Looking to spend quality time with family but can't get away? If an outdoor vacation is on your mind, use this together time to embark on a “staycation” that brings outdoor adventures to you. Draw inspiration from the following outdoor activities, experiences and ideas.
Camp at Home in Your Living Room or Backyard
With a little preparation and a sprinkle of imagination, your family can create a camping trip in your own home, no open fire required.
Gather your gear: Challenge yourself — and add excitement — by trying to collect everything you need before you begin your “campout,” so you won’t have to leave your “campsite” for much and your kids won’t be tempted by TV and other technology. Have your children pack their own bags for the adventure.
Consider these items for your at-home camping trip:
- Sleeping bags
- Air mattresses
- Pillows
- Pajamas
- Bug spray
- Sunscreen and hats, if you’re day camping
- Water jugs
- Cups or mugs
- Cooler with ice for drinks and snacks
- Warm layers, if it will get cold
- Flashlight or lantern
- Trash bags
- Wet wipes
- Games (see “Play games and have fun” below)
- Camera for capturing memories
Pitch your tent: Set up in the backyard or wherever you have space, such as your living room. If you don’t have a tent, don’t worry! You can create a shelter using ropes to hang a tarp or blanket over your camp area, or you can spread a sheet on the ground and cozy up without anything over your head. With your tent or shelter established, enjoy looking up at the night sky, the lights you’ve strung up or the stars you’ve made and stuck to the ceiling.
Play games and have fun: Power down your electronic devices and have some quality unplugged family time.
- Bring a deck of cards to enjoy the family’s favorite games or discover new ones.
- Print out activity sheets like Trav-Libs, Vacranium or Travelgories and let your imagination run wild.
- Go on a scavenger hunt: Print out a ready-made sheet online or make your own including objects such as a feather, a butterfly, a flower, a large leaf or a bird.
- Gather leaves and flowers and press them for a memento of your at-home camping adventure.
- Tell stories, sing songs or crack jokes around your “campfire.” Talk about a favorite travel memory or a place you want to visit.