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Top 5 backyard camping ideas to cure cabin fever

Take your backyard camping to the next level

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Back yard camping
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Even if you’re not snowed in, cabin fever is a real thing, if you’re too entrenched in your routine. I, for one, am always up for a little backyard camping, especially if it’s been a while since I’ve visited my favorite national park. Camping in the backyard can be a great alternative, whether I’m looking for some low-commitment fun for the family or testing out some new camping gear. No matter what I do, I always make it an experience. Here are some of my best backyard camping ideas.

Best backyard camping ideas to keep life interesting

Backyard camping
Jeffrey Hamilton / Unsplash

Build a fire

Few ills can’t be cured by just slowing down and relaxing around a fire. That’s why building a fire is an essential part of every camping experience, whether in the backyard or the backcountry. I recommend building a teepee fire, which directs heat upward. This is perfect for social settings because you’ll all be able to feel the warmth. If you’re unsure how to make one, DJ from The Bear Essentials shows just how to do it.

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If you don’t already have one of the best fire pits, there are plenty of portable options. These are lightweight and collapsible, and can be just the thing to put a smile on your face. Alternatively, you can go for an alcohol-fueled marshmallow roaster.

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Bring out your favorite snacks

If you’re unable to build a fire or just want some more delicious options on the table, there are plenty of selections to make your backyard camping adventure special. Bring on the fun kitchen gadgets! Fondue pots with all the fixings, popcorn with M&Ms, even your waffle maker can get some tender-loving use. If you don’t have an outdoor outlet, grab an extension cord and make it work. It’ll be worth it!

Bring in the ambiance lighting

One of my favorite backyard camping ideas is to bring in some pretty lighting. Under bad lighting, it can feel like you’re staking out a post-apocalyptic wilderness survival scenario. Great lighting can create a soft, dreamy atmosphere worthy of an engagement proposal. The key is to get creative. Fairy lights and lanterns will do a great job, and if you choose to burn citronella candles, you’ll keep the bugs away, too. Just make sure your lighting is all in the same color temperature range. I recommend choosing a warm light, which will fall in the 2700k to 3000k color temperature range.

Make your backyard campsite extra comfy

Since you’re so close to home, you have the freedom to bring in extra throw pillows, blankets, and furniture to make your backyard extra comfy. To help keep everything clean, I always like to bring out a good-sized rug or a picnic blanket that I don’t mind getting a bit dirty, and then arrange everything overtop. You can also bring any and all of your favorite board and yard games to add to the fun. Set up your favorite Bluetooth speaker with your go-to playlist, and you could even set up a projector for an outdoor movie night.

Backyard camping ideas for the kids

Your camping experience will look very different if you’ve got kids in tow, so here are a few ideas to keep them engaged.

  • Scavenger hunt: Depending on the size of your backyard and how old your crew is, try putting together a scavenger hunt. For younger kiddos, do a daytime or evening hunt. Older kids might love the challenge of scavenging with flashlights in the dark.
  • Survival skills: If you know your way around the outdoors, teaching your kids some valuable survival skills could just light that spark for adventure. Teach them how to tie knots, safely build a fire, or how to set up your equipment.
  •  Stargazing: Light pollution or clouds can rain on anyone’s parade, but if you happen to live in an area where you can see the stars, do some stargazing. Constellation apps can take the experience to a new level for kids who aren’t familiar with the night sky.
  • Build something fun: Building activities are a great place to start. Try building a birdhouse, kite building, or STEM-related activities like building rocket launchers. If you’re not that creative, there are plenty of kits online that can get you started.
  • Storytelling: Campfire stories or tales of all your amazing adventures are sure to keep the kiddos engaged. You could even use shadow puppets on the tent wall.
  • Glow-in-the-dark games: Try glow stick ring toss, flashlight tag, or glow bowling.
  • Nature collecting: Lots of kids love collecting leaves, sticks, rocks, or pine cones. If your yard has lots of interesting things to find, this could keep your kiddos entertained for a while.
  • Nature crafts: Once the kids are done collecting, bring on the nature crafts. Creating mosaics, bark boats, painted rocks, or leaf rubbings will give them a fantastic memento to hang on to.

Plan your next adventure

Camping around a fire
Mike Erskine / Unsplash

Camping in your backyard can be a great way to start planning for your next adventure. This is especially true for winter camping, but it’s great to do any time of year. Camping in your backyard is relatively low stakes, so it’s a great way to see if you like a new tent or sleep system setup. If things turn south and you want to call it quits, there’s no shame in that! Just pack up (or don’t) and head inside.

Once you experience backyard camping, it could start to make you wistful for the real thing. Embrace the wanderlust and start planning your next wilderness adventure. There are so many places to choose, from our stunning national parks to Mount Everest.

Chelsea Batten
Chelsea Batten
Former Former Digital Trends Contributor, The Manual
Chelsea Batten is a writer, photographer, and Kerouac groupie. One of the original digital nomads, she was seduced from life…
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