In this post I talked about things that help setting up your RV or travel trailer go smoother and easier, and in this post I talked about some more things that make the process go easier, but maybe aren’t quite as necessary.

This time I’m sharing some items that make hanging out by the campfire more comfy and fun. Because let’s be honest, while there are times it’s fun, sometimes we don’t want to sit in the dirt, swatting bugs all night. Campfires can be more fun with friends and a few comforts from home.

8 Must-Haves That Make Hanging Out By The Campfire More Comfy

1. An outdoor rug

We love our outdoor rug. It keeps down the dust and gravel and helps the RV stay a little cleaner. Outdoor rugs also help your campsite feel a little more homey. This is one item that didn’t go with our travel trailer when we sold it- we stored it to use when we bought our RV.

2. Folding rocking chairs

Last summer Jeremy and I upgraded our cheap collapsible camp chairs to these rocking camp chairs and we love them! We took them to a family reunion last year and there was always someone sitting in them. They weigh more and don’t fold as small as the collapsible camp chairs, but they’re so much more comfy and sturdy. Totally worth it!

3. Luminoodle light rope

These lights are great for attaching to awning poles, the edge of the awning, laying on the ground, wherever you want some extra light. It plugs into a USB port or battery pack, so you don’t have to worry about power cords hanging out. Some are color changing or dimmable, which increases their flexibility (especially since ours is quite bright when not dimmed). These can even be used inside for extra lighting. I suspect Sunshine will claim ours and drape it around her bunk when we get our Airstream 🙂

4. Mpowerd solar lights

We’ve had a couple of these inflatable solar lights since they first came out because I had read an article about them and thought they were such a great idea. And so affordable! Mpowerd is a socially conscious company that’s committed to providing light to all those who live without electricity.

They’re lightweight, don’t take up a lot of space, and can be hung around your camp or carried from one spot to another. We don’t hesitate to let the kiddos use them in place of flashlights, and they love the independence these lights give them. The clear lights are brighter than the matte lights that diffuse and soften the light. There’s even a color changing version.

5. US map decal

Map decals are great for showing how much of the US you’ve traveled to, which is also a great conversation starter. We’ve got one that suction cups to the window, but because we knew we weren’t keeping our trailer or the RV long term, we haven’t bitten the bullet and used an adhesive map. When we get our Airstream, we’ll get this pretty map.

6. A citronella candle or mosquito sticks

Bugs are always an issue when camping, or even just at home. We’ve had mixed luck with citronella candles, but they’ve remained popular for a reason- many people do have good experiences using them. I just found these mosquito sticks that look similar to incense sticks, and they have good reviews, so I’ve ordered some to see if they’ll make our patio useable again (so. many. mosquitos).

I’ve also ordered this Thermacell lantern. We’ll try the sticks and lantern separately and together, though I suspect they’ll be most effective when used together.

7. Collapsible table for games and drinks

Your rocking chairs are spread out on your outdoor rug (not too close to the campfire, though) and you’ve got your lights and bug repellent set up. You’ve made new friends because your map decal caught the attention of some other campers as they walked by.

What else do you need? A table for games! This collapsible table has a checkerboard surface for checkers or chess, or use the surface for cards or other games. The handy lower level has space for snacks and cupholders for drinks. Perfect for a relaxing evening by the campfire.

8. Roasting sticks for marshmallows

An evening by the campfire isn’t complete until you’ve roasted hotdogs and marshmallows over the campfire. These telescoping roasting sticks are longer than most roasting sticks to keep kiddos a safe distance from the fire. Each handle has a different colored band on it, making it easy to keep everyone’s sticks separate.

Want a change from the traditional s’more? Check out this book for more than 50 ideas of how to add some variety to your s’more game. Have you tried a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup in a s’more? Yum!

What items make your campfire experience complete?