Backyard camping is a great activity to spend time with your loved ones and relieve stress. Plus, it can help you create bonds with family and friends. But before you conduct such an activity, what are the things that you need to consider?
If you are planning to camp in your backyard, you should first ensure the safety and security of the place. Also, check the weather and climate to prevent exposure to rain and accidents while camping. Prepare some games, drinks, and food, and cushion your tent to have a relaxing sleep at night.
In this article, we will discuss the factors to consider to make camping in your backyard safe. We will also tackle how to make your tent cozy and the possible risks and precautions to take while camping. In the last part, we will also share 10 backyard camping ideas.
Factors to Consider to Determine If Backyard Camping Is Safe
Before you set up your tent for backyard camping, you should consider several things. First, check the safety of your place, climate, and weather. Inspect the yard for accident-inducing objects and be watchful with your kids if you have a campfire.
Is your place safe?
The first factor you should look into when planning to camp in your backyard is the safety of your place. This applies to the people around you, and especially your neighbors. Some places have high records of crimes that may affect your security if you are camping in your backyard.
To start, you should check the crime rates in your area. In this way, you’ll know what are the surging crimes occurring. If you know that criminals tend to enter your backyard when you are sleeping inside your tent, you should build countermeasures or cancel your camping plans for now.
The best deterrents you can set up in your backyard are motion-detecting devices to alarm you if there is an unwanted movement in your vicinity. Fences are another great option to increase your protection as people outside won’t be able to access your place easily.
Check the local climate
Climate plays a huge role in your backyard camping. Whether it’s cold or hot at your place, you should be vigilant as it can affect your health while camping in your backyard. Some people experience colds and even heatstroke due to too much heat and freezing temperatures.
Before you start camping in your backyard, don’t forget to check the climate. This will give you an idea on what are the things you need to consider if you are exposed to a certain temperature. For instance, if it’s hot, you should prepare enough water to drink.
If you are not feeling well due to the temperatures, you should immediately call a doctor for a check-up.
Check the weather
Temperature is not the only factor that you should observe; you should also pay attention to the weather before you set up your tent in your backyard. You’ll never know if there are incoming storms in your area if you don’t check the weather updates.
Imagine camping in your backyard and not having any idea that a storm will hit your place at around 1 a.m. That would leave you and your companions exposed to the strong rain and wind, which may result in sickness, or worse, accidents.
Thus, check the news early in the morning so you’ll know the most recent weather updates and be sure to enjoy your backyard camping experience.
Inspect the area
Make sure your backyard is salient to ensure safety while you are staying in the vicinity. In some instances, hanging branches might suddenly fall unnoticeably, which can lead to accidents.
To avoid those and any kinds of circumstances in the area, you should conduct an inspection. If you can see any potentially dangerous objects, you should remove them. Making your backyard safe will not only benefit adults, but mostly children. We know for a fact that they are innocent and still ignorant when it comes to foreseeing accidents, so you should take care of those before they happen.
Is it safe to start a campfire in your backyard?
Camping is an even better experience if you do a campfire. With such, you can enjoy bonding with your family and friends while having a fire giving warmth on a cold night. Cooking and making s’mores will make camping enjoyable, especially if you are with kids.
The very first question you need to ask yourself before doing a campfire is whether your backyard is safe for this activity. Children may unknowingly light your plants on fire, which may burn down your place. Thus, it is highly recommended to be observant and supervise kids’ actions if you plan to have a campfire.
Sleeping under the stars is fantastic and can get you a little closer to nature, but how much closer will it get you to jail? Jokes aside, plenty of people wonder about the legality of sleeping in outdoor areas. Although spending the night in public areas is obviously illegal, can you legally sleep in your own backyard? Read our article to find out.
Three Ways to Create a Cozy Backyard Camp
To achieve a cozy backyard camping experience, cushioning the sleeping area inside your tent is the first step. You can also camp without a tent by setting up camping tarps, which offer a cozier atmosphere. Installing lights is another way to make your camping area comfortable.
1. Cushion your tent
Sleeping inside a tent may sound very comfortable and cozy, but it may not be achieved without proper cushioning. Tents require flat grounds and a mattress if you expect to sleep on a soft surface.
Layering mats can help make your sleeping bed cozy. It is the first thing that matters in terms of comfortability when sleeping inside a tent. If you foresee having a good night’s sleep while camping, prioritize the area where you sleep.
2. Without a tent
You might not expect comfy camping in your backyard without a tent. But if so, how to do it? Camping tarps, a bunch of pillows, and blankets can do the trick.
Since you’ll camp without a tent, you need to set up your camping tarps in between trees. Just make sure that the ground is dry and that it won’t rain while you’re sleeping outdoors. An open vicinity with a cool breeze blowing will contribute to the relaxing ambiance of the backyard.
3. Set up some lights
Lights contribute to the coziness of your campsite. Even inside your room, dim lights can give a comfortable feeling. That is why setting up some lights to complete the warm scenery while camping in the dark is a great idea.
Installing lights will also help you see your surroundings when it is dark outside. After all, you can’t ensure safety or spot people intruding in your place when there is no light.
Risks and Safety Precautions for Backyard Camping
Backyard camping should be enjoyable, but you should be careful of the risks and ensure safety precautions while doing the activity. Beware of insects and animals that may attack you. Also, avoid consuming too many intoxicating beverages and don’t allow weapons in your backyard.
Beware of insects
Although insects may be small, some species are very dangerous. One of the best examples of such is mosquitoes. They can transmit viruses and diseases like malaria, the Zika virus, and many others.
To protect yourself and your companions from insect bites, you should use tents equipped with mosquito nets. You can also use insect repellents. These will prevent insects from biting you while you are sleeping.
Avoid intoxication
Intoxicating beverages, like beers and other alcoholic beverages, may put you at risk if you get drunk. Always remember that you are outside and will sleep in an open place in which you are very vulnerable to accidents and crimes. Thus, remain vigilant by avoiding drinking too much while camping in your backyard, as it may result in your unconsciousness.
Beware of animals
Animals are another factor that can put your camping experience at risk. The place where you live can help you identify the animals that may attack you while camping in your backyard. Some of these animals include snakes, dogs, and even squirrels, which may target your food. Beware as you don’t know what these animals could do.
Do not allow weapons
If you plan on welcoming some campers in your yard, implement rules about guns. As the owner of the yard, you should also follow your own regulations. Guns and any kind of weapons can result in several unfortunate circumstances.
Tents are suitable shelters used when sleeping outdoors. They are typically used for camping, but you can also use them if you want to sleep in your yard. If you are planning to live in a tent full-time in your backyard, rethink your plans because it is illegal to live in a tent in your backyard. Read our article for more information about this topic.
10 Backyard Camping Ideas
Implement some interesting activities and bring drinks and food to your backyard camping. Prepare games, s’mores, burgers, and some popcorn. Have a movie night, backyard games, and storytelling activities to make the whole camping experience fun.
1. Set up a tent
No matter what kind of camping activities you want to do, the whole recreation won’t be complete without tents. Have your tent set up in your backyard before you start anything else. Children will surely love engaging in interesting adventures and fun activities so finish the chores first before they get distracted.
2. Plan games
Don’t forget to prepare backyard games to entertain kids. Play some badminton or frisbee to let children have fun. It will also establish a strong bond between you and them, especially if you are usually busy with work. Playing games with them while camping can help in having your time and enjoying yourself.
3. Prepare drinks
As recommended earlier, drink moderately. Having cocktail drinks or a few beers is fine as long as it won’t intoxicate you. Also, prepare juices for kids, so that they will get to enjoy sweet drinks while spending time with you and while eating.
4. Campfire
The campfire has been a very prominent part of your camping activity. Go prepare a campfire that you can use to warm up your night and even cook food while sitting and conversing with your companions. Just be watchful of the fire and children to avoid burning down your place if accidents occur.
Campfires will also contribute to lighting up your surroundings. If you don’t want to put up any lights in your backyard, a campfire can keep you from spending the evening in the dark.
5. Organize a movie night
Another great camping idea you should take note of is to watch movies at night. Aside from creating a great and chilly atmosphere outdoors, watching movies with your family and friends will bring a relaxing feeling to all of you. Go prepare those great movies and prepare them for your movie night.
6. Prepare sandwiches for breakfast
After having a good night’s sleep, it is recommended to prepare sandwiches for breakfast. It’s a smart way to end your activity in the morning. Your family will definitely approve of this idea.
7. Storytelling
Having a campfire and preparing a storytelling activity will make your night even more fun. If you have kids on your camping night, prepare some scary and interesting stories that will catch their attention. It will also be more engaging if you let them tell stories as well.
8. S’mores
Don’t forget to make s’mores as it is one of the main attractions of camping, especially for kids. It will fascinate them if you also let them make their own s’mores. Now, prepare some chocolate, marshmallows, and graham crackers!
9. Popcorns
Popcorns are always a good idea, especially for a movie night. If you plan to watch movies while camping, prepare some for everybody. After all, watching movies is more fun while eating some popcorn.
10. Cook some burgers
If you plan on grilling some meat, you should add some burgers as well. It’s a nice idea to complete your camping food. You can experiment with new recipes that will be loved by your family and friends.
Conclusion
Camping is the best activity to relieve stress and spend time with your family and friends. The great thing about camping is that you can enjoy it in the comfort of your own home. While preparing for this activity, you should first take note of the safety of your companions. Even if you won’t be leaving your property, there are safety precautions that you should implement to make sure that everyone will be safe while having fun.
While being careful, don’t limit yourself from having a plain camping night. Prepare some activities, drinks, and food that will make your camping experience enjoyable. Keep the things you need to consider in mind before planning everything. Your plans won’t be successful if any unexpected circumstances hinder your activity. So, in addition to planning all the fun activities that you want to enjoy with your family and friends, plan for the worst case scenarios as well so that you will be able to easily deal with them if they happen.
