Camping in Australia is great at any time of year, but for our English and American followers, it can be the least attractive thing to do outside at this time of year!
Having a backyard camping ideas is a fantastic way of enjoying the great outdoors without having to lug all the gear into the car!
Sure, right now you are probably thinking about the latest heavy rainfall or the mosquitoes that can get as big as your hand! You are there online, reading some reviews to transform your yard into a dream playground for you and your family at any time of year. All it takes is a little imagination to make a fun campsite right in your yard. When you do you will be creating memories as well.
Benefits Of Backyard Camping
Besides having fun, there are so many wonderful benefits to backyard camping with your family. It’s educational as well as healthy. According to South University, when you make family outings a regular activity, you will be helping your child perform better in school, strengthening the emotional bond between you, your spouse, and your children. Plus, they will not be plagued with behavioural problems that are so common these days.
Here at Stay At Home Mum, we care about helping women out there become the best mums they can be, but we also care about mums taking care of themselves. Be it your sleeping patterns or how to spend time with your family, we are here to help. One of the healthiest things you can do for you and your family is to spend time together and backyard camping is a great way to do that.
Here are some backyard camping ideas for you!
1. Pitch A Tent
Any type of tent might do for backyard camping, but you should do some serious research. What if it starts to rain? You might think the idea of continuing to sleep in your yard in the rain is fun, most likely because it is.
Still, you need to remember that you are camping in the yard so the house is only a few steps away. Don’t run out and buy a top-of-the-line tent when a simpler and less expensive one might meet all the needs of a backyard campsite. Also, be aware of lightning when you are putting up a tent. While they may be safe, if you are only in the yard, it may be best to head back in the house.
The point is, you don’t need to spend a ton of money on a tent, but be sure to get a good enough one to protect you and your family from the elements. Make sure to set up camp as a family so that your children learn the importance of teamwork.
If you don’t have a tent or need camping equipment check out:
2. Have a Bonfire
Sitting around a campfire is one of the best parts of camping, and if you have a fire pit in your backyard, then you are one step ahead of the game. If you don’t own a fire pit, then you should consider getting one. Building an open fire in your backyard can be dangerous if it isn’t done correctly, and the same techniques you use in the woods might differ depending on the size of your yard.
If you want to step up your backyard camping game and switch from ‘Camping’ to ‘Glamping’ then you should consider getting an Ethanol Fireplace. Not only are they super stylish and easy to re-locate but, a bioethanol fireplace offers mess-free & simple heating that is cost-efficient and also environmentally friendly…WINNING!
3. Plan A Camping Menu
Another highlight of camping that involves campfire is roasting things in the flames. You can put together some sausages, vegetarian hot dogs, and even chocolate, marshmallows, and sweet biscuits to make s’mores. You can also put a cast iron pan on the fire and make grilled cheese or nachos for dinner. Plus don’t discount the ole banana and chocolate bar wrapped in aluminum foil!
The best part is, if you forget an ingredient, all you need to do is run in the house and look in your kitchen. Gathering sticks to use for roasting your fares can be a wonderful family project to do together.
4. Star Gazing
Depending on where you live in the world, whether you can either see the stars very well at night or not, looking up at the star-peppered sky is always priceless. If you live in a more urban area with a lot of lights like London, then you might have a bit more difficult. Still, seeing some stars isn’t difficult if you just stare at the night sky for long enough on a clear evening.
Another way to see stars is to get a telescope, but we realize they are very expensive. So, if you can’t, then just take your chances lying back and staring up. As the darkness in the sky takes over, you can try to identify constellations common to your area.
5. Fun and Games
There are all kinds of games you can play when you are camping in the backyard. You can have a flashlight war with your family (check out this awesome rechargeable torch here,) a potato sack race before the sun goes down, or break out a deck of cards and play by the firelight.
What games you play when you are camping with your family doesn’t matter as much as the general idea of playing a game together as a family. You can have games that require teams so you and your children can learn to work together. Some fun backyard games are Ghost In The Graveyard and Kick The Can.
Backyard Camping is just one idea that can bring you and your family closer together. It’s a fact, the family that spends time together is the one that is the healthiest. As mums, don’t we want our children to have the healthiest and happiest childhood available to them? Sure we do. So start planning that camping.