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Discover the Easy Adventure of Backyard Camping
Enjoy all of the thrills with none of the 'Are we there yet?' when you transform your backyard into a lively campground
I'm a freelance writer and design enthusiast who believes the best design is collected, not decorated, and that homes should always be as comfortable and functional as they are chic. In addition to writing for Houzz, I work as the Head Copywriter for Layla Grayce and Zinc Door.
I'm a freelance writer and design enthusiast who believes the best design... More »
An affordable vacation might sound like an oxymoron, but it's just a matter of staying in your own backyard. If you're looking for a fun family activity this summer, consider taking to the great outdoors for a night. Setting up a campground in your yard gives your family a necessary break from stress and can still feel like an exciting trip for the kids.
If you’re not sure where to start, pocket a few of the following tips and get ready for a night under the stars.
If you’re not sure where to start, pocket a few of the following tips and get ready for a night under the stars.
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Prepare your backyard campground with the same attention to detail that you would give any camping trip. Packing up backpacks and trekking out to the lawn to put up the tent will make the adventure seem as exciting as a trip to the mountains.
First things first: You’ll likely want a tent. Depending on the size of your family and whether your kids want their own space, you may want everyone inside one or have a second on hand if necessary.
Tip: Buy the biggest tent you can afford, as you’ll always need extra space (especially if the whole family is going to share a single one). Tents can morph into playful forts for kids during camping, so make sure to give them enough space to play and sleep comfortably.
First things first: You’ll likely want a tent. Depending on the size of your family and whether your kids want their own space, you may want everyone inside one or have a second on hand if necessary.
Tip: Buy the biggest tent you can afford, as you’ll always need extra space (especially if the whole family is going to share a single one). Tents can morph into playful forts for kids during camping, so make sure to give them enough space to play and sleep comfortably.
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This tent sleeps five and comes at a fair price.
Tip: Renting camping equipment may be a good option if you’re testing the waters. However, you can probably find a tent at a local chain store that's less expensive than renting.
Tip: Renting camping equipment may be a good option if you’re testing the waters. However, you can probably find a tent at a local chain store that's less expensive than renting.
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Once you get the tent set up, create a comfortable and inviting sleeping space inside. This sleeping bag from Anorak is perfect for an outdoor adventure. Don't forget to pile up plenty of cotton blankets in preparation for any temperature changes throughout the night.
Tip: Line the floor of the tent with a thick comforter for extra padding — a blow-up mattress isn't necessary if you're sleeping on your cushy lawn.
Tip: Line the floor of the tent with a thick comforter for extra padding — a blow-up mattress isn't necessary if you're sleeping on your cushy lawn.
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| Grilling over a fire is part of the fun of camping, so make sure you have the necessary items. These kids know that the best part of being outdoors is surely the s’mores! |
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Invest in a portable fire pit like this Smith & Hawken fire bowl. This may be a safer option than a quick DIY fire pit for the weekend, especially if you’ve got small children.
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Don’t forget the cooking essentials. This set includes everything you need for outdoor grilling, including square pie irons, picnic forks and a s’more maker.
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| Don’t forget to pick up an outdoor table to eat on, unless you want ants as a side dish to your dinner. Tip: For your backyard camping trip, simply drag your patio or picnic table out to the "campsite" and you’ll be all set. |
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It’s inevitable that campsites get buggy, so consider a food tent to cover the prepared food outside.
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Speaking of bugs, invest in a citronella candle to keep yourself itch free the next morning.
Tip: Choose candles in a design that you'll want to keep around your porch all summer, like these citronella torches from Crate & Barrel.
Tip: Choose candles in a design that you'll want to keep around your porch all summer, like these citronella torches from Crate & Barrel.
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If you want something more portable, citronella candle buckets will do the trick.
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Of course, no camping trip is complete without a late-night ghost story. Thrill the kids and have fun around the campfire with a great collection of stories to chill you to the bone.
Comments
Emily Hurley I'm a big fan of outdoor camping. We usually do it at least once a summer. One of our key ingredients are individual flashlights and a trip to the comic book store for the kids for flashlight reading material.
10 months ago · Like
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chorthip Love the story and the canvas tent!!! Do you know where we can find this canvas tent?
8 weeks ago · Like
Ideabook published on July 18, 2012.
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