The Ultimate Guide to Backyard Camping
Updated: Apr. 06, 2023
Sleep under the stars without going too far from home. Just use our backyard camping guide to get started!
Whether you’re a camping newbie or have roughed it tons of times, backyard camping is a blast. You get to immerse yourself in the outdoors, without all the packing, planning and gear-buying associated with traditional camping (plus, having nearby access to a clean bathroom is a pretty big perk). Plan your mini-getaway for an outdoor adventure—complete with different types of s’mores—with these helpful hints.
Three Ways to Create a Cozy Campsite
Setting up a cozy nest takes some teamwork. Here’s how to do it.
- If you have a tent: Treat your backyard like an honest-to-goodness campsite. Take your tent outside and find a smooth, flat surface to call home for the night. Everybody can pitch in, whether it’s spreading out a tarp first, or putting together the poles. Make it cozy inside by lining the tent floor with yoga mats, bed rolls or multiple layers of sleeping bags and cushy comforters. But if you really need extra comfort, there’s no harm in bringing out an inflatable air mattress (like this self-inflating one) for extra cushioning—it’s not cheating, it’s just making everyone’s experience a whole lot happier!
- If you don’t have a tent: You can easily create a makeshift shelter by tying a rope or clothesline between two trees and hanging a large tarp, blanket or canvas over top. (This 10×12 tarp is perfect!) Just make sure you have a dry place to sleep by laying a waterproof tarp underneath, then make it comfy by layering lots of blankets and cushy pillows on top. And for the inevitable next time, make sure to snag this fan-favorite Coleman tent.
- Make it magical: Set the scene by hanging lamps or stringing lights around the tent (these globe lights will do the trick). They’ll illuminate your campsite with a soft glow, and help everyone feel more comfortable spending the night outdoors in the (slightly less) dark.
Cook Up Some Camp Chow
One of the best parts about backyard camping with kids? Eating around the fire!
If you have a fire pit, it’s easy to roast hot dogs, toast marshmallows, and even cook up meats and veggies in foil packets. Or, get inspired for your outdoor cooking adventure with any of these camp-friendly recipes.
If you don’t have a fire pit, a small charcoal grill will work. You can even make pudgy pies over the coals whenever tummies start to grumble. This pie iron makes it super simple!
Of course, you don’t need a campfire to eat like a camper. Pack sandwiches, trail mix, juice boxes and desserts in your cooler to grab at the ready. And because s’mores are a necessity even without a fire, try these fun, flame-free mini s’mores that are easy to make in the kitchen and pack up to enjoy outdoors.
Plan on Games and Activities
There are so many family camping games and so much adventure to be had outside. From classic backyard games to hikes around the block, here are some fun activities to keep the whole family entertained all day—and into the night.
- Neighborhood Nature Hunt: Make a list of different types of plants and animals to spot in the backyard, around your neighborhood or in a nearby park. Pack a backpack with a camera, a journal and plastic bags, then set out for your neighborhood hike. Point out the objects you find from the list, then take a photo of each object. Record it in a nature journal, and write down how it looks and feels. For small objects, collect them in small plastic bags to inspect later and create your own nature collection.
- Throwback Fun: Classic games like Simon Says, Telephone, Tag and Name That Tune are fun for all ages. Plus, they don’t require any extra packing.
- Flashlight Foraging:Â Someone hides a small trinket or toy somewhere in the backyard, then, when it starts getting dark, everybody goes on a search to find the item. The hider may need to give people a hint for where to look, but they’ll love scavenging to find the treasure! This four-pack of flashlights will do the trick while hunting.
- Campfire Stories: What’s a campfire without gathering around for some storytelling? Start with spooky stories regaled with an eerie flashlight glow illuminating your face. Or tell a story in-the-round, where each person takes turns to build upon the story as it goes. Get ready for giggles!
- Stargazing: If it’s a clear night, spread out a big blanket, throw down some pillows, and cozy up together to look at the stars. You can bring pictures of constellations to search for, or use your imaginations to dream up your own star shapes.
Make a Rule to Stay Outside
Make sure the event feels like a real campout by prepping ahead so you won’t have to dash back in the house every few minutes. Pack up everything you’ll need to sleep overnight, including a tent, sleeping bags, stuffed animals, pillows, flashlights, games, books, bug spray and a cooler packed with snacks and drinks.
Once you have all your essentials, make a pact that everyone should only go inside for emergencies and bathroom breaks (no sneaking in to check phones!), to make it feel like a real rustic getaway. And, of course, all electronics stay inside (that goes for parents too).
Whether it’s your first time camping as a family, or you just want a mini trip without all the hassle, backyard camping is fun at any age, because adventure can be found right outside your door. Use this camping checklist to plan the perfect trip, even if it’s right outside the back door.
Next Up: Learn how to make the most of your time outdoors with this guide from Family Handyman.
Our Best Camping Recipes
Grilled Corn in HusksIf you're new to grilling corn in the husk, season the ears with butter, Parmesan cheese and parsley. It's especially good! Be sure to give the corn a long soak before putting it on the grill. Hot off the grate, the kernels are moist and tender with a wonderful, sweet flavor. —Nancy Zimmerman, Cape May Court House, New Jersey
Blueberry-Cinnamon Campfire BreadA neighboring camper made a bread so tempting, I had to ask for the details. Here’s my version, best enjoyed with a steaming cup of coffee by the campfire. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
Use your trusty pot in these other Dutch oven camping recipes.
Camper’s Breakfast HashWhen we go camping with family and friends, I'm always asked to make this hearty breakfast. This camping breakfast is a favorite at home, too. —Linda Krivanek, Oak Creek, Wisconsin
Skillet Herb BreadMy mom created this recipe more than 40 years ago. Thanks to the trusty cast-iron skillet, you can make it at home or over a campfire. —Shirley Smith, Yorba Linda, California
Cheesy Ham & Potato PacketI found the technique for grilling ham, potatoes and cheese in foil and changed the recipe for our tastes. —Molly Bishop, McClure, Pennsylvania
Really Good Snack MixI grew tired of my family picking through a snack mix for their favorite ingredients and leaving the rest. So I experimented using only their most-loved mix-ins and came up with this recipe. Now there's never any left! —Lori Genske, Waldo, Wisconsin
Stay cool with these no-cook camping food ideas.
Dutch Oven Cheesy Bacon & EggsFor campouts, my sister and I escape on horseback into the woods. We make this Dutch oven breakfast casserole the first morning, then love the leftovers for the rest of the trip. —Mary Burris, Okeechobee, Florida
Campers Favorite DipOur family craves this cheesy chili dip so much we make two batches, especially for the guys. If you’re not grilling out, bake it in the oven. —Valorie Ebie, Bel Aire, Kansas
Campfire Pancakes with Peanut Maple SyrupMy family loves eating s'mores around the campfire when we vacation at the lake. Campfire pancakes are my tribute to those happy times. —Cheryl Snavely, Hagerstown, Maryland
Campfire Peach CobblerThis dutch oven peach cobbler recipe has been a family classic for 60 years. We prefer peaches, but fresh cherries and berries are fun, too. Almost any fruit would work. Mix and match! —Jackie Wilson, Wellsville, Utah
Sweet Horseradish Glazed RibsIf you like to prep ahead of camping, roast these ribs, wrap them and finish with a sweet, savory sauce at your campfire or grill. —Ralph Jones, San Diego, California
Campfire Cheese Hash Brown PacketsDining by the campfire? This easy packet of potatoes, bacon and cheese makes a terrific hash. We like to serve it with eggs and fresh pico de gallo. —Gina Nistico, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Grilled Sausages with Summer VegetablesAfter 30 years of camping, we've come up with an arsenal of surefire recipes. Our grilled sausage with veggies would be a superstar at a potluck. —Nancy Daugherty, Cortland, Ohio
Campfire HashIn our area we are able to camp almost all year-round. My family invented this easy camping meal. It tastes so good after a full day of family camping activities. —Janet Danilow, Winkleman, Arizona
Jalapeno Bean DipThis is the snack my family usually requests. We especially like to make this zippy dip on camping trips because it travels so well. —Lorene Goodwin, Belle Fourche, South Dakota
Fluffy Scrambled EggsWhen our son, Chris, wants something other than cold cereal in the morning, he whips up these eggs. Cheese and evaporated milk make them especially good. They're easy to make when you're camping, too. —Chris Pfleghaar, Elk River, Minnesota
Campfire BundlesI created this recipe on a family camping trip. I'd brought along a hodgepodge of ingredients, so I just threw them all together in a foil packet. Everyone said that the bundles were delicious. Ever since, I've grilled them at home with equally good results. —Lauri Krause, Jackson, Nebraska
Sheepherder's BreakfastMy sister-in-law always made this delicious breakfast dish when we were camping and had to come up with good, easy breakfast ideas. Served with toast, juice and milk or coffee, it's a sure hit with the breakfast crowd! One-dish casseroles like this were a big help while I was raising my nine children. Now I've passed this recipe on to them. —Pauletta Bushnell, Albany, Oregon
Grilled Campfire Trout DinnerYour fresh catch will taste even better with this simple treatment that keeps the fish moist. Carrots are an excellent accompaniment; cook up in a separate foil packet. —Wendy McGowan, Fontana, California
Originally Published: June 28, 2019
