Okio B Designs

Are your little ones itching for the outdoors? Summer might mean warmer weather and cravings for adventure, but that doesn’t mean you have to leave your home to enjoy the great outdoors. Pitching a tent in the backyard gets you and the family a change of scenery without all the heavy lifting of a traditional camping trip — after all, you’re only lugging supplies out your backdoor.

For inspiration, I checked in with the folks at Zolo and am sharing 4 different camping activities for you to try with your family. These activities are safe and fun for all ages while being a bit educational too!

Host a Nature Hunt

Help your kids see your neighborhood from a whole new light by sending them on a nature scavenger hunt. Rather than collecting the items on the list, take photos of them on a disposable camera or jot them down in a camping journal. This will teach your kids how to discover without disrupting living creatures and things in their natural environment.

Opt for a Coloring Sheet

Backyard camping is the perfect way to introduce quiet meditation and mindfulness into your child’s life. Encourage them to use this coloring sheet to entertain themselves in the stillness of nature. All you need to do is print it and pack some crayons or markers.

Connect-The-Dots At Night

When you’re camping, there’s nature all around you — including up above. While camping, look up at the night sky to spot constellations and planets. This connect-the-dot craft will highlight other visible constellations to be on the lookout for, such as Hercules and Lyra.

Tell Stories Around a Campfire

End the night with everyone’s favorite activity — smores and campfire stories! Use the storyboard printable to turn storytelling into a game. All you’ll need is a die, printed copies of the worksheet, and a crayon or marker.

I hope these activities have inspired you to create your own DIY outdoor adventure. You don’t need to go too far to feel the camping experience, so why not try it in your own backyard! For more inspiration, explore Zolo’s guide to backyard camping.