Camping in Your Own Backyard

If you're like many Americans, your first camping trip was taken in your backyard. And there was nothing quite like it. Although just a stone's throw from your back door, it felt like a world away. Not only is backyard camping fun, but it's a great way to get kids accustomed to camping and will make the first real camping trip a bit easier.  Backyard camping is a lot like training wheels, it's a little safety net to reassure the child that it's safe to venture out.

The main fixture of backyard camping is the tent.  Kids like having their own private space and a tent represents just that.   Help your children pitch their own tent, but let them take the lead, giving them a sense of accomplishment when it's done.  Even if it's a little wobbly, a small tent that a child puts up can fill them with pride.  It really does feel like "grown-up" camping. 

Backyard camping doesn't need to be anything elaborate, just a small tent and sleeping bag will do. This is a great time to go over safety rules when there isn't the stress of actually being away from home. 

Nighttime is going to be the most fun and challenging part of backyard camping.  It is a great time to stargaze with your child and teach her some basic constellations and stars.  This is also an excellent time to talk and bond with your kids without the distractions of TV, games, and computers.  You may also want to teach your kids some traditional camping songs or tell amusing camping stories. 

And, of course, there is the campfire. If you have a fire pit in your yard, then you're ahead of the game.  If not, you can certainly build one or buy a fire pit with mesh screen online or from your local Home Depot or Lowes. Do make sure that there are no local ordinances against having an outdoor fire before you begin.  Also, make sure you follow some basic safety rules:

• Don't have an outdoor fire during windy weather
• Place your fire pit away from anything flammable, including the house, fencing, furniture or plants
• Place your fire pit in an area that doesn't get a lot of wind
• Don't use wood that's been treated or painted
• Have a bucket of water or sand nearby in case of emergency

We include the following eBay auctions which feature portable firepits. Some are quite reasonable and should help make that backyard campout a great, fun experience: