Backyard camping is a fun and simple way to have fun as a family this summer! Make memories with your kids from the comfort of your own backyard and with less prep work.
I love to take my kids camping! It’s so fun to get out in nature and explore God’s creation. But along with a camping trip comes a lot of preparation and planning.
Having a backyard campout sounded like a fun way for us to get outside and change up the normal routine without leaving the house. Plus it included indoor plumbing 😉
Why Go Backyard Camping?
Backyard camping is a great idea If you have been considering a camping trip with your family and would like to “test the waters” before committing to a campground trip.
Kids will get to experience sleeping outdoors with all the noise of nature (and neighborhood cars). Parents will have the comfort of indoor plumbing and if needed access to a real bed if the camping mission needs to be aborted.
You will be spending quality family time together and making lasting memories. It’s also an almost free activity!
There may be affiliate links in this post! By clicking on them, or purchasing recommended items I may receive a small compensation, at no cost to you! However, I only recommend products that I absolutely love and use in my own home or would love to use! Thank you for supporting Miss Sue Living when you shop! See my disclosure policy for more info!
What Do You Need For a Backyard Campout?
For a successful campout you’ll need to decide where and what you will be sleeping in and on. And get a few basic camping supplies.
For our recent backyard camping “trip” we decided to do activities in the backyard and then head indoors to sleep on an air mattress and sleeping bags in our living room.
Our initial plan was to set up our tent in the backyard and sleep outside but the temperature rose to 93 degrees that day so we opted for the air conditioned house.
Tent or Sleeping Quarters
Set up a tent or fort outside or indoors and if you have a lantern use that for your lighting. We hung some string lights up in our living room for light.
Pack some snacks to eat outside or in the tent. Get the camping chairs set-up around a fire pit.
Once you have your camping space set-up next you’ll want to have a few activities to do together.
RELATED: Tips For Camping With Kids
Backyard Camping Activities
#1 Campfire
I think the most fun part about camping is having a campfire. Set up camping chairs around the fire and get cozy.
You could cook your dinner over the fire or roast marshmallows for s’mores.
If you can’t have a fire in your backyard you can still roast marshmallows over a gas or charcoal grill.
#2 Glow Stick Games
I headed to our local Dollar Tree to grab some glow sticks and was surprised to find a few fun glow stick games!
They had glow stick ring toss and a glow stick frisbee. Both games were a lot of fun. We especially enjoyed the the glow stick frisbee until it went over the fence into the neighbors backyard 😂.
Glow sticks are also great as a night light for your tent or sleeping space. Kids can hang them in the tent or create a “walkway” on the tent floor to light a path for middle of the night bathroom trips.
#3 Stargazing
If it’s not too bright in your backyard lay out a blanket or sit in your camping chair and gaze at the stars.
#4 Sing Songs or Play Music
Sing a few camp songs if you know any or if someone in your family plays guitar make sure to bring that outside to play.
We used a Bluetooth speaker to play music while throwing the frisbee around to one another.
#5 Tell Stories
After a quick Google search I found some classic scary stories to tell the kids. They didn’t find them all that scary but it was still fun to tell them.
We also reminisced about past family camping trips and I told my kids a few camping stories from my childhood.
#6 Movie
After the outdoor activities we moved the camping party inside and watched a movie.
If you are sleeping outside you could opt to show a movie on a laptop in the tent.
#7 Snacks
The food is always something my kids look forward to when camping. S’mores are a must for camping snacks.
I also had pretzels, popcorn and gummy candies.
You get to create the experience of backyard camping for your family. Make is a fun and relaxing time using these ideas to help get you started on planning your backyard camp out. Lastly, make sure to snap a few photos of your backyard camping adventure!
RELATED: Plan An Awesome Group Camping Trip
Backyard Camping Supplies List
Use this supply list to help get you set up for a fun night in the backyard!
- Tent
- Air mattress or sleeping pad
- Sleeping bag
- Fire pit
- Roasting sticks
- S’mores ingredients
- Glow Stick Games
