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Backyard Camping is a great place to start if you’ve never camped before or if you are camping with kids for the first time.
In this article I will tell you 5 tips to successfully camp at home.
Spending the night outdoors is an adventure. And it can make memories that last a lifetime. Fostering a love for nature and the outdoors is so important in our technologically advanced age. Slowing down and noticing the nature that is right outside our door can increase our sense of well-being and peace.
1. Bring What You Need (Or Rent It): The basic backyard camping supplies include a tent (here is our favorite one), sleeping bags (or blankets), pillows, an outdoor cooking method (stove, bbq, etc.), fire or heat source, flashlight or headlamp. Let the kids help you set up the tent and “campsite”! It’s worth the extra time it takes to help them feel involved and take ownership of creating your backyard experience. If you don’t have a tent, check out this website that answers all your questions about tent rental: https://50campfires.com/can-you-rent-a-camping-tent/
2. Pick The Meals: Camping food should be relatively simple or pre-made so that more time can be spent hanging out, enjoying the outside and playing camp games. Hot dogs and hamburgers are an easy classic camping food. My advice is don’t overthink the food, unless you are a foodie, then by all means go all out!
3. Plan Fun Things To Do: Classic camping experiences can still be done when you are in your backyard. Here are some ideas of things to do: Play cards and games, bird watching (binoculars a plus!), take a little “hike” around your neighborhood and look at the nature around you, star gaze (here is a great place to start https://www.outsideonline.com/night-sky-guide), roast marshmallows, sing campfire songs. Try to bring everything you will need outside so you can spend as much time out of the house as possible. And remember…no phones!
4. Stay Outside: If you can, turn off all the lights in and around the house. Bring all the things you need so you only have to make trips inside to use the bathroom. If you want to learn or teach the kids how to safely go to the bathroom outside follow this link: https://www.jmpeltier.com/how-to-poop-in-the-woods/
5. Up The Glamp Factor: If you have the energy, upping the “glamp” at your backyard camping experience can make for a lot of fun. Here are some ideas: Set up a “play tent” or lounge area by making a fort or string tent (hanging a sheet over a string that is strung up in two places). Set up a blanket with pillows to make a lounge area. String lights outside your tent or in your lounge area. Project a movie onto an outside wall. Blow up an air mattress and “make the bed”. Decorate your campsite with flowers or things from nature. Put out an outdoor rug.
I hope you all take on this backyard camping adventure challenge! Send me pictures and post your comments. And remember if you don’t have a backyard, don’t lose hope, a living room camping adventure can be just as memorable! Happy camping and have fun!
