20 Ideas for an Epic Backyard Camping Adventure

Last Updated on June 5, 2025 by Audrey

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If you’re dreaming of the perfect outdoor escape without leaving home, backyard camping is the answer! It’s a fun, low-stress way to enjoy the magic of camping, whether you’re setting up for one night or the whole weekend.

As someone who used to camp but has become completely overwhelmed with the idea of doing so with three kids, this is a great option! Can camping with kids away from home be done? Sure. Do I personally think it’s worth the effort, packing, travel time, restless nights, risk of bad weather, and walking to a bathroom EVERY time my kids have to go? Nope.

But this way, my kids get to have the all the best parts of the camping experience with the least amount of hassle for me! And trust me, they’ll be begging you to go backyard camping every summer once they’ve tried it.

To help you plan, here are 20 epic ideas to make your backyard camping adventure unforgettable!

Backyard Camping Setup

The first thing that needs to happen is getting your campsite set up! Kids can get in on the fun too; mine love helping set up the tent and adding sleeping bags, blankets, pillows, etc. Here’s everything that you’ll need:

1. Pitch a Tent.

A tent is essential to achieve that real camping feel. Depending on how many people are sleeping out, look for something like this one that’s simple and easy to set up.

2. Add Cozy Sleeping Bags or Blankets.

Sleeping under the stars is better with a warm, comfy sleeping bag. Try out this classic with flannel lining if you don’t already have sleeping bags of your own! Or, if the night isn’t too chilly, you can just use sheets or light blankets.

3. Add Cushion with Yoga Mats or an Air Mattress.

Comfort is key! And when you’re backyard camping you can really go all out on this one since there’s no limitation on what you can pack in the car. Don’t be afraid to add all the extras like rugs, pillows, yoga mats, or air mattresses. Anything to make sleeping on the ground as comfortable as possible!

4. Set Up Camp Chairs Around the Fire.

A backyard camping adventure wouldn’t be complete without a fire, so be prepared with comfy camp chairs to relax in. We love these basic foldable camp chairs that are comfy and easy to pack/store. And don’t forget some for the kids!

5. String Up Lights for Ambience.

Hang string lights around the yard for a magical glow, or try fairy lights inside the tent! A little light can really come in handy while searching for items you need inside the tent after it gets dark (ask me how I know).

6. Illuminate with Lanterns and Flashlights.

Reliable lanterns and flashlights are essential for night-time, add to the ambiance around the fire, and are a must-have for that game of flashlight tag later.

7. Give the Kids Some Glow Sticks.

The kids will love having glow sticks like these during your next backyard camping adventure, especially while playing after dark games!

8. Hang a Hammock.

Swing under the stars or snuggle up and read in a cozy hammock. And it’s not just for adults; our kids love swinging in their hammock together!

9. Create a Mosquito-Free Zone.

Use citronella candles, mosquito-repellent pouches, and sprays to keep bugs away. You don’t want bugs ruining the backyard camping experience!

Backyard Camping Food

Food just tastes better outside (scientific fact). Take your backyard camping trip to the next level with these epic food ideas!

10. Load a Cooler Full of Drinks.

Load a cooler with some ice and stock it full of kid (and adult) friendly drinks!

11. Make Campfire Kabobs.

Kabobs are a great food option for backyard camping because they cook up great over the fire. Provide different meat and veggie options and let people assemble their own kebab skewers based on what they like. Here’s the recipe I used, although there are tons out there.

12. Serve a Hot Dog Board

Arrange a platter of buns, brats, and extra fun toppings like these for easy campfire hot dogs. (Roasted over the fire, of course!)

13. Wake Up with a Campfire Breakfast.

Nothing beats breakfast over the campfire! Get inspired with these yummy ideas.

14. Prepare a S’mores Board.

Follow up dinner with s’mores! (Obviously.) Preparing a s’mores board in advance eliminates dealing with packaging and wrappers in the moment and gives everyone easy access to the goodies. Make sure you’ve got some good roasting sticks on hand! Take it to the next level with a s’mores charcuterie board or try these fun s’mores combinations for something new!

Backyard Camping Activities

Make the night even more memorable and fun with these activity ideas!

15. Read Books for All Ages.

Whether you read around the campfire or have bedtime stories in the tent by lantern light, reading is a must! Here are some of our favorite books for camping:

• The Berenstain Bears Go to Camp
• The Berenstain Bears Blaze a Trail
• The Berenstain Bears and the Ghost of the Forest
• A Camping Spree with Mr. Magee
• Desmond Cole Ghost Patrol: Campfire Stories
• Campfire Stories: Tales from America’s National Parks

16. Play Fireside Games.

Campfire games aren’t just for retreats and team building! Play these fun games with your friends and family any time you’re all together around a fire.

17. Have a Nature Scavenger Hunt.

Make a list of items to find around the yard, like leaves, rocks, or pinecones for a fun activity. Create teams and see who can find all the items first! Or try out this fun Go Find It Scavenger Hunt Card Game.

18. Do Some Star Gazing.

What better time to check out the stars than a backyard camping trip? Check out some free stargazing apps like SkyView Lite, Star Chart, and Sky Safari. Just point your phone at the sky to identify what you’re looking at.

19. Play After-Dark Games.

I still have such fun memories of getting to stay out after dark and play games as a kid! Classics like flashlight tag or hide-and-seek are the perfect addition to any backyard camping adventure.

20. Tell Stories Around the Campfire.

Humans have connected over story-telling around a fire for generations, and this is a great time to continue that tradition! Check out these fun campfire conversation prompts that would be great to get the stories flowing. Here are some of my own favorite story prompts:

• Talk about your worst vacation (honestly, these are some of my personal favorites).
• What’s your most embarrassing moment?
• Talk about something interesting/unique that you lived through and describe what it was like (especially great if you have some grandparents present).
• Tell about a time when you got in trouble.
• What’s the scariest thing that ever happened to you?
• What are your favorite childhood memories?
• How did you meet your significant other?

With these ideas, you’re ready to create memories without leaving your backyard! Whether it’s a family night, date night, or solo retreat, backyard camping is the perfect way to unwind, connect, and enjoy the outdoors.

Happy camping! 🌙🔥

Looking for more fun things to do this summer? Check out the ideas on our summer bucket list or these summer camp inspired activities!