What are some good camping games ideas etc. , that would be able to be done in my backyard??

My mother has had a really depressing week, so she decided she would like to go camping to help her feel better, but the person who she usually goes camping with(my aunt) crushed the idea and i know it kinda hurt her feelings. So she decided that she would like to try camping in our backyard, it is a decent size, plenty of room and we have plenty of room for a tent, but when my mom asked her husband my stepdad, he also threw it to the flames… well when my mom asked me i jumped at it, i want nothing more than to try to help my mom have a great time which is why i am looking to see if anyone has any good ideas on fun things we can do… oh and also things that would be appropriate for my 10 yr old brother… thanx

I’m so sorry to hear that! I LOVE camping… in fact, I just went camping last night and had so much fun!

I think it’s a fantastic idea to have a campout in your backyard. There are tons of things you could do! Obviously, any sort of standard lawn games would be great: horseshoes, bocci ball, etc… even if you don’t have horseshoes or bocci ball sets, you could use whatever you have around the house to do basic “toss and try to hit a target” activities. Do you know the game “ultimate Frisbee,” where you throw Frisbees and try to hit different marks in order (like numbered trees, for instance)? You keep tossing from where you leave off until you hit the mark, like golf. Anyway, if you have Frisbees, you could make a mini ultimate Frisbee course in your backyard!

How about a scavenger hunt? Ahead of time, make a list of things that can be found in your backyard, or even hide extra things in the backyard that people will have to find and collect to get a prize.

Once it’s dark, everyone getting together in the tent with flashlights and telling stories is a blast. You know how sometimes people tell scary stories with flashlights under their faces? A fun version of this (that’s actually silly and not really scary) is to have one person (maybe you, as the host of the party!) to hold the flashlight, and then shine it at one person at a time. The first person has to start a story (just one that they make up), and then when you quickly shine the light at a DIFFERENT person, THAT person has to continue the story right where the first person left off. For example, you shine the flashlight at your mom, and so she starts: “Once upon a time, there was a mad scientist who lived in a castle. All day, he stayed in his lab and created gigantic purple–“ You quickly move the light from your mom to your brother, who continues the sentence: “–kittens! So, then one day, a girl scout came to the castle selling cookies…” And so forth! Lots of fun and very goofy!

I really hope that you’re able to make this backyard campout work… have a fun fun fun time!