What are the Top Tips For Backyard Camping With Children? 

Giving your children a sense of surprise and enthusiasm about camping and the great outdoors when they are young is essential for developing in them a lifetime love of nature. However, getting youngsters out the door for school, let alone into the woods for an extended weekend, can be tough at times.

What is the answer? Camping in your own backyard! It's a fantastic approach to get children enthusiastic about camping without requiring weeks of planning (or extra batteries for the nightlight).

If you don't already have one, you can get a fire ring or a fire bowl for less than $50 at most lawn and garden stores.

Make a "Real Camping Meal" 

If you're a seasoned car or RV camper, you'll probably be able to cook whatever you can in your home kitchen on a camp stove. It's a helpful skill, but it's not the point of this.

In this case, it's all about the hot dogs. Get some roasting sticks and pre-cooked hotdogs (just in case they burn) and let the youngsters enjoy their own BBQ. If you want to have some fun with it, check out the Fire Buggz Roasting Sticks. With a flick of the wrist, you can cook all sides of a hotdog or a marshmallow, and kids love them.

If it isn't an option owing to dietary restrictions or other factors, try something that can be cooked over an open fire, and include the kids as much as possible.

Be Flexible 

Remember that this is for the children. You're attempting to pique their interest in camping and demonstrate how much fun it can be. Carrying every single stuffed animal on a proper camping trip may seem silly, but what's the harm if you're only 15 feet from your back door? You won't be able to leave the yard light on in the woods, but maybe that's what's required for camping to be less awful.

Alternatively, if your children generally go to bed at a reasonable hour, the excitement of camping out may keep them awake for longer than usual. Make it a weekend event so they can stay up late if required. If you generally don't have sweets before night, make an exception so kids can have S'mores.

Finally, there are times when there is nothing that can be done. Your kids can be overstimulated and need a night in their own bed. That's all right; try again later. You want to entertain them and get them excited for the real thing, not impress them with how scary and stiff it is