9 Family-friendly Backyard Camping and Game Ideas

Bond with those close to you with these activities

Sometimes people need to do something out of the ordinary and get outside. Camping, no matter where it takes place, is an excellent option. Backyard camping is a good way to relax, spend time with family and friends and make memories that will last a lifetime. Before hosting a backyard camp out, first consider the season and choose camping gear that's appropriate. Then think about some exciting activities everyone can enjoy.

1. Get the camping gear ready

To prepare the backyard space, clear the ground of any sharp sticks or rocks so that your camping gear is on even footing and won’t be punctured. Choose a tent that sets up quickly and is the correct size for the number of people in the group. Other camping essentials include sleeping bags and pads, pillows or hammocks. Protect your family from pests with bug repellent. Remember to provide camping chairs and tables for the adults. Be sure to gather enough supplies to ensure you don’t have to go back in the house during the camp out for extra blankets or flashlights.

2. Create the proper lighting effects

There are many lighting solutions that make backyard camping even more fun. For a natural glow that also provides warmth, get supplies to build a campfire, or set up a fire pit in a safe location away from any structure and trees. Set up the campsite as far from the house as possible to enhance the outdoor experience. Solar lights and string lights are ideal for backyard camping as they're easy to set up. Tiki torches, lanterns and flashlights provide ample campsite lighting and set the mood for fun.

3. Get ready to cook outside

Cooking during a backyard campout is an opportunity to experiment with new recipes. Get your outdoor grill prepped and explore recipes to make the camp experience more exciting. Mouthwatering snacks and treats made on a portable grill are sure to enhance the adventure and satisfy hungry tummies. Kids love the novelty of cooking outside, and they have fun eating roasted foods like hot dogs and s’mores. Cooking over wood or charcoal briquettes provides an authentic atmosphere for your camp out, adding to the thrill of the event. Store perishable items in a cooler to keep them fresh.

If you don’t want to pull out the BBQ, or simply want a more authentic outdoor experience, campfire cooking is a lot of fun - and the food is delicious. With a campfire and a long, sturdy stick, you can cook hot dogs, bacon, vegetables, bread and more. You can even use an orange peel basket and cook things like eggs over an open campfire.

4. Nature scavenger hunt

Scavenger hunting is an interesting activity that keeps the entire family on their toes. Play this game in teams during a backyard camping event. It's ideal for players of all ages and easy to understand. Prior to your camping adventure, make a list of things to find and gather. A good way to play is to ask teams to find natural objects of different colors, textures and sizes, providing a detailed list of what to look for.

5. Camp-inspired bingo

Make your campout even more fun with a homemade bingo game. Use a printer to create your customized bingo cards for the entire family as part of your prep. Traditionally, bingo boards comprise 25 squares, but you can make them smaller if you wish. Use clip art images that fit into the camping theme and print a different image in each square on the boards. Make sure each board is unique. Use call-out cards so players can check if they have the required images. Or, the group can explore the yard, marking their cards as they roam. As you play this game, the family interacts with nature, learning a lot about their environment. The first person to check all the images is the winner.

6. Take part in giant games

The popularity of giant lawn games adds fun to camping in the yard. These games are ideal for kids and adults. Grab giant versions of fun games like block stacking, dice, bowling or dominoes. Having the family interact and work together to win the game and even challenge one another promotes positive bonding.

7. Play flashlight tag or hide-and-seek

Hide-and-seek and flashlight tag are classic outdoor games. Hide-and-seek can be played during the day while flashlight tag is best played after dusk. Be sure to choose flashlights with long battery life or solar powered models. You can either team up or play as singles to ensure the whole family has fun. To make this game more exciting, get colored flashlights and glow-in-the-dark bands to be more visible in the nighttime and enhance the experience.

8. Sing camping songs

Few things can top the camaraderie that music provides. Gather around the fire and sing songs. Learn to sing traditional camping songs with the family. Every group member gets their chance to lead the camp in fun family music. If you want to be more contemporary, use an extension cord to plug in a karaoke machine to provide accompaniment. You can also bring along a portable speaker to listen to songs on your smartphone.

9. Enjoy playing board and card games

Choose from a wide variety of board games, puzzles and card games to add to the memory-making experience of backyard camping. If you want to play outside your tent, set up a canopy or shelter to provide cover so you can play even if it rains. The canopy can also double as a comfortable place to eat meals.

Prepare for the best camping experience

Having a good plan makes backyard camping a fantastic experience. Ensuring you’ve adequately prepared lodging, meals and activities beforehand helps to make sure everyone who attends has a wonderful time.