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Recipe with video instructions: Create your own bonfire without having to go outside in the cold!

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This a traditional way of cooking that Guides used to use a lot

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The hay box method of slow cooking food is essentially the predecessor to our modern day Crock-Pots, Thermos flasks and electric slow cookers.
So why bother stowing the slow cooker and going all 'primitive'? How about quartering your fuel consumption (whether gas/ electric at home or those sticks you have to go find in the woods) for a start?

Tags: Bushcraft skills | Outdoor Survival | Survival course in the UK

That alone should be reason enough but add to that never having to tend the meal once the ingredients are in the pot. There is no risk of burning or over - cooking your food either. Sound too good to be true? It isn't.
And finally all the materials for this project can usually be scrounged, found, fabricated or 'borrowed indefinitely' from a friend.
The basic principle to the hay box is conserving the heat you initially put into the pot and ingredients allowing this to cook the food over a long period of time, rather than expensively having to plough energy into the pot for a considerable amount of time whilst much heat is wasted to the environment.

Hay boxes through history
Hay boxes are once again being employed to great advantage in the modern world and not just by the interested cottage small holder or bush crafter. More notably in developing third world countries such as Kenya the Hay box is being championed by several charities now who aim to help some of the poorest communities in this part of the world cook on incredibly scarce wood fuel supplies.
'The practical fireless cooker is helping families in Kenya to escape the vicious cycle of poverty that is perpetuated by the sheer struggle to survive.
By making families less dependent on fuel, they no longer have to make the heart breaking choice between sending their children to school and short-term survival, or going to work and collecting wood.'
( http://practicalaction.org/our-work/fireless-cooker)

Closer to home the UK government actively encouraged households during WWII to adopt this method of fuel saving cooking, printing and delivering thousands of flyers on how to make and use them. If only the current powers that be had even a slightest bit of their switched on thinking... but I digress.

Over the Atlantic in America they too adopted this handy DIY device for eking out rationed fuel during the Great depression and like us during WWII also. More and more as the economic situation here at home hits our pockets hard or people start taking an active interest in their own well-being prompted by the recent power cuts, flooding, rioting or whatever; projects like building a hay box rise from our distant past to meet our current needs.
Method
Every now and then poking your head in a skip really pays off! All of the ply wood featured in this blog was found chucked in a skip and not even meant for recycling! Along with these sheets I used some old 2×2 hard wood posts that had been lying around the shed and an assortment of screws from other things I have 'recycled' (Girlfriend: 'horded').
The first step is to find or make a box large enough to contain your dutch oven, crock-pot or similar. I reckoned on leaving an extra 20cm in all directions around the Dutch oven to fill with the insulation material.

If making your own box you need enough sheet material for the 4 walls, base and lid. Place you cooking vessel inside to see how much space is left for filling with your chosen insulation.

If your sheet material is thick enough you may be able to screw it directly to itself to form the box. The ply I recycled was quite thin so I added four corner posts to which I glued and screwed the ply. I started by fixing the four posts to the base sheet

On two of the wall sheets I fabricated a couple of handles from some scrap wood and rope by drilling through the wood block inserting the rope and then tying stopper knots.

To the lid I glued and tacked some rails to help form a snug fit when the lid was inserted into the top of the plywood bow. With the lid fitted you're almost done.

I recently 'acquired' some fibre board which I had just enough of to line the inside of the ply box. This will help dramatically improve the thermal insulation properties of the box. These fibre board sheets are simply placed against the walls between the upright posts. I also cut a sheet for the floor and a second to put directly under the ply lid.

A local farmer kindly donated a bin liner of hay which after placing the Dutch oven inside was used to stuff all the way around and under the cooking pot.

The following morning ingredients were prepared for a beef casserole and once everything was up to a good strong boil on the hob (15 minutes of gas) the Dutch oven was put into the hay box. More hay was placed on top of the pot, the fibre board lid added and then finally sealed with the ply board lid.

Off to work (The World of Bushcraft) I went for the day and when I returned home (8.5 hours later) I opened the hay box and cracked the lid of the Dutch oven to test the temperature.

So after almost 9 hours the temperature had dropped to 40 degrees Celsius from the initial boiling on the hob. Not bad! All that required now was to bring the contents back to serving temperature (5 minutes of gas). So all together 20 minutes of fuel was used compared to the 2 hours + that usually is consumed for this recipe.

Suggested improvements
· Line the box in between the ply and fibre board with heavy duty paper or card, over lapping at the seams to further improve the thermal retention.
· Wrap Dutch oven in an old towel or stuff a pillow case or similar with hay to form a cushion to sit on top of Dutch oven in use - both would prevent bits of hay getting into the oven or sticking around the top waiting to fall in when the lid is removed.
· Make a handle for the lid and clamps to hold it in place during use (I piled heavy books on top).
· Don't invite the dog to dinner.

Important points on using your hay box
Tightly packed hay or similar is capable of insulating food in a good hay box for up to 8 hours. The efficiency of your hay box will however be effected depending on the environment it is working in i.e. indoors or in the woods during winter. Where possible place the box in a warm place.
Food hazards: Most food can be re heated safely after it has cooled gradually but foods such as rice should not be cooked in this way as there is a potential for toxins to form which may not break down on re heating. Always follow cooking advice for each food type you intend to cook in this way.
Just like your outdoor clothing if the hay gets damp it won't insulate half as well so dry the intended materials first - I heated the empty dutch oven first in the oven then stuffed it in the box with the damp hay, this quickly expelled the moisture and although this used extra fuel it only needs doing the first time round as you can re-use the same hay each time!

Variations
Other designs including card board boxes, old ammo tins (id question the transfer of heat here compared to a wooden box) and even Cool boxes (Styro foam lined) can be ideal.

The stuffing can be old wool jumpers, saw dust, moss or any dead dry fibrous material. I should think dead bracken, cleavers or even beech leaves - all excellent shelter insulators and available en mass usually- can be utilised. Or if at home/ work, try emptying the office shredder paper in their or use that spare emergency blanket from your first aid kit.
Use your imagination, improvise and adapt to what's around you and have fun with it!
And finally..

If all the above has not persuaded you to give this fantastic home project a go here's a killer recipe from our Dutch Oven coobook that we regularly use in the woods on our 5 day survival course to get your creative juices flowing: 'Poyke' pot stew recipe for venison (beef works just as well)

24 hour Marinade for meat: fresh thyme, bay leaves, onion, garlic, red wine, black pepper corns.

Method: Brown meat and onions in oil strain marinade back on top add potatoes, carrot, leek and give it a long slow cook. Stir in half I little jar of red currant jelly.
Adam Logan
Bushcraft Instructor for Woodland Ways.

Don't forget you can also join one of our survival courses in the UK to learn more interesting .

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The hay box method of slow cooking food is essentially the predecessor to our modern day Crock-Pots, Thermos flasks and electric slow cookers. So why bother stowing the slow cooker and going all 'primitive'? How about quartering your fuel consumption (whether gas/ electric at home or those sticks you have to go find in the woods) for a start?

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Introduction: Cancakes - Mini Pancake Cooker

The mini cooker is ideal for frying 3" versions of English, American or Scotch pancakes. We have used a 500g fruit tin, but any similar sized tin-can will do. The cooking heat is provided by two tea light candles.

Step 1: Materials and Tools

Required bits;

The cooker body is made from a 500g fruit tin. This can is 3 1/4" in diameter.

Tin-snips, pliers and a skewer are required for construction of the cooker.

The cooker is powered by two tea-lights/tea candles.

Cooking a pancake requires nothing more than a spoon and slice.

2 People Made This Project!

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Step 2: Construction of the Mini Cooker

Firstly take your empty fruit tin and wash it thoroughly with hot water to remove any labels and glue.

Then create a ring of air-holes around the top of the cooker. These are vital, they allow air to flow upwards through the cooker. To make the holes simply pierce the tin with the skewer, taking care not to stab yourself, leave a 1/2" gap between each hole.

Cut a square access hole in the front of the cooker. This allows air in for combustion, and also where you light the candles from. Use the tin-snips to cut a square from the open end of the tin. If you wish to make the access hole safer, you can use pliers to turn the edges over as shown in the picture.

For best results, the candles should be no more than 4" from the cooking surface, so some cutting down of the can may be nessasary. Make sure that the cooker is stable before attempting to use it.

Step 3: The Batter - English Pancake Recipe

Ingredients:

1 medium egg
2 ounces of plain flour
150 ml (5/8 cup) milk
1/2 tea spoon salt

For best results:

Sieve the flour into a bowl and create a dip in the middle.
Crack the egg into the dip and add the salt.
Whisk the flour and egg while also adding milk until. Mix until smooth and lump free.

Step 4: The Heat Source

The cooker can be run using either two or three candles depending on how hot you want your cooking surface.

Please note that the whole cooker will become much hotter with three candles, and you risk burning the butter and or fingers.

Using two candles provides sufficient heat to fry pancakes, and leaves the cooker cool enough to hold at the base.

Step 5: Cooking a Cancake Mini Pancake

First, apply a small ammount of your favourite butter to the hot cooking surface.

Then take one tablespoon of the batter mixture and pour it onto the cooking surface, making sure that the batter goes up to the edge but not over the edge.

Cook until the batter has risen and no longer looks liquid. When one side is done it will be firm enough to flip over with the slice.

Normally they will take 2 to 3 minutes on each side. A cooked pancake should be lightly browned on each side.

Step 6: Serving Your Cancake Mini Pancake

An english pancake should be served with a sprinkling of sugar and a squeeze of lemon juice.

A gentlemanly way to enjoy your cancake mini pancake is with a nice cup of tea and a sit down.

Teacher Notes

Teachers! Did you use this instructable in your classroom?
Add a Teacher Note to share how you incorporated it into your lesson.

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Cancakes - Mini Pancake Cooker: The mini cooker is ideal for frying 3" versions of English, American or Scotch pancakes. We have used a 500g fruit tin, but any similar sized tin-can will do. The cooking heat is provided by two tea light candles.

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How to Make Recycled Can Popcorn Machine Using Candle

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Some years, we go camping three or four different times, in different places! Ever since they were very small, our kids' favourite part of the camping experience has been the campfire. More specifically, they're completely enamoured with the concept of making our own food over the fire and getting to discovered and try all the different things you can make that way. Now that they're old enough to have preferences and really take an interest in the process of campfire cooking, we've been scouring the Internet for all kinds of creative ideas for campfire snacks that will keep them very happy indeed!

1. Campfire cinnamon roll-ups

Ever since our kids were little, we've had a weekend morning tradition of making cinnamon buns with our kids and eating them all together in our pyjamas. When we started going camping, however, we realized we would have to adjust the process a little bit unless we wanted to pre-make the buns and risk them going stale, so we were very pleased to come across this campfire cinnamon roll snack featured on Almost Super Mom! Now we don't have to skip our favourite breakfast tradition even when we're on the road!

2. Kiss pies

Are you feeling very intrigued by the idea of making delicious baked goods over a campfire but your kids aren't huge fans of cinnamon so you're not sure the rolls are quite the answer for you? Then perhaps you'd prefer to make something chocolatey and bite sized instead! We'll fully admit that we make these adorable and totally scrumptious "kiss pies" way more often than we probably should. Check out how Picky Palate nestled Hershey's Kisses in the centre of sweet dough and baked them right over their campfire for a nice treat.

3. Campfire banana boats

If you're going to go to the trouble of making a delicious snack from scratch, would you love to make it something that your kids can actually help you put together and add toppings to as they please? Then we absolutely suggest taking a look at how Fresh Off The Grid made these fantastic campfire banana boats! As an added bonus, these are quite easy to travel with as well. Just make sure your bananas don't get squished on the way there!

4. Elote campfire corn

If you've never had elote, or Mexican street corn, we're sorry to tell you that you have been missing out on an extremely delicious thing! Now, a "street food" recipe might not sound like something you'd think of making for yourself on a serene evening in the woods or on a sunny afternoon by the lake, but Saving Money Camping is here to tell you how and why elote is actually the perfect easy campfire meal.

5. S'Mores in a bag

When our kids were very small, we used to love being able to make them "walking snacks". Walking snacks are any little munchie that can be made in a bag so the kids can wander and play easily while they eat. We're sure you can take a good guess at how popular these S'mores bags have been around our campfires over the years then! Find out how they're made in just a few simple steps on Thirty Handmade Days.

6. Easy campfire tarts

Are you still thinking about how delicious the idea of making baked goods over your campfire sounds so you'd like to collect as many ideas and recipes as possible before you head out on your latest woodland adventure? Then here's another fantastic treat for you to add to your list! Take a look at Cooking Classy to learn how they made these little campfire tarts that are like pie cups filled with cut strawberries and topped with whipped cream.

7. Campfire orange cinnamon rolls

Perhaps cinnamon rolls actually are your favourite thing to make when you're camping but you've had the rolls many times now and you're looking for another fun way to do it, just to keep things interesting for the kids? Well, if you're open to adding a bit of extra flavour to a classic, then we'd definitely suggest taking a look at how Oleander and Palm made their campfire cinnamon buns inside an emptied orange peel! The finished buns aren't necessarily fully orange flavoured, but baking them in the peel definitely adds a fresh little zest to each bite.

8. Campfire French bread pizza

Just because you're out of range for pizza delivery places while you're camping in the woods or pitching tents by the lake doesn't mean you can't have your kids' favourite dinner at all! Of course, the idea of trying to made a regularly shaped pizza over a fire sounds a bit disastrous and if you've ever had one of those frozen pizzas that you' supposed to put on the rack in your oven go wrong then you already know why! That's why we thought these French bread style pizzas featured on A Thrifty Mom were such an effective idea. They show you how to build your "pizzas", wrap them in tinfoil, and bake them to perfection right there over the open flame.

9. Grilled foil-pack loaded cheesy fries

Are you very interested indeed in the idea of making tinfoil wrapped campfire meals but your kids eat pizza all the time and you'd rather help them making something else, since a family trip is kind of a special occasion? Then maybe you'd prefer to give these awesome grilled loaded cheesy fries outline on Table Spoon a try! They're made in little folded tinfoil packs so each person can dress their loaded fries as they please.

10. S'Mores campfire cones

Have you been scrolling through the rest of our list but still finding yourself thinking about the S'mores walking snack we showed you higher up, but you'd rather not have your kids eating out of bags if you can help it because it just creates more trash that you have to clear out of the campsite? In that case, we'd suggest taking a look at how Frugal Coupon Living made a S'more flavoured snack inside a delicious ice cream cone instead! We like that the cone serves a dual purpose by holding all your ingredients while you snack and by acting as the "graham cracker" component.

11. Camping quesadillas

While we're on the topic of delicious dinner classics made in tinfoil so they can be cooked on a fire or grill rather than in a kitchen, here's another delicious Mexican meal idea to add to your plates next to the elote we showed you above! Check out how quickly and easily Cupcake Diaries put together, wrapped, and grilled these delicious tasting campfire quesedillas that are simply enough for your kids to help make with their own favourite ingredients.

12. Campfire "dump cake"

Speaking of recipes that you can get your kids in on, here's a dessert idea that they'll absolutely be capable of helping you with as well! We like this "dump cake" idea featured on Simply Budgeted because the kids will have a blast literally dumping the ingredients out into a pan and they'll also feel very proud while they tell family and friends that they helped make the whole meal for the night, right down to the sweets at the end.

13. Loaded campfire nachos

If we're being honest with you, the very moment we read the word "loaded" when we were talking about the loaded cheesy fries recipe earlier on our list, another classic dinner that can also be served "loaded" popper into our minds: nachos! Like so many of the other delicious meals we've show you so far that can be made in an oven, this particular nacho recipe has been altered so that it sits inside a folded tinfoil tray. Get the full details for how to make it happen on Spindle Designs.

14. campfire peach cobbler

By this point on our list, we're sure you can probably tell that we really love baked goods. That's why we've included so many different campfire baking options on here, and we're not done yet! Here's one more fantastic sweet dish before we go: a mouth watering grilled peach cobbler. Sierra Trading Post gives you an ingredients list and teaches you precisely how to make it over the campfire until it's golden crisp and done to perfection.

15. Campfire pizza pockets

Are you still thinking about how great having a campfire pizza idea in your back pocket would be since you know that's something your kids will always eat no matter how they're feeling, but you'd still prefer to make them something they can pick up and run down to the lake with rather than having to cut off large pieces of pizza bread and put them on a plate? Then we have a feeling you'd get along better with a handheld recipe like these awesome campfire pizza pockets! Get more details for how they're made from Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons.

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Fun Outdoor Treats: 15 Unique Campfire Snacks for Summer

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Some years, we go camping three or four different times, in different places! Ever since they were very small, our kids' favourite part of the camping experience has been the campfire. More specifically, they're completely enamoured with the concept of making our own food over the fire and getting to discovered and try all the different things you can make that way.

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Food Waste Recipes | Foods & Recipes | LFHW

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Use our foods and recipes search tool to look at Love Food Hate Waste recipes, best food saving practices, nutritional information and more.

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The bullet journal system can be a bit intimidating, but don't worry! This guide has everything you need to get started today!

Bullet Journal Guide Table of Contents

What is a Bullet Journal?

Perhaps you heard the words "bullet journal" and became intrigued. Perhaps your friend showed you theirs and it's got you curious for more. Or perhaps you stumbled here and you have no idea what on earth this thing is and you're starting from square one. Good news! You're in the right place. I'm going to walk you through exactly what it is, where it came from, and what it can do for you.

First, let's cover the most obvious question - what is it? While I have found tons of joy in the bullet journal, I did not create it and I don't own it. The bullet journal is a planner system devised by Ryder Carrol. I would highly suggest you watch his video here to get a basic understanding of his vision of the system.

As he lays it out, it is a blank journal that houses a combination of certain elements, such as an index, monthlies, dailies, collections, and a future log ( don't worry, we will cover each of these below). Basically, this is a planner system that allows you to plan for the future, track the past, all while making the most of the present.

While any blank journal can become one, not every planner in a blank journal is a bullet journal. There are lots of different planning systems that can occur in a blank notebook! This system has a few specific pages that set it apart ( plus some extras if you want to spice it up - more on that later). For example, my watercolor planner is not a bullet journal because it lacks several of the elements of the basic elements of the system and adds a heaping dose of art. As long as you're working with the system laid out in Carrol's video, then you've got yourself a bullet journal!

There are certain words that you'll hear as you begin digging into the bullet journal system. Here are a few important terms and what they mean!

One of the core principles of this system is the ability to move tasks forward to new pages. This is called migration. If you find that a task didn't get accomplished and you still want to keep it on your to-do list, you migrate it to your current daily page to keep it relevant.

A spread is often said to describe the pages in a bullet journal. Most people tend to refer to two pages side by side as a spread. You often see monthlies and collections referred to as spreads because they sprawl across two pages.

A tracker is a spread used to track certain information for a period of time. Trackers can span a week, a month, a year, or anything in between. There are unlimited types of trackers, but we'll be covering some of the most popular ones below.

The word "monthlies" is just shorthand for monthly spreads.
"I love coming up with fun new themes for my monthlies!"
You might see weekly spreads nicknamed "weeklies".
"I've decided to change up my weeklies format."
In the same fashion as monthlies and weeklies, people often call daily logs "dailies".
"I track several things in my dailies, like my meals and my steps for the day."
You might think that starting is complicated or difficult. Nope! Getting started is easy as can be. You just need the most basic supplies (which I'll go over in the next section) and the willingness to make a few pages. Which pages, you ask? You can begin anywhere! There is no right way to start. You don't have to go in any particular order. Pick whatever page excites you the most and jump in right there. Then add more as you feel like it. It's easy to feel like you have to do things a certain way, but you are totally free to do whatever floats your boat!

What do you need to start? The good news is that you can start with pretty much any empty (or even half empty) notebook that you have lying around. And you can use any pen as well! If you want to use a fancier pen, then go for it. If you want to use a cheap pen that you accidentally stole from the bank counter, then that's fantastic. Really, that's all you need. A journal and a pen. You're golden.

However, I have found that I am much more likely to use mine every day when I get some joy from the materials I'm using. That means that a nicer journal and some bright, funky pens are also a great way to get started and enjoy the process a bit more. I highly suggest that you find yourself a few materials that make you feel good and that bring you joy to use. If you love the supplies, you'll be drawn to using your journal every day.

After many years of bullet journaling, there are a few products that I always keep with me. Below I'm going to share the staples of my grab-and-go bag. If you want a more complete list of all my favorite products, make sure to see the My Supplies page!

Quick note: The only essentials I'm not adding here are my watercolor supplies. You may know that I'm crazy for watercolors, so they appear in nearly all of my spreads. But I'm really wanting to cover the basics in this guide, so I'm excluding my watercolor obsession. If you want to know more about watercolors, though, head to this post to see my recommended supplies for beginners!

This hardcover journal comes in blank, lined, squared, or dot grid paper. For bullet journaling, I always choose the dot grid first or the squared second. I never get lined paper! This journal comes with a pocket, two bookmarks, pre-numbered pages, and a blank index. And there are so many colors! With the Leuchtturm, you can always find something for your taste. I have bought this journal again and again, and I will always recommend it to newbies because it is worth every single penny.

These are a great set of pens for your standard black lines. The pack comes in a variety of sizes so you can find the perfect pen for your project, and it even comes with a few brush pens as well! If you're curious about brush lettering, this set of pens is a great way for you to dip your toes without jumping in.

I waited forever to buy these because I thought they would just be standard highlighters. They are anything but standard. The pens are dual tip, creamy to write with, and provide some unique and stunning colors. Since I've gotten these, I've been finding every excuse to use them because they are just too amazing. If you're a student or you take frequent notes, I can't stress enough how much you'll love these.

If you're looking for something cheap but sturdy, these are your pens. You can find them just about everywhere, and they come in a bunch of colors. If you lose one, it's not the end of the world! They're cheap, but not lacking in quality. I don't use them as much as I used to since I have nicer pens and I'm a bit of a pen hoarder, but they are an excellent choice for newbies.

I don't want to over saturate this list with brush pens, but I use them a ton. These are pretty fine tip brush pens, meaning they can write in smaller spaces like a journal with ease. I use them for hand lettering, but I probably use them more for drawing lines and boxes freehand in my journal. I love these pens and take them with me everywhere!

While I prefer to draw most of my lines by hand, I always keep my ruler with me because I still need to measure things constantly! This is a super helpful tool that I reach for again and again, and the cork back really does make a difference.

So you have your journal and pen at the ready. Let's walk through each of the basic functions of the bullet journal and go through how to set it up. It might seem like a lot to do, but don't worry! It's a ton easier once you've got these basic elements set up.

💡 Quick Tip:
Ruin the first page of your journal to dispel any new journal jitters. Write your contact info, a fun quote, or just scribble like a little kid!

Want to get your journal clicking smoothly right off the bat? Here are the five essential pages you need to try.

The first thing to create is the index. This super functional page is one of the elements that sets this system apart from the rest. Before an index, I used to flip around page by page looking for an old note or list. Now I can head to the index and see exactly where I put what with a fraction of the effort.

If you have a Leuchtturm1917, then the index is already right there waiting for you and the pages are already numbered. Excellent!

However, if you have another type of journal, you'll need to add your own index and number your own pages. Just label the first three pages as "Index". Turn to the next blank page after your index and begin numbering the pages starting at one. You can sit down and number the pages all at once or simply number as you go - whichever you'd prefer. As you add spreads, you'll just need to update the index. That's it!

Index Variations

You can keep your index super simple if you want - just the page and its contents. But if you want to take your index to the next level, you can color code it or sort it by category. However you make it, the index is an essential part of the bullet journal system.

In a pre-printed planner, you can easily flip six months ahead and jot down an appointment. With a bullet journal, you don't have that ability. So how do you plan far ahead without setting up spreads months in advance? The future log is the solution!

Basically, this is just a page where you can write down any future appointments or dates for a month you haven't set up yet. That way you can easily reference it to see if there's a dentist appointment coming up or a deadline sneaking up on you.

How the Future Log Works

The future log is an easy spread to kick off a new journal. All you need is space to write down any notes for future months. You get to decide how many months you want to set up - it can be as few as three months or as many as twelve! You certainly can go further, but I'd recommend that you simply include a space for "far future" if you want to keep the ability to plan beyond a year.

Once you've decided how many months you want to prepare for, simply divide your page into equal sections for each month. Then simply label each section with the months coming up. As you get an appointment or note you want to remember, flip to your future log and jot it down. Then, when you're setting up a new month, you can check your future log to ensure those notes get added to your calendar!

One of my favorite spreads is the monthly spread! This is where you keep your month at a glance. Some people like to keep this minimal, opting for a list format in lieu of a calendar. Others, like myself, like a more traditional setup. I personally hate the list format because it doesn't look like a month to me! For me, a calendar is easier and quicker to use because I have been using calendars my whole life. There is no one right way to set up a monthly - the only right way is what works for you! And there are more options than just a list or a calendar. Page Flutter has a great post with examples of different ways to set up your monthly to your taste.

While there are lots of things you can add to your monthlies, we're just going to focus on the basics here. For a successful monthly spread, you just need the calendar, list, or whatever layout you decide to use. Everything beyond that is gravy.

In Ryder's video, he suggests having a spot to write down your goals for the month. Personally, I don't add this list anymore because I never checked it. It simply didn't help me plan, so I eliminated it a long time ago. In the end, it comes down to your preferences and what helps you plan best.

Weeklies aren't discussed in the original system, but they're a natural step between monthlies and dailies. Basically, you can plan out the next seven days in detail with one spread. Weeklies cover your schedule, appointments, deadlines, goals... you can pretty much add whatever you want! Some people use weeklies in place of monthlies while others use them in place of dailies. Occasionally, I see people using monthlies, weeklies, and dailies. To me, that's a lot to keep track of. But if it works for you, then more power to you! There's no planner police here.

There are a million fun ways to set up weeklies and experimenting with different layouts is a blast!

Dailies are the workhorse of the bullet journal. Essentially, the daily spread is a to-do list on steroids. You write down all the things you need to get done today, all the appointments you need to remember, and any notes you need to keep. You can add as much other information as you want! Many people use their dailies to track water intake, meals, steps walked each day, etc. This spread is totally customizable for your needs.

Most people start off with horizontal dailies. That is totally fine and many people love this setup! However, I'd like to propose vertical dailies. I love vertical dailies because it allowed me to write my to-do's like a list and I felt like I could add as much as I wanted. The difference might seem minor between horizontal and vertical dailies, but it can totally change the way you plan!

Understanding Collections

Collections are essentially a catch-all for everything else you'd add that doesn't fit into one of the previously mentioned categories. Collections can be lists, logs, trackers, maps, info dumps, and much more. Basically, if you have a specific project you want to work on, a brainstorming session you want to explore, or a list you want to purge from your mind, then you'll want to put those in a collection.

To set up a collection, turn to the next blank page or spread. Then add a header to the page to explain what the collection is about and add the information you want to write down. When you're done, remember to add it to your index!

A Quick Collections Tip

Some people don't particularly like keeping their collections right alongside their monthlies and dailies - they feel it can get messy and disorganized mixing the two categories. I often receive emails from people asking if there is a way to sort collections away from the day-to-day planning pages. I have two suggestions to help sort this problem out.

One is to keep a separate Collections Journal (which you can learn more about here). This is a totally separate journal to contain all of your collections nice and tidy.

My second suggestion is to start your collections on the last page of your bullet journal. As you add new collections, work your way toward the front of the journal. Keep doing dailies and other normal plans in the front, working your way towards the back. Eventually, you will meet in the middle with your planning and your collections. That's when you can begin a new journal and start the process again!

Either solution is a good way to handle keeping your collections organized and separate from daily plans.

8 Collections Worth Having

Okay, so we've covered all the basics. You're ready to get started with your bullet journal and get your new system humming along efficiently. Well done!

The basics are fun to conquer, but there are a lot more opportunities to explore and have fun with blank pages. And by that I mean collections! Not only can collections be a great way to explore new ideas, but they can seriously help you improve your life! None of the collections I'm about to share are exclusive to this system, but they are easy to borrow and add to your journal as you see fit. Here are some of my absolute favorites!

One of the strengths of the bullet journal is the fact that it becomes a time capsule without any extra effort. You can flip back through page after page and remember moments of your life through your goals, notes, and deadlines. But you can really lean into this trait by creating a memories log each month!

After each monthly, set aside space for your memories log. Then as the month progresses, make sure to jot down any notable events to benefit future you! This might not seem like that exciting of an idea, but trust me - we forget a lot more than we realize. Each month brings us little joys that so often they fade from memory because they were not big life-changing events. Or perhaps the memory remains, but we can't quite place what month or year it happened. Keeping a memory log helps cement it into your own personal history!

The Memories We Forget

For example, almost a year ago I was sitting at my desk at work when I saw the funniest thing: I witnessed a squirrel drag a full slice of pizza across a parking lot across the street.

Some six months later, I was flipping through that journal searching for something when I found the squirrel memory. In that amount of time, I had already forgotten it! Did it change my life? No. Does it still give me a chuckle years after it happened? You bet!

I'm so glad I wrote it down so I can laugh about that damn squirrel for years to come. A memories page is a gift to your future self, and it costs so little energy and time. Why not do it?

I'm sure at some point you've heard that you should start keeping a gratitude journal. It's one of those pieces of advice that we hear again and again, right alongside "drink more water" and "start meditating". The reason this advice is repeated so often is that it really is true! Practicing gratitude through a journal or log is backed by research to be healthy for your mental health.

Despite knowing that, it can still be tough to start a gratitude journal. It's hard to get behind buying a whole new journal just for this one purpose and actually remembering to use it. With the bullet journal, however, it's perfect because you already have a journal that you use every day. Adding a gratitude log to your journal is a fantastic way to start counting your blessings every day.

Every night, I sit down and think up one or two things that I feel thankful for that day. They can be big or small, simple or complex. On tougher days, I find myself thankful that the day is nearly over or thankful for the strength to get through it. On good days, I am thankful for a happy memory or a good mood.

Over time, you begin to spot things you are thankful for throughout your day, forcing you to see the silver lining and generally altering your mood to be more positive. The gratitude log is one of my favorite things in this entire guide. This humble log will create mighty changes in your attitude if you give it a chance.

Where gratitude logs help you be positive in the face of your environment and circumstances, an affirmation log does something a little different. Affirmations help you change the way you talk about (and therefore think about) yourself. This exercise encourages you to say strong, positive, and happy phrases about yourself. With an affirmation log, you can practice this positive self-talk on a daily basis.

It's easy to think negative things about yourself, to beat yourself up, to think you aren't good enough. You are your own worst critic. But saying affirmations is a way to fight back and to treat yourself more kindly. It might sound silly, but it really works. When you tell yourself repeatedly, "I can't do it", you are only reinforcing negative beliefs. Instead, saying, "I can do it!" again and again, you begin to make a subtle shift in your attitude and beliefs. Keeping an affirmation log is a great way to remind yourself to do it every day and get the full benefit of affirmations!

One of the biggest challenges I face again and again as an adult is figuring out what to make for dinner. I know I'm not alone on that front. Everyone hits this problem at some point or another!

Meal planning is one of those things that I always mean to get around to, but I often forget and am left to call in pizza or microwave some instant ramen. That is, until I figured out meal planning in my bullet journal. This kind of planning is really where this system shines.

You can easily meal plan in your journal and get a great idea of what you will eat throughout the week. This makes grocery shopping much easier and it takes away lots of the last-second guesswork in the evenings. It's a godsend when I need to get my week planned out!

Want to know one of the most useful things I've learned? You don't need to write a new grocery list from scratch for every shopping trip. You can write down your most commonly bought items and refer to it again and again. That means no more running to the store throughout the week to pick up forgotten items!

And the best part? You can keep it in one handy place! I ended up creating my neatly categorized Master Grocery List as a permanent fixture in my bullet journal years ago. Since then, my entire process of buying food has become dramatically more efficient. Heaven knows how much time it has saved me over the years! It's one of the most functional and handy spreads I've ever created.

Do you have a Pinterest board full of recipes you've saved but never looked at again? Me too! I found myself in a recipe rut a while back. We were cooking the same handful of recipes over and over, leading to food fatigue. I decided to find a solution and came up with the Recipe Bank! This system of cleverly placed Post It notes allows me to keep a bank of tried and true recipes alongside recipes I want to try.

With the Post It notes, I am able to stack a ton of recipes in a limited space and keep things flexible. If we try a new recipe and love it, I can peel up the sticky note and put it on the "Old Favorites" side. Or if we try a recipe and we hate it, I can simply pull the recipe out and throw it away. It's much easier than writing it all down in pen and having to keep updated pages later down the line. This is a crazy efficient system, and it works perfectly alongside my Master Grocery List!

For the longest time, I relied on other people to set consequences and rewards for my goals. Teachers, parents, bosses... all of them created quite the incentive to get things done. But once I got out of school and started working for myself, there was no one else to hold me accountable. I struggled for a long time to motivate myself and get stuff done. But then everything changed when I discovered this powerful trick.

Carrot Over Stick

Instead of trying to beat myself to working with the proverbial stick, I realized that I could tempt myself with the carrot instead. Basically, I set a goal for myself. Then I decide a small reward that I can give myself when that goal is achieved. These little rewards are quite powerful incentives! A small change in how I approach my goals goes a long way toward helping me get my butt in gear.

By the way - have you scrolled through all these pictures and been curious about how I do all this brush lettering? I have lettered in nearly every single page of my journal. And for good reason! It makes it feel like more than just a planner - it becomes an extension of my creativity! Plus, it's just nice to look at, plain and simple. If you want to learn how to start brush lettering like a pro, check out my free hand lettering email course! If you are just wanting to dip your toes in the water, you can also check out my ultimate hand lettering guide to help you get started!

I'm not being dramatic when I say that the habit tracker changed my life. As someone who has always struggled with building positive habits and shedding bad habits, this has been exactly the ticket for making a big difference.

In a habit tracker, you write down the habits you want to focus on - good and bad - and you track them daily for a month. Every night, you sit down and color in a box to indicate if that habit was present that day. For example, if you're tracking your exercise habit, you can fill in the box if you exercised today. If you didn't exercise, the box remains empty. After weeks and months, you can watch a pattern emerge and see exactly how often that habit is present in your life. Once you see that information, it becomes 10x easier to make changes because you remove any guesswork.

Though the habit tracker is not an original component of the bullet journal, I'd highly recommend you give it a try. Test it out for a few months and see if it helps you make positive changes to your habits. If it helps you half as much as it helped me, you'll keep this tracker around for a long time to come.

Another great addition to your journal is some kind of a health tracker. You can track all kinds of health-related information, like sleep, hydration, calories, steps, symptoms, periods... the list goes on and on! If you're wanting to focus on improving your health or maintaining some kind of condition, a health tracker is a simple way to do just that.

3. A Year In Pixels Mood Tracker

Whether you are battling mental health problems or you simply want to encourage a brighter attitude, a mood tracker is an amazing way to see your mental patterns. This bird's eye view of your mood can help you see patterns you might otherwise miss. Once you understand your own personal patterns, you can account for that and take steps to make sure you are healthy all year long. You can opt for a monthly tracker or do a full year in pixels mood tracker to see the entire year at a glance!

Losing weight can be a tough battle - especially because it can take so long! It's easy to feel demoralized because you aren't seeing progress fast enough. That's why I decided to start a weight loss tracker when I was struck with the same issue. This fun visual page allowed me to celebrate my victories and slowly add more color to the spread. It gave me a sense of accomplishment and joy when I could fill in yet another box. That made my weight loss all the sweeter as I worked toward my goals!

If you're anything like me, financial planning is a snore. I just can't find a way to get excited about a budget! However, I do understand how important a budget is, so I make it happen in my bullet journal. That's why I try extra hard with financial planning spreads to make them engaging and fun!

One way to help me think about saving money is by thinking about how I will spend it. Imagine your dream vacation. Where do you want to go? What do you want to do? Think about your dream destination and then ask yourself why you would want to wait for that trip. Start planning and saving now! The sooner you begin budgeting, the sooner you can go on the trip of your dreams.

The bullet journal is wonderful for tracking mundane day-to-day stuff, but it's also fantastic for helping you see the bigger picture. Want to travel the world? Start tracking it! This visual page will help you get excited about your goals and give you some perspective on what you're working for. There is nothing more satisfying than coloring in a country that you just visited!

Looking at all my colorful, artsy pictures throughout this guide, you may feel intimidated. Is that the way you have to bullet journal? Of course not! Your style can vary wildly from mine and that is perfectly okay. Your journal can be rough, sketchy, simple, extravagant, colorful, colorless, or anything in between. Over time and with use, your style will emerge. It may even change page to page! Let's go over some of the basic styles so you know what kind of look you might like to aim for.

A minimalist journal is simply one that you keep very simple. This might mean that you only use black pens and use clean, even lines for your spreads. Or perhaps it means that you keep your colors limited, only using small accents of color to emphasize important information. A minimalist journal could just mean that you don't care at all about the aesthetics and you just write freely, messy handwriting and all.

If this appeals to you, then that's fantastic! There are some amazing minimalist out there that are both beautiful and functional. As long as it works for you, it's perfect!

If minimalism bores you and you crave color, shapes, patterns, art, and lettering, then congratulations! You fall more into my camp, which I call camp maximalism. Don't get me wrong, I love minimalism in other people's journals. But I just can't stop myself from making all kinds of bright spreads - and if you feel the same way, then that is marvelous. Embrace it!

Beauty for the Drawing Impaired

Perhaps you love the idea of making bold, colorful pages, but you find yourself stuck. Is drawing not really a thing for you? Maybe you're learning how to draw but you're still a beginner. Maybe you aren't interested in learning to draw at all! Either way, fear not. There are still plenty of ways to make yours pop without becoming an artist.

Here are a few ideas:

Get a set of washi tape and use it to decorate and divide your pages.

Use stencils to create shapes, lines, and other elements with precision.

Stick snippets from magazines, polaroids, tickets, and other odds and ends in your bullet journal.

Create watercolor washes to fill in shapes and spaces. It requires no skill and looks magnificent when it dries!

Use highlighters and markers to draw lines and other simple shapes for pops of color.

Buy stickers and use them to set up spreads or just add some gorgeous art.

Get Artsy Fartsy

Maybe the idea of drawing or painting in your journal excites you. I don't blame you! It's super fun to get creative, try new ideas, and go nuts adding all kinds of color and design to your pages. For me, getting artsy in mine has had a major impact on my life. Playing with art in my bullet journal was the catalyst to me getting back into art after a many-year absence. Because of that shift, I feel inspired to try new artistic endeavors, grow my drawing skills, and enjoy this hobby as much as I did as a kid!

And on a more practical side, getting artsy encouraged me to use it day after day. When I kept my planning simple, I struggled to use it daily. But once I started experimenting artistically and enjoying the process, I was excited to update mine every day. So in the end, art was really the ingredient for me that made daily planning stick!

💡 Quick Tip: Test new pens, inks, and paints on a page in the back of your journal to see how the paper reacts before you try them in your spreads.

On Planner Snobs

Some people may try to tell you that it's a waste of time or isn't a "real" bullet journal. Here's a piece of advice from someone who's been doing this for many years now: they're full of it. Your bullet journal can be whatever style you want. As long as it works for you and it makes you happy, you're golden.

There is no "right" way to do this. This system is designed to be completely adaptable to each unique user. There is no such thing as being too minimalist, too colorful, too fancy, too rough, too ANYTHING.

If anyone gives you a hard time because your journal doesn't fit their narrow parameters, shrug it off. Say, "Okay!" and move on. In my experience, this criticism comes from a place of jealousy. Some people can't handle other people enjoying something differently than themselves, so they make a big stink over nothing. Just know that this type of snobbery doesn't reflect on you or your system. They're just grown-up bullies trying to be jerks over something you enjoy. Those people aren't worth your time or energy.

Dealing with First Page Fear

You've read up on the basics of the bullet journal. You bought your supplies. Now you're sitting in front of your new journal and you open to the first page only to hesitate. You think to yourself, " What if I mess it up? "

This is what I like to call First Page Fear. Something about the blank first page of a virgin journal can strike crippling anxiety into your heart. You suddenly doubt yourself and fear that you're going to ruin the whole journal. You feel immense pressure to get this just right.

First Page Fear is simply perfectionism in disguise. Perfectionism is often touted as a positive attribute, something that shows that you have attention to detail. But that simply isn't true. Perfectionism is an incredibly toxic attitude that is based entirely in fear of failure. This fear will not only stop you from finishing projects - it will stop you from ever trying. Because perfect isn't possible. You are human and no one expects you to be perfect. So don't put that pressure on yourself!

When you find yourself terrified of making a mistake, say, "Done Not Perfect" and push through anyway. The only way for you to get better at this is to actually DO it. Try, fail, tweak, and try again. My journals over the years are absolutely packed with mistakes. I have misspelled month names, drawn something funky, misaligned a header, smudged ink... if you can imagine a mess up, I've done it. Despite all of those imperfect pages, I got stuff done. No matter how many imperfections I saw in my own journal, people still seemed to love the pages when I shared online. I've grown so much thanks to all my mistakes, and you will, too. So take a deep breath, put that pen to paper, and don't overthink it. You'll do fine. I promise.

If you start with a half-used notebook or you're just a fast worker, you'll run out of pages before too long. So what do you do when you get to that point? Many have been stumped by this issue because they are unsure what to migrate to the new journal. I've moved journals multiple times, and it's not as hard as it seems. You just have to think about what you liked the best and how it can serve you in a new journal.

Think about the systems that worked for you. If you loved how weeklies helped you take charge of your to-do list, then keep that system rolling into the next journal. Did the calendar monthly layout fizzle for you? Consider trying a new design in the future. Some elements to consider switching up in your new journal are things like the index and future log, which can impact the whole journal's function. This is a good opportunity to experiment with a new style to see if it works better for you.

Migrating Collections

As many people move to a new journal, they have to think about what to do with old collections. Do you rewrite them all in the new journal? Do you leave them behind? For everyone, this answer will be different. However, there are some things to consider. Is the collection a one-time list or something that you use again and again?

For example, I use my Master Grocery List for every grocery trip. Because I use it so often, it only makes sense to rewrite it in my new journal (perhaps with a few updates). But a different collection, such as a packing list for a work trip, is something I don't need all the time. If I need to refer to it later, I can check the index and easily find it in my retired bullet journal. Then I may decide to rewrite it in my new journal for easy reference.

A Quick Tip for Migrating

If you're not sure yet, try this. Flip through your retiring journal and note any collections that you think you may need in your new journal. Keep them on a sticky note - or, better yet, make a new collection in your new journal with this information. Then if you end up needing it, you have a very quick reference as to where you can find that old collection so you can copy it over. If you never need it, then you won't need to copy it. Try this through a few journals to get a sense of what is really needed during migration so you don't waste your time copying everything over.

Digital Bullet Journaling

Something that has cropped up in the last few years is the digital bullet journal. The idea of going digital seems to be contrary to the original idea, but it actually offers some very interesting opportunities that paper cannot. Let me summarize how going digital works.

I'm sure that there are several different methods out there for creating a digital bullet journal, but I'm just going to go over my own system.

Digital Materials and Software

Essentially, I use the Apple Pencil with my iPad to have all the benefits of writing information by hand - but all with the convenience of digital organization. After creating my own planner template in Photoshop, I imported it into Goodnotes. Then I used it just like any other journal. I would write monthlies, collections, lists, and everything else on new pages that I add as I need them. To move around pages, I can swipe pages sequentially or go to the digital index to find the page I need.

For more intricate art, I would use the Procreate art app to make whatever my heart desired. Then I would export the art as a PNG and bring it into my digital planner. The benefit of this method is that I can create a doodle or nicely lettered header and use it again and again.

Over time, I have turned mine more into a business planner than a personal one. For more personal planning, I have reverted back to my paper journal. I have been using this method for a little over six months in addition to my paper one, and my system is still very much in development.

Before this guide wraps up, I want to impart a bit of wisdom for any beginners. I've been using the bullet journal for around six years now. On top of that, I run a business full-time focusing a lot on the bullet journal. I have learned a lot about the system that I wish I had known when I first started all those years ago.

Ever had it where you fall in love with a song, listen to it on repeat for days, then find yourself tired of the song and sorta hating it? You might be tempted to do that with the bullet journal.

If you're starting for the first time, you will likely want to try all the things. My advice to you is to hold your horses and try to keep yourself from sprinting into every spread, collection, and tracker you can think of. You might get yourself overwhelmed to the point of just scrapping the whole thing and giving up.

Instead, try to go slow. Start with the basics and work with them for a while, getting used to the process of keeping up with your dailies. You can add a few collections here and there, but nothing recurring (aka nothing that requires commitment). As you get more comfortable with yours, try integrating new things slowly. You probably don't want to add more than one tracker or log per month. After you get into the rhythm of things, you can begin to go nuts knowing that you have a solid foundation to lean on.

You might expect it to work overnight. It won't. I actually used mine for over a year before I really felt like I hit my stride. You won't see big changes right away, or even after a few weeks or months. This is where patience comes in. You need to give it time to work and integrate into your life. Give yourself time to adapt and develop new habits. Don't ditch it because it didn't solve all your woes in a snap. That's not fair to the system and it's not fair to you. It's worth the wait, I promise!

When you're just starting out, it is extremely tempting to compare yours with a more developed bullet journal. This is a great way to feel self-conscious about your work and kill your planning in the cradle. Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook are all great resources for inspiration - not to mention the plethora of blogs that cover the topic! It's wonderful to borrow ideas from other folks in the community, but don't beat yourself up because your work doesn't look just like that lovely stylized picture on Insta.

We all started at square one. Even me! Here's a throwback to my very first bullet journal, which looks absolutely nothing like my current journal. If you want to develop your style and your bullet journal's functionality, then the best thing you can do is practice. That brings me to my final piece of advice...

4. Experiment and Practice

The only way you are going to find the best bullet journal for you is to practice, practice, practice. I know that probably isn't what you want to hear, but it's true! You aren't going to get any better by imagining all the cool things you can write in your pages - you'll get better by trying.

Layouts aren't going to get more efficient if you stick to the same thing forever - they will evolve when you experiment and try new stuff. I'm not saying that you have to constantly rotate out layouts and spreads. I'm saying don't be afraid to change a few elements here or there. There have been several times where I was hesitant to try something new only to find that I loved the change and kept it long term. So play around and don't be shy about mixing it up! Just keep turning the page and keep working at it.

The bullet journal is a beautiful multi-faceted thing, and there's no way that I could possibly cover everything in this guide. But I do hope this post serves as a jumping point for you to start yours with confidence and joy.

The best thing that ever happened to me was realizing that productivity and fun could work together to create something truly spectacular. My life hasn't been the same since!

Now it's time for you to grab your journal, pick up a pen, and dive in. What are you waiting for?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

❓ What Is A Bullet Journal?

The bullet journal is a journaling system that uses a combination of customizable daily, weekly, and monthly logs to help you be more productive. However, the system has evolved greatly since it was originally invented and the term is now used to describe many different styles of journaling.

❓ Who Invented The Bullet Journal?

The bullet journal was invented by Ryder Carroll, a Brooklyn based digital product designer, for his personal use.

❓ What Do I Need To Start Bullet Journaling?

All you need to start is a simple pen and a blank notebook. You can easily bullet journal with just a cheap pen and a composite notebook, but oftentimes, using better supplies can help you stick with it longer. You can see the supplies I currently use by visiting my supplies page.

❓ What Are The Best Pens For Bullet Journaling?

There are so many pens that I can't say what will be your favorite. But I can recommend some old favorites of mine that are tried and true:

See THE BEST PENS FOR THE BULLET JOURNAL for more.

❓ Can I Bullet Journal Digitally?

Absolutely! Recently there has been a huge rise in the use of digital bullet journals. These digital bullet journals mimick traditional pen and paper versions while providing the user with significantly more flexibility.

See WHY I STARTED USING A DIGITAL BULLET JOURNAL for more.

Last update on 2020-11-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / Prices shown represent Amazon prices only, and do not represent the current price from any other source.

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The Ultimate Bullet Journal Guide for Beginners and Beyond

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The bullet journal system can be a bit intimidating, but don't worry! This guide has everything you need to get started today! Bullet Journal Guide Table of Contents Perhaps you heard the words "bullet journal" and became intrigued. Perhaps your friend showed you theirs and it's got you curious for more.

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If your wrists didn't look like this in 2002 you're either lying, or you really missed out

As a child of the 90s, I can confirm that friendship bracelets were all the rage. I had the Klutz book with the special little thread pouch, and my best friend and I literally started a business selling them during recess for either 25 or 50 cents each depending on how complicated the pattern was. So, it's safe to say I know a thing or two about these braided beauties - to include knowing that they're still cool.

With that in mind, here are 18 aspirational DIY friendship bracelet projects that will take you right back to summer camp. Looks like it's time to head out to the craft store, folks.

1. Start simple with a dainty heart bracelet

All you need is a little suede cord to make these easy, adjustable bracelets.

2. Go back to basics with these camp classics

Weave yourself a fishtail chevron with some pastel thread. Finish it off with a simple wooden bead.

3. Or try this variation on the fishtail pattern for a different effect

Two-tone colors make this bracelet pop! For an adult upgrade, add a metal clasp.

4. Get fancy with a macrame ring bracelet

Modernize your macrame knots with a few tasteful, metallic accents. You'll want to make one for everyone you know.

5. Go monochromatic with an intricate pattern

Stack these bracelets for a color block effect with an added pattern.

6. Go tribal

Clear your afternoon and get to work on one of these these super-cool patterns. The cheerful color combinations are guaranteed to perk up any summery ensemble.

7. Show your love with a heart pattern

These two-toned friendship bracelets are a loving testament to your BFF.

9. Weave a wave

Just keep knotting for this lovely layered pattern.

10. Tie up a nautical knot

Channel your inner-Girl Scout and tie a chunky knot to achieve this nautical-inspired arm candy.

11. Or ditch the knots and go for a wrap

Your friendship can be just as accurately represented with a wrapped bracelet for those who don't have mad knotting skills. And the neon thread adds a bright twist to an otherwise basic design.

12. Bead up your bangles

Upgrade your basic bracelet with a dainty strand of beads.

13. Build a bright stack of bracelets

Try a chunky bracelet method to create a bold stack brimming with color and texture.

14. Wear your patriotism on your wrist

Show some love for your homeland with this patriotic pattern.

15. Make a super-simple beaded bracelet

Use tiny crimp beads to transform embroidery thread into a lovely little bracelet.

16. Bedazzle your bracelet

There are two surprises in store for this bracelet: first, it's covered in chic studs and second, it's actually made of tulle instead of thread. Go figure.

17. Make a wide statement

This colorful statement piece takes friendship bracelets straight to the next level.

18. Score some style points with stones

These pretty pastel stones give a simple bracelet a perfect beachy vibe.

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18 DIY Friendship Bracelets That Are Way Cooler Than The Ones You Made At Camp

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If your wrists didn't look like this in 2002 you're either lying, or you really missed out As a child of the 90s, I can confirm that friendship bracelets were all the rage.

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Using yoghurt pots and creativity!

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With cupcake cases!

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If you have family tents or if you have a climbing frame in your back garden, these make excellent ready-made structures to form the basis of your den. You can drape your sheets or tarpaulins over the top and add other structures onto the sides to make giant mansion dens (if you're feeling ambitious).

2. Garden Furniture Fortress

If you're struggling for a structure, garden furniture makes the perfect solution. If you have 4 or 6 garden chairs, try arranging them back-to-back with space in the middle. This provides a support structure for you to drape a sheet or tarpaulin over the top, creating an instant den. Garden tables also make the perfect starter structure; simply drape over a sheet and you've got a cosy hiding place with a ready-made roof.

3. Building with Branches

If you're lucky enough to live near woodland, you can go foraging for fallen branches and twigs to use as your outdoor den structure. Make sure these really are already on the ground, and don't be tempted to remove them from their trees yourself. Your den should not harm the natural world around you. The bigger branches can be leaned up against one another and tied to form a basic den structure, while smaller bendy twigs can be woven between to fill in the walls.

4. Waterproofing

The most challenging element of building outdoor dens is making sure they are waterproof, just in case the heavens open. With any luck you'll get a nice sunny, dry day, but it pays to be prepared. The best things to use for waterproofing your outdoor den are plastic sheets and tarpaulins, as these are completely waterproof and very easy to work with. Or, if you want your den to be completely natural, you can use leaves. The bigger and broader the leaves the better, but make sure these are already on the ground and you're not taking them off living trees. You'll also need lots and lots to make sure your den doesn't leak; try layering up leafy branches and twigs to fill the gaps.

5. Painting Personalisation

If you've created your den walls using cardboard or branches, why not give them a lick of paint to create a colourful, personalised look? You can paint your branches in all kinds of colours or paint yourself your very own front door and some windows if you're using cardboard walls. Just make sure you only do this on a dry day and don't paint anything important like your garden furniture or climbing frames!

6. Something to Sit On

An upturned box or crate makes a surprisingly good seat or table for a little den, especially with an additional cushion or two. Spare pieces of cardboard also make excellent den flooring, providing a thick, clean and surprisingly comfortable layer of protection between you and the ground.

7. Light it Up

To make your outside den prettier and more practical in the dark, try adding battery or solar-powered fairy lights. You can dangle them from the roof of your structure or drape them over the top, or you can lay them out on the ground inside your den for a magical glow.

8. Something to do

What's your outside den going to be used for? Relaxing? Playing? Picnics? Camping? You can take your favourite games, books and activities out into your den for an extra adventurous playtime, or you can prepare some sandwiches and snacks for a cosy picnic in the garden. Or, if you're feeling extra brave and very sure of your waterproofing skills, you could go the whole hog and sleep outside in your den overnight (just make sure you have permission first!).

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If you have family tents or if you have a climbing frame in your back garden, these make excellent ready-made structures to form the basis of your den. You can drape your sheets or tarpaulins over the top and add other structures onto the sides to make giant mansion dens (if you're feeling ambitious).

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New Horizon - Meditation & Sleep Stories

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Sleep Meditation for Kids | THE SLEEPY RAINBOW | Bedtime Sleep Story for Children

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Chocolate brownies are the ultimate indulgence - and with nothing to distract from the rich chocolatey goodness of this brownie, this is one chocolate brownie recipe you'll want to indulge in.

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HELPER BADGE A-Z RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS

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Try building a fire in a metal colander (check with your family first- and make sure you are in a safe area!)