Backyard Camping Checklist – Free Printable

After what felt like the longest winter ever, we are finally getting some summer temperatures here on the east coast. Every chance we’ve had, we head outside to enjoy it. We’ll play with the kids, swing on the hammock, or just to lay in the grass and relax for a while. After what felt like the longest winter ever, we are finally getting some summer temperatures here on the east coast. Every chance we’ve had, we head outside to enjoy it. We’ll play with the kids, swing on the hammock, or just to lay in the grass and relax for a while.

My son watched a movie a few months ago where the kids camped out in their own back yard. He begged and begged to do the same, but the weather was too cold. Now that the weather is warm enough, we’re all excitedly planning our own ‘Backyard Staycation’ – complete with a backyard campout. 

Since it is the beginning of the season, I wanted to make sure that our lawn was up to the task. It will need to have us all on it for an extended amount of time – including a large tent. Knowing this would be the first of many days and nights spent on our lawn, I wanted to make sure I take the best care to keep our grass lush and green all summer long. 

One of the first tips to keeping a durable lawn all summer long is to mow in the morning or evening. Not only is it best for you – because it isn’t so stinking hot! – but mowing actually stresses out your grass. If you mow during a cooler part of the day, you can help reduce that stress. 

Another tip is that if you are mowing often, you do not need to bag your grass clippings. If you’re not cutting off more than 1/3 of the grass height, the clippings will break down easily. The short clippings actually provide nutrients to the soil and reduce the need for fertilizer.  In fact, if you have a mulching mower, you may also want to mulch your fallen leaves in the fall. That will save the time and effort of raking and add more valuable nutrients to your lawn.

Once I knew the grass was up to the task, it was time to get ready for our ‘Backyard Camping Staycation’. I sat down to make a list of everything I could think of that might be needed. 

Backyard Camping Checklist

• A tent – whether you buy a tent or make a DIY tent with bed sheets, a tent is a must have for a backyard campout.

• Sleeping bags or big comfy blankets.

• Flashlights and fresh batteries

• Fire Pit – a fire pit or small charcoal grill is a necessity for making s’mores and telling stories!  

• Movies – one benefit to camping in your own back yard – the WiFi reaches! Gather up some of your favorite movies to curl up to and enjoy

• Bug Spray – ward off any uninvited guests with plenty of bug spray!

• Glow Sticks & Water Bottles – did you know that you can activate a glow stick and put it down into a filled water bottle to make your very own lantern? 

• Snacks – there is something about getting out in the wild that revvs up the appetite! Have plenty of snacks on hand. 

• Board Games – if you want to use this time to disconnect from electronics, take some board games to the tent for hours of disconnected fun! 

We are excited to spend our night camping in the back yard – it’s all our son has talked about lately! While I’m not 100% confident we will make it all night long out there, I am excited about trying. We’ll have a great time with the kids on the first of many summer evenings enjoying our big back yard. 

You can have your own Backyard Camping Staycation with the help of this free printable checklist! 

Having a gorgeous lawn to enjoy year-round isn’t difficult to have when we follow expert advice. Find more great information about how to get a lawn you’ll love from the Grass Seed USA website and Facebook page!