How to Make a Light Up Camp Bucket
This light up camp bucket with free camping SVG is an easy, quick beginner Cricut or Silhouette project. Get the free design files and free tutorial to make your own.
If you want to make this without a cutting machine, you can! You will need the design (printed at size for the bucket), a pencil, and some outdoor paint.
RELATED READING: How to Make Camping Can Coolers with Cricut
Camping Bucket DIY with Free SVG
Here at Ruffles and Rain Boots, it’s no secret we love to go camping. I have shared a TON of camping designs, SVG bundles, and even articles full of tips and tricks. Many of these have been referenced by large sites because well, just read the titles:
Get Exclusive Free SVGs, Discounts, and More!
I’m giving away free SVG files to help you create for friends, family, and your home. Get all of these (and more) along with the weekly newsletter.
- the benefits of taking kids camping
- camping hacks for beginners (who are camping with kids)
- safety tips when camping with children
Camping with the kids can be fun and stress-free and this Cricut camping DIY really helps tackle one thing: visibility. When the little ones are wandering around or head to the bathroom on their own, this camp bucket is a perfect way for them to easily find their family’s spot. And this is one of the easiest Cricut projects to complete, so if you’re a beginner, keep reading.
No Time to Make This Now? Save or Share for Later
If you need to run to the home improvement store for a bucket, save this to a DIY pin board or share it on Facebook. It helps me out so much and it will be easy to find when you’re ready to begin.
As an Amazon Associate, I could earn from qualifying purchases. There could be affiliate links within this article.
Free Camping SVG Files for Cricut, Silhouette, and More
Although I used the wild campfire free SVG for this bucket, there are oodles of premium and free camp SVG designs in the Ruffles and Rain Boots shop. Browse through and find the camping bucket SVG bundle (a best-seller) or the very popular, “life is always better around the campfire” free SVG.
Don’t stop browsing with those vinyl decal designs. You’ll miss out on a ton of camp SVG designs for hats, t-shirts, can coolers, and other easy Cricut camping projects.
RELATED: Just Here for the S’Mores SVG – the Kids LOVE this one!
Tips for Making a Camp Bucket with Lights
- I bought a plain white 5 gallon bucket at The Home Depot® for less than $8.
- Permanent vinyl quality varies with the brand and there are some really good ones for this project. I prefer using Oracal permanent vinyl in matte (also known as 651 or permanent adhesive vinyl).
- I used Cricut Design Space and a Cricut Maker, but any cutting machine can be used if it can cut wider than 6 inches. Note: the Cricut Joy would have to break up the file.
- When you transfer the design to the bucket, make sure to work out any bubbles, ridges, or bumps. This will help the vinyl last longer and withstand the elements and temperature changes.
- You can opt for a colorful camp bucket but it’s wise to work with deeper hues like dark red, dark blue, and black. The contrast shows better.
- To make this without a cutting machine, print the design and color the back with pencil. Tape the design (pencil side on bucket) and trace over the design. Remove the paper and paint in the lines with outdoor paint, making sure it is completely opaque (it might take 2 or 3 coats).
- You can use a flashlight to light up the camping bucket or a lantern. In the video tutorial, I show you how each looks so you can decide but we LOVE these lanterns. They are more than powerful for all camping activities and we even have them in the house in case of an emergency.
How to Make a Camp Bucket with a Cricut or Silhouette Machine
Below is the written and printable tutorial for this camping craft DIY. You can see how easy this project comes together by watching the free camp bucket light and SVG video tutorial here on YouTube. While you’re there, please subscribe.
Camping Bucket with Free SVG
Pop this bucket near your campsite and you not only have a fun DIY, you also get an easy way to find your spot and a fun conversational piece to meet some friends at the campground.
Materials
- 1 White 5-gallon Bucket with Lid

- Black Permanent Vinyl

- Transfer Paper or Press-n-Seal Wrap
- Flashlight or Lantern
- Free Camping SVG Design
Tools
- Cutting Machine (not the Cricut Joy)
- Light or Standard Grip Mat
- Weeding Tools
- Scraper Tool
Instructions
- Download the free camping cut file and upload into your software. I used Cricut Design Space to resize the design to fit the front of the bucket (measurements were 6.375 inches wide by 11.375 inches high. Attach all of the design elements by highlighting all of them and selecting the “attach” button in the lower right.
- Select the “make” button in the upper right corner and connect your computer to your cutting machine. Select the material you are cutting (vinyl) and make sure you have the correct blade in the machine.
- Place the vinyl onto the mat and ensure it is face-up, smoothing it down so that the vinyl backing sheet makes contact with the mat. Load the mat and proceed with the cut.
- Remove the mat from the cutting machine, remove the vinyl, and weed the unnecessary vinyl from the design.
- Place vinyl-side-up on a hard surface like a wood table. Cover the design with a sheet of transfer paper with the “sticky side” down or use Press-n-Seal like I did. Rub vigorously over the design with a spatula tool to attach the transfer paper to the vinyl.
- From the back, gently peel the transfer material away from the vinyl backing sheet. If you have trouble transferring a piece of the design, work slowly and go back over it with the spatula tool.
- Position the design onto the side of the bucket. If you find it hard to keep the bucket steady, place the bucket on its side in the floor between your feet or press it up against a wall.
- Run your hands over the transfer material and adhere the design to the bucket. Repeat using a scraper. Gently remove the transfer material and smooth out any bubbles. Your camping bucket is done - there is no need to seal.
Notes
For more premium and free camping SVG files, go to shop.rufflesandrainboots.com and search "camp."
Permanent vinyl requires NO sealant.
A flashlight will provide some light, however, a lantern will really light up the campfire bucket. We have a lantern specifically for the bucket (battery, not solar).
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
More Camping Crafts and Fun You Might Like
- Free Eat Sleep Camp Repeat SVG – This free camping SVG is a fun addition to an ornament, t-shirt, tumbler, or hat.
- DIY Can Coolers for Camping – Everyone will be chuckling with these cooling their drinks.
- Camping Story Stones – These are perfect for early readers to work on sequencing, story telling, and to let their imaginations run wild.
Please Save or Share This Free SVG and Camping DIY
Your shares are how this site grows and I am sincerely grateful. Please save this Cricut camping craft to a summer crafts pin board or share it on Facebook with a camping group.