Homemade Fire Starters for Camping

‘Tis the season for camping … and in Texas, that season is short-lived!  We have to sneak in camping trips in the spring or the fall when the night-time temperatures don’t require air conditioning and the bugs and snakes aren’t out in full force.  I’m not exactly a die-hard camper but I do love sleeping in a tent and roughing it … for a day or two.  I actually think glamping may be more my style and I’m hoping to plan a fun glamping weekend soon.  In the meantime, I’ll stick with my tent and I’ll be taking along these homemade fire starters.  They’re a camping necessity … or at least a camping help {smile}.  They’ll make the “roughing it” go just a bit more smoothly!

How to Make Homemade Fire Starters

To make homemade fire starters, fill a regular-sized muffin tin with paper cupcake wrappers.  The cuter the better, obviously, but be sure they’re paper and will actually burn.  The foil ones won’t work.

In the bottom of each cupcake wrapper, place a thin wood disc cut from a branch.  I used cedar {left over from my DIY bird feeder} to add an aromatic effect to the firestarter, but any dry wood will do, even scraps from your lumber pile.

Place a small pile of dryer lint on top of the wood disc {you’re not only getting an awesome fire starter but you’re also upcycling and saving the environment} …

… and cover the lint with crayon shavings and broken crayon pieces.  Pop the muffin tin into the oven and cook for 7-10 minutes at 275 degrees.  

Keep a close eye on the oven so you don’t have any accidents and be sure to keep the pan far away from the heating elements so the lint doesn’t catch on fire.  Once the crayons have melted, remove the pan from the oven immediately.

Add a wick of some sort while the wax is still hot.  I used burlap rosettes as a wick but you could also stick a small pinecone into the fire starter, use a candle wick, or even a piece of rolled up cotton.

Stick the muffin pan in the fridge until the firestarters are completely cooled and then store them in a cool, dry place until you’re ready to go camping!

Ready to rough it?  Then you’ll love this collection of other camping ideas from some of your favorite bloggers!  Click on the links below to see each post!

 Campfire Spinach Dip {Twin Dragonfly Designs}

Printable Camping Checklist {Seven Thirty Three}

What to Pack for a Camping Trip {Nest of Posies}

Camping Activity Bags {Capital B}

Camping Survival Kit {The Benson Street}

Camping Charades {The Joys of Boys}

Beaded Mason Jar Lantern {One Artsy Mama}

Outdoor Camping Kitchen {Echoes of Laughter}

Blackberry Cobbler {Gingersnap Crafts}

Tin Foil Packet Recipes {Growing Up Gabel}

Best Pie Iron Recipes {Nap Time Creations}