How to Backyard Camp
How to Backyard Camp
Backyard camping is a great “stay-cation” idea for you and your family. It is easy to set up, helps create exciting memories for your children and you don’t have to worry about leaving any supplies at home. It is old-fashion family fun and a great bonding experience. What is even better is that your bathroom is close by! There isn’t much preparation you must do compared to real camping but you should still have a general idea of what you will need and what you will do. Here are some best tips and ideas to make your backyard campout with your family the best it can be:
- Gather Your Gear - You may not need all your campout gear but you will to pull out the essentials such as pitching a tent, pulling out the sleeping bags as well as the lanterns and flashlights. No need to break out the grill, your kitchen is close by! If you need to buy a new tent don’t worry about getting an expensive one. A run of the mill one will work just fine. Any bad weather and you can just go back inside. Although your home is close by, give your kids the real campout experience by packing all their clothing essentials, some books and toys.
- Pre-Dinner Activities - Plan some fun activities to do before dinner time. There are many outside activities to choose from. You and your family can take a “hike” around the neighborhood or you can enjoy some great backyard games. A great game to play outside is called Rollors. This is an awesome game that everyone can enjoy. The rules are easy to learn and you can change the degree of difficulty depending on the age of your kids. What is also nice about this game is that you can compact it very easily and will fit in right in your child’s backpack.
- Enjoy Fabulous Eats – You may want to bring dinner back inside the house as it may be easier to do but eating outside on a picnic blanket is much more fun. You can make the dinner inside and then layout the feast outdoors. Kids will enjoy a different dinner venue and get a kick out of having a picnic in their very own backyard.
- S’mores is a MUST! – You must have s’mores at every campout. If you don’t have a fire pit, you can roast the marshmallows easily on a grill or even make them outside and pop them quickly in the microwave. For a bit of a twist on a great dessert, try using Reece’s peanut butter cups instead of chocolate. It is amazing!
- Night Time Activities - When dinner is done and the sun is beginning to set, it is nice to have a couple activities to do to wind down the day. You can have your kids tell a scary story, each one holding the flashlight when it is their turn. You can also read them stories from their favorite books. For an even cooler experience, if you have a white sheet and a projector you can end the night with watching a movie outdoors. With some popcorn to snack on, it is the perfect ending to the perfect day.