived today.One item I always take camping now if a proper pillow - it makes such a difference to sleep quality.
A decent cool box stuffed full of bagged ice and ice packs can last a few days if used cautiously, great for ice in the cider or G&Ts and will keep milk, sausages, bacon etc going for a few days, just don't open it often and only briefly.
Heavy duty bin/garden bags and roll of PVC tape can be useful for emergency ponchos in the event of poor weather. Take coloured tape so the kids can decorate them.
Mini swing bin liners as over socks into wet boots are good if it turns into a mud bath.
Lots of ear plugs.
I'll post up more when they come to mind.
Edited by TheExcession on Wednesday 20th July 19:50
https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/clarke-bbc-5-baseb...
Not really a "hack" but these are ace for camping!
Not really a "hack" but these are ace for camping!
Doormat (or an off cut of carpet/lino) for the tent to keep muddy boots/shoes on.
A couple of pound land tarps and some spare guy ropes are always useful to have knocking around.
Camping recipes, the basic stuff is the best - Pasta, pesto and cheese. You can cook pretty good meals on a single ring. Omelettes, stirfrys, pancakes.
A couple of pound land tarps and some spare guy ropes are always useful to have knocking around.
Camping recipes, the basic stuff is the best - Pasta, pesto and cheese. You can cook pretty good meals on a single ring. Omelettes, stirfrys, pancakes.
poo at Paul's said:
https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/clarke-bbc-5-baseb...
Not really a "hack" but these are ace for camping!
Also available from Aldi for £3.99, sold as fishing accessories, but don't have Clarke written on the front of them. Not really a "hack" but these are ace for camping!
Not so much for camping (wife refuses to 'tent' after storm experience) but if you have a campervan or caravan or perhaps even a tent, that artificial grass stuff is perfect...
It's like a matt but obviously the water drains on it and it doesn't retain any water so can be rolled straight back up to take away.
When we go camping, there's a group of us and all now have artificial grass matts.
Only pic I can find, just about see it here...fits in well obviously
It's like a matt but obviously the water drains on it and it doesn't retain any water so can be rolled straight back up to take away.
When we go camping, there's a group of us and all now have artificial grass matts.
Only pic I can find, just about see it here...fits in well obviously
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