backyard camping
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Whether you’re a camping newbie or have roughed it tons of times, backyard camping is a blast. You get to immerse yourself in the outdoors, without all the packing, planning and gear-buying associated with traditional camping (plus, having nearby access to a clean bathroom is a pretty big perk). Plan your mini-getaway for an outdoor adventure—complete with plenty of s’mores—with these helpful hints.
If you have a fire pit, it’s easy to roast hot dogs, toast marshmallows, and even cook up meats and veggies in foil packets. Or get inspired for your outdoor cooking adventure with any of these camp-friendly recipes.
Backyard Camping At Home Or Indoors
If you don’t have a fire pit, a small charcoal grill like this one will work. You can even make pudgy pies over the coals whenever tummies start to grumble. This pie iron makes it super simple!
Of course, you don’t need a campfire to eat like a camper. Pack sandwiches, trail mix, juice boxes and desserts in your cooler to grab at the ready. And because s’mores are a necessity even without a fire, try these fun, flame-free mini s’mores that are easy to make in the kitchen and pack up to enjoy outdoors, even where there’s no campfire in sight.
There’s so much adventure to be had outside! From classic backyard games to hikes around the block, here are some fun activities to keep the whole family entertained all day—and into the night.
Editable Camping Birthday Invitation Camp Out Birthday Party
Make sure the event feels like a real campout by prepping ahead so you won’t have to dash back in the house every few minutes. Pack up everything you’ll need to sleep overnight, including a tent, sleeping bags, stuffed animals, pillows, flashlights, games, books, bug spray and a cooler packed with snacks and drinks.
Once you have all your essentials, make a pact that everyone should only go inside for emergencies and bathroom breaks (no sneaking in to check phones!), to make it feel like a real rustic getaway. And, of course, all electronics stay inside (that goes for parents, too!).
Whether it’s your first time camping as a family, or you just want a mini trip without all the hassle, backyard camping is fun at any age, because adventure can be found right outside your door. Use this checklist to plan your family camping trip.
Backyard Camping Ultimate Guide: Printable Backyard Camping Checklist
Mini S’mores Combine marshmallow creme, chocolate, graham crackers and more for a summery delight at any time of year. —Stephanie Tewell, Elizabeth, Illinois Get Recipe Camping with the whole gang? These are our best group meals.
Grilled Corn in HusksIf you're new to grilling corn in the husk, season the ears with butter, Parmesan cheese and parsley. It's especially good! Be sure to give the corn a long soak before putting it on the grill. Hot off the grate, the kernels are moist and tender with a wonderful, sweet flavor. —Nancy Zimmerman, Cape May Court House, New Jersey
Campfire Bean ‘N’ Ham SoupThese are the best beans and ham you'll ever taste—bar none! Friends rave about this hearty soup that I serve hot off the grill. For easy cleanup, consider covering the outside of your Dutch oven with heavy-duty foil first. —Tom Greaves, Carrollton, Illinois
Backyard Camping Ideas
Camper’s Breakfast HashWhen we go camping with family and friends, I'm always asked to make this hearty breakfast. This camping breakfast is a favorite at home, too. —Linda Krivanek, Oak Creek, Wisconsin
Foil-Packet Potatoes and SausageMy family enjoys camping and cooking over a fire. These hearty foil-packet potatoes turn out beautifully over a campfire, on the grill or in the oven at home. —Julie Koets, Elkhart, Indiana
Skillet Herb BreadWe had a lot of family get-togethers while I was growing up. My grandmother, aunts and mom were all good cooks, and each had her own specialty when it came to bread. Mom's was my favorite—she created this recipe more than 40 years ago. The flavors call to mind the taste of cornbread stuffing! —Shirley Smith, Yorba Linda, California
Stress Free Backyard Camping
Pizza Mountain PiesBecause we liked this pudgy pie recipe so much, I started making them for my daughter on our stove at home. —Pam Weik, West Lawn, Pennsylvania
Cheesy Ham & Potato PacketI found the technique for grilling ham, potatoes and cheese in foil and changed the recipe for our tastes. It’s a dandy way to use leftover ham. —Molly Bishop, McClure, Pennsylvania
Get-Up-and-Go GranolaMy family loves to have this soul-warming granola before hiking, biking or even when camping. It smells delicious while baking up and you can easily make in large batches for special occasions or to send in gift packages to family and friends. —Sabrina Olson, Otsego, Minnesota
Craving An Outdoor Adventure, But Not Wanting To Leave Home? Backyard Camping Offers Plenty Of Possibilities
Easy Grilled Corn with Chipotle-Lime ButterGrilling corn in the husks is so easy. There's no need to remove the silk and tie the husk closed before grilling. Just soak, grill and add your favorite flavored butter. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Really Good Snack MixI grew tired of my family picking through a snack mix for their favorite ingredients and leaving the rest. So I experimented using only their most-loved mix-ins and came up with this recipe. Now there's never any left! —Lori Genske, Waldo, Wisconsin
Campfire Dessert ConesKids love to make these! Set out the ingredients so they can mix and match their own creations. —Bonnie Hawkins, Elkhorn, Wisconsin
Backyard Camping Trip For Quarantine During Coronavirus (covid 19)
[rms_recipe id="3610" title="Campfire Hash" cta_text="Go to Recipe" image="https:///wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Campfire-Hash_EXPS_SRBZ16_3610_B09_02_4b.jpg" image_alt_text="Campfire Hash Recipe photo by Taste of Home" link="https:///recipes/campfire-hash/"]In our area we are able to camp almost all year-round. My family invented this recipe using ingredients we all love so we could enjoy them on the campfire. This hearty meal tastes so good after a full day of outdoor activities and games. —Janet Danilow, Winkleman, Arizona
Lemon-Dill Salmon PacketsGrilling in foil is an easy technique I use with foods that cook quickly, like fish, shrimp, bite-sized meats and fresh veggies. The options are endless—and the cleanup is easy. —A.J. Weinhold, McArthur, California
Dutch Oven Cheesy Bacon & EggsFor campouts, my sister and I escape on horseback into the woods. We make this Dutch oven breakfast casserole the first morning, then love the leftovers for the rest of the trip. —Mary Burris, Okeechobee, Florida
Plan A Backyard Campout With This Printable Checklist
Campfire Cheese Hash Brown PacketsDining by the campfire? This easy packet of potatoes, bacon and cheese makes a terrific hash. We like to serve it with eggs and fresh pico de gallo. —Gina Nistico, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Campers Favorite DipOur family craves this cheesy chili dip so much we make two batches, especially for the guys. If you’re not grilling out, bake it in the oven. —Valorie Ebie, Bel Aire, Kansas
Campfire Pancakes with Peanut Maple SyrupMy family loves eating s'mores around the campfire when we vacation at the lake. Campfire pancakes are my tribute to those happy times. —Cheryl Snavely, Hagerstown, Maryland
The Ultimate Guide To Backyard Camping
Campfire Peach CobblerThis dutch oven peach cobbler recipe has been a family classic for 60 years. We prefer peaches, but fresh cherries and berries are fun, too. Almost any fruit would work. Mix and match! —Jackie Wilson, Wellsville, Utah
Sweet Horseradish Glazed RibsIf you like to prep ahead of camping, roast these ribs, wrap them and finish with a sweet, savory sauce at your campfire or grill. —Ralph Jones, San Diego, California
Root Beer Apple Baked BeansAll nine men in our family love roughing it outdoors. My beans with bacon and apples is a "must " to keep their outdoor energy going. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada
Backyard Camping Tips
Eclairs on the GrillMy best camping treat is an easy eclair on a stick. This is the one that makes people watch what you’re doing and beg to be included. —Bonnie Hawkins, Elkhorn, Wisconsin
Egg & Spinach Breakfast BurritosWhen we camp out, we want our meals ready in a hurry. We make these hearty burritos at home, freeze them and reheat them over the campfire. —Kristen Stecklein, Waukesha, Wisconsin
Pot of S'moresMom’s easy Dutch-oven version of the popular campout treat is so good and gooey. The hardest part is waiting for this to cool so you can devour it. Yum! —June Dress, Meridian, Idaho
Backyard Camping Tips & Ideas For Families
Wyoming Cowboy CookiesThese cookies are very popular here in Wyoming. Mix up a batch for your crew and see why! —Patsy Steenbock, Shoshoni, Wyoming
Fruit & Almond BitesWith big handfuls of dried apricots and cherries, almonds and pistachios, we make dozens of no-bake treats you can take anywhere. —Donna Pochoday-Stelmach, Morristown, New Jersey
S'mores Crescent RollsHere’s how to score indoor s’mores: Grab crescent dough and Nutella. Invite the kids to help with this rolled-up version of the campfire classic. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
How To Go Camping In Your Own Backyard
BBQ Hot Dog & Potato PacksFor these nifty foil packs, small hands make quick work of topping potato wedges with a hot dog, onions and cheese. — Kelly Westphal, Wind Lake, Wisconsin
Walking TacosThese Walking Tacos are perfect for an on-the-go dinner, a campfire meal or an easy game-night supper. The ingredients go right into the chip bags! —Beverly Matthews, Richland, Washington
Grilled Sausages with Summer VegetablesAfter 30 years of camping, we've come up with an arsenal of surefire recipes. Our grilled sausage with veggies would be
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