If you’re new to camping or just not able to get out to the campgrounds right now, backyard camping can be a great alternative. There are many benefits to this, which we will cover below, and kids seem to find it a lot of fun. If you can’t get away for an extended vacation, or if you want to introduce camping to young children or those who are new to it, this can be a great place to start.
There are many benefits to camping in your backyard including:
- It’s free – You don’t need to pay for camping when you do it in your backyard
- It’s safe – You can feel safe from wildlife, other people, and other dangers when you’re camping on your property
- It’s not very time-consuming
- You won’t need as much preparation – You can even decide to do it on the spur of the moment and grab some supplies from your house, and head outside
- If you have kids new to camping, you can test how they adjust
- It’s great for kids with sensory issues who may need to ease into the idea of camping
- You’re close to home so that you can enjoy a fully stocked fridge, bathrooms, and other comforts
- You get the best of both worlds – the experience of camping while also never leaving home
Now that you know some of the benefits of backyard camping, let’s look at how you can make it more fun.
Here are some ways to make backyard camping fun:
- Safely create a campfire – If allowed and in a safe space, you can create a campfire and roast marshmallows or make s’mores and tell stories over the fire.
- Sing campfire songs – While you have that safe campfire going, this is a great time to sing some campfire songs, too.
- Cook outside – This is the perfect time to barbecue or enjoy a meal outdoors, even if it’s something as simple as hotdogs. Your kids will immensely enjoy it as well, and it adds to the experience of camping when you make the food outside, too.
- Bring a telescope and look at the stars – Unless you’re right in the middle of the city with lots of light pollution, you should be able to get a decent look at the stars at night. Some people find a telescope helps them see the stars better than they can with the naked eye, even in the city. Plan your camp on a clear night, and it will be a lot of fun.
- Build a fort – You can also have a lot of fun building a fort. This could be what you camp in, or it could be in addition to tent camping in the backyard. Use supplies that you already have at your house and get creative with them.
- Explore the backyard – This can be a great time to explore your backyard. You can do a nature hunt or organize a treasure hunt. See how many things your kids can find or log that they find in the ecosystem right in your backyard. Teach them to respect nature and leave living things where they belong, but to understand the world that exists right in your backyard.
- Play games – In the summer, you can play water games or sports activities during the day. As the evening comes and the sun sets, you can play board games, card games, or story games. You can enjoy word games and guessing games, too.
- Don’t forget the flashlights – There’s a lot of fun to be had with flashlights. You can make shadow puppets, play flashlight tag, use them to tell ghost stories, and whatever else you think they will enjoy. Additionally, glow sticks and glow bracelets or wands are a lot of fun.
Kids naturally have great imaginations, and they usually take to the idea of backyard camping very well, especially if introduced at a young age. However, if you don’t plan the experience well, you could end up with bored children begging to go back into the house.
These tips will help you to know how to make backyard camping fun so that you and your kids can get the most out of the experience. There’s a good chance they will love it so much that they’ll be begging you to do it again and again.
