These days, families are always looking for more excuses to spend quality time together. Work and school responsibilities keep everyone busy, and technological devices keep everyone distracted. In these challenging circumstances, we’ve seen the emergence of new activities and hobbies, as well as a reemergence of hobbies that have previously waned in popularity.

Among these is backyard camping. But what exactly is backyard camping and why is it spiking in popularity?

What Is Backyard Camping?

Backyard camping is exactly what it sounds like; it’s the practice of camping in the comfort of your own backyard. While there is some significant flexibility in how you plan and execute this type of event, there are some consistent hallmarks that most people include:

  • Outdoor sleeping. The most important piece of the puzzle is sleeping in the backyard. Most people simply choose to use a tent, perhaps with some sleeping bags, but there are other options as well.
  • A fire. With the sheer diversity of fire pit products available, it’s easier and less expensive than ever to build a quality fire. And if you don’t like the idea of trapping or hauling firewood, you can even get a gas or electric fire pit that serves the same function. Whether you want to roast marshmallows or have a good conversation, it’s an excellent addition.
  • Activities. Many families practice backyard camping with additional activities, such as a scavenger hunt or a collection of games. Classic backyard games like cornhole, lawn darts, and croquet are common favorites.
  • No technology. While you can certainly practice backyard camping with a TV and smartphones, most people deliberately pursue this type of activity so they can get away from digital screens. That’s why many families enact a new technology rule when backyard camping.

Reasons for Growing Popularity

Why is this old activity growing in popularity?

  • Accessibility. First, it’s extremely accessible. If you live in a dense urban center or an apartment building, this may not be a convenient option for you. But as long as you have a backyard, a tent, and some simple supplies, you can get started with this hobby. You don’t need any advanced survival skills, nor do you need weeks or months of experience before you feel like you’re capable of doing this competently.
  • Affordability. You can get a nice, simple tent for less than $100. If you splurge on a luxury fire pit, you’ll still end up spending only a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. And most of the other supplies you need are relatively inexpensive. This makes backyard camping extremely affordable and something that almost any family can pursue.
  • Comfortable disconnection. We’ve all felt the pain of being too attached to technology; from the constant distractions to the chronic eye strain, most of us have a lingering desire to disconnect. But at the same time, not all of us want to rough it in the middle of the woods for weeks at a time. Backyard camping combines a level of comfort with technological disconnection, appealing to millions of people.
  • Quality time. Finally, backyard camping is an activity that supports quality time with the family. Free of distractions and other commitments, you can genuinely converse with each other and get to know each other better.

Bonus Tips for Success

If you’re interested in backyard camping, here are some bonus tips for success:

  • Bring on the food and drinks. Excellent food and drinks can instantly make your backyard camping endeavor more memorable and more engaging. This is especially true if you cook your own food, such as hot dogs, marshmallows, and vegetable skewers.
  • Hang lights. Consider hanging twinkle lights around the campsite to make it a more majestic experience. Low levels of background lighting are also ideal for safety, giving everyone in your family more vision to avoid obstacles in the dark.
  • Plan for bugs. No matter where you live, if the weather’s nice, you’ll probably need to have a plan in place to manage bugs. A campfire can help ward them off, but you should also have insect repellent available.
  • Let the kids choose activities. If you want your kids to be more engaged and have more fun with backyard camping, give them some autonomy by allowing them to choose the activities. If your kids are especially young, give them a small selection of activities to choose from to facilitate a better decision.

Backyard camping is likely to retain its advantages indefinitely into the future, so we can expect it to grow even further in popularity from here. Regardless of whether you’re pursuing quality family time or just want an excuse to eat s’mores, it’s a great activity to put into rotation.

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