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Which items do you need on your camping list to make the experience feel like home?
Spending a weekend in the woods can help you relax, unwind and connect with nature. Still, without common comforts and luxuries, your tent and campsite often don’t have the same cozy feel as your home. There are a variety of items to put on your camping packing list that will make your outdoor experience more homey.
From comfy air mattresses to cool camping gadgets, these items will enhance any wilderness getaway. These are the best camping accessories to elevate your outdoor adventure.
In this article: Coleman Montana 8-Person Tent, OlarHike Queen Air Mattress and Anker Nebula Capsule Mini Projector.
A camping checklist to make your campsite feel cozy
Give yourself enough space
Tents tend to feel cramped, especially when sharing them with several other people. By choosing a camping tent with more interior space, you can give yourself more room to spread out. You may even have the opportunity to set up a designated sleeping area and living space within the tent itself.
This 8-person Coleman tent uses a quick setup system and has the space to fit three queen-sized air mattresses. It provides enough room for multiple campers or extra space to relax or store gear. The hinged door also adds another element of home, making it easy to come and go.
Use an air mattress
The quality of sleep isn’t always the best when sleeping outdoors, especially for those new to camping. Investing in a waterproof air mattress can improve your sleep while making your tent feel more like a home away from home.
At 13 inches high, this comfortable air mattress keeps you elevated and off the cold ground. Lightweight and easy to transport, this air bed has a built-in pump for a self-inflating design. It’s made of durable, leak-resistant materials.
Hang some lights
Some portable string lights can help create a warm and inviting atmosphere. Whether you plan to use them in your tent or strung around your campsite, they can help you bring the cozy feeling to the outdoors.
Brightech Ambience Pro USB-Powered String Lights
These LED lights are waterproof and shatterproof, so you can hang them wherever and whenever you want. Simply plug this 24-foot strand into a portable power bank or charger and enjoy the comforting ambient glow.
Put down a rug
A simple rug can completely change the feel of a campsite, giving you a space to sit, lay, cook, read or practice yoga.
Reversible Mats Outdoor Camping Rug
This packable, outdoor-themed camping rug has a UV coat to prevent sun damage and is easy to clean after an extended period outside. The 6-by-9-foot design fits nicely inside some larger tents, or as a makeshift patio space.
Bring a warm blanket
Wrapping yourself in a soft blanket on a chilly morning or while sitting around a campfire can make you feel at ease. You can bring your favorite blanket from home, but having a packable and weather-resistant camping option is easier.
This down alternative camping blanket is cozy and practical. It converts into a sleeping bag with a durable, water-resistant nylon shell. This travel blanket is lightweight and compressible for easy packing.
Set up a table
A picnic table not only gives you a place to eat your meals, but you can also use it to play board games, prepare your food or set your drinks.
With different sizes to choose from, this portable camping table is the perfect addition to an outdoor setup or as a way to spruce up the inside of a tent. Plus, the aluminum tabletop and metal frame are built to withstand the elements.
Relax in a chair
Sitting on a stump or picnic bench is charmingly rustic. But having a comfortable camping chair to relax in at the end of a long day can make a campsite feel more like home.
Picnic Time Reclining Camp Chair
You can take this collapsible chair along on camping trips, beach days, tailgates and sports games. It has a plush padded design, an extra-wide seat and three reclining positions for the ultimate comfort. There’s a built-in cup holder and a zippered pocket for storing small items. Made from durable polyester and steel, it weighs less than 10 pounds for easy transport.
Listen to music
Playing your favorite songs or listening to some calming background music can transform a campsite into a temporary home. As long as you aren’t disturbing other campers nearby, a Bluetooth speaker is a perfect addition to anyone’s camping setup.
JBL Flip 5 Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker
This outdoor speaker boasts big sound and strong bass for its size. It’s waterproof, so you don’t have to worry about it getting damaged on rainy camping trips. This JBL speaker offers wireless Bluetooth streaming and 12 hours of playtime on a single charge. Plus, it’s compact and easily packable.
Have a home-cooked meal
Roasting over an open fire is a fun way to cook certain foods, but for a more elaborate meal, invest in a convenient camp stove.
Coleman Triton+ Gas Camping Stove
This two-burner stove lets you make any of your favorite dishes in your camp kitchen. The windshields on both sides of the stove provide for consistent heat and flames even in less-than-ideal conditions. Cleaning is a breeze with the rust-resistant aluminum cooktop.
Stay cool on hot nights
Hot, sweaty nights can really put a damper on the camping experience. A portable fan will help you sleep comfortably, even in high temperatures.
Jinlicte Camping Fan with LED Lantern
This 9-inch rechargeable camping fan has three speeds and runs from eight to 36 hours, depending on the setting you choose. It has 280-degree rotation adjustment, a sturdy ABS plastic build and a built-in lantern with three brightness levels. You can connect the fan to a power bank and charge it via USB.
Keep bugs at bay
Mosquitoes and other insects are an inevitable part of the camping experience, but bug bites don’t have to be. Rather than dousing yourself with insect repellent, use a bug zapper with a set-it-and-forget-it design.
Kiies Solar Bug Zapper with Reading Lamp
This bug zapper eliminates a variety of insects using ultraviolet light. It’s rechargeable through solar power or a USB cord. The durable, waterproof build can stand up to the elements. It has a foldable side lamp with two brightness levels — a useful feature for illuminating your campsite or reading at night in your tent.
Plan a movie night
Portable mini projectors allow you to bring the full movie experience to the outdoors. Once the sun sets, a projector can turn your campsite into an on-the-go theater.
Anker Nebula Capsule Mini Projector
Being approximately the same size as a soda can means you can take this portable projector with you anywhere you go. Both kids and adult campers appreciate the high-quality, built-in speaker and display size up to 100 inches. You may also want to consider using a projector screen for HD quality.
More practical and fun camping accessories
- The Mattel Games UNO Splash Card Game features a waterproof deck for taking this popular game outdoors.
- The Odoland Portable LED Camping Lantern with Ceiling Fan is another option for illuminating your tent and staying cool.
- The insulated Teton Sports Canvas Sleeping Pad can be used with or without a camping cot.
- If you want the experience of a campfire without having to build one, a portable fire pit like the Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0 is a great alternative.
- The LifeStraw Personal Water Filter effectively removes bacteria, parasites and microplastics to ensure your drinking water is safe.
- The rugged Allwei Portable Power Station will keep up to nine devices charged on your camping trip.
Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.
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