From Band-Aids To BBQ Tools: Dollar Tree’s Survival Kit For Camping

“Picture this: crackling campfires, shared laughter under the stars, and the thrill of an outdoor adventure. But here’s the kicker—none of it happens smoothly without the right gear. Whether you’re corralling your family, rounding up friends, or taking the office crew on a wild expedition, the essence of camping lies in the preparation.

Finding the perfect camping supplies can feel like searching for hidden treasure in a vast wilderness, but fear not! Your nearest Dollar Tree store holds the map to an array of camping essentials.

Now that you’ve uncovered this goldmine, the burning question arises: what exactly should you pack for the ultimate camping escapade? Well, this listicle has got you covered—40 items designed to transform your camping experience. From those trusty band-aids for unexpected mishaps to creative coloring books for unleashing your inner artist, not to mention the grill tools that crown you the master chef of the wilderness, and oh yes, long lighters to spare you the hassle of primal fire-making techniques.

1. Damp-rid moisture absorbers

You may encounter mold and extra moisture during the monsoon areas. Some places in your houses are entirely hidden from sunlight and air and are the victims of mold and moisture. If you do not care for these spots, your clothes, cupboards, and other precious stuff may deteriorate.

You can solve this problem by getting moisture absorbers from your nearest dollar stores. Instead of buying costly dehumidifiers, you can invest in these small, practical boxes. You can keep these in areas prone to moisture, like cupboards and kitchen corners, and rest easy.

2. Glow sticks 

You may have seen glow sticks at parties and in kids’ hands, but you may hear this for the first time. Glow sticks are great for campers and adventurous people with kids. This simple investment can become your and your kids’ biggest companion at night in a dark campsite.

Kids love these glowing art pieces, but they also keep them safe. If your kid is playing near the campsite in the evening, you can hand this to your kid. Now, you can easily spot them in the playground and ensure they are near you while you finish your chores.

3. Mini snap-lid storage boxes

At almost every dollar store, you can find these cheap mini snap storage boxes with lids, and you may also have some in your home. You may use them to store first aid supplies, medicines, and art supplies like pencil erasers and fancy colored pens. But you can use them for more things

If you like playing cards or card games, this box is the perfect storage option. Cards are fragile, and if you keep storing them with the rest of the games, they may end up degrading before their shelf life is over. You can use these boxes to increase their longevity.

4. Shoe organizer

You may have seen many boxy shoe organizers, but you may be surprised when you see this one. This shoe organizer hangs on the back of your door to maximize space saving and even helps you keep the floor clean. You don’t need hardware for this organizer, as it has a hanging mount.

It is a great product if you need to organize your shoes, kids’ toys, medicines, and even beauty products in your bedroom. Another good thing about such shoe organizers is that they keep your shoes away from dust and other damage. When leaving for work, pop in your sunscreen, skincare, and hair products.

5. Nightlights for kids

Young kids are brave and strong, but they may get scared of the dark, and as parents, you must ensure they are comfortable even at night. By buying these nightlights for your kids, they can quickly get up to use the washroom without fear.

The lights are glare-free and offer two brightness levels so that your eyes stay stress-free. They even have an auto mode, which makes efficient use of motion sensors. Kids are clumsy and may fall if running in the dark, and these lights ensure they stay lit up.

6. Baby powder

Baby powder has multiple benefits; it is gentle on the skin and keeps you fresh all day. Baby powder is also paraben-free and doesn’t contain dyes. It can prevent chafing, so it is great when you are about to exercise or on sunny days to help you.

If you are heading to the beach, carry talcum powder. You can easily get the sand off your skin; all you have to do is sprinkle the powder on and wipe it off. Now, your socks and shoes won’t become an uncomfortable mess. You can also use it to absorb excess oil.

7. Shower cap

Shower caps are great for taking a shower without getting your hair wet. But there are even more situations where you can use these shower caps to ease your work. Shower caps are great if you have food served on a plate to eat in a while, as they keep the flies and dust away.

You can also use a shower cap to pack your shoes in your travel bag without dirtying your clothes. You can use a shower cap to keep your seat dry outside if you have a bike. Additionally, you can use a shower cap if you need to cover your rising dough.

8. Fabric totes

Small clothes can be hard to find as they don’t have compartments like underwear, socks, kids’ clothes, and shorts. You can easily buy fabric totes from Dollar Tree stores, and the good thing about them is that they are collapsible and even come with handles to carry them anywhere easily.

If your kid is into arts and crafts, you can use these totes to store all the supplies and keep them on the floor, shelves, and stairs. Your room will be tidy and organized and won’t drain your energy. You can use these totes to keep all the miscellaneous stuff in your house.

9. Mesh laundry bags

If you need a space to contain your dirty laundry or a bag to keep your dishes where they can dry, you can look at these mesh laundry bags that you can easily find in the dollar stores near you. The mesh material also maintains breathability.

These bags can quickly become your traveling organizer as their sturdiness allows you to fill them up and take them on countless hikes and outdoor camps. The mesh makes these clothes easy to wash and clean and is also easy to carry. They are big enough to hold all your groceries from the market.

10. Mini storage containers

If you often find yourself with leftovers or like to have different dipping sauces at your disposal, these small containers will be handy. You can have countless uses for these containers; they are great for storing your baby’s snacks, baby food, and sauces.

If you are a person who loves each nacho with sauce, this container is going to be a blessing for you. The perk of using these lidded containers is that you can stack them over each other to save space. You save room in your fridge and also keep things organized and tidy.

11. Solar light stakes

At night, pathways become hard to see without any light source and even harder near a campsite. If you want to change that, look at solar light stakes to improve visibility and illuminate the pathways. As they use solar energy as a source, you don’t have to worry about high electricity bills.

You can get a light stake with a unique lamp head design, which is also waterproof as it will withstand snow, storms, and even rain. One of the best places to place them is on your pathway. They automatically turn on late in the evenings after charging in the day.

12. Ponchos

Ponchos can be helpful if you are trying to get through stormy weather. Unlike an umbrella, ponchos are so small and compact that they will even fit in your pocket. But their usability is not limited; they can also be used over tables, chairs, and other accessories when rain comes.

Ponchos come in different colors, creating an extra creative use case for them. Suppose you have a camera setup and require additional lighting. In that case, you don’t need to invest in expensive lighting setups as a beginner, as you can get a great result by using a colorful poncho over your white light.

13. Shower caddy

A shower caddy is, without a doubt, a precious and essential item in the shower as it neatly organizes the shower products. But this isn’t their only use case; you can even take them on your camps and treks by keeping sunscreen and other essentials in the caddy. 

As a caddy, it comes with a handle and can hold bottles, sprays, and more. If the sun is on top and you are out on an adventure, remove sunscreen from your caddy and apply it to your skin. The caddy is lightweight to ensure less weight on your hands. 

14. Lint rollers

You may get emotionally attached to your clothes over time, which keeps deteriorating. With this item, you don’t have to lose your precious clothes because of lint. Lint makes clothes look older and makes them lose their worth. Lint removers can become a real lifesaver.

You can find economy packs of lint rollers at a discount at your nearest Dollar Tree store or online. They can help you keep your clothes lint-free for a long time. If you have pets, you may understand the pain of getting the tough pet hair out of the bed sheets.

15. Pool noodles

One unfortunate experience many people have on a camper slide is walking into the edge and being left with a headache afterward. You can quickly fix the problem by getting pool noodles from the nearby dollar store. Create bumpers with the pool noodles on the hard edges of your slide-out sides.

It would help to cut the noodle’s length and then stick it on edge. Pool noodles have more utility than being just a swimming accessory. They can also be used in your arts and crafts projects and as a cushion. These noodles will last you a long time, irrespective of their usage.

16. Doormats

You don’t need expensive door mats; even the ones from the dollar store work well. They are very effective when it comes to collecting dust and dirt out of your shoes. It can be a great addition to your camping adventures as you can keep the sand out of your camper/tent.

If you can get yourself a doormat with fabric, it becomes straightforward to wash them even with a machine, and they are also lightweight. Just make sure you buy a mat that is pet-friendly and child-safe. You can easily clean the door with regular vacuuming sessions.

17. Dishpan

A dishpan is used for dozens of tasks, such as high-heat cooking methods like frying, searing, and sauteing different delicacies. But the use you will see will amaze you; you can easily buy a dishpan from a Dollar Tree store. Just fill the dishpan with water and keep it outside your door.

Now, when someone comes near your camper door, you can politely request them to wash their feet to rinse all the dirt and sand off their feet effortlessly. If you want to take things further, you can buy a dishpan with matching colors as your camper.

18. Hard plastic glass case

If you have an extra case for your goggles, that’s great, but even if you don’t have them, you can buy them cheaply from your nearest Dollar Tree store for this hack. Charging cables break easily if you keep them in your bag, especially when traveling.

But it is not just limited to USB charging cables; you can protect your wired earphones and keep your coins in one place. If you end up losing your glasses case somehow, you can quickly empty this one to use this case as a substitute for your glass case.

19. Pill organizer 

You know how vital medicines are when you are out in the woods. If someone gets a fever or a sudden allergy, time is of the essence, and you don’t have the time to find your pills from a big, unorganized bag of medicines. That’s when this tool comes in handy.

You won’t have to waste time looking into big bags anymore. This pill organizer offers its customers multiple compartments so that you can organize them accordingly. You can also store other small things like safety pins and craft supplies. One other idea would be keeping your multivitamins in the box.

20. Cake Holder

One hardship almost everyone comes across is the windy nature of campgrounds. You may have seen your paper plates flying away from the winds, and if you still experience this, you will love this idea. Head to the nearest Dollar Tree store and buy a cake holder for yourself.

Why a cake holder? Well, it’s because you can easily store your paper plates to protect them from the wind. The bulky and firm nature of the cake holder makes it much easier to keep the plates intact and away from storms and wind so that you can have lunch easily.

21. Long Lighter

Long lighters are necessary when you are an adventurous person with a knack for delicious BBQ. Whether windy or calm, you should always have a long lighter to begin cooking and other bonfires. You don’t have to look for long lighters as you will easily find them at your nearest Dollar Tree.

Long lighters are essential for indoor and outdoor lighting and BBQ needs. It has a long battery life, so you don’t have to worry about the battery in the middle of your camp. The convenient design of the lighter makes it easy to carry around in the camp.

22. Bungee Cords

Bungee cords are great when you love to go on prolonged adventures in the woods. You know how hard it becomes to dry your clothes after washing them in the wild; there are hardly any spots where you can hang them. That’s when these bungee cords come into play.

You can easily use one end of the cord around one tree and the other around the second tree, and now you have a place for your wet clothes. It is easy to dry clothes outside when you are camping and windy. You can also keep your floaties intact against a tree.

23. Grill Tools

Grilling is a pleasant activity, and the most fun from grilling can be experienced when you are camping with your precious friends and family in the woods. However, grilling can only be done efficiently with the proper grilling tools. If you are looking for grilling tools, you can look at the nearest Dollar Tree store.

Here are some of the tools that you may require for your next grilling session: you can look at utility tongs, BBQ grill brush, grill floss, aluminum sheets, chimney starter, instant-read thermometer, basting brush, grilling gloves, and kettle grills. You can find these grill tools easily at the Dollar Tree stores.

24. Lanterns

Lanterns can add more style to your camp and offer various benefits when you install them. Whether you are searching for something around Halloween or Christmas, or maybe you need a lantern. One idea is to set your lantern on the borders or your campsite to show it as your territory.

A lantern can help you create an aesthetic look for your campsite. You can select from a pool of lanterns, such as cool and warm lanterns, classic or electric lanterns for your house or camp. If you want to spice things up, there is also a full-size Victorian-style lamp that you may look at.

25. Tablecloth

As a camper, if you love to live in the woods, then a tablecloth is necessary. When eating out in the woods, spreading a tablecloth around the seating area is a good thing; this way, you don’t have to worry about accidental spills and getting the place dirty.

You may have seen how beautiful and pleasing the campground tables are. It is your duty as a camper to ensure those tables don’t get dirty or have any food marks. To solve this problem, you don’t need any high-class product. You just need to buy a tablecloth from a Dollar Tree store near you. 

26. Trash bags

One of the most important things to take with you on a camp isn’t a light source or cold drinks; it is a trash bag. When you are out in nature, you are responsible for your safety, your loved ones, and the nature hosting you.

You need to take care of nature by picking up all your empty packets of chips and other trash. If you are having trouble finding garbage bags, you can easily spot them near your Dollar Tree store. They are inexpensive and keep your adventure clean, tidy, and organized.

27. Camping dishes

You will definitely need these camping dishes if you are out camping. Everyone loves to eat their cooked meals at the camp, and these camping dishes make camping easier. With enough space for every plate and enough space for liquid in the drinkware, you can ensure everyone gets their stomach full.

You don’t have to look for expensive ones if you are on a budget. You can look for camping dishes at your nearest Dollar Tree store; they offer cheap and sturdy options in camping dishes. One tip: always try to look for Tupperware if you are looking for dishes and kitchen supplies.

28. A bug-catching kit

If you have kids, this bug-catching kit will do wonders for you. Every kid has an explorer hidden in them, waiting for the right time to come out. A unique gift for your child, especially when you are out camping, will be a bug-catching kit from the Dollar Tree store.

With this kit at their disposal, they will have all the tools to collect bugs and find the world of tiny creatures. Kids playing in the lap of nature can be one of the sweetest things. You will love sitting by the camp around the afternoon, looking at your kid running behind a butterfly.

29. Plastic or edible cutlery 

When you visit the Dollar Tree store, pick up something that others don’t usually pick up. You will be amazed how small things can change your lifestyle. If you can find plastic cutlery, ensure you get it, as it can save much of your time finding and carrying heavier cutlery.

Another great alternative would be edible cutlery, a newer concept that focuses on making cutlery out of multigrain, like wheat and rice. They come in different flavors, such as chocolate and mint, and are worth trying once. But you can always opt for plastic cutlery if you cannot find edible cutlery.

30. Chip clips

As a camper, having a chip clip by your side is essential as food is important, and they help you store it properly. A benefit of chip clips is that they do not bend easily like bamboo and plastic clips. Use this chip clip if you have food that needs to be sealed.

These clips are multi-purpose, meaning you can also use them as bag pins, clothespins, and even as a bookmark. Now, you won’t have to make the perfect angles on cables to dry your clothes; these clips will keep them in their place irrespective of how windy it becomes.

31. Antibacterial wet wipes

In the wild, your hygiene and safety are in your hands, and you can ensure they are being taken care of with a straightforward product. When camping, you need to protect yourself from the germs that may cause you harm. Wet wipes are a product that can help you easily remove germs.

You can find these antibacterial wet wipes at any Dollar Tree Store for cheap. Before you leave for a camping trip with your family, ensure you have these wipes to enjoy your camping trip thoroughly. An excellent antibacterial wet wipe can protect you from up to 99.99% of germs. 

32. Drinking water

Staying hydrated is essential for overall well-being. At Dollar Tree, you can conveniently access large, affordable bottles of mineral water, ensuring you maintain good hydration without breaking the bank. Adequate water intake keeps your skin clear and plays a crucial role in lubricating and cushioning joints, supporting optimal bodily functions.

Water helps your body regulate a normal temperature consistently. Your sensitive tissues and your spinal cord also stay protected with water. If you drink adequate water, your body can quickly eliminate waste through different activities. Remember, if you are camping during summer, take even more water.

33. Camping cookware

Camping cookware is essential as you can’t always take your home cookware with you as it may break. As an alternative to your home appliances, you can easily find the same alternatives at the Dollar Tree store for cheap. You can check if the cookware is BPA-free food grade or not.

These utensils are made so you can easily carry them on your journeys. They have a small size but are high quality. Consider a wooden spatula, bowls, one pot, and a pan. Ensure that the utensils are lightweight, sturdy, and durable to withstand the rough nature of camps.

34. Mosquito repellants

Going to the camp with your family is always a wholesome experience until the mosquitos enter. If you are lucky, you will get out of it with some sleep and bite marks, but if not, you may have to spend the whole night fighting your tiny enemies without getting sleep.

The best way to prepare against this and prevent sleepless nights is to buy mosquito repellants from the nearest Dollar Tree store. You can consider getting mosquito repellants, coils, rackets, and roll-ons to ensure you get a good night’s sleep without fighting the mosquitos. You can also try natural remedies like lavender and thyme oil.

35. Food tents

Food tents can help you protect your food from flies, insects, sneaky cats, dogs, and even curious kids who try to poke around the table. This addition can make perfect sense if you plan a camp in the woods. You can take this if you plan to have lunch with more food.

When you buy this, you will realize that this tent can be used all year round for picnics, BBQ sessions, and birthday parties. You can keep it tucked away and take it out on special days. It is lightweight, so you don’t need any labor to set it up.

36. Rope

here are some exciting things that you can do with a rope when you are camping. This simple tool can even save lives at challenging times. A good rope should be compact, long, thin, strong, and sturdy. You can replace the tent’s guy lines and your shoe laces.

You know how crucial space is when packing essentials for your camping journey. With a rope, you can tie extra gear to your bags, wrap a tool handle, create trip wires and fishing lines, make a fire if you have the 550 paracords, or even build a raft that doesn’t come apart quickly.

37. Toolbox

As an adventurer, a toolbox is a must for you when you go camping. It is a storage unit to carry and protect all your tools and keep them organized for all your tasks. The benefit of a toolbox is that you unlock the DIY projects you couldn’t do because you didn’t have tools.

You can easily find the toolboxes at the Dollar Tree store. Here are some toolboxes that may be of use to you. You can check plastic toolboxes, steel toolboxes, and cantilever toolboxes and get the one that suits your needs best. Make sure you determine your storage needs before making a purchase.

38. Band-aids and matches

Wild adventures are fun and exciting but sometimes can leave you with a small injury. You should get it checked at the nearest hospital, but if the scratch is small, you can also apply a Band-Aid to the scratch. Band-Aids are perfect for small cuts to the body, so make sure you carry them.

One other small accessory you should have is a matchbox; you never know when you might need it. When camping, you have to be spontaneous; if the fire goes out, you need a matchbox to start it again. Remember to get matchboxes for yourself when you go to the Dollar Tree store.

39. Coloring books with crayons

Enhance your family camping experience with a coloring book, creating cherished moments with your kids. As they bring vibrant hues to paper, witness their creativity shining, mirroring the positivity they bring to the world. It’s a delightful way to explore their imaginative side amid the beauty of the camp.

Pair them with some brand-new crayons, and your children will have a sweet smile. You can find both of them at a Dollar Tree store near you. Kids love to spend time with their parents, and that becomes a lifetime memory to cherish for them.

40. Card Games

Late-night camp stories are incomplete without some card games, and a Dollar Tree store may be the perfect place to pick them up for cheap. All family members can gather around in a circle and listen to the ghost stories Grandma has to tell from her childhood. You can play games like cards and ludo.

If you want more spice to your camp nights, add snacks in a big bowl so everyone can eat while playing games. Grab some cookies, nachos, and dipping sauces from the Dollar Tree store and pack them in your bags. It adds a positive element to your camping nights.