Shopping for gifts for a camper van friend is a lot of fun! Their lives are a puzzle, where they have to fit the essentials and everything else into one van or camper. Camper van gifts can range from useful and pragmatic to what you’d need for the fun times at your campsite.
There are also some essential items that people might not think to buy for themselves. These become amazing options for a campervan gift no matter the occasion.
Here are 30 of the best gifts for campervan owners and travelers, no matter where their adventure takes them.
Gifts for the Van or Camper
Everyone thinks they have all they need before hitting the road, but they’ll quickly realize they missed a few things. Here are some camper fan gifts that’ll make living in a camper or van easy and fun.
Indoor-Safe Space Heater
Having a small space heater with safety components is important. Ideally, you want something that is small and has a turnoff mechanism when the desired temperature is reached. And something that turns off if knocked over in the night.
Insulated Slipper Booties
Depending on the season, or the travel companion, a person may not want to use their electricity to turn up the heat at night. These down-insulated booties help you regulate your body heat while you sleep, so your loved one will still get a great night’s rest. And they’re great to wear when they sip their coffee in the morning too!
Fleece Pants
Just like with the down-insulated booties, having a good pair of warm sweat pants means that you can hold off on turning the heat up. They’re also great if you know the person you’re buying gifts for likes to go hiking in the cold temperatures.
Cell Phone Signal Booster
While a tad bit on the expensive side, this is a great gift if you know your loved one has a desire to travel to remote parts of the world. Big-name mobile carriers can have their signal extended, which is great for emergencies or if someone works on the road and needs reliable access to the internet.
Portable Washing Machine Bag
Many campers and van travelers don’t want to be forced into going to a town just to get clean underwear. This washing bag is lightweight and easy to store and can help wash the essentials while on the road. You don’t need electricity either–all you need is water, detergent, and your hands!
Headlamp
Whether it’s to use the bathroom in the middle of the night or to check on something outside, a headlamp allows you to see what’s in front of you and have both hands free.
Cooler
Having a cooler is important. You can store food, drinks, and medical supplies easily from one place to the next. You can of course gift someone a more affordable option or help them invest in something that will last them a long time.
And when you’re ready to get the party started at night, grab a portable table that holds all your drinks and some snacks with ease.
Car Battery Self-Starter
Most people with vans or cars carry around a set of jumper cables in case their battery dies. But what if you’re the only van in your area? Getting a self-starter is super important for your safety. Gifting this to someone who likes to travel off-grid gives you both some peace of mind in case the unexpected happens.
Portable Air Compressor
Another situation you don’t want your loved ones to be in–a flat tire with no gas stations nearby. Having a tire patch kit and a portable air compressor on hand means you can get to a repair shop on your own without hoping that someone stops to help.
Packing Cubes
When you’re living the van life, you need to be organized. What better way to help someone making that transition than getting them some sensible packing cubes? These allow you to keep clothing, towels, electronics, and more in their spot without rolling around a van or crowding up the limited space you have. Packing cubes are not just for van life but a game changer for regular travelers too!
Solar Powered Battery Pack
You don’t want to keep your car running just to use your cigarette lighter to charge your phone. A solar-powered battery pack can be charging itself while you’re driving or while you’re on a hike. And with multiple USB ports, you can charge a couple of phones or tablets at once.
Microfiber Towels
Something those new to van life might not realize they need is space-conscious towels. These microfiber towels fold up into their tiny carrying bins after they get the job done drying you off. They take up way less space than traditional bathroom towels and dry you off faster!
Swiss Army Knife
A classic camping tool that can also be a classic gift. A Swiss Army knife should be in every camper or van. This versatile tool can help with minor technical problems and can help you avoid taking out the toolbox from the bottom of the van.
Gifts for the Camper or Van Kitchen
From foldable and stackable, to the very practical, here are some great gifts for those living that van lifestyle with minimal space:
Good-Quality Insulated Thermos
There are a lot of quality thermoses on the market that can keep warm liquids hot for hours, or keep the colds cold. It is important to find a thermos that has quality assurance and good reviews to ensure that it’s a good investment for a couple of camping seasons.
Space Saving Stove
If you are looking for a camper van gift for someone who hasn’t updated their fan, a foldaway stovetop is perfect. This is the ideal gift for someone who uses their van on weekends and doesn’t need a high-end stove installed, but also wants to cook for themselves. It is compact and can be easily stored, and uses propane cylinders so you don’t need an electric hook up in a campsite.
Collapsable Kitchenware
You won’t be using your finest china when traveling in a van or camper. What you’ll need is collapsable kitchenware that is sturdy and travels well.
Plates are relatively easy since they are flat, but what about bowls and cups? Or food storage containers? And if you need to measure something?
There are tons of great collapsable kitchenware options that will make the perfect gifts for a camper van.
Gifts for Outside the Van or Camper
Once you get to your destination, you want to relax and explore! Whether it’s by the campfire or as you trek, here as some practical gifts for once the adventure starts:
Versatile Backpack
Depending on what type of person you’re shopping for, you can decide between a couple of different backpacks. There are small and lightweight backpacks that are good for those only doing short hikes and carrying water and a small first aid kit.
A step up from this is a slightly larger backpack. This is good for that person going on full-day hikes ad is packing meals and kits in addition to water.
And of course, if shopping for someone who needs a lot for longer hikes, there is always military-style packs that can fit a lot in an organized manner.
Life Straw
This is a very small and inexpensive gift that could be a lifesaver in an emergency. A Life Straw filters the water you are drinking and it goes through the straw. If you are in a situation hiking or traveling without any water and come across a natural water source, this can help filter out anything that can cause you bodily harm.
Bug Zapper
Sure, you’re out in nature and bugs will always be there too. But that doesn’t mean you want mosquitoes or yellow jackets and wasps by your campfire! A battery-powered bug zapper lets you enjoy your space outdoors for longer.
Campfire Coffee Maker
A lot of people can’t do instant coffee when they’re out on the road, and that’s okay! There are options like a camping coffee pot that is safe enough to put on a campfire and boil your coffee or tea with ease.
Campfire Cooking Tools
If your camper or van doesn’t have a kitchen, you can still use the tried and trusted campfire to whip up a delicious meal. A tripod cooker lets you hang pots and pans over a fire if they aren’t strong enough to be on the flame.
Or you can get your camping friend a castiron skillet. This is durable enough for a fire and is a favorite among chefs everywhere.
Lightweight Portable Table
While many campsites do have picnic tables available, they’re not always a guarantee. Having a small, and lightweight (less than 2 pounds) table with you can make mealtime a lot more fun and stress-free!
Outdoor Rocking Chairs
You’ll want to stretch your legs after riding in a van or camper for too long. An outdoor rocking chair is a perfect addition to any campsite. You can relax under the stars and maybe even fall asleep in complete comfort.
Fun Gifts for the Van or Camper
Not all gifts have to be overly practical. The most important thing is that they are space-conscious! Here are some gift ideas to elevate a camper’s experience:
Picnic Kit
A picnic kit is one of the fun camper van gifts if you’re shopping for someone who also enjoys light hiking. The kits come with everything you’d need–place settings for four, plastic cups, and a blanket all in a waterproof basket.
If the person you’re shopping for typically goes on longer hikes, there are similar picnic kits that come in a backpack. This can be more convenient for longer distances.
Yoga Mat
After spending sometimes hours in a car getting to their next spot, the person you’re shopping for may want to get a good stretch in. If they are a yogi, getting them a thicker yoga mat will allow them to roll it out across dirt, roads, and grass and be comfortable as they work out their muscles.
Portable Projector and Screen
Of course, you go explore outdoors to unplug and be with nature. But having alternative means of entertainment available isn’t a bad idea. A projector with 4 hours of run time (on a battery) and a small screen that easily fits into a camper or van, is a great camper van gift for those traveling with kids or on the road a lot.
String Lights
String lights are a great way to have a light on while winding down from your day. This is an easy gift for a campervan owner since you can never have too many when trying to create a relaxing atmosphere.
Lightweight Hammock
A hammock is a great campervan gift for that person in your life who needs to be reminded to relax. These lightweight hammocks fold up into a small backpack that won’t take up room. And they are super easy to set up once the perfect relaxation spot has been found.
Portable Speaker
Every camper or van needs a portable speaker! A waterproof speaker that connects to your phone via Bluetooth is great for campsites or when you’re going on hikes.
Fun Cameras
Everyone has a phone with them these days. But sometimes that camera won’t cut it for what you’re trying to capture.
If you’re shopping for someone who is adventurous and might want to take underwater photos, or just needs a very durable camera, a GoPro is a fantastic option.
For someone less wild but who is chasing that camper life aesthetic, a polaroid with a camera case is a perfect gift for them
And if you’re shopping for a group of friends going out together, grab a couple of packs of disposable cameras and see who remembers taking what photos are you develop the film.
Main thing to Consider for Campervan Gifts
Any one of these ideas can be a great gift for campervan lovers. You want your gift to be practical and not take up too much space. Thankfully, plenty of campervan gifts is on the market that would satisfy any outdoor adventurer.
