Backyard camping is a frugal, close to home, and a fun alternative to state park camping. As a child, my favorite part of summer was setting up the tent in the backyard for a few days. It became an automatic playscape that was full of adventures. My imagination was able to run free and many great memories with my friends were made.
The tent we used was old. This worn, musty, durable tent had many adventures tucked away in its seams. Our camping tent was a great tool for childhood recollection.
Opening up a new, safe experience with frugal backyard camping allows for all of the “safe” comforts of home with a touch of outdoors. Camping is possible anywhere with a little imagination and creativity.
Supplies for a Frugal Backyard Camping Experience
Supplies lists for backyard camping are the same as regular camping. Noting the fact that this still needs to be a primitive experience helps to set up the scene.
First, using the instructions that came with the tent set it up. Tents need to air out from the year long storage if needed.
Second, bedding for the overnight experience. Depending on the climate different bedding is necessary. Hot, steamy, stuffy summer nights where we live does not require a heavy sleeping bag. Cots with sheets will suffice. Air mattresses work wonderful with a cool sheet thrown over the top. Pillows should have a light case, cotton is cooler in the summer for us.
Third, a small flashlight or lantern will be needed for late night games in the tent or reading. Flashlights work great for necessary bathroom trips. A couple of card games tucked inside of a basket with a flashlight will set a fun ambiance.
Finally, water and snacks are important. Frugal camping in the backyard can still be hot and sticky. Late night snack trips to the fridge are not fun in the middle of the night.
Food for Camping in the Yard
Camp food is delicious. Anything cooked over an open fire is going to have a good taste. Backyard camping can still have delicious fire cooked meals by parents.
Side note: Never let children cook their own food without supervision.
A late evening meal that is easy to cook will keep bellies full until breakfast. For this we have something simple like walking tacos. Walking Taco’s , or Hobo’s. These recipes are easily made with tinfoil, ingredients and an open fire.
Both recipes are a low cost meal that everyone will eat, and enjoy.
Next, include a fun activity that involves food. S’mores is always the number one camping activity our kids look forward too. In addition to the tasty treats, they will need to be washed down with a cold drink. For this, I keep a cold, cooler close to the camping area. This cooler is filled with ice and helps to eliminate indoor trips.
I do try to eliminate a lot of going in and out due to bugs, mosquitos and dirt. A towel is placed near our back door to help with dirt.
Frugal Backyard Activities
There are many frugal camping ideas that can be rejuvenated in the backyard. Tug of War is a fun game to play when camping, making scrambled eggs on the portable stove is another, and knot tying skills have held the interest of my kids.
Water games are another form of backyard activities that remain very low cost. Water balloons is a favorite for our backyard camping nights, and instead of transporting them to a campsite it is much easier to fill them up with our hose and place in buckets.
Finally, pool noodle fights are fun to play in the backyard camping experience. Pool noodles are inexpensive at the Dollar Tree. I buy two, then cut them in half to make four shorter noodles. My kids have a lot of fun with pool noodle fights and no one gets hurt.
Frugal Camping Gear
Minimal gear is actually necessary for backyard fun. To make our night seem more original we do our best to involve binoculars, magnifying glasses, and bug catchers. Catching lightning bugs to place in a mason jar is high on the list. Poking holes in the top to watch them and observe is a good educational experience. Mason jars are part of our camping gear.
One meal pots for cooking, eating and a bucket to clean them up later is another necessity of camping gear. Finding buckets at Walmart that are inexpensive is easy.
Frugal, inexpensive and efficient families save their gear in storage tubs to get more than one use. Storage tubs that are labeled is part of the frugal camping gear.
Backyard camping is a fun memory maker for families as an alternative to a park. For more posts on easy frugal activities subscribe to my newsletter.
One addition to your campfire meals you may want to consider are aluminum foil meals. My Dad and brothers brought this tradition home from Boy Scout camp outs and it became a family favorite for summer cooking when I was a kid. While we moved to cooking them on a charcoal grill they were originally cooked over a camp fire so you can find recipes for making them that way. The food is delicious and can be individualized to taste.