21 backyard camping ideas and DIY activities for families

With backyard camping set to be this year's number one outdoor family trend, try these simple, creative and fun family activities on your next night under the stars.

While spending so much time under one roof the past few months, the backyard has never brought so much adventure before. For travellers like us, it is our one sanctuary and the number one source of outdoor fun we have available to us.

While we’re sure that you’ve been busy creating your own fun whilst in isolation, we felt there was no better time than now to share our 21 favourite creative DIY camping ideas and outdoor activities.

Stargazing

If you haven’t sat outside and just looked at the stars lately go out tonight and do it. Just a few minutes under the stars is one of the most relaxing and earth grounding activities you can do when camping at home. Involve the kids, teach them what you know and if you don’t know much about the stars, this list of interactive stargazing apps will have both the kids and yourself mesmerised.

2. Build a Fire

Building a backyard fire pit will vary not only on the space you have available to you but will, of course, be subject to your local fire restrictions. They are quite inexpensive to purchase starting from $89.99, or you can build one yourself. Even your gas camping cooker can substitute for a firepit if you already have one. If you don’t have a backyard you can create a faux firepit in your living room with items you may already have lying around the house.

3. Scavenger Hunt

There’s possibly no better way to explore your backyard than with a good old fashioned at home treasure hunt. Take turns hiding trinkets around the garden and see who can find them all in the least amount of time. For some fresh ideas try these different home scavenger hunt ideas.

4. Animal Watching

You don’t need to be in a national park to see wildlife! Make a list of different types of plants and animals to spot in the backyard. Throughout the campout keep a camera and a notepad handy and make note of the creatures you find.

5. Neighbourhood Hike

Stretch your legs and pack that camera and notepad in your bag to extend that animal watching on to your daily hike through the neighbourhood.

6. Flashlight Foraging

There’s no need to go inside once the street lights come on anymore! Someone hides a small item in the backyard then everybody goes on a hunt to find the item. The hider may need to give people a hint for where to look, but the first one to find it gets a prize.

7. Campfire Stories

You probably already have your favourites memorised, but if not here’s a great source of campfire stories categorised from scary to funny. Just make sure the family member with the greatest voice acting abilities is at the helm.

8. Bushcraft

You may be somewhat limited in imparting all your bushcraft wisdom in the confines of the backyard, but there are still several skills you can pass on such as setting up a tent or fire safety. For more elaborate tips there are an abundance of books and websites at your disposal.

9. Catch the Bunny

Start by passing around a small ball (the bunny). After a few seconds, throw in a larger ball and pass that around as well. The larger ball is known as ‘the farmer’ and it’s his job to try and catch the bunny. If you're holding the bunny when the farmer catches up to it, you're out.

10. Board Games

Board games aren't just for the indoors; a family favourite board game is equally fun outside. Play an old favourite like Monopoly, or teach your kids how to play a game of strategies like checkers or dominoes. Classic card games never miss the mark either.

11. Bucket Brigade

Divide your family into two teams and give each a pitcher of water. At the word "Go," each team races to transfer all the water in their pitcher to a kiddie pool. But you can only use small paper cups to do it. Whether you work willy-nilly or form a bucket brigade, everyone will end up sopping wet—and have a blast.

12. Campfire Damper

One of the easiest and most ingredient available campfire recipes. Traditionally cooked buried under the coals, this twist on that original and tasty treat will suit backyard firepits almost anywhere. Try them with golden syrup, honey or any other of your favourite spreads or toppings.

13. Get Crafty

Whilst trying to keep the kids entertained you’re probably no stranger to some at home arts and crafts sessions. However, for a backyard camping twist, try these simple and unique camping specific arts and crafts activities.

14. Outdoor Cinema

String up a plain white bedsheet, set up the family projector and unfold a few camping chairs for your own ‘moonlight cinema’. If you already have a projector lying around, you’re set, if not, this affordable and portable projector will do the trick.

15. Roast Marshmallows

This one isn't the most unique idea on the list but no camping trip is complete without it. And if you haven’t already, try it next time with proper jumbo campfire marshmallows.

16. Glowing ring toss

For some glow in the dark fun stick one large glow stick in the ground, then using some smaller bracelet-sized sticks makes for a top night time activity. Want to make the game more challenging? Use three large sticks at different distances and heights and assign a range of point values for ringing the sticks.

17. Pass The Parcel

A classic kids party game, there are many different variations of this game you may not have tried before.

For example, ‘descriptive pass the parcel’ where instead of the prizes being wrapped in each layer of the parcel, there is a label. The label should say something along the lines of “For the person…” then a unique description such as “...is wearing red”, “...loves marshmallows” etc. Then whoever unwraps each label reads out the description and the rest of the group has to guess who the prize is for.

Hot Tip: This one makes a great drinking game once the kids have gone to bed.

18. Charades

One of the classic family camping games, charades is probably more suited to the older kids but will always be a simple source of fun. Those who are fuzzy on the rules can find a simple walkthrough here. It’s time for the actors of the family to stand up.

19. Painting

Get everyone together for a bit of outdoor painting, with inspiration drawn from things within the backyard, or even encourage everyone to paint their dream campsite for when we’re all allowed out to play again!

20. Shadow Hand Puppets

Have fun trying to make all sorts of creatures and critters on the side of your tent with just your hands and the light of your torch.

21. Backyard Science

There are countless backyard experiments that you can conduct for a bit of interactive education. For inspiration, the entire series of “Backyard Science” can be found on YouTube here. Or just tell the kids you are an actual wizard and try your hand at some mystical fire in the backyard!

However, if you are wanting something a little extra, Camplify has your next holiday under the stars covered. We are Australia’s largest van sharing community, with over 3,500 Aussies sharing their vans on our platform. It’s just like airbnb for vans!

We are on a mission to make ‘van life’ accessible to all and there is no better way to keep the camping spirit alive during COVID-19 than to camp out in the backyard with your loved ones.

Start planning your next trip by exploring thousands of unique campervans, caravans and motorhomes all available for hire for your next adventure. Search vans here.