Not every family has the time or energy to pack up and head to a proper campsite, and that’s fine. A backyard camping night captures most of the fun of a real trip without the drive, the packing or the campground fees. It also works brilliantly as a point of difference for a kids’ birthday party.
Here’s how to set up a backyard campsite the whole family will enjoy, along with a few Newcastle and Hunter specific ideas to make the night memorable.
Setting Up Camp
Pull out the tent and pitch it in the backyard just as you would at a real campsite. Add the mats and sleeping bags and all the usual gear. Since you’re not trying to fit everything in the car, there’s no need to hold back on comfort items.
No tent on hand? A beach tent works as a stand in, or you can rig up a shelter over the clothesline. If the backyard isn’t an option, a tent, play fort or blanket cubby in the living room does the job just as well. The goal is simply to create something different from an ordinary night at home.
Once the shelter is up, fill it with doonas, pillows, blankets and whatever stuffed toys the kids want along for the trip.
Decorating the Campsite
Fairy lights, solar lights, glow sticks or a string of Christmas lights instantly lift the atmosphere once the sun goes down. A portable speaker adds to the mood too. As a fun lead up activity, get the kids to put together a camping themed playlist during the day.
Set up camp chairs, a picnic blanket and a small table nearby so there’s a proper spot for the family to gather.
Getting the Dog Involved
A backyard campsite is dog friendly, and kids love having their four legged friend along for the adventure. A simple sleeping spot with a blanket, food and water bowl is enough to make the dog feel like part of the trip.
Backyard Activities to Fill the Afternoon
A few simple activities keep the excitement going before the sun sets:
A backyard scavenger hunt is an easy win. Set the kids loose with a checklist of items to find around the yard, with a small treat on offer for anyone who ticks off most of the list.
Nature craft is another good option. Leaves, twigs and seeds collected from the garden can become nature necklaces, or the kids can build a simple bug hotel that continues to attract visitors for weeks afterwards.
Classic yard games also earn their place at a backyard campout. Tag, three legged races and wheelbarrow races are always popular, or set up a family tournament of badminton or another backyard game if you have the gear.
If things get a bit grubby, a garden hose makes a passable camp shower for washing off before dinner.
Torches, Stars and a Campfire Dinner
Once it’s dark, torches open up a whole new round of games. A torchlit tour of the backyard, shadow puppets in the tent, or a game of torch tag (where the person who is “it” has to spot everyone else with the beam of light) are all easy ways to fill the evening.
On a clear night, a stargazing app is worth pointing at the sky to spot constellations and satellites.
For dinner, a firepit or portable camp cooker lets you cook the same food you’d eat at a real campsite, from snags and hot dogs to damper over the coals. Toasted marshmallows or a foil wrapped banana boat make a good dessert. No firepit? The barbecue works just as well, served up on camp plates for the full effect.
Winding Down
Part of the appeal of a real camping trip is switching off, so consider putting devices away or turning off the wifi for the evening. It’s a simple way to encourage everyone to actually be present together.
To close out the night, tell a few ghost stories, break out a guitar or ukulele for a singalong, or read a camping themed picture book before lights out. Bluey: Camping and Peppa Pig: Peppa’s Camper Van are easy favourites for younger kids.
Once everyone’s ready to settle in, the best part of backyard camping becomes obvious. If anyone changes their mind about sleeping outside, or needs the toilet in the middle of the night, home is just a few steps away.
Frequently Asked Questions
It works for almost any age. Younger kids tend to enjoy the games and craft during the day, while older kids get more out of the evening activities like torch games and stargazing.
A beach tent, a shelter rigged over the clothesline, or even a blanket fort set up in the living room all work as an alternative.
Yes, it’s a popular point of difference for a party, particularly combined with a scavenger hunt or torch games once it gets dark.
Yes, a standard barbecue works fine for cooking camp style food. Serve it on camp plates or enamel mugs to keep the theme going.
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