Gardens aren't only made for cultivating greens but also for outdoor entertainment. Garden room ideas, for one, are a great way to extend your living and recreational space.
Alternatively, you can take the easier approach and try some garden camping. A yard turned into a campsite is a fun way to experience the great outdoors without packing the car and the bags.
Here, we've put together a list of garden camping ideas for you to recreate in your own backyard!
1. First things first, pitch the tent
The highlight of this outdoor activity is the tent, so clearly, you should have at least one for your garden camp. Choose a good spot in your backyard, and make sure it's level.
Set it as you would in an actual campground.
2. Or build your own
Get creative by draping some fabric sheets over a tree or fence posts and pin the edges to the grounds with stakes. Or rig up a teepee with broom handles and a sheet. A tarp or thick picnic blanket will give you a dry surface.
3. Light up the fire pit
A garden camping trp isn't complete without an open campfire. To make it kid-friendly, you'll want something with a mesh lid to stop ash from spitting from the fire.
This steel fireplace is an excellent example. It's compact and handy, allowing you to huddle around and bask in the glow of the heat wherever you are.
£97.07
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4. Build a dedicated fort
Give your children some privacy by creating an outdoor fort. It could be made of blankets and sheets or a mini playhouse.
A well-built fort may even become a play attraction once the “camping trip” is over.
5. Turn your yard into a large twister board
This is where outdoor game ideas for kids come in! Take advantage of your green lawn and create a giant twister board. Encourage adults and kids alike to test their balance and twist like pretzels.
6. Set the mood with lighting
Garden lighting can be a game-changer, especially when your yard is used late into the night. Simple string lights can add a magical touch to your garden camping experience. Or try candles for a romantic feel.
£8.26
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£13.99
7. Bake s'mores with a terracotta fire pit
Don't have a fire pit? All you need is a clean terracotta planter. Put on its saucer and fill it with an inch of sand.
Then, line the inside with aluminium foil and add a few charcoal briquettes and light. And voila!
8. Host a scavenger hunt
Another way to keep the kids entertained, while the adults set up the tent, is to create a treasure hunt for them. To make it a bit more interesting, leave them with clues on where to find the missing pieces of the tent.
9. Invest in Adirondack chairs
This is for the parents, but kids can sit on them, too! Take your open campfire to the next level with Adirondack chairs around the pit. They provide a comfy place to relax while toasting marshmallows or simply relaxing.
£32.99
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10. Repel the bugs
Mosquito-proof your garden camping with the right bug zappers or natural repellents. Keep everyone safe and sound with bug spray and other repellents.
11. Set up an outdoor cinema
An old white bed sheet makes an excellent big-screen alternative for an outdoor movie night. Then set up the projector, and you're mostly good to go!
Spread out blankets and throw pillows in front of the tent, and start the show.
(Image Credit: Trusted Reviews)
12. Consider adding an inflatable hot tub
It's always great to have a cool dip outdoors during the summertime. The right inflatable hot tub idea can also help you create a fun experience for bath time for the kids. This is great if you don't own a backyard pool.
13. Backyard ring toss challenge
Although playing lawn twister is fun, have an extra outdoor challenge in mind, such as a ring toss! Use dowels and extra wood for a DIY base if you don't own a set - take a cue from this one!
14. Get out the grill
If you're backyard camping with the family, you might as well fire up your BBQ and cook up the best grilling recipes. This BillyOh Texas Smoker BBQ Charcoal Grill is the best of both worlds.
Get that American-style smoky flavour for fish, veggies and cuts of meat!
Texas Charcoal Smoker BBQ
£149.00
£159.00
More about the Texas Charcoal Smoker BBQ & Grill... The BillyOh Texas Smoker BBQ Charcoal Grill is the best of both worlds. It's a charcoal bbq grill designed for ease of use and classic-style Texas Smoker. Get that American-style smoky… read more
15. Add campfire popcorn to the menu
Goodbye, microwave! Cook your popcorn the old-fashioned way using your open campfire. Makes for a great dessert to add to the menu, along with chocolatey s'mores.
16. Herbal bundles to ward off mosquitoes
There are tons of natural mosquito repellents you can try, but you can never go wrong with herbs. Sage, mint, and lavender can come together for an all-natural, non-toxic repellent.
These bug bombs ensure no one will be itching to leave your garden campsite!
17. Serve a cup of hot cocoa
Hot cocoa is a camp must-have. It's great for those toasted marshmallows and is a classic drink for winter warmth. Keep warm and cosy during winter garden camping by serving each camper a cup.
18. Upgraded s'mores recipe
Take your camping s'mores to a new level with fruits and peanut butter in between the regular recipes. Here, sliced strawberries, chocolate chip cookies, dark chocolate, and peanut butter were added.
19. Sing along around the pit
Make a list of everyone's favourite tunes, grab the guitar or ukulele and sing around the fire. Need a drum for some beat keeping? How about using spoons or pots and pots to keep the beat?
20. DIY campfire starters
Knowing how to make easy DIY fire starters is a cost-effective way to keep everyone toasty. The dryer lint and toilet paper combination is a popular one! Check this post for more ideas.
21. Play camping-themed bingo
This bingo game is a bit different from the usual one we play. Themed for camping, the challengers get to wander around the yard to look for the items on the squares.
Then, they will attach the things they find on the card (with a tape); the one who completes them all first wins.
22. Switch up your burgers
The smells and tastes of food sizzling over a campfire can tantalise hungry campers. And burgers are, without a doubt, at their best when cooked on an open fire. Why not add something new like charred lettuce?
23. Make use of light tent stake markers
Light up your way using tent stakes with lighting and avoid tripping. Buy a set from your local hardware store, use bollard lights, or go for the DIY approach and let this guide help you build a few using beer bottles.
24. Lay a yoga mat under sleeping bags
Because of their cushion, the uses for old yoga mats are nearly infinite. For one, try putting them under your sleeping bag while camping for some extra cushion. Note: Make sure the foam is still in good shape.
25. Tell campfire stories
When it's time to get ready for bed, invite everyone around the fire with some campfire stories. These stories can be scary, funny, or about something interesting, like aliens and unicorns!
Encourage children to make up their own stories to tell.
26. Admire the stars
Enjoy the night sky with a telescope, binoculars, or with your newly accustomed eyes and simply stargaze. Younger kids can have fun counting the stars and drawing the constellations they see.
While older kids and parents can identify those constellations using a star guide.
27. Hike the neighbourhood
Exploring the neighbourhood can be a great outdoor family activity. Put on your backpacks and head out to enjoy nature. Make sure to be back at your campsite, a.k.a. your backyard, before sundown!
(Image Credit: Wilderness Society)
28. Go sleep outdoors
Challenge the kids to tough out the night in the tent instead of sleeping in their own beds. If the sleeping bags are uncomfortable, put a mattress down. Know what's best for your child's well-being.
29. Prepare a hearty breakfast
As part of a parent's duty, the first agenda in the morning is to prepare a yummy breakfast for little campers. Fire up the camp stove for eggs, pancakes, or oatmeal.
Or grab cereal, milk and slices of fruit from the kitchen.
30. Camp indoors
If you don't have a big enough yard or don't like the idea of sleeping outdoors, pitch a small tent in the living room. No tent? Build a blanket fort with blankets, sheets and lots of pillows.
Garden Camping Ideas: Round-up
Try garden camping - travel no further than your backyard, simply pitch a tent and start building campfires! Create long-lasting memories and new family traditions, all while saving time and money.
We hope our garden camping ideas will help you make a memorable staycation with your family.