Last spring we were unprepared, but this year we can all find something new to do outdoors. Backyard camping brings the adventure to your door. Use our tips for the ultimate getaway at home.
Although we’re slowly seeing light at the end of the tunnel, most American families are still staying home and remaining patient. This means more opportunities for family fun in new and unique ways. Different vacation plans and different weekend adventures should still include outdoor fun, and backyard camping transforms your own backyard into the adventure you seek. Our tips will help you learn where and how to find it.
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If your family enjoys getting back to nature, you’re definitely not alone. Feed that need. Nearly six out of 10 households can say that someone in their home has gone camping. Since many campgrounds remain closed, or the ones that are open are crowded, you need a fun alternative. The solution? Camp out in your backyard this spring! If you’ve never attempted this before or you simply want to get the most out of the experience, here are a few backyard camping tips for families like you.
Backyard Camping Adventure Guide
Involve the Kids to Create a Campground
Camping in the backyard provides you with the chance to set up your own campground that factors in your family’s preferences. Your kids will be more excited about spending the night in the backyard if they have a say in how your digs are set up. Ask them to pick a spot for setting up the tent. Let them choose a place for games, for meals, and for looking up at the stars. Then, you can all gather the wood, set up the tent, put out the sleeping bags, and get to work on making this space feel more like home. The more involved your kids are in these decisions, the more likely they are to embrace this new adventure.
Bring Some Safety Essentials
One of the great things about backyard camping is that you’ll be just a few steps from all creature comforts. And while you can technically go in the house and grab anything you’ve forgotten, that takes away from the experience. You’ll ideally want to make this feel like a real getaway. As such, you should bring some safety essentials with you, just in case a medical situation should arise.
Injuries are common wherever you are. While over 20,000 workplace slip-and-fall injuries were reported in California during 2015, your backyard is equally equipped to cause injury. There are a number of hazards on your own property that can result in scrapes, scratches, or even broken bones. Put together a basic first aid kit to bring outside with you and seize the opportunity to teach your kids about how to treat a cut or insect bite in the wild. Of course, you should also bring sunscreen and bug spray to protect yourself and your kiddos from harm. Don’t forget the flashlight, proper footwear, and any protective clothing or other gear that you might need!
Plan Non-Digital Entertainment
Both you and your kids have probably spent way too much time staring at screens over the past year. While we may feel a bit addicted to our devices, a backyard camping trip will help us detox. Instate a rule of no phone usage (except in the event of an emergency) and consider keeping all but one phone in the house during your trip. To make this transition easier, plan plenty of activities that don’t involve devices. Scavenger hunts, outdoor games, nature crafts, singing around the campfire, and telling ghost stories are all fun, immersive activities. It’s a lot easier to get back to basics if you don’t feel the need to check in on social media all the time.
Embrace Outdoor Cooking
When the weather warms up enough to camp outside this spring, you’ll want to make the most of it. Cooking in the great outdoors is a great shared activity and will help you create some delicious memories. Since seven in 10 U.S. adults already own a grill or smoker, you can easily use your grill to cook some campfire favorites. If you really want to be authentic, cook some classic cowboy recipes over an open fire. Roasting marshmallows for S’mores is also a must. You might not be cooking freshly caught fish from the river, but there are plenty of tasty options that will feel even more special because they were prepared in a different way.
Forgoing your old family trip doesn’t have to be a bummer, because you don’t need to travel far for an unforgettable experience. With these backyard camping tips, you can transform your property into something magical and spend time with the people who matter most. Let the adventure begin!
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