top birthday gifts for campers: a gift guide for outdoor enthusiasts

our campervan during california’s wildflower superbloom

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it’s my birthday month and i’m celebrating a big one! naturally, i’m asking for all things camping, van life and outdoors to mark this special occasion. and now that we’ve put nearly 20,000 miles on our camper van, i have lots of ideas about van life essentials, as well as those luxury items that would be the perfect birthday gift for the outdoor lovers.

in this post, i'm sharing the best birthday gifts for campers and outdoor enthusiasts. whether you’re shopping for a seasoned camper or just starting your own camping journey, i've got ideas for you. this list includes all the must-have camping gear, gadgets, and accessories that are on my birthday wishlist right now!

accessories to elevate the camping experience

camping accessories can make the outdoors all the more enjoyable and thus make the perfect gift for outdoor lovers! sure, the camping essentials are all that’s really needed (and i’ve included some below!), but when it’s super buggy out or you can’t figure out where to put your muddy boots without getting everything dirty, some extra accessories make all the difference. these items may not be essential, but they can enhance the overall outdoor experience.

gear and shoe storage bag

keeping dirt out of any camping space is a challenge - whether you’re tent camping, glamping or cruising in an rv. and the biggest culprit for bringing in dirt is always the shoes - whether you have dusty camp shoes, sandy sandals, or muddy hiking boots, they’re all something you want to keep separate from the rest of your camping gear. but that can be tough when you’re limited in space and leaving them outside can mean rain or critters.

enter this shoe storage bag that magnetically attaches to your vehicle! it’s water-resistant (in case the rain rolls in) and the perfect place to tuck away any shoes you don’t want in your sleeping space. it even has a mesh bottom so soggy shoes can drain and air-dry overnight! this has been high on my list of camping accessories for quite sometime and i’m always dreaming up how i can use it to store camping gear beyond shoes.

bug screen for camper van

with the weather warming up again, a camper van bug screen is at the top of my list! when it’s warm, we open open up the screened windows, which can bring a nice breeze into a toasty van. but to enjoy the views, we’d really love to be able to keep our side doors open! unfortunately, bugs can be a major issue, especially when evening lights attract all the bugs in and there’s no fire to help keep them away. a bug screen would allow us to take in fresh air, enjoy the views, and just be that much closer to nature!

vehicle door step

this door step would be so handy!!! it would be great for making adjustments on our awning or pop top on the camper van. but i’d really love to get it for our car when we’re taking road trips and tent camping adventures without the van. we have vehicle roof storage, which is so incredibly helpful for hauling all the camping gear. however, it can get cumbersome to haul heavy or bulky items in and out from down below. this door step would make it so much more accessible for me!

portable air conditioner

since we’ll be on the road again this summer - and traveling through some really hot places! - i’m adding one of these portable air conditioners to my list of camper van accessories i’m pining for. a camping air conditioner will be especially helpful getting us to sleep on those hot summer evenings. and with a built in timer function we can be sure it doesn’t drain out power by running all night! true camping luxury!

travel laundry washing bag

this foldable laundry bag would be soooo helpful on the road! especially with kiddos or for longer term boondocking. going to the laundromat is one of our least favorite van life chores. while we can’t get rid of the need to do laundry, this portable wash bag would make it a lot easier, reducing the necessity for detours and additional research when we’re farther away from towns. it does require water, but would help us travel more efficiently overall.

travel electric kettle

we already have this electric kettle, but i had to add it to this birthday gift guide as it’s been one of my favorite luxuries for the camper van. yes, we can use our propane stove to heat water in pot - and lots of times we do! but the more time i spend on the road, the more i find myself using this collapsible electric kettle. when we’re away from a power source we just use our solar generator (below) to run it!

tools for campers working remotely on the road

so many people are working on the road these days. it’s such an incredible privilege afforded by technology - but the right tech makes all the difference. tech-savvy campers will appreciate gifts that improve their outdoor experience, making camping more enjoyable by being more efficient at work.

portable laptop monitor

this is so cool! i saw a van lifer who works from the road use one of these, and i immediately added it to my birthday gift list for campers. this portable laptop monitor attaches to your laptop to create a double monitor that’s road-friendly! the space-saving design makes it easily portable and perfect for working remotely while on the road. a double monitor like this would help me increase my productivity, which is essential while traveling because i’m always trying to squeeze work in between driving, hiking, filling tanks, and all the other daily chores that come with van life.

solar power bank

a portable solar charger is an eco-friendly way to keep electronic devices charged while camping shorter-term. it's an essential gadget for any camper who relies on their phone or GPS device and is compact enough to make a great gift for backpackers, along with any other kind of outdoor enthusiast who needs access to tech. i carry this solar power bank no matter how i’m camping, as it’s easy to move from the van to a backpack and back. i charge it via usb before hitting the road and then leave it on the dash of the van so it stays charged up while we camp. when we’re doing longer hikes that only require a daypack, i carry this even smaller portable charger juuuusst in case. i’ve only had to use it once, but it was great to have in a pinch!

solar generator

if you’re on the road longer-term and use larger devices like laptops, tablets, or even appliances, a more serious power source is necessary. a solar generator may seem like a luxury, especially given the price tag, but it is extremely useful and downright necessary for any camper who is working remotely from the road. a solar generator, of course, requires solar panels, so i opted for this solar generator and panel bundle, which saves a bit of money when buying the items together. it has been so easy to use on the road and i’ve been extremely impressed both with just how much it can charge and how quickly it charges.

jackery solar generator for vanlife

essential camping gear every outdoor lover needs

when it comes to the best birthday gifts for campers, it's wise to consider essential camping gear. we already have camping essentials like tents, sleeping bags and camping cookware, but there are still a few essential items on my birthday list. (an important note when shopping for essentials: it’s helpful to invest in high-quality, durable gear that can withstand the elements and provide comfort during outdoor adventures!)

insulated water bottle

an insulated water bottle can keep beverages cold for extended periods, making it a useful gift for campers who love hiking and spending time outdoors during warmer months, especially. i have this parks of the usa water bottle, which is a big hit at every national park - especially with the park rangers! and now that we’ve been driving the camper van cross-country, i’m hoping to add this fifty states water bottle to my collection!

portable air pump

sleep comfort is high on any camper’s list, so this compact air pump is the perfect gift for backpackers, campers, van lifers, and more! it’s super lightweight and small enough to tuck into any pack. we use this portable air pump to inflate our mattress for the top bunk when we pop the top of our camper van on warmer nights. but it’s also great for any other kind of inflatable - it comes with multiple adapters to fit different gear!

rv water filter

virtually anyone you meet doing van life or rv living has a water filter. it’s an absolute van life essential. and, it’s not a one and done. for as long as you’re filling you’re tank, you’ll need a filter that needs to be changed periodically to ensure safety. it may not seem glamorous, but any van lifer would appreciate this water filter! we have this one and i have a new one on my list to get before we take off for summer.

emergency jump starter

anyone that has followed our adventures knows a portable jump starter has been a LIFESAVER! we had a major electrical issue in our camper van that no one could figure out for months. so, every week we’d be stuck with a van that suddenly wouldn’t start. thankfully, we have a portable jump starter in our rv emergency kit! we honestly couldn’t have traveled as much as we have if we didn’t have a jump starter on board. again, it may not be the most glamorous gift, but it is one of those rv essentials and would make a great gift for adventurers! (side note - this essential isn’t just for rvs! a jump starter is an essential item for car emergency kits, as well!)

foldable tote bags

let’s be honest, transporting gear in and out of the van can be a pain. it always feels like there are too many trips and we’re just grabbing random items until our hands our full. we finally decided to get some foldable grocery bags to reduce the frustration, as well as the trips back and forth. having extra bags on hand has gone a long way toward helping us stay organized in a small space, and we continue to come up with new uses for them! if you’re springing for something a bit more luxury, this eco carry bag is on my wishlist. but this set of reusable bags would be a great stocking stuffer or add-on gift, too!

our camper van at carrizo plain national monument

the more time i spend on the road the better i understand what we do - and don’t - need to enjoy camping. while many of these are extras or luxuries, that’s exactly what makes them the perfect gifts! i hope this gift guide for campers helped you find the perfect gift for the outdoors lovers in your life. or gave you a few ideas to elevate your camping experiences! go out wild and enjoy!

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favorite ways to stay warm while winter camping

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view from the nevada side of the snowy sierra nevada mountains

we’re spending seven weeks on the road in our heatless camper van for a wild winter adventure! while we’re sticking to the southwest to avoid snow (as much as possible), we have been experiencing temperatures in the 20s and expect more chilly nights ahead. because we don’t have heat in our van, we’ve taken some extra steps to ensure we stay nice and cozy while winter camping. here are the five things we’re using to stay toasty:

• good sleeping bags: when it’s warmer we just use regular bedding (sheets and blanket) when van camping, but winter calls for pulling out the good sleeping bags. we have this one and this one that can be used comfortably in temps down to 20 degrees fahrenheit. (i use the men’s because it’s lighter than the long women’s and i hope to eventually take it backpacking!) and sometimes we still put our blanket to put on top!

• warm base layers: these were a recent addition to our camping essentials, but we absolutely them! i have this top and this bottom of merino wool base layers from smartwool. and kiddo has this set from rei.

• mini heater: i bought this personal space heater in a moment of panic and i’m really glad i did! we are loving it! so much so, i’m seriously considering getting an extra one to put under my desk to warm my feet! we turn it on while we’re getting ready for bed and again first thing in the morning to coax us out of our sleeping bags. we use our jackery solar generator to power it when we’re not connected to electricity.

• hot water bottle: this was another item i thought might be overkill. but who doesn’t love a hot water bottle at the foot of the bed? it packs almost completely flat and all we need to do is boil water for hours of extra warmth in the bed.

• hand warmers: we keep a set of hand warmers in our rv emergency essentials. they are so small it’s worth having them on hand all the time. fortunately, we haven’t had to use them, but if we find ourselves in an unexpected storm we just might break them out.

hope this list helps keep you cozy and warm during your winter camping adventures! let me know what other tips you use for staying warm when you go out wild.

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favorite gift ideas for outdoorsy people

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it’s that time of year again when so many of us are scouring the internet for the best gift lists. i’ve shared before that we don’t really celebrate christmas, but i did want to share some of our favorite gear and other items that we use again and again for outdoor adventures. this is a brief gift list for a spectrum of ages, including gift ideas for kids. and outdoorsy by my book means anyone who loves nature in all its forms. and while it’s concise, it’s for a reason. i really want to be sure to recommend our tried and true products that facilitate our time outdoors. i hope this list gives you some great ideas and inspires your loved ones to go out wild!

for the adventurer that loves to stay cozy and warm

• thermals: it took me awhile to get on the thermals train, but now that we have them, we want to wear them all. the. time. i have this top and this bottom and kiddo has the full set of these long underwear. even if your loved one already has a set, i can guarantee they would appreciate another one. especially if it’s high quality merino wool! they make the coziest of useful gifts.

• a cozy jacket: i wear this one almost every day fall through spring and this one when I’m adventuring in winter. the puffer packs down small for adventurers on the go. this company creates clothing out of recycled plastic. a great sustainable gift for earth lovers! (aren’t we all?) they also have these sweat suits (top and bottom), of which I have two! the perfect cozy gift.

pictured wearing my favorite fleece jacket while winter hiking in joshua tree np

for the camper that’s a picky eater

• itacate backpacking meals: camping and backpacking food can be… you know… not great. but newly launched itacate food makes latin backpacking meals that are packed with flavorful, home-cooked goodness. my favorite is the lentejas, but i also love the spice of the caldo!

for the hiker whose always on the lookout for different trails

• the disabled hiker’s guide to western washington and oregon: for hikers exploring the pacific northwest, this guidebook is fantastic! very descriptive and includes those things you can never find on the apps like whether there is cell reception or a bathroom. there are a wide variety of trail options, too! this would make a great gift for hikers! (amazon or bookshop)

for the off-the-beaten path adventurer

• solar power banks: for backpackers and weekend campers, this solar power bank is compact and worth the weight! they’re also great to include in a car emergency kit or home emergency preparedness kit. those who are adventuring for longer but still need to stay connected also need something a bit heftier. we recently invested in this set up from jackery for our camper van so we can do more boondocking. (for a complete list of essentials we keep in our rv emergency kit, go here.)

for the national parks lover

• national parks magazine: i absolutely love, love, love this magazine! a subscription would make the best gift for any national parks lover. the quarterly magazine is full of interesting articles. i tear them out and save for or a future trip or mail them to a friend! and, of course, the money goes to supporting national parks, including advocacy to protect public lands. the perfect gift for park lover!

• national parks book for kids: to get kiddo excited about our next national park adventure, we turn to books to learn more about what we’ll see and experience. this book is a colorful, engaging read that’s chock full of factoids about the national parks across the country. (amazon or bookshop) though not specific to national parks, we also use this book for road trips to talk about the states we’ll travel through. (amazon or bookshop) i have kiddo read it and then teach me something about the state. (a homeschool tip i learned from an instagram friend!) and for more book ideas, see this blog about children’s books for nature lovers. great gift ideas for young readers!

for the explorer that always ends up in the water

• hiking sandals or water shoes: we wear our tevas on every adventure. they make great camp shoes but are also sturdy enough for the trail and perfect for any kind of water play. i have this pair of tevas and kiddo has this pair of keens. the keens are a collaboration with outdoor afro and a portion of proceeds go toward teaching Black children to swim. purchase directly from keen to ensure the funds get to the right place!

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favorite emergency essentials we keep in our campervan

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building our vehicle emergency kit has been years in the making. when we lived in seattle there was lots of talk of THE BIG ONE, meaning a massive earthquake. that’s when I put together a basic car emergency kit, after researching all the earthquake kit essentials.

it wasn’t until we left the pacific northwest in 2018 that we started hiking, camping and adventuring more. we moved to the joshua tree area, and after an extremely unfortunate incident of getting lost in the desert by myself with a dead phone and no gas (like IN the desert, in a wash, away from the road), I decided it was time to reassess my emergency kit. that’s when I started adding things like a solar charger and rechargeable power banks and glow sticks.

then, in 2020 we got a popup camper and we added a few more essentials like a fuse kit and air compressor for our rv emergency essentials kit. so, after we transitioned from the camper to the camper van, I was pretty confident we already had everything. but, before we took our first big trip in the van in 2022, I figured I had better be sure. and I still managed to add a few more things, including a fire extinguisher and flat tire repair kit.

here’s a list of everything in our camper van or RV emergency kit. many items on this list would also be great in a car emergency kit. many of these items we’ve never had to use, but they help with peace of mind and will certainly be much appreciated should we ever run into trouble.

vehicle emergency kit essentials

air compressor: this is one of those essentials that we didn’t purchase until we got the camper, but is definitely useful for any road trip emergency kit. we have this one and after pulling it out of the van a couple times to use on the car, I ended up buying a second one!

glow sticks: these are a handy light source in a pinch but they are also attention grabbing. because of their neon glow, they’re great for placing on the road or wearing if you need to be out of your vehicle after dark to be sure you’re easily spotted. I also keep these in my regular car emergency kit and bring them tent camping and backpacking since they’re small, light and easy to transport.

one important note - glow sticks expire rather quickly so be sure to restock regularly and enjoy having a glow stick party with the expired ones. we used our old pack for halloween fun last year!

flashlights and/or lantern: we keep both a lantern and several flashlights in the van because our camping philosophy is: the more light sources the better! we bought this pack of colorful flashlights for our kiddo to stash in various pockets (and we ended up buying a second pack to stash around the house, which comes in very handy!). and before our summer road trip i bought this lantern because it also functions as a flashlight, is rechargeable and has a red flashing light in case of emergency. one or two solar lanterns would also be great to have on hand. (side note: I have this compact solar lantern for backpacking and I love it so much I started bringing it camping, too.)

car jump starter: this is one of those items that we added after we got the rv but really we should have had all along. the one we have isn’t currently available, but this portable jump starter is similar. this is the one thing in our emergency kit that we have had to use the most (the van had some electrical issues that are now fixed!) and it has been a life saver! this is my most important car safety essential.

tire repair kit: another item we didn’t get until we had an rv but would be handy to keep in any vehicle emergency kit. this tire repair kit is the one we keep in our camper van essentials.

warning reflectors: we keep these safety triangles tucked in our rv emergency kit in case we’re ever stuck on the side of the road. they are especially necessary should there be a breakdown after sunset.

rv roadside emergency kit

solar chargers: we started out with this small solar power bank for camping trips. super portable and enough to keep our phones charged for a few days away. we recently upgraded to this jackery set up for the camper van so we can spend more time in the wilderness while still having power for the basics. it’s been so great to have on hand!

fire extinguisher: like most rvs, we have a propane stove in our camper van. an open flame in a small, enclosed space poses a fair amount of risk so we take extra steps to ensure fire safety. we’ve had one of these fire blankets in our car emergency kit (and one in our kitchen!) for several years and recently added one to the van. we also have two of these fire extinguishers in the van (I’m paranoid I won’t be able to reach it fast enough!). both may be overkill, but should a fire emergency arise, I want to be sure we have something immediately available that’s easy to use in order to avoid catastrophic loss.

tool kit: having a mechanics tool kit on hand means we have a one-stop place in our rv essentials kit for all the various tools we might need. while the full kit is definitely bulkier than other items, it really contains a lot of must-haves all in one spot. this is another one of those things I’ve had to pull out multiple times, including to help others! again, even though it seems overkill, I highly recommend making space for this essential.

extra fuses: I never would have thought to keep extra fuses on hand until we bought a camper. keeping a fuse kit in our rv essentials was recommended by another camper on our very first night with our trailer. we bought one after that first trip and lo and behold we used it shortly thereafter when our propane alarm malfunctioned in the trailer. we now have this one in our van, too.

the basics

any emergency kit (whether home or vehicle!) should contain some basics like food (we keep snacks like granola bars in our vehicles), water and a first aid kit.

we keep varying sizes of first-aid kits in different places, like this small first aid kit for hiking packs and this larger first aid kit for our camper van.

water is an essential, too! when we went beach camping in baja, I got 2 of these water jugs because I wasn’t sure how accessible potable water would be. now, i always bring at least one full water jug on every trip in the camper van.

extra rv essentials

duct tape: can’t go wrong with duct tape! funny story (that wasn’t funny at the time) - less than 10 miles after picking up our camper, a critical component fell off it’s mount (due to a missing pin) and was dragging down the highway. we had to pull over on a narrow bridge with cars racing past and honking. it was duct tape to the rescue until we could get to a dealer with the correct part to repair. now we always keep a roll on hand.

zip ties: these are handy for all sorts of reasons - organizing cords, strapping together gear, and even holding together broken components when duct tape isn’t an option. these zip ties don’t take up too much space and are worth having on hand in case of roadside emergency.

extra batteries: these are one of those things that seem to never be there when you need them, right? we recently had to stop at a gas station in the camper van because our smoke detector started beeping and we didn’t have the right size batteries in our spare stash. now we keep AA batteries, AAA batteries and 9v batteries in the camper van for all the various little appliances.

carbon monoxide detector: though we have a wired propane alarm in the camper van, I feel safer also having a portable carbon monoxide detector. we also like that it tells us the temperature in the van! we tuck it into backseat organizer pocket and forget it’s there. not an absolute must, but one of those extra items that’s easy to add to an rv emergency kit and provide extra peace of mind.

waterproof matches: this is one of those things we carried over from our home emergency kit. while waterproof matches may not seem absolutely necessary when you have an rv, we have pulled them out multiple times when the lighters for the stove run out of fuel. (anybody else forget to refill those every darn time?) and for those who backpack, they are a super small and portable essential that’s easily transferable from one emergency kit location to another.

winter essentials: we traveled to yosemite in winter and put together an extra winter emergency kit just in case. it includes things like an extra blanket, extra warm clothing, handwarmers, and a small window scraper. we also bought this foldable camping shovel for our winter emergency kit, but it really could be used to dig out of sand, mud or other sticky situations!

and that’s that! it seems like an awful lot but many of these items are easy to tuck into a pocket or storage space. i hope having these items on hand prove helpful in an emergency, should one arise. or, fingers crossed, provide exactly the peace of mind you need to travel confidently. and do let me know if i missed anything that you keep in your emergency preparedness kit!

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favorite stocking stuffers for kids

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this time of year means something a little bit different for us than most other people we know. rather than christmas or kwanza or hanukah, the big winter holiday for us is lunar new year. so we usually spend christmas preparing for the chinese new year by decorating. we make our own lanterns and adorn our chinese palm with ornaments representing animals of the chinese zodiac. since we save large gifts for the new year celebration, we use christmas as an opportunity to exchange books and do a stocking for the kiddo.

here’s a list of children’s stocking stuffers that i’m tucking into my kid’s stocking this year.

chapter books: kiddo recently started reading chapter books. we just finished the where the mountain meets the moon series (book two here and book three here) from grace lin and loved it. this holiday we’re adding the year of the dog series from the same author to our bookshelves (book two here and book three here). for other book ideas see this list of children’s books for nature lovers and this list of children’s books by indigenous authors.

wooden animals: we’ve slowly been building our collection of wooden animals. every year we gift one for the upcoming chinese new year (this year will be the year of the rabbit) and another just for fun. they’re such beautiful and simple toys that leave lots of room for imaginative play.

puzzle toys: kiddo absolutely loves puzzle toys and recently has gotten very into rubik’s cubes. we’re adding this pyramid to the collection this year. there’s also this set and this set. we’re also adding this magnetic cube as a different spin on the the rubik’s cube. these double as great activities to keep kids entertained during road trips.

slime: slime is a forever favorite. we regularly buy these slime sets and add one to every gift. they’re small enough to pack into a to-go bag and also get “used up” quickly enough that I don’t find it in the carpet. :)

washi tape: washi tape is another item we buy in sets and add to every gift. we’ve been tucking a few from this set into birthday gifts and Christmas stockings for a few years now. in addition to being used in other and other various projects, we love to use it to temporarily display the most recent art works that come home.

mad libs: this classic has been around for decades for a reason. who doesn’t love mad libs? this is another great car activity for kids that’s easy to pack into a backpack or small bag. we’ve taken them on many a road trip for family fun. we like the classics but this pokemon one and this star wars one look fun.

glow in the dark stickers: we’ve been hanging on to this set for awhile. now that kiddo has gotten interested in constellations (via this book), it’s the perfect time to add these fun stickers as a stocking stuffer. could be a fun to gift both the book and the stickers as a set!

wind-up butterfly flyers: kiddo loves any kind of flying toy. he’s been gifted this paper airplane set and this flying orb in the past. these flying butterflies looked like a fun toy to bring a thrill to the holidays this year.

nail polish: always a fun little treat, nail polish has been on kiddo’s list for awhile. he’ll be thrilled with this set of piggy paints.

clothing: so perhaps socks are not always at the top of a kid’s gift list, but I try to add in a few staple wearable gifts for kids. we have this rainbow sock set, and these crew sets are also fun.

i hope this list of stocking stuffers for kids has given you some great gift ideas for kids in your life! wishing you a beautiful rest of your year and may any celebrations you hold bring joy.

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