Backyard Family Campout Supplies
Planning a Backyard Family Campout? Here's Everything You Need For a Fun Night
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Sticking close to home to keep yourself and others safe is still incredibly important, but that doesn't mean you can't give your family a little change of scenery in the form of a fun-filled backyard campout. Just switching things up a bit from the typical day-to-day routine will immediately brighten everyone's mood, and time spent in nature is always time well spent.
You don't need much in the way of supplies, and you may already have most of what you need lying around the house. Just in case you do need to round out your collection of camping gear, we've put together a list of 19 must-have items for your family to play, eat, explore, and sleep under the night sky.
Coleman Cabin Tent
This Coleman Cabin Tent ($147) sleeps up to six people and offers plenty of room for any stuffed friends or toys your kids want to bring along. The poles come preattached for fast, foolproof setup in as little as 60 seconds.
Coleman Youth Sleeping Bag
This Coleman Youth Sleeping Bag ($19 and up) comes in three colours and is made to accommodate kids up to 5' 5" tall. It'll keep them warm and cosy in the backyard and even packs up into an included carry bag so they can bring it to their next sleepover.
Mountain Hardwear Bozeman Sleeping Bag
The Mountain Hardwear Bozeman Sleeping Bag ($70) is perfect for parents who love camping in the backyard with their kids, but also can't wait to get back out in the woods. The included stuff sack doubles as a pillow and it's rated to keep you warm in temperatures as low as 30 degrees Farenheit.
Coleman Airbed Mattress
Since you don't have to carry your camping supplies any further than the backyard, you might as well bring something comfortable to sleep on. The Coleman Airbed Mattress ($15 and up) comes in three sizes, so you can choose the combination that's right for your family.
Decathlon Camping Cabinet
The Decathlon Camping Cabinet ($50, originally $65) holds all of your camping essentials and will help keep your tent neat and tidy (even with kids around). It folds up for convenient storage and comes with an easy-to-carry storage bag, too.
Amazon Basics Camping Chair
Whether you're eating s'mores or telling ghost stories, no backyard campout is complete without portable chairs. This budget-friendly Amazon Basics Camping Chair ($30) comes with a cupholder, storage pocket, and carry bag.
Melissa & Doug Giddy Bug Chair
While any camping chair will do, your little one will get a kick out of this Melissa & Doug Giddy Bug Chair ($18). Designed for kids up to age 5, this chair has one cup holder and is lightweight enough for kids to carry.
Arctic Zone Titan Cooler
True, your kitchen is only a few steps away, but running to the house every time you need a snack or drink sort of takes away from the whole camping experience. The Arctic Zone Titan Cooler ($46) has a divider to keep food and drinks separate and will keep everything cold for up to three days (though you may decide to come back inside long before that).
OFF! Dry Insect Repellent
Insect Repellent is a must if you want to avoid mosquito and tick bites on any camping trip, even a backyard one. Most repellents leave your skin feeling greasy, but OFF! Dry Insect Repellent ($6) doesn't leave behind a bothersome sticky residue.
Mini Explorer Kit for Kids
An evening in the great outdoors is the perfect to explore the sights and sounds of nature you can find right in your own backyard. The Mini Explorer Kit for Kids ($25) comes with binoculars, a magnifying glass, flashlight, and fan, and a multi-tool for investigating birds, bugs, stars, and more.
Wild + Wolf Glow in the Dark Playing Cards
Playing cards in the dark is pretty much impossible, but these Wild + Wolf Glow in the Dark Playing Cards ($12) from REI are easy to see and water-resistant for hours of outdoor fun.
Hershey's S'mores Kit
Whether you have a grill or fire pit for outdoor marshmallow roasting, or you choose to make them in the microwave, s'mores are a backyard campout must-do. This Hershey's S'mores Kit ($26) has everything you need to make perfectly gooey s'mores.
Camelbak Insulated Rocks Tumbler
If you're into backyard cocktails (we'll be making this Mint Julep all summer long), the CamelBak Insulated Rocks Tumbler ($19) is spill-resistant, durable, and will keep your drink chilled all evening. They even make a version for wine-lovers.
Decathlon Rechargeable Camping Lamp
This convenient Decathlon Rechargeable Camping Lamp ($35) is water-resistant, has three brightness settings, and boasts a 7-hour battery life. Use the handy hook to hang it in your tent if your kids are in need of a night light.
Outside Inside Racket Set
Before everyone tucks into their sleeping bags for the night, you're going to need some activities to keep everyone busy. The Outside Inside Racket Set ($30) comes with everything you need to play tennis, skip ball, and badminton.
Cubcoats 2-in-1 Pullover Hoodie
Camping weather can be fickle. Even if it's warm and sunny when the festivities get going, things may cool off as the night wears on. The Cubcoats 2-in-1 Pullover Hoodie ($35) magically transforms from a cuddly stuffed animal to a warm, cosy hoodie just by unzipping and turning it inside out.
JBL Portable Bluetooth Speaker
If you get tired of singing campfire songs, let the JBL Portable Bluetooth Speaker ($50, originally $70) take over. With 10 hours of play time and a carabiner that easily hooks to your tent, you can stream music from your phone into the wee hours of the night.
Campfire Joke Book
This Try Not to Laugh Challenge: Summer Campfire Edition Joke Book ($9) from the Try Not to Laugh Challenge series of books is packed with kid-friendly jokes, riddles, and puns that'll have the whole family laughing in their sleeping bags. If your kids are more into scares than laughs, give this collection of family-friendly campfire stories a try.
Obuby Walkie Talkies
Walkie talkies are great for backyard scavenger hunts or a family game of hide and seek. These Obuby Walkie Talkies ($22) are easy-to-use, have a range of up to three miles, and come in three fun colours.
