5 Backyard Camping Activities for Kids
This past Father’s Day weekend my husband decided he wanted to take our 4 year old, Noah, on a backyard camping adventure. They had been talking about it for awhile, so we figured Father’s Day was the perfect time for some father-son bonding! What I love most about this idea is the fact that it’s an experience. You are creating a fun summer memory right in your own backyard – without a hefty price tag! And the best part? You don’t even need a campfire to do so – making this a fun summer activity you can enjoy in almost any backyard.
Before the fun begins, you’ll want to gather all of your basic camping supplies. Obviously, you don’t need to take the entire kitchen with you because you’ll be able to come in/out of the house as needed; however, try to take out everything you think you’ll need. Limiting trips inside the house (minus bathroom breaks) will really make it feel like camping!
- Tent
- Lantern and/or flashlight
- Sleeping bags + pillows
- Air mattress (optional, but ideal for comfort)
- Water + food + snacks + utensils
- Any camping activity supplies
Noah really wanted to sleep in his sleeping bag that he got for Christmas last year; however, we still decided to use an air mattress in addition to the sleeping bags (hello, bad back). Our 3-person tent (pictured below) was big enough to hold a queen size air mattress with plenty of room to spare.
Once you’re all set up, you’re ready for your backyard campout to begin! We’re keeping things simple here – no elaborate planning or campfire needed. These 5 backyard camping activities involve very little prep while still allowing for good ole’ summertime fun!
Watch Sid’s Backyard Campout Get your kids excited about their camping adventure by starting out the evening watching Sid’s Backyard Campout. This fun suggestion came from my friend Kristin over at Grace, Coffee & Mascara. Normally I’d say no to all electronics during camping; however, this short movie is the perfect way to teach your kids what camping is all about. My son absolutely loved watching this, and still frequently requests to watch it. I love the fun science lessons that Sid teaches, too!
Have a backyard cookout Nothing says camping quite like a summer cookout. Grill up some hotdogs along with your other favorite camping treats. Think campfire food – foil packet meals, trail mix, & campfire cones! You don’t need an actual campfire to enjoy camping food.
Make mini s’mores pots Want to make s’mores but don’t have a fire pit? These DIY mini s’mores pots are the perfect solution! They take only minutes to set up and are so easy to make. You’ll probably wonder why you didn’t start making s’mores this way sooner!
Go on a nature scavenger hunt You can choose to do this while it’s still light out or opt for a nighttime scavenger hunt by flashlight! If you have more than one kiddo participating in your backyard campout, you may want to try a game of flashlight tag, too!
Read books by lantern Grab a big pile of books to read with your child. Bonus if the books are camping or nature themed! Besides making s’mores, this may have been Noah’s favorite part of the entire camp out. He absolutely loved picking out his fave books and reading by the light of the lantern.
Oh, and in case you’re wondering where Noah’s little sister was, she was inside with Mommy. London was still sleeping in her crib at the time (we recently transitioned her to a big girl bed), so I decided to stay inside with her while the boys had their fun out in the yard! She will get to join in the fun next year though!
I’m so glad that Noah got to experience the fun of backyard camping on Father’s Day. The boys enjoyed it so much that they plan to make this a yearly Father’s Day weekend tradition! And who knows, maybe one day the girls will join in on the fun and we’ll actually go on a real camping trip as a family.
Have you gone on a backyard camping adventure with your kids? What camping activities did they enjoy?
xo,
Sumer
42 Comments
Darcy
I loved doing this as a child! Ty for the reminder so I can be sure to pass along this experience to my son!! β€οΈ
Emily @ Pizza & Pull-ups
What a fun idea! It sounds like great bonding time, and I love any reason to eat smores.
Caroline @ Love Cake Create
This is really cool! I have two young boys (5 & 2yrs) and I know my 5yr old would love this idea! It’s winter here at the moment but once it starts to warm up we’ll definitely give it a go.
Nicole
My son would love this! And what a great way to use the tent that has been sitting on a shelf in our garage for years. Thanks for the fun idea!
Ashley
My husband has been talking about doing a backyard camping night since we got pregnant! ( 2 years ago). I love the s’mores pot idea! Super cute
Divya
This looks like so much fun! The best kind of “staycation!” I wish we had done this when I was younger. My love for camping didn’t start until I was 18 years old! But that probably would have been different if we did stuff like this.
Bailey
Love these ideas. Have such fond memories of camping in the yard as a kid.
Sumer
That’s awesome, Bailey! I never got the chance to go as a kid, so I’m living through my kids now! π
Amanda
These are such fantastic ideas! We love backyard camping, and I will definitely be incorporating these ideas on our next backyard adventure!
Sumer
So glad to hear that, Amanda! Hope you enjoy your next backyard campout!
Sam
Love the campfire in the pot. So cute!
Sumer
Thanks, Sam!
Michelle
Love your ideas! My nephew would absolutely love camping in the backyard. You have provided some really fun ideas that would be so easy to replicate. Thanks for sharing! π
Sumer
Thanks so much, Michelle!
Danielle @ A Sprinkle of Joy
This is so much fun, and the only type of camping I *may* be able to handle. π
Sumer
Haha! I hear ya, Danielle! I’m not sure I’m ready for REAL camping just yet!!
Virjinia Harp
That’s so cute! I can’t wait to have a backyard camp out when I have kids. It’s something I always wanted to try but never got the chance to do as a kid!
Sumer
Same here! With kids it’s so much fun!!
Lindsay Fischer
Backyard camping just got *that* much more fun with mini smores pots! So cute!
Sumer
I’m obsessed with the mini s’mores pots! So easy!
Connie @Lessons and Learning for Littles
Oh, how fun! Such a wonderful idea. Thank you! I was so bummed that we don’t get to go camping this summer, but we can go in the backyard. π
Sumer
Yes! Definitely! Makes it a lot easier, too! π
Heather
I loved camping out in the yard when I was a kid! Unfortunately, we don’t have a yard for my kids to enjoy the same treat – but I can still make that terra cotta mini fire pit for marshmallows!
Sumer
Aww! I love the mini s’mores pots for this exact reason…you can do them almost anywhere!
Jackie
Great ideas! When my girls are older I’m sure they’ll enjoy camping outside and making Smores! Thanks for sharing !
Sumer
Totally! Such a great summer tradition to start with them!
Vicki @ Babies to Bookworms
This looks like so much fun! I loved camping as a kid. We will have to make the little s’more pots!
Sumer
They are so much fun! My kids love them!
Jereann Zann
Such fun, creative ideas! Can’t wait to try with my kids – especially the s’mores pots!
Sumer
The s’mores pots are SO easy and so fun! I hope you’ll try them! π
Julie
Thanks for sharing…saving for later this summer!
Victoria with One Sharp Mama
This was a summer favorite when I was younger. Definitely have to try these fun activities with my daughter when she’s older
Sumer
I never went camping when I was younger, so I totally missed out. So glad I can give this experience to my kids though!
Julie Hoag
Love this idea! Kids love camping and it’s easiest at home!!
Sumer
Totally agree, Julie!
Justine @ Little Dove
My kids love camping too, even (and especially!) when it’s just in our backyard! Bed time stories are always a must and the kids beg for s’mores every time too of course. π
Sumer
I just love backyard camping. I’m so glad my oldest is so into it! And s’mores are always a must! π
Shani | Sunshine & Munchkins
Doing a backyard campout is on our summer bucket list this year but we haven’t done it yet. I love your suggestions for making it a fun evening for everyone.
Sumer
I hope you’ll get to squeeze it in this summer!
Sharon
Yes, to the scavenger hunt!!! Thanks for this list.
Lauren
We TOTALLY love this. I just showed Sean and we will be adding yard tent camping to our weekend plan next weekend!
Sumer
Yay!! It’s so much fun!