Backyard campout

What it is

A sleepover with a camping twist. Tents go up in the garden, dinner is cooked outdoors, and the evening is spent on a torchlit trail, toasting marshmallows and looking at the stars. Kids can sleep in the tents or retreat to the living room if it gets cold.

Plan ahead

• Two weeks before: confirm numbers and tell parents what to pack: sleeping bag, pillow, warm layers, a torch, wellies.
• One week before: borrow or buy tents. Check the weather forecast and plan an indoor fort as a backup.
• The day before: prepare foil-packet dinners and set out a camp kitchen table.

Set the scene

String festoon lights between trees, put lanterns around the tents and lay rugs and cushions around the fire pit. A homemade “Camp [Name]” wooden sign at the gate finishes it off.

Activities

Foil-packet dinners

Each child fills a sheet of foil with sliced sausage, potato, peppers, sweetcorn and a knob of butter. Fold into a sealed packet and cook on the barbecue for 20-25 minutes. Write names on the foil with a marker.

Torchlit trail

Mark a route around the garden with glow sticks. At each one, leave a question card (“How many legs does a spider have?”) or a small task. Kids go in pairs with a torch.

S’mores

Toast a marshmallow on a long skewer until golden, squash it between two digestive biscuits with a square of chocolate. An adult stays at the fire at all times.

Stargazing

Lie on blankets and use a free star map app to find constellations. Count shooting stars.

Food and drink

• Foil-packet dinners or hot dogs
• S’mores and hot chocolate
• Breakfast: pancakes with berries and maple syrup

Tips

• Fire safety: a bucket of water beside the fire pit and a “one step back” rule.
• Keep the back door unlocked and a light on so kids can find the toilet.
• Agree a lights-out time with the kids beforehand.