Backyard Camping Activities for the Whole Family

Do you struggle to fill the weekend with activities that are fun and safe for the whole family? With typical weekend plans off the table, parents are starting to think outside of the box for family fun. Since no one wants their kids to be glued to the TV or other devices during the whole summer, the best at-home activity should be spent outdoors! Our favorite way to get a new perspective and appreciation for your home is to turn your backyard into a DIY campsite!

One of the best parts about your backyard camping adventure is that you don’t need to worry about all the hassles involved in family trips. Since any camping items needed are just a few feet away, you can allocate all of your time to getting to know your own stomping grounds! Plus, for younger kids, making a campsite in the backyard can inspire a love for real camping down the line. 

Here are some tips to bring the great outdoors into your own backyard! 

  • Set up a tent or DIY with sheets and rope.
  • String lights to bring a sparkly campsite into your yard. 
  • Come up with a creative name for your campground and decorate a sign together. 
  • Create activity stations in different corners of the yard. 
  • Make camp-inspired snacks like trail mix and smores the day before! 

With minimal set up involved, a backyard camping trip is an entertaining family activity that doesn’t have to cost a dime. To help you make your backyard campsite fun and educational the folks at Tommy John have created printable activities your little ones will love. From connect-the-dot constellation tracings to a nature collage critters page, they’ve rounded up all the best campsite themed crafts to make sure your at-home campsite leaves lasting memories.

Happy camping! 

Printables:

Nature Collages

Scavenger Hunt

Star Constellations

Storytime Activity