Family-Friendly Backyard Camping Ideas

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Finding ways to make fun memories as a family can start in the backyard!  Check out these fun family-friendly backyard camping ideas to use this summer!  Pitch a tent, start a “campfire”, enjoy the fresh air and have some family fun together!

I have a confession to make, even as a Colorado native, I HATE going camping.  Look, I know, seems like something that I should love since we live in Colorado but I have never enjoyed it.  That being said, the rest of my family really loves going camping.  Last summer, Jeremy took Jude and Teagan on their first camping trip away from home and they are all itching to make another camping trip soon.  Even though I am not a fan of camping, I do hate that I miss out on some fun family memories while they are away pitching their tents.  So, this year we are starting off camping season a bit differently.  Jude and Teagan’s first camping trip of the season we be in our backyard!

We have not had this backyard camping experience before but I have some great memories of doing this in my best friend’s backyard growing up.  It was always a great time but kept the amenities that I so adore super close and convenient.  Even though we will be camping just steps away from our house, we want to be prepared for this experience so we can all fully enjoy it and have some fun.  I am excited to share our backyard camping ideas as well as our backyard camping necessities like the Energizer®Ultimate Lithium™ batteries.

Family-Friendly Backyard Camping Ideas

Plan Your Adventure

Even though we are steps from our house we want to have a plan for this fun family experience.  In true camping fashion we will only be using the house for the restroom.  The kids packed up their camping necessities and we sent them to the campsite. In addition to the food plans and sleeping plans we did decide to have a few planning activities and walks on our adventure plans.  Thankfully the weather in Colorado allows for a lovely camping experience…most days.  We also made sure to have some camping essentials like flashlights and walkie talkies as well as Energizer® Ultimate Lithium™ batteries for those electronics we will be relying on during our adventure.

Pitch A Tent

We found the perfect spot in our yard for our tent and then taught the kids how to pitch their tent.  Because I am not a big camper I even pulled out our air mattress for a better sleeping experience.  ha!  Oh the luxuries I require.  I think the kids love this part of the experience.  The tent becomes a little cave that they want to hang out in.

Plan A Backyard Scavenger Hunt

We are blessed with an amazing backyard.  It is large enough for us to have a great campsite with room for a fun scavenger hunt.  We planned an easy scavenger hunt for the kids that not only made them work together but it also let them play with the walkie talkies which just led to hours of running around “calling” each other.

After seeing how this simple scavenger hunt paved the path to even more fun I know Jeremy has added a scavenger hunt to all of his camping experiences with the kids.  It gives the kids a little assistance in finding adventure!

Creative Camping Snacks

Look if you are going to go camping, even in the backyard, you need to indulge on some of the traditional camping treats.  Grill up some hot dogs for dinner, and reach for those marshmallows.  Now, don’t get me wrong, I love all things S’mores but a few years ago we tried an alternative to the traditional S’mores while at our cabin and these delicious Campfire Peachies have now become a staple in our cabin trips.

We we headed out to our backyard for our camping experience I decided we had to make these treats for the kids too.

As a mom, I love this campfire treat…fresh fruit!  MOM WIN!

Story Time and Family Snuggles

Make time for campfire time.  Once the sun starts going down it is so much fun to sit around the campfire (or fire pit) and enjoy the camping scene.  This is a perfect time to get some snuggles in and tell stories.  For our kids, we did not do ghost stories because we like sleeping. HA!  Go around the campfire circle and have each person tell a short story. Memories are made in these moments.  Take time to enjoy them.

And once bedtime comes around, head to the tent and get those snuggles.  Jude is almost 8 (WHAT??!!) and Teagan is 5, I know how quickly these moments with them will pass so any snuggle I can get with them I cherish.

No Screen Time, Only Family Time

Maybe you have seen a trend here with the activities…no screens!!  LOVE THAT!  Our kids, even though we regulate it pretty heavily, love their screen time.  Finding adventures and activities that do not include a screen is important for all ages.  Yes, even the adults put the screens away for this fun!  While you might just be in the backyard, it is a great time to let the kids experience the outdoors.  Stars, fresh air, insect chatting and so much more.

Why Energizer®Ultimate Lithium™ batteries?

Energizer® Ultimate Lithium™ batteries are always my choice when traveling, yes, even to the backyard because they are the #1 longest lasting AA battery available.  These are available in packs of 4 and 8 in most grocery stores, I found ours at our local Safeway.  I always stock up on the AA/AAA Energizer® Ultimate Lithium™ batteries because they have a shelf life of 20 years!  Plus these Energizer® Ultimate Lithium™ batteries are leak resistant and will perform well in a range of extreme temperatures;  -40F to 140F!  Perfect for our summertime camping trips!  These  Energizer® Ultimate Lithium™ batteries are a must for our walkie talkies and flashlights during our family backyard camping trips.

What backyard camping tips or ideas would you add to this list?  Have you and your family camped in your backyard before?