Have a Campout in Your Own Backyard

Now that school is out and summer has officially arrived, it’s time to give this season of fun a proper welcome. Before kids get busy with summer camps and other activities, and before you head off on your family vacation, why not enjoy a campout at home? This is a great way to spend time together and create memories that will last a lifetime. Plus, you have easy access to the bathroom! Here’s how to put together a great camping experience.

Set Up Your Campsite

If you don’t already have a pop-up tent, you can buy one at any sporting goods store, even if you’re on a budget; we’re talking anywhere from under $100 and up. Gather sleeping bags, an air mattress if you have one for extra comfort, flashlights and a bag for supplies. Have your kids pack all the items they need, like pajamas, books or toys. Even though your house is right there, you don’t want them constantly running in for more things. Pretend you are actually going away on a camping trip.

Have the kids help set up the tent, and then lay out sleeping bags and pillows. Now you’re all set for the fun to begin.

Engage in Pre-Dinner Activities

While it’s still light out, send your kids on a fun scavenger hunt. Have them gather natural items, like certain kinds of leaves, flowers, rocks or even bugs, or even give them a camera and do the high-tech version, where they photograph each item. They will have a fun time hunting for and crossing items off their list. Go on a nature hike together in your backyard to find interesting things you may have overlooked, such as a bird’s nest or interesting-looking plant.

Turn items you find into keepsakes. You can press flowers inside books, or make leaf rubbings with crayons.

Thrill at the Grill

What better thing to eat at a campout than hot dogs? Light your grill or roast them in a backyard fire pit. You can make one yourself or buy an inexpensive model at your local superstore. Nothing is more fun than roasting hot dogs in your own backyard. Serve some baked beans, potato salad and coleslaw for that unmistakable taste of summer. Carve a watermelon for dessert, or have the kids toast marshmallows over the grill or fire pit. S’mores, anyone?

After-Dinner Action

There’s nothing like sitting around a campfire telling ghost stories. Make sure they are age-appropriate; the last thing you want is a child who’s too scared to fall asleep. Check some books out from the library, or teach your kids something new in a way that doesn’t sound like a school lecture. In this way, a scary story can quickly become a funny one.

When it’s really dark out, take some time to do some stargazing. If it’s all new to you, there are numerous apps to help you pick out constellations. Just don’t get too caught up in the technology; you want your kids looking at the sky, not your phone.

Lights Out

Although there’s no hard-and-fast rule for a bedtime during a campout, at some point the kids are going to get tired. Make sure they are comfortable (have plenty of extra blankets on hand in case it gets chilly) and let them drift off to sleep when they’re ready. You should expect lots of giggling and tossing and turning. Also, don’t force them to stay in the tent if they really want to go inside to bed. After all, a good night’s sleep is more important than forcing them to remain in their sleeping bag.

A backyard camping excursion is a wonderful way to celebrate the season and bond as a family. Enjoy this fun way to welcome summer.