Kids camping in the backyard

[RF536]

My 2 boys ages 9 and 7 are camping in the backyard tonight with our family dog. We bought them a small tent at Walmart and told them they could sleep in the yard in it this summer. Of course we will leave the backdoor unlocked for them to come in and use the bathroom.

This brings back memories of when I was little camping out in the backyard.

Do your kids every campout without you?

 

[mhsjax]

Well first of all, I live in Florida, too many bugs. Also not too far from a lake, too many snakes. Also no fence in our back yard. I don't think I personally could leave my kids our there without me and I know I wouldn't feel comfortable leaving a door unlocked. To me that is just asking for trouble. But that is me.

And the final fact is, well, none of us like sleeping anywhere but our beds, kind of inside people, really. But I know a lot of other people love it. I would rather have a root canal. lol

I know most boys would love it, so if you feel safe, then go for it.

 

[Toad_Passenger]

I can't wait for my kids to be able to do this.

My friends and I used to do it all the time in the Summer. We even had a little TV that we'd watch on the patio until we could no longer keep our eyes open. Then it was into the tent to tell stories. We would be so punch-drunk from staying up that everything was hilarious.

We're going actual camping this weekend, but I think those nights in the backyard we're more fun than going into the woods!

 

[JerseyJanice]

My son's birthday is in August, and we did this for a birthday party one year. I think he turned 10 that year. We borrowed a large tent from a relative and asked the guests to bring their own sleeping bags. We turned on the grill to roast marshmallows, and everyone had a ball.

 

[FireDancer]

Growing up I had a friend who had a yard that backed up to some woods. We would camp out there in the summers a couple of times and go exploring after dark. They were big campers so they had a lot of camping equipment and our dinner those nights we made over a bonfire in his back yard.

When I have kids I'd allow them the same fun.

 

[minkydog]

We're HUGE campers. My family of origin has been tent camping since before I remember. And we go out in the woods as often as we can (we have a camper now ). My kids started tent camping in the backyard with friends when they were about 9, I think. I always left the back door open for them, so if they needed the bathroom or if they got scared they could come inside. The first few times, I also slept with my window open so the dog and I could hear if anything was amiss. DD is 17 now and has most of her own equipment. Over the years we have taught all her BFFs how to camp. When they hear we're taking the camper out, they clamor to go with us. DD usually takes all her stuff and they stay out there.

I hope the backyard camp ignites a love for camping in your kids. I think it's just the best family activity in the world and you'll make so many memories.

 

[IDoDis]

In the summer our kids like to take their sleeping bags, pillows, flashlights, and snacks in the backyard and sleep on the trampoline. The first time they did this, I found them in the morning asleep on the couch & floor in the living room because they got scared by noises.

I like that they create memories together. Studies show that siblings are closer when they become adults based on how many experiences they shared together as children -- not on how much time they spent together, but how many things they did together. That's what creates lasting memories.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Our 2 younger ds used to camp outside when they were little. I remember one time we heard a huge howl from outside. We later found out middle ds was trying to unzip the tent fast enough to come inside to use the "real" bathroom

 

[LiLIrishChick63]

DH and his brother used to do that all the time, he's told me. i always thought it would be so much fun!!

i WANTED to when i was little, with my friends, and my mother would never allow it. not even when i got older and closer to my teen years. but my mother was a bit....obessive when it came to being protective of me.

 

[lacrosse_lady72]

Oh yeah... we did this all the time. A neighbor and I had adjoining backyards and there was a fire pit in mine and a trailer in hers so my grandpa rigged something up to where our fence opened up and the trailer could face the fire. That was always really fun.

A lot of my friends also lived in a more rural area (which here, a lot of the time means the forest in the backyard) so we REALLY went camping. We'd go out far enough to where we couldn't see the house anymore some of the time.

 

[Nolcrest]

My son always used to sleep out in his tent in the backyard. Sometimes with his neighbor friend and many times with me & the family dog. I was always more willing to tent it than DH was. My son used to have electricity running out to his tent for his dustbuster & his portable tv. LOL! Such fun memories our our little boy.

My son is grown now & stills enjoys the outdoors, camping & hiking.

 

[golfgal]

Our kids did that a lot at that age. They usually had a bunch of the neighbor kids over too. I am sure they stayed in the tent all night too . It is like a rite of passage. We have plenty of bugs but we would bomb the yard and the kids wore bug spray. We don't have snake that bite an kill you though.

 

[Crystal0608]

I bet they had fun last night . My kids like to camp outside at my mom's. My stepdad stays out there with them. They have a big tent, inflatable mattress & blankets, flashlights, and camp chairs. They set up here the fire pit and do dances around it and cook marshmallows. It's set-up over the bridge on the other side of the creek, so in pics it really looks like they are camping in the "wilderness". My dd loves it and when she gets tired she takes a book and flashlight in the tent along with one of my mama's dogs, zips it up, and doesn't come out til breakfast. My ds hasn't ever made it one night, he always ends up back in the house with my mama after he's played until it's dark. I loved camping as a kid.

 

[Art 1]

We grew up camping in the back yard. My children never have.

 

[DeniseinNS]

I would let my kids sleep out without me when they showed interest (they are 5 and 8 now and still want us there) We have a fenced yard that locks from the inside so there would be no worries for me.

 

[mom2d&b]

My kids love camping in the backyard. DD10, DS7 invite friends over and make it a fun adventure. Most weekends there are extra kids here. This morning I have 2 extra kids but all are sleeping inside.
When they camp out sometimes DH will sleep outside with them, other times not. The door is open for htem to come in if they choose, and we have a TV on the patio.
I wouldn't mind taking them someplace to camp but it is a lot less hassle ( no need to pack food, clothes, utensils, lights, etc) camping in the back yard.

 

[monkeybug]

My kids aren't old enough yet, but I will let them camp in the backyard when they are ready! In my family, sleeping out under the stars for the first time (with out your parents) is a right of passage!
I have great memories of flash light tag, sleeping bags under bright stars, and trying to stay up until the sun rose with my brothers and our neighbor friends!
We take our kids camping all the time, but there is something special about camping out in the backyard that you don't get at a campground!

 

[PatsGirl]

DS and his buddies started sleeping out in each others' backyards around 8 years old I'd say. They spent most summer nights sleeping outside, sometimes in tents, sometimes in lawn chairs DD only camps in tents with adults and she is 13. Funny this came up, DS is home on leave and left to go camping with friends in NH for the weekend. DD and I camped last night in the local state park but came home this am because I have to work

 

[Tuffcookie]

When youngest DS was about 6, I bought him one of those small dome tents for the backyard. One day he asked me if some day we could take a real camping trip!

This led to our first ever camping trip to...Fort Wilderness!

The Camping Board, here on The DIS, really helped me plan that trip! We had a wonderful time walking thru the loops at night looking for armadillos!

We went one other time after that. (I'm older now and I like sleeping in a bed!)

TC

 

[crewmatt]

I love camping, one of my friends when I was younger had like 80 acres of wooded land. It was awesome. Obviously start small. Hope they enjoy it