Weekend Warrior: Create a Camping Atmosphere in your Backyard

grandparents and child reading in a tentCamping with the family during the summer may be a memorable, but chaotic affair. Packing, driving, and basking in the wilderness is not everyone’s idea of a good time. Parents looking for a positive way to give their kids a good time during summer vacation can take advantage of the backyard to create a camping experience, with the added advantage of clean bathrooms and a full fridge!

Here are a few ways to create a camping atmosphere in your backyard:

Make your yard feel like a real campsite by using real camping gear. Set up tents and mimic a campsite kitchen. That may include using an outdoor tarp, tents, overhead umbrellas, and a fire pit. Be sure to have the items needed to “battle the elements” such as sunscreen, insect repellent, and flashlights. Parents can unplug from phones and electronics to fully experience the joys of nature with the kids.

Once the backyard is set up like real camping grounds, play games and prepare treats to keep the youngsters entertained:

Set up the grill and make grilled cheese sandwiches, hot dogs, burgers, and the campsite classic – s’mores.

Create a mini beverage station for drinks such as strawberry lemonade. With the adult controlling the blender, have the kids add 2 cups of frozen strawberries inside the pitcher. Once pureed, they can assist with adding 2 cups of lemon juice, 2 cups of water, and stirring. Add simple syrup to taste.

Get the whole group involved in a sing-along session. Whether that means traditional camp songs such as “I’ve Been Working on the Railroad” or modern pop tunes, go around the circle and allow everyone to choose their favorite song.

Storytelling is another classic camping activity. Either have each camper tell his or her own story, or have one person start with a few lines of a tale, and then have other participants take over. This is bound to create an entertaining evening.