How to Camp in a Backyard

Taking the family on a camping trip is a great way to spend quality time together and to teach younger children about nature. You might, however, be wary of taking really young children that far away from the home because of all the extra items younger children require. You might also not be able to fit the gas and campsite fees into your family's budget, and if this is the case, then how can you still camp with the family without breaking the bank? Why not go camping in the backyard?

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Tent Sleeping bags Extra blankets Pillows Cooler Food Flashlights Firewood Lawn chairs Toilet paper Paper plates Plastic silverware Warm clothes Shovel Large rocks Matches

1. Gather up all of your camping supplies, just as you would if you were going to travel to a campground.

2. Close up the house. It won't really feel like camping if you are able to go in and out of the house whenever you want. Instead, try to avoid going in the house at all unless you have an emergency that requires you to do so. Don't go in the house simply to pick out a board game because the family is bored; instead, try to find something outside that the family can do together to entertain you.

3. Set up your tent as far away from the house as you can so that you feel more like you are out in the middle of nowhere. If you are expecting rain during your backyard camping trip, you might want to cover your tent with a tarp to prevent leaking and soaking wet sleeping bags.

4. Designate an area near your tent, but not too close, for a fire pit. Dig your fire pit and place some large rocks around the fire pit to keep it contained.

5. Build a nice-sized campfire so that you and your family can cook hot dogs, marshmallows, or whatever else you want over the fire. If you are going to cook hot dogs and marshmallows, find some nice roasting sticks around the yard or cut some small limbs off a tree in your yard.

6. Tell ghost stories around your campfire before you go to bed. No camping trip is complete without ghost stories.

7. Go for a nature walk if there is a park or other area nearby that will allow you to do so. Take the time to notice any bugs, animals or plants that you have never noticed before.

8. Go out in the weeds when nature calls. Make sure that you have a roll of toilet paper handy for those times when someone needs to go to the bathroom, but don't give in and enter the house to relieve yourself. Instead, find a place in the weeds or maybe even a bucket that can be sealed and thrown out when the trip is over.

Tips & Warnings

• The fewer comfort items you bring out in the yard with you for your camping trip, the more authentic the trip will feel. Make sure you know what the weather is supposed to be like before you get all set up, and make sure that you gather any gear that the weather may require.