Imagine that feeling you get when you are sitting by a pool, or sitting on a wide sandy beach, feeling the wind, and hearing the birds in the distance, the feeling of total relaxation, like you are on vacation. This last weekend we camped out in our backyard and I had these same feelings as I plopped down in my camp chair out on our back lawn.
It was so much fun and totally worth the effort.
I experienced our backyard in a whole new way. We played games, roasted marshmallows, and stayed out in the yard 95% of the day. It felt like a break from life and it felt amazing!
In this article I will share with you some pictures from our time spent camping out and what we learned about backyard camping.
What we learned:
1. Backyard camping is fun!
Seems like a no-brainer but I wondered if it would be as fun as regular camping. But as soon as we started setting up I was instantly transported to another place. Even though it was just our backyard it truly felt like I was at a campsite. The kids helped us pick the perfect spot for the tent and excitedly worked together to put up the tent. We had a day of relaxation and fun.
2. Creating a “chill space” is essential.
We brought out the hammock and strung it up (Now it’s a permanent feature in our yard. Why didn’t I think of that before??) We put out an outdoor rug and put pillows all over and brought out all the games. The kids brought out a couple of their favorite stuffed animals. Then we filled up the baby pool and put it underneath our climbing dome, which then morphed into a second “chill space”. And lastly, to complete our glamping chill space, we put up our pop-up canopy for extra shade. I highly recommend making a place to relax out in the yard when you go on your backyard camping trip.
3. Backyard camping is LESS WORK than regular camping.
I was very happy to notice that set up was much easier than driving to a campground and setting up. There was no loading up the car and no unloading necessary. We prepared snacks and meals inside so we didn’t set up an outdoor kitchen. All in all, it was pretty easy!
4. Definitely put down your phones.
For the most part we only used our phones to take a few pictures (for this blog of course) and I posted a video on social media. I highly recommend putting your phones away as much as possible. Even if scrolling feels relaxing, it’s nothing compared to the relaxation of being present.
5. It was louder at night than camping at a campsite.
I wasn’t prepared for all the sounds we heard around our neighborhood and city as we were falling asleep. I guess it makes sense since we live in a populated area but it took me by surprise. We heard barking dogs, a helicopter flying in circles, flocks of parrots flying by noisily, and cars driving around. Although this would not stop me from backyard camping again, it is something I will be more prepared for next time. We will use our travel white noise machine for the next one!
6. Don’t worry about sticking to any rules. Make it yours!
Even though I said above to “Put Down Your Phones” it felt like a vacation and I’m glad we didn’t stick to any hard fast rules like “no phones” or “don’t go inside”. Do what feels good to you! We will definitely be backyard camping again soon!
