Skip to main content

Try an empty Tic Tac box for this weird camping hack

Will Tic Tac containers save your camping experience?

Spoons full of spices
Calum Lewis / Unsplash

For a lot of campers, simple food while out in the wild is the go-to. While that might be okay for some, you shouldn’t have to settle for bland fare if you don’t want to! A flavorful meal while in the outdoors can elevate your camping experience. We’ve covered how to do this before, but here’s a whole new thing to try: repurposing your empty Tic Tac containers to hold spices.

That’s right — don’t throw them out! Believe it or not, Tic Tac containers are perfect for this purpose. They’re small, compact, and have a flexible plastic lid that can open and close repeatedly without breaking. Try using them for all your favorite spices: salt, pepper, garlic powder, whatever you like! You can also use them to store dry herbs such as thyme, oregano, and basil. Just use a clean funnel for a mess-free transfer.

Recommended Videos

My favorite way to label them is to use glow-in-the-dark markers or labels. That way, I don’t reach for the cayenne pepper if I really want the paprika. If you’re not planning on using them at night, permanent markers will do the trick.

To keep things extra secure, try sticking the lids down with a bit of washi or painter’s tape. A rubber band can also help prevent disasters if you’re concerned about your Tic Tac boxes popping open.

Tic Tac boxes aren’t designed to keep spices fresh for a long period of time, so after your trip, wash each container thoroughly and make sure it is completely dry when you store it.

Sarah Joseph
Sarah is a lover of all things outdoors. With a bright sense of adventure and a heart for the mountains, she is always…
Embrace the cold: The best places to camp in the winter
For the best winter camping adventure, try one of these national parks
Yosemite National Park in winter

Winter camping isn't for the faint of heart, but there's no better way to test your adventuring skills. Really, I've found that the only thing you need to do to have an awesome trip is to stay warm. If you can manage that, then winter camping is actually an enjoyable experience. There's nothing better than being a short walk away from some of the best winter sports around. If you're looking for the best places to camp in the winter, there's nowhere better than our beloved national parks.
Yosemite National Park

In my opinion, Yosemite National park is one of the best places for winter camping. If visiting Yosemite during the crowded summer season is not your cup of coffee, you might just enjoy winter camping here instead. There are four campground options that remain open during the winter season. Upper Pines and Camp 4 are both in the Yosemite Valley, so if you're a beginner, these might be decent options due to the slightly milder temperatures. Hodgdon Meadow and Wawona are just forty-five minutes away from the Yosemite Valley, so they are also excellent options.

Read more
3 duct tape camping hacks: Why it should always be in your hiking or camping kit
Stick to duct tape while camping — here's how
Closeup of two friends setting up a tent in the woods.

One of the most useful scenarios for duct tape is out in the wilderness, but it can be tricky to figure out how to store it. One of my go-to ways is to simply wrap several feet of duct tape around an old credit card or a sturdy piece of cardboard. I've also seen people wrap duct tape around their water bottles, but that's never appealed to me since it can be a bit of a mess to clean. Regardless of how you do it, taking some duct tape with you might just make or break your next camping or hiking trip. Here's how.
3 uses for duct tape while out in the wilderness

Patch repairs with duct tape
Sleeping pads pop and nylon tears. We've all been there, and duct tape can save the day! It's great to have duct tape on hand to patch a hole or close a gap in my tent. If you happen to accidentally tear your sleeping bag, a patch of duct tape will get you through it. Reinforce broken straps, seams, zippers, or even sole separation in your shoes and you'll make it home all right.
Duct tape in first aid
When thinking about duct tape, first aid might not always come to mind. However, duct tape is great in a jiffy for splint support if you or someone in your party ends up breaking or spraining something. With a piece of clean cloth or gauze, you can create a makeshift bandage in an emergency. You can also use a small square as blister protection if your shoes start rubbing your feet raw.
Using duct tape as an organization tool
While masking tape might work a bit better in this case, duct tape can still be used to label and tag gear or mark items. That said, nothing is better than duct tape if you want to seal an open liquid container. Duct tape can also be used to keep loose cords, tent poles, or stakes bundled together in a pinch.

Read more
Try these lunch ideas the next time you go backpacking
Got a rumbling tummy on the hiking trail? Try one of these backpacking lunch ideas
Hiker with a backpack in front of a mountain lake background

Trail mix has to be one of my personal favorite snacks while backpacking. That said, you can't live on it, especially when you're hiking for miles every day. I'll be honest — dinner is my favorite meal while out on the trail, mostly because there's a higher chance that I can start a safe fire and simmer something delicious. Lunch, however, has been a challenge. Not only do backpacking lunches have to be delicious and satisfying, but they also need to be easy to prepare. Hopefully these backpacking lunch ideas will help.
Things to consider for backpacking lunch ideas

When planning backpacking lunch ideas, it's more important than ever to choose foods that are nutritious, lightweight, nonperishable, high in energy, and most importantly, easy to prepare. You might not have access to a campfire while you're out backpacking, so here are a few considerations to keep in mind.
Easy preparation
I love preparing a hearty meal while backpacking or camping, but not during prime daylight hours when I could be making better time. That's why I always reach for easy-to-prepare meals. Sometimes, I even do a lot of the prep work while I'm still at home. That way, all I need to do is find a nice view.
Weight and packability
I've made the mistake of packing a huge cooler with sandwiches. Not only do you have to lug the entire thing up the mountain, but you've got to bring it down, too. Plus, on a multiday backpacking trip, no ice pack is going to last that long. Be careful that the food you take is lightweight, and avoid foods that require excess packaging or bulk.
Caloric density
Since backpacking is a high-energy sport, you'll want to select foods based on nutrients. High calories are one thing, but to get the most energy from your food, aim for a balance of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Make sure you're incorporating proteins so your muscles can repair after a long day of hiking.
Shelf stability
A lot of backpackers plan their trips for the summer, which means having to deal with the heat. This can definitely play a part in what kinds of foods you bring. Backpackers aim to bring as light as possible, so foods that don't spoil and don't need excessive cooking are going to be your best friend.
Our favorite backpacking lunch ideas

Read more