Gift purchases can get pricy, but, there are other options. These DIY Camping Gifts don’t require expensive special equipment. And, friends and family members love receiving them. Handmade gifts are so much fun to create. Let’s get ready to take useful gifts to the next level!
Psst we’re compensated…see our disclosures.
DIY Campfire Starters
Make DIY Dryer Lint Fire Starters for pennies! Add our adorable outer wrappers that have trivia questions about every happy campers favorite bear … Smokey!
Camper Cake
Anyone with basic cake decorating skills can make this cute retro RV camping themed Camper Cake! The buttercream frosting is so yummy, it makes an ordinary box cake mix taste extraordinary!
Retro Camper Painted Rock
This camper rock painting project is so fun. Let your creativity flow as you create something that can be used as a paperweight or decoration for home, camper or garden.
DIY Camping Gift Baskets
I love getting creative when putting together personalized gift baskets. Just pick a theme for your basket and fill it with little trinkets that fit the theme.
Here are some cute camping gift basket ideas
Glamper’s Basket
Check out the glamping gift ideas I used to make awesome presents.
Wilderness Camper’s Basket
Nature lovers who like spending time in a remote area often need portable devices for off-grid camping. Some ideas include small solar panels for charging electronic devices. One of the best gifts I ever received was a solar powered lantern that can also charge phones. Solar/hand crank radios are also fun outdoor gifts to add to baskets. Check out more solar gadgets for camping.
S’mores Basket
Hershey’s S’mores Caddy Storage Container
The entire family will love this great gift idea to enjoy s’mores on the go. This s’mores kit is the perfect container to store all the essential ingredients to make everyone’s favorite things for dessert. Place it in the center of your basket and add a set of marshmallow roasting sticks. Include the ingredients listed in my 10 Mouth-Watering Smore Variations along with my FREE Printable Recipe card. I’m guessing the bigger kids will absolutely love my personal favorite Tropical Therapy s’more.
Coffee Lover’s Basket
We have had hours of fun sipping a good cup of camp coffee over a morning fire. A coffee maker is just the beginning when it comes to creating a DIY Camping Coffee Kit. Think about adding accessories to your basket. A hand-held manually operated espresso maker and a battery operated milk frother are unique camping gifts for latte-loving campers. Cute mugs and coffee-themed clothing are also fun additions to this type of basket.
Traveling Camper’s Basket
A gift card is a simple solution that can be the perfect gift for outdoorsy people who like to experience different places on their camping adventures. You can place the gift card in an envelope and bulk up the basket with things like travel journals and small bags of edible treats like nuts, cookies, candy, granola, dried fruit etc. Some other ideas I like include a National Park Scratch-Off Poster, RV Permanent State Sticker Set, Passport To Your National Parks Booklet and the RV There Yet? Road Trip Journal. Get more ideas in our gifts for RV owners post.
Winter Camping Basket
If you’re giving this basket during the holiday season and the recipient loves experiencing cold weather in the great outdoors, filling the basket with heat-generating items are great options. Mr. Buddy heaters make an excellent gift but they can be pricy. Instead, fill the basket with things like winter camping clothes including warm hats, thermal socks, adhesive body warmers. You can also add items like a hot water bottle (which is great to place in the bottom of a sleeping bag to heat it up before going to bed). Check out how to stay warm camping in a tent for more ideas.
I want “5 Secrets To Successful Camping Trips” plus weekly camping tips & recipes.
Hot Chocolate Mix
This Rich & Creamy Campfire Hot Cocoa is a mix that’s quick and simple to make. It’s a great gift for outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy camping adventures in colder weather. Add it to a DIY camping gift basket or pair it with a cute camp-themed mug.
Smokey Joe Conversion
This DIY project is one of my husband’s favorite Weber Smokey Joe hacks, but, it does require using a drill. See our step-by-step photos to do your own mod.
Camping-Theme Decorated Cookies
Decorated sugar cookies are cute and yummy. Especially when they are shaped in a camping theme. I just love the campfire and lantern!
Tic-Tac-Toe Game
Who knew stones and a wood board could turn an ordinary board game into a piece of art that can actually be used!
Mason Jar S’mores
Every camper loves S’MORES, right? This quick DIY gift is ready in minutes. You can attach your own tag or use the FREE printable one in the post.
Painted Condiment Caddy
Purchase an inexpensive unfinished pine caddy (like the ones you see at the Dollar Store), paint it and add some twine to create an awesome gadget that can be used at the campsite or any outdoor picnic!
Hand Warmers
What a great way to upcycle old shirts! These homemade hand warmers can be sewn using a sewing machine or just a needle and thread.
Drink Can Holding Koozies
You can use permanent markers to draw on blank koozies and personalize them without special equipment. But, if you have access to a Cricut or Silhouette machine, you can make these adorable drink holders. The fun marshmallow faces are my favorites!
Personalized Gear With Professional Results
I know this post is all about making DIY gifts for campers without needing special equipment. But, if you have access to a Cricut Explore Air 2, you can make some really fancy presents for your favorite outdoor enthusiast.
More Camping Gift Ideas
If you think you want to purchase a handmade gift but don’t want to do the work yourself, check out our list of awesome personalized camping gifts!
You can see all our camping gift ideas for every single camper on your list!
FREE Printable Trip Planner
Camping Meal Ideas
You need great food to go along with great gear. Try something new on your next trip!
