10 Fun Ideas for Backyard Camping
June 28 is the Great American Backyard Campout in association with the National Wildlife Federation. The goal is to get families, neighbors and friends outside connecting with each other and nature.
What an opportunity for family fun!
No matter what age the kids might be, backyard camping can be a real option. No worries if it doesn’t go as planned, the house is steps away!
Camping can also lead the way to active family play, which as a Together Counts™ Ambassador I like to make sure is a part of our family’s schedule. Here are some fun ideas that can be used for backyard camping to get the entire family involved in the fun!
Make an Unnatural Trail – This simple conservation activity for kids highlights what is natural and what is not while getting kids active outdoors. It could be set up in a small space as an I-Spy game or in a larger yard, as a nature walk.
Camping Bingo – This cute free printable is from Thirty Handmade Days and works in your backyard as well as out in the wilderness…no need to find a bear!
Make Dinosaur Fossils – This could be a fun outdoor activity or make them ahead and the backyard campers can swap.
Outside Play Dice – Keep the outdoor play going with this DIY die. You could customize it with jumping jacks, hopscotch or other activities to get their heart rates pumping.
Make Stick People – What a lovely craft from Red Ted Art that can follow a little nature “hike” looking for good sticks.
Play a Camouflage Game – I love this idea for younger kids to show how animals blend in with their environment.
Patio Board Game – This fun idea is also from The 36th Avenue and transforms a normal patio into the world’s largest board game!
Turn a Nature Scavenger Hunt into Art – This is one of my very favorite crafts. The backyard camping experience can be long-remembered with this souvenir art piece.
Make Grilled Frozen Pizza – I love this idea from Living Locurto to create a yummy outside meal on the grill with a frozen pizza.
Make Campfire Cones – You don’t need an actual campfire to make these s’more treats – a grill will work great!
My kids are going to adore creating our own backyard campground!
Holly Homer is a stay-at-home mom of three boys ages 7, 10 and 12. She realized early on that boys have a lot of energy and energy can be turned for evil use if not channeled in the proper direction! She partially homeschools and has embraced that the dining room table will never be free of kids art projects. Keep up with Holly on Kids Activities Blog.