Camping at Home - 30+ Backyard/ Indoor camping activities, games, recipes (2024)

Camping at Home - 30+ Backyard/ Indoor camping activities, games, recipes (1)

Although most of us are “stuck” at home, let’s make the best of it and GO CAMPING. From living room blanket forts to setting up your family’s outdoor tent inside, camping at home is a great way to spend time as a family. To make it a more authentic camping experience, we’ve asked friends and fellow outdoor enthusiasts to share ideas, activities, and camping inspired recipes you can make at home to help bring the outdoors home.

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Today, March 27th happens to be National Camp at Home Day. Kammok, maker of popular outdoor hammocks, decided to make this a thing and we LOVED the idea. I know I needed a distraction from all the pandemic news, soaring infection rates, and my kids’ cry for something to do. We own several Kammok hammocks, but this isn’t sponsored by them in any way. But we wanted to join in on the fun and share some ideas for bringing our love of camping home in any way we could.

This article contains affiliate links. We earn from qualifying purchases.

Camping at Home - 30+ Backyard/ Indoor camping activities, games, recipes (3)Camping at Home - 30+ Backyard/ Indoor camping activities, games, recipes (4)

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I know these camping at home ideas will inspire you to make today or any day in the future a fun family adventure. I’d love to see how you and your family do camping at home. See tag me on Instagram or Twitter @lilfamadventure or on Facebook /ourlittlefamilyadventure and use the hashtag #nationalcampathomeday. Camping with friends is so much fun, but in this age of social distancing, a virtual community is the next best thing.

If you want more ideas on getting outside with the kids, take a look at our new article featuring outdoor activities for kids. It’s all things pollinators.

Pin This for Later…..

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Food & Fun Inspiration for Camping at Home

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S’Mores Popcorn Snack Mix

Take all the flavors you love about campfire s’mores, add popcorn and you get a delicious treat you can enjoy at home. This is really easy to create too!

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Tell Ghost Stories

Sit around the campfire or a flashlight and let everyone take turns telling ghost stories.

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15 Camping Food On A Stick Recipes

Perfect for backyard fire pits, barbecues, or even the oven. Create skewers and fire-roasted meals for your next backyard or at home campout.

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Fun Camping Charades and Pictionary Ideas and Printables

Get ready for side-splitting laughter and fun with this camp-themed charades game and Pictionary. There are over 90 word prompts on these printables to get you started.

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Photo Credit: exploringdomesticity.com

Campfire Slinky Dogs

In honor of the last Toy Story movie, this Toy Story Lunch is perfect for over a campfire or in the oven. Kids will love Campfire Slinky Dogs!

Even if you can't be inside a national park, you can take a virtual tour and bring the park to you. Many of your favorite parks including Yosemite, Hawaii Volcanoes. and Carlsbad Caverns have virtual tours.

Here's a collection of simple and fun ways to enjoy some indoor camping fun like setting up a camp out in the living room, going on a virtual hiking trip, or watching a great family camping movie together.

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Photo Credit: littlebinsforlittlehands.com

Constellation Activities: Free Printable!

Learn about favorite constellations indoors with this easy to set up an activity to bring the outside inside!

Here are some more fun indoor campout ideas so that you can still enjoy all of the great things about camping right from the comfort of your own home.

You can't possibly go camping without seeing some birds... and what a fun way to celebrate camping at home by taking some time to go bird watching... get tips on setting up an indoor bird watching spot to encourage some nature watching and learning.

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Photo Credit: littlebinsforlittlehands.com

Edible Chocolate Slime Recipe – No Nutella!

No campfire, no problem with our edible smore's slime recipe! Easy kitchen ingredients make this a slime lover's dream activity with a fun indoor campout theme.

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BEST (no-sew) Camping Indoor Playhouse for Kids

Create a camping themed playhouse for the kids using a tablecloth of sheet. Using a hot glue gun, you can have this up in no time.

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Photo Credit: recipesfromapantry.com

Campfire Apple Crisp Foil Packets {Vegan, Gluten Free}

Easy campfire foil packets dessert recipe lovers, this one is for you. We have Campfire Apple Crisp Foil Packs full of sweet juicy apples, cinnamon and granola. These grilled apple foil packets can be made on the campfire, grill or simply baked in the oven. Bonus is that they require minimal prep and no cleanup.

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15+ Camping Foil Packet Meals

Find 15+ more foil pockets meals here. These are all easy meal ideas/recipes that you can get the kids involved in with. Let them have a hand in creating their own pockets. These can be made over the fire or at home in the oven.

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Photo Credit: www.takethemoutside.com

Kids Camping Books

Enjoy some cuddles and stories by reading camping, hiking, and adventure themed children's books. You can start with these kids camping books

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Photo Credit: sustainmycrafthabit.com

Easy to Sew Kids' Reading Tent!

Create a cozy kid’s indoor tent that they’ll be sure to love with this simple sewing tutorial.

Photo Credit: dianarambles.com

Camping Party Movie Night with Printables

Throw at camping themed party at home with these free camping party printables and food ideas. There is also a tutorial for a tabletop campfire.

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Photo Credit: www.momsandmunchkins.ca

Camping Scavenger Hunt (Free Printable)

Hunting when you go camping isn’t with just guns. Go on a family camping scavenger hunt with this free printable!

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Photo Credit: www.momjunky.com

How to Make a Bug Barn for Earth Day

Create this bug barn/hotel to catch bugs! Kids who love insects and creepy crawlies will get excited to see what they catch.

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Photo Credit: natashalh.com

Free Printable Camping Bingo

This free printable camping bingo is fun for the whole family! Even young children can enjoy this picture bingo game because it doesn’t require reading or number knowledge.

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Photo Credit: www.instructables.com

Cardboard Play Dome

Which would you rather - sleep in a blanket fort or this cardboard geo-dome?

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Photo Credit: besttoys4toddlers.com

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Art Project for Toddlers

Create a night sky art project with potato stamps.

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Stargazing - 11 Ways to Enjoy the Night Sky

Inspiration, activities, and ideas for stargazing where ever you may be.

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Photo Credit: pinkfortitude.com

S’Mores Muddy Buddies – Gluten Free, Vegan

Love S’mores? But ingredients like milk, gluten, and sugar aren’t in your nutrition protocol? These S’mores Muddy Buddies (or Puppy Chow) are gluten free, peanut free, low in sugar, and vegan-ish (depending on what kind of grahams you buy – with or without honey).

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Photo Credit: www.fabfood4all.co.uk

Banana S'mores

A hot banana cooked in it's skin to which chocolate and mini marshmallows are added to form a molten gooey and very tasty treat! Perfect outdoor cooking food.

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Photo Credit: recipesfromapantry.com

Air Fryer Nutella S'mores

These utterly delicious Nutella S'mores are a tasty twist on the classic campfire treat. This is an easy dessert you can make over the campfire or at home in your air fryer. Post includes Weight Watchers Points.

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Photo Credit: talesofamountainmama.com

100+ Ideas for Outdoor Family Fun

Need some more ideas of how to spend some time outside as a family while close to home? Check out our list of 100+ and download the free Sanity-Saving bucket list!

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Photo Credit: www.abakershouse.com

S'mores Bites

Bring this classic camping treat safely indoors with adorable and easy S’mores Bites. The only thing you'll miss is the campfire!

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Photo Credit: www.wikihow.com

How to Make a Fake Fire

Using toilet paper or paper towel rolls and tissue paper, you can create a pretend campfire indoors.

Photo Credit: letscampsmore.com

Grilled S'mores Nachos

Enjoy the great taste of S'mores on the grill or out of the oven with this tasty S'mores Nachos recipe. You'll have to double the batch as they will disappear quickly!

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Photo Credit: breagettingfit.com

BBQ Grilled Homemade Trail Mix

This homemade trail mix will turn your home camping trip into something memorable. Crunchy and savory, you and your kids will be enjoying these by the handful!

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Photo Credit: www.borntobeadventurous.com

Indoor/Outdoor Scavenger Hunts

One of our favorite activities when camping is doing scavenger hunts while hiking. Now you can bring the outdoors in with these printables.

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Photo Credit: www.artsyfartsymama.com

DIY Mini Fire Pit for S'mores

If you can’t start a fire to roast s’mores, this is the next best thing. Perfect for patios and balconies.

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Photo Credit: californiacamplife.com

Printable Camping Party Kit

Basically has everything you need to make camping at home fun including photo booth props. https://californiacamplife.com/camping-party-kit

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About Nicky Omohundro

Nicky Omohundro is a travel and active family lifestyle blogger and social media influencer based out of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She shares stories, destinations, and ideas on food, family, health, and outdoor recreation to help families find their own adventures. Her spirit animal is a caffeinated squirrel fueled by coffee, real food, and the desire to seek new adventures.

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Comments

  1. Camping at Home - 30+ Backyard/ Indoor camping activities, games, recipes (40)Letty

    This is like a encyclopedia of activities for having fun at home. I love it and almost wish I had children at home with me.

    Reply

  2. Camping at Home - 30+ Backyard/ Indoor camping activities, games, recipes (41)Elisabeth

    I love games. If earlier we used the game Scrabble for home, now we use Scrabble go online on the road, it is improved, and it is convenient to play it on the road. It relaxes me, and now there is a scrabble go help that helps you decipher words if there are difficulties. You don’t linger long on a single word and don’t quit the game because of it!

    Reply

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Camping at Home - 30+ Backyard/ Indoor camping activities, games, recipes (2024)

FAQs

How do I make camping less boring? ›

From playing sport, splashing around the water, playing various board games and card games, or simply enjoying nature in all its glory, you'll find something to enjoy and never have to experience a dull moment while camping ever again, even when it's raining!

How can I enjoy camping without a campfire? ›

Camp stove options range from mini canister stoves like Pocket Rockets to three-burner setups that are powerful but still portable. Either way, pack a good amount of campfire snacks like grapes, trail mix, and crackers to enjoy sans campfire—we promise they still taste just as good.

What is the rule #1 of camping? ›

One of the most important guidelines for anyone keen to enjoy the great outdoors is this… Respect the natural landscape!

How can I camp indoors without a tent? ›

Move the sofa and coffee table to clear a space, then set up like you would as if you were outside. Don't have a tent? This DIY indoor kid fort can easily double as a camping tent, at least while indoors. Or go really old school and gather up sheets, blankets and pillows to build a cozy blanket fort.

How do you make a camp blanket? ›

A camp blanket is usually made by taking a standard blanket and cutting a hole in the middle so that it can be worn like a poncho. The “hole” needs to be reinforced by blanket stitch or by sewing on some binding tape.

How do you make the best camp? ›

Shelter comes first. Prioritize setting up your tent first, and in an area that is flat, vegetation-free, shaded and wind-buffered, with good drainage. Make sure there's a good spot to keep food in an airtight container away from your sleeping area and safe from wildlife. Keep essentials handy.

How can I look cute while camping? ›

Wear loose, layered clothing

You'll be outside and possibly hiking and doing other activities, so choose clothes that aren't too tight and that will keep you cool. Roll up your pants if they're long, and layer a tank top under a shirt or flannel to dress them down without looking too formal.

How do you make a cozy tent at home? ›

Temporary Tents

Drag pieces of furniture together. Throw fabric over the top, such as a large sheet, and weigh down the sheet on the outside with pillows. If you place chairs facing outward, throw the sheet over the tops, and let it hang down to the seats on the outside.

How do you make a romantic camping tent? ›

Ditch the foam sleeping pads and bring an air mattress or something comparable. Bring your sleeping bags to maintain authenticity, but bring a couple of nice blankets, throws, and pillows to make the tent feel cozy and warm. You could also invest in a double sleeping bag to get even closer to your sweetheart.

How do you enjoy camping in a tent? ›

Some ways you can make tent camping more comfortable include purchasing comfortable sleeping accessories, creating a bedtime routine, finding a level campsite, keeping food outside of your tent and making sure you have a light nearby.

How can I be happy camping? ›

7 Secret Tips for Happy Camping: Making camping life more easy
  1. Take an OS map of the local area. ...
  2. Pack a hot water bottle. ...
  3. Make a fridge. ...
  4. Take a dry bag or backpack. ...
  5. Go to a fire-friendly campsite. ...
  6. Fairy lights aren't just for show. ...
  7. Wellies.
Mar 23, 2021

How can I be cute while camping? ›

Wear loose, layered clothing

You'll be outside and possibly hiking and doing other activities, so choose clothes that aren't too tight and that will keep you cool. Roll up your pants if they're long, and layer a tank top under a shirt or flannel to dress them down without looking too formal.

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