Backyard Camping for the Family

Backyard camping is a great idea for kids in the summer. It's a simple activity you can plan with your children, one they will certainly find exciting.

Tent
Help your kids set up a tent in the backyard. This will be their home for the evening. If you don't have the real thing, make a tent out of some old blankets. This second option should only be used on evenings that are really warm with no chance of rain.

Food
Let the kids pack their own survival rations. However, you can stress that a well balanced diet is important when out in the wilderness. This will prevent the youngsters from filling up on sweets alone.

Activities
A true outdoor adventure wouldn't be complete without a scavenger hunt. While the sun is still shining, set the kids out on a hunt for items that can be found in the yard, in your house or in the neighbourhood. Have some refreshing beverages and surprises ready for the treasure hunters when they return.

Nightfall is a great time for stargazing. Break out the telescope if you have one and help the kids explore the heavens. A pair of binoculars will do the trick if you don't have a telescope. Get a book about constellations or general stargazing from the local library and set the kids on a scavenger hunt in the sky!

Other items
You might want to recommend these other items for the outing: flashlight, sleeping bags, pillows, blankets, favourite toys and sweater and jackets in case the temperature drops. Perhaps you and your kids can think of other items that would add to this exciting adventure.

Although most kids are comforted by the fact that they are in their backyard, you might want to leave the backdoor unlocked just in case the little adventurers want to end the adventure a little early.