If the thought of telling your kids to sleep in the backyard seems absurd, ruminate on the idea for a couple minutes. 

Take a moment to consider the extent of modern parents’ handholding. 

If you are like most parents, aunts and uncles, you are a bit of a helicopter guardian.  We’ve taken the 80s “Stranger Danger” fear to an extreme, sheltering our little ones from the realities of life to a damaging extent.

The solution? 

Backyard camping with the right supplies.  Prepare accordingly with ample camping gear and your kids will be eternally grateful.

A Night in the Backyard

Whether you are a parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle or other guardian, you are doing the little ones in your life a BIG favor by letting them camp in the backyard. 

Though the idea of backyard camping might seem unnecessary and uncomfortable, it is a net positive in the end.  Help your kids set up a tent in the afternoon, then let them spend the evening, night and morning in that space.

Simulating the camping experience is beneficial for a multitude of reasons. 

For one, backyard camping gives kids a taste of what it’s like to be self-reliant in nature.  This invaluable lesson paves a path toward developing ambition as an adult.

Secondly, a backyard camping simulation gets kids away from the screens. 

Make the kids leave their smartphones and handheld gaming systems in the house for the night and they’ll be forced to learn how to camp.

Give Your Kids the Right Camping Supplies

Your little ones will need more than a tent to enjoy a night of backyard camping.  Prepare accordingly with your kids, working together to create a list of camping essentials.

The camping supplies list should include:

• Sleeping bags
• Pillows
• Water
• Snacks
• Walkie-talkies
• Matches
• Smores ingredients

Last but not least, scavenge the yard for broken sticks that have dried for burning in the fire. 

A word to the wise: be present when your kids attempt to start a fire, ensuring it is contained within the fire pit. 

Teach your kids to err on the side of safety.  As an example, a perimeter of bricks will help contain the fire, while providing enough clearance for cooking smores.

Instilling a Prepper Mindset

Tomorrow isn’t guaranteed.

Moreover, a functional supply chain and civility are not guaranteed.

If a natural disaster, loss of law and order or other disruption were to occur, survival skills will make the difference between life and death.

Those who spent time camping in their youth will have the know-how necessary to thrive when disaster eventually strikes. 

As is often said, it’s best to hope for the best and plan for the worst.

From learning how to start a fire to filtering water, finding the North Star and setting up a tent, your kids will learn the basics of survival. 

More importantly, preparing them with the right camping gear for the night will inspire them to become independent and self-reliant adults.