Essentials For A Backyard Camp Out

Summer means one thing in my household….our annual backyard camp out!

Every year we host a big camp out in our yard for about 6 – 8 families.  It has become a tradition that all of the kids {and adults} look forward to.

It’s fun, easy and most importantly close to a clean bathroom and warm house – my kind of camping!

There are a few things you must have in order to make your backyard camp out a success:

Cooking:

• Food & lots of it: We host a pot luck camp out and everyone brings a dish or two along with essentials like cups, napkins, drinks, etc. We make sure the food is flowing all night with lots of goodies for the kids like s’mores!

• Coolers and ice: Always good to have a few coolers and lots of ice on hand.

• Grill or camp fire: To cook the food.

• Grilling utensils: Luckily my hubby has a bunch on hand.

• Paper towels: Heavy duty to wipe up messes.

• Zip lock bags: For storing left over food.

• Aluminum foil or nets: To keep flies away from food.

• Condiments: For all the food.

• Disposable table covers: This makes cleaning up a zinc! 

• Water jugs: Fill with lots of water and ice to keep everyone hydrated.

Sleeping Gear:

• Tents:  Not only is it important to bring a tent {I mean that’s the whole point right} but make sure you have at least a few people that know how to pitch a tent. I would recommend trying to put your tent together before the actual camp out. Eliminate the time you are putting together your tent so you can spend more time having fun.

• Extra tent: It never fails when all the tents are up, the kids want to play in them. It’s completely fine until they start dragging dirt, bugs and rocks in the tent. We have a 10-man tent that we set up just for the kids. They can play inside and tell scary stories at night. It’s there tent to have fun in while leaving the others undisturbed.

• Sleeping Bag and pillow: Or if you have sheets, comforter or blow up mattress. This helps make your night more comfortable.

• Air pump: To blow up your air mattress.

Supplies:

• Flashlights: Bring at least one per family.

• Batteries: Have backup just in case the batteries die.

• Glow in the dark accessories: When it gets dark out, it will be hard to find the kids. Glow in the dark necklaces and bracelets really help spot them in the yard.

• Portable fire pit: Building a fire is essential for any backyard camp out.
  

• Dry wood: You can’t have a fire without dry wood. We always get wood delivered a few days before the camp out to ensure we have enough for the night.

• Matches or lighter: To use for the camp fire.

• Camp chairs: We have lots of chairs at our home but found it easier when everyone brings a chair or two to park near the camp fire.

• Trash Bags: To avoid your backyard looking like a dumping ground.

• Long sticks or skewers: For roasting marshmallows or hot dogs over the camp fire.

• Telescope or Binoculars: For exploring and checking out the stars.

• Camera: To snap photos and capture the memories!
  

Personal:

• Sunscreen: Depending on what time the camp out starts, make sure you lather up your kids.

• Insect repellant and citronella candles: My advice, spray the kids before it’s too late.

• First Aid Kit: It’s always good to have a few first aid kits on hand – you never know if/when you’ll need one.

• Bathing suit/towel: We have a pool so the kids love swimming. If you don’t have a pool, set up a sprinkler for kids or baby pool for them to splash in.

• Plastic bags: To use for wet and dirty clothes.

• Rain gear: Last year we got stuck in a severe thunderstorm and half the tents flooded. Be prepared for anything!

• Whistle: In case you need to get the kids attention.

Camping in the backyard can be a lot of fun. Being prepared especially with little ones will only make the experience more enjoyable.

Let me know if I missed anything – I’ll be happy to add to the list.

Also, read how Jennifer from Savoring The Thyme has fun camping under the stars!

Check back next week for more backyard camping tips!

Meet Life Without Pink

I'm Tina, a wife and mother of two very active little boys. I'm the Co-founder of Girls' Lunch Out {GLO}, a marketing company that hosts networking events for women in social media. I'm also part of the BabyCenter social media team and the Family Expert for P&G's Have You Tried This Yet? Trend Trio.

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Tagged as: backyard camping essentials, backyard camping tips, camping, family camping