Do you love to spend time outdoors, camp, or just simply love nature? You do, if you are, that catching a little bit of that great outdoors is what it’s all about in those warmer months. So when you’re planning a camping trip, picnic or simply taking a blanket outside to the backyard, we have some frugal tips to make sure you’ll be making the most of a good time spent in the great outdoors.
1. Camping Toilet Paper Hack
You’re out on an amazing camping trip, soaking in the fresh air, the trees, the peace—and then nature calls. You reach for the toilet paper…as you usually do and realize you forgot to pack it. Yep, it happens. Don’t say it doesn’t haha. But here’s a simple hack that’ll save you next time.
Before your trip, grab something like an old coffee canister, an empty oatmeal container, or even a cleaned-out chip tube. Peel off the label, make sure it’s dry inside, then tuck a roll of toilet paper in there. It keeps it clean, dry, and un-squished in your bag. Bonus points if you decorate the outside with stickers or washi tape to make it easy to spot. No more scrambling when it’s time for a bathroom break in the woods.
2. DIY Hammock Stand:
Love the idea of napping in a hammock but not the price tag that comes with a stand? Same. The good news: You can make your own, using materials such as PVC pipe or old wooden pallets. It’s much less complicated than it seems, and there are tons of tutorials online to walk you through it. In the end, you have a cozy little hammock setup that works for the area you have — both space and price-wise.
3. Noisy-Drip Stopper:
Here’s the scene: You’re relaxing on the porch, hot drink in hand (tea for some of us, coffee for others, that would be me), and just as you’re hitting that sweet, chill-out spot in the evening rhythm … drip. Drip. Drip. The steady, annoying hum in the waterspout is about enough to drive a man daft.
Here is a ludicrously simple solution: Snag a kitchen sponge, add a bit of water (not a lot, just enough so it’s soft), and simply wedge it into the spout. The water drips on the sponge not on the ground and like that the sound is gone.
It’s an easy trick, but it’s like magic. No more sleep-disturbing drips, no more squandered sips — only peace, stillness and perhaps another few minutes of savoring the evenings.
4. Upcycled Decor – Outdoor:
You don’t need a big budget to make your outdoor space feel beautiful. Nature gives us so many little treasures—fallen leaves, pine cones, seashells—that can be turned into simple, rustic decor. I’ve thrown together centerpieces from things I found on a walk, added a few string lights and some candles, and suddenly the whole space felt like a cozy retreat.
Old jars and containers? Don’t toss them. They make the sweetest little lanterns. Just drop in a tea light or an LED candle, and you’ve got instant magic. Honestly, it looks like something out of a backyard wedding—and it costs next to nothing.
5. Thrifty Planters:
Gardening is seriously one of the most calming things you can do—but wow, those fancy planters add up fast. I’ve found it way more fun (and cheaper) to get creative with what I already have at home. Old buckets, chipped teapots, even a pair of worn-out boots can turn into charming little plant homes. Just drill a few drainage holes, and you’re set. My mom used to make the prettiest planters out of old enamel pots—she’d plant herbs in them and line them up along the windowsill. They looked like something out of a magazine, but it was all stuff she had lying around.
6. Budget-Friendly Outdoor Games:
Inviting friends and family over to hang out in your backyard can be a lot of fun, but it can also be expensive to invest in a stockpile of commercial outdoor games. So get creative and develop a few affordable games of your own. Just imagine how much fun you could have making your own ring toss game out of a few old bottles and a handful of brightly colored homemade rings. Also with these couple of hours leaving ideas for kids and kids at heart, designing a hopscotch outside in your backyard on the ground using chalk would be another. You might also organize a scavenger hunt with items from nature (pinecones, a kind of leaf) to keep everyone on the move and occupied at no cost.
7. Gardener tip:
Don’t leave your gardening gloves out in the open—you’re basically rolling out the welcome mat for spiders. I learned this the hard way one spring afternoon when I slid my hand in and felt something move. Safe to say, I’ve been storing them in a sealed container ever since. It takes two seconds and saves you from that heart-stopping “what just touched me” moment. Toss them in a jar or an airtight box when you’re done, and next time you grab them, they’ll be bug-free and ready to go.
8. Solar-Powered Outdoor Lights:
Lighting can completely change the vibe of an outdoor space. A few well-placed lights and suddenly your backyard feels like a little retreat. I switched to solar lights last year—mainly because I was tired of the electric bill creeping up every summer—and I haven’t looked back. They charge during the day and switch on automatically when it gets dark. I have a mix: some soft string lights over the fence, a few little path lights leading to the garden, and these lantern-style ones I found on sale that make everything feel cozy. They’re budget-friendly, require zero effort once they’re up, and they actually make me want to sit outside more often.
9. Repurposed Furniture and Pallet Projects:
Outdoor furniture isn’t cheap—believe me, I’ve stared down price tags that made me back away slowly. But I’ve found that some of the best pieces are the ones you make yourself. An old table that’s been sitting in your shed? Sand it down, add a coat of outdoor paint, and it suddenly has character. Wooden pallets are another favorite of mine. I once built a bench out of three, added some cushions I had lying around, and it became the most popular seat in the yard. My mom’s been doing this forever—she sees potential in furniture most people would toss. There’s something satisfying about making it work with what you have, and the results are often way cooler than anything you’d buy new.
10. Compost Bin for a Greener Space:
If you are a gardening enthusiast who likes making your garden waste work for you then having this compost bin is a necessity, added it to your garden today. There’s really no need to go to the store and buy compost (like, hello??? Who needs that), because you can make your own nutrient rich compost with your kitchen scraps and yard waste. You can easily make your own compost bin with wooden pallets or upcycled containers. Not only can composting save you money on fertilizers, it also helps take waste out of your trash, so you’ll be leaving a green footprint in your little piece of the outdoors.
11. DIY Bug Repellent:
You want to enjoy the great outdoors, not be eaten alive by pesky bugs (Spooky). Fill a spray bottle with equal parts water and white vinegar, and then add a few drops of essential oils — citronella, lavender, eucalyptus — which have been rumored to repel some insects. Give it a good shake and spray some of it around where you’re sitting, to keep the bugs away. Even better, it’s a SUPER cheap and non-toxic solution so you can remain environmentally friendly and healthy for you and your family.
Enjoying your outdoor spaces shouldn’t mean emptying your wallet. Good luck!
