When we think of camping, we normally picture driving hours away from home to a secluded spot in nature where wi-fi and a walk to the shops are a distant memory.
The problem is these trips can take up a fair chunk of time that we don’t always have...
But what if there was an answer closer to home? Better yet, what if there was an answer at home? Why not try recreating the camping experience in your own backyard!
Backyard camping can be an unforgettable experience for the little tackers while being plenty of fun for the grown-ups too. We’ve come up with a few cracking ideas to try out if you and your loved ones are strapped for time but still want to get the BCFing holiday feelin'.
1. Somewhere to sleep
The first (and arguably most important) thing you will need is somewhere to lay your head for the night. If you're camping with kids, there's nothing more fun than a tent sleepover! We recommend a small, easy to set up instant tent like the Wanderer Jak and Jill 2 Person Dome Tent. It's an easy one for the little tackers to help out with and has more than enough room for a couple of rugrats.
If Mum & Dad are brave enough to camp out too, a double swag is an easy and comfortable option for the night.
2. Get comfy!
Now that your shelter is sorted, it's time to make it feel like home. The best part about camping in the backyard is that it isn't far to go to your real bed! For the kids, their favourite pillows and blankets are a must, and hot tip – the more the better! The idea is to make it as comfortable and cosy as possible (toys are a bonus)!
3. Light it up!
You've probably set up your shelter in daylight but beware that it can get pretty dark out there if you aren't prepared! If you have a backyard floodlight that can be handy, but why not get a bit more creative and string some fairy lights up around the tent or through any surrounding trees. This adds to the atmosphere and the young ones will have a blast switching them on! Lanterns and torches are also useful, especially for inside the tent at night.
4. Build yourself a campfire
Poking at a campfire with a stick is one of life's simplest pleasures, and there's no better way to disconnect than by watching a few hours of the bush telly. A fire pit is an ideal piece of kit to have here so you can keep the grass from burning and restrict the size of the flames. If you're really trying to get into the spirit of things, throw a grill over your fire and get cooking! Flame-grilled steak or snags are always a crowd-pleaser, and for something nice and easy, why not try out one of our epic jaffle iron recipes. If you can't have a fire, a good old-fashioned BBQ is the next best thing.
Before you start the fire, ensure you have a bag of marshmallows and a set of marshmallow forks or sticks close by. These are going to come in handy for dessert!
Please check your local fire restrictions if you are in a metro or fire ban area.
5. Entertainment is everything!
As any parent will know, there's no point going to the effort if you can't keep the kids entertained! It's important to set up plenty of games to play to stay busy. Whether its giant connect four, corn home, or board games, we've got heaps of epic options to keep the kids entertained.
If the games and books aren't enough, why not try a movie night? Get yourself a little home projector and watch any wall turn into a movie theatre! Make sure to have plenty of snacks and pillows on standby.
6. Test your gear out
A backyard camping experience doesn't have to be all for the kids. These campouts are a great chance for the more seasoned campers out there to put some new gear through its paces. Practising setting up, testing out the new chair, or trying that camp cook recipe you've been wanting to have a crack at are all great benefits of a night out the back.
So there you have it, the perfect backyard campout. There's no reason why you can't make a few new family camping memories this year and remember - there's never a bad time to disconnect… Even if it is just for a night in the backyard!
Looking for something extra to keep the kids entertained – we've got you sorted with drawings, word search & more in our Kids Activity Print Out!