The arrival of spring means warmer weather, and more time spent outside. If you and your family like to enjoy the pleasures of nature, a backyard campout is essential this spring or summer season. Use the following 5 tips to plan your night in the great outdoors!
- Before you set up camp, take a hike through your own neighborhood! Allow your child to take a backpack full of whatever supplies they think they might need for the hike, (water bottle, compass, etc.) and explore a part of your neighborhood that your children have never seen before. Encourage your child to pick up interesting leaves on the way too.
- Make sure you have a tent for your family to sleep or hang out in. This step is essential, as it gives your backyard a real campground feel!
- Build a campfire or fire pit. If you’re not able to build a fire, have your family sit around in a circle of candles or lanterns. Eat campfire snacks or dinner like hotdogs, and even roast some marshmallows–these can be made in the oven too!
- Play different types of camping games and activities. Using a crayon, sheet of paper and a flat surface the kids can make prints of their favorite leaves found on their hike. Just lay the leaf down on the flat surface, put the paper over it and rub the crayon across the leaf lengthwise. Some activities, like bird watching, and scavenger hunts, are best played before dark. But some, such as ghost stories or star-gazing, are more fun after the sun has gone down.
- Say no to electronics! Ask your child to leave their cell phone in your house. This allows all of their energy to be put toward having fun at the campout, and there usually is no cell phone service at a real campground after all!
The options are endless when it comes to planning your own backyard campout. These are just some ideas that might add to the fun of your family’s “camping” experience!
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