Things to Do When Camping in Your Backyard: The Ultimate Guide to Family Fun
Looking to enjoy the great outdoors without ever leaving home? A backyard camping trip is one of the best ways to create lasting memories with your young kids—all while keeping things easy, low-stress and full of fun.
Our family has fallen in love with the backyard campout. With three little ones under 10, traditional camping at national parks or state parks often feels like more work than it’s worth—especially when you factor in the packing, car loading, setting up camp, and worrying about keeping track of everyone in the woods.
But with backyard camping, you get all the joys of the natural world and quality outdoor experiences—without the logistics overload. You can pop back inside to grab a forgotten water bottle, make s’mores in the fire pit, and even bail to the living room if the weather turns or the little guy just can’t hang.
So, whether you’re planning your first backyard camping adventure or looking for creative ways to spice things up, here’s your complete guide to things to do when camping in your backyard with young children.
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Why Backyard Camping Is a Great Idea for Families
Let’s face it: parenting young kids means spontaneity often takes a backseat to routines, naps, and snacks. But the beauty of backyard camping is that it’s an easy way to reconnect with your kids and the outdoors.
Here are just a few reasons we love it:
- It’s a safe space – Your own backyard is familiar and contained, ideal for younger kids who aren’t quite ready for the real deal.
- Easy access to bathrooms – No midnight flashlight hikes to the campground toilet.
- You can go inside at any time – If it rains or the toddler melts down, your cozy bed is just steps away.
- No need to haul all your gear into the woods – Leave the camping gear in the garage and grab it as needed.
- Flexible for all ages – Works beautifully for older children and younger children alike.
- It’s a fantastic way to enjoy the joys of camping without the planning, driving, and exhaustion.
First Step: Set the Camping Mood
The first thing to do is set the stage. Turn your outdoor space into a real camp site by:
- Pitching a tent or laying out a sleeping bag under the stars
- Hanging string lights, fairy lights, or even Christmas lights for a magical glow
- Bringing out a small table and some camping gear to mimic outdoor kitchens
- Creating a comfy sitting area with blankets, pillows, and even an air mattress
Want to go all out? Add a fire pit (or a fire-safe alternative like a tabletop s’mores station) to roast hot dogs, campfire pizzas, or marshmallows. A few acoustic guitar strums will have you all singing around the flames like pros.
Fun Activities & Things to Do When Camping in Your Backyard
Now for the best part: all the fun activities that make camping magical. You don’t need fancy gear or a huge yard—just some great ideas and a willingness to let go and play.
1. Outdoor Movie Night
String up a sheet, plug in a projector, and host an outdoor movie night under the night sky. This is always a great way to wind down the evening while still soaking in the backyard camping experience.
Don’t forget:
- Popcorn in brown paper bags
- Cozy sleeping bags or bean bags
- Bug spray for those summer evenings
2. Nature Scavenger Hunt
Turn your backyard campsite into a mini national forest with a nature scavenger hunt. This fun activity is perfect for kids of all ages and encourages them to look closely at their environment.
Include things like:
- A pinecone
- Something round
- Something soft
- A leaf bigger than your hand
- Three different bird calls
- Or do a nature color wheel scavenger hunt instead
This is a great opportunity to introduce bird watching or teach your kids about the natural world right outside their door.
3. Campfire Stories and Spooky Tales
Nothing beats campfire stories—especially when older kids start getting into the act with spooky stories and tall tales.
Use flashlights for dramatic lighting or try a shadow puppet show against the tent wall. Want to keep it sweet for younger children? Tell ghost stories that are more giggle than nightmare.
4. Glow Stick Party
Hand out glow sticks in different colors and let the kids create necklaces, rings, and “firefly jars.” After dark, play hide-and-seek or a ring toss with glowing hoops. It’s a fun way to extend playtime even after the sun sets.
5. Camping Games for the Whole Family
Here are some fun ideas for classic games and fun lawn games that are perfect for a backyard campout:
- Card game at the picnic table or on a blanket
- Board game by lantern light
- Glow-in-the-dark ring toss or bean bag toss
- Freeze tag, duck-duck-goose, or red light/green light
- A camping-themed treasure hunt or relay race
Playing together helps build connection and gives all family members something to enjoy. It’s a great time for siblings to bond or invite a good friend for an overnight stay.
6. Campfire Cooking
No backyard camping adventure is complete without campfire food. Here are some creative ways to cook outside, even without a traditional open flame:
- Hot dogs on roasting sticks
- Campfire pizzas made with English muffins, sauce, and shredded cheese
- S’mores in foil pouches
- Banana boats with chocolate chips and marshmallows
A small table with fixings and wipes makes cleanup easier—and keeps the ants away from your tent!
7. Star Gazing and Night Sky Talk
After all the excitement, grab some blankets, lay back, and explore the night sky. Try identifying constellations, or tell stories based on what shapes you see. This quiet time under the stars might be the best part of the whole night.
8. Morning Picnic Breakfast
Wrap up your backyard camping trip with a pancake picnic or cereal buffet. Use reusable cups and a cooler with milk or juice. Kids love the novelty of eating breakfast outside—especially in pajamas and bedhead!
Tips for a Smooth Backyard Camping Experience
To make the night go smoothly, here are a few of our best tips:
- Set ground rules before dark (like where they can wander and where the bathroom is)
- Keep a bug spray bottle handy
- Use a water bottle with a glow stick inside as a DIY lantern
- Keep essentials like wipes, flashlights, and extra socks in a central basket
- Bring a Bluetooth speaker to play nature sounds or lullabies if the little kids need help sleeping
Remember, it’s not about perfection—it’s about quality time, flexibility, and FUN.
Camping Without the Travel: A Great Alternative
Backyard camping is more than just a convenience—it’s a great alternative to hitting the road. With many families juggling busy schedules, school, work, or a child with a medical condition, the simplicity of pitching a tent steps from your back door is priceless.
No travel costs. No campground fees. No forgotten gear. Just a backyard full of memories waiting to happen.
It’s also a perfect opportunity to introduce camping to younger children before planning bigger trips to national parks, state parks, or free camping spots in national forests.
The backyard camping experience may not be the authentic experience of wilderness solitude—but it’s better in so many ways for families with young children
You’re creating a whole new world of adventure in your own backyard, where the best part is truly just being together.
So pull out the camping gear, inflate that air mattress, grab the bug spray, and start making some lasting memories—no car ride required.
Must-Have Gear for Backyard Camping with Kids
If you’re planning your own backyard camping trip, here are a few of our family’s go-to favorites (some may include affiliate links, which help support our blog at no cost to you):
- Our favorite family-sized tent
- Kid-safe glow sticks and headlamps
- String lights with batteries that double as fairy lights
- Collapsible outdoor table for snacks and games
- Our tried-and-true bug repellent stickers for sensitive skin
- Sleeping bags for kids that actually stay zipped
Final Thoughts on Backyard Camping for Families
Backyard camping is a great thing—a chance to reconnect, laugh, play, and explore without ever leaving home. For young kids, it’s the perfect way to build confidence in the outdoors. For busy parents, it’s an excellent way to enjoy the great outdoors without the stress.
So gather your crew, clear the lawn, and get ready to make quality time your top priority. This weekend is the perfect time to plan your own backyard campout—and we promise, it’ll be so much fun.
