Glamping is more than just a trend—it’s the perfect way to introduce kids and adults to camping and the great outdoors. The key is making it as comfortable as possible without sacrificing any comforts from home.
Can you sleep in a tent when it's raining?
Enjoy a relaxing pajama party, kids slumber party or a romantic date night at your backyard glampsite. Essential oils help with relaxation while citronella candles keep bugs away.
Tent
Backyard glamping is a fun activity for kids and adults that lets them enjoy the benefits of outdoor camping without the hassles of packing, planning and navigating. It’s also much easier to revert to the comfort of indoors when things start to get uncomfortable or weather turns bad.
The tent you choose for backyard glamping depends on the type of experience you’re seeking. While canvas bell tents are the classic choice, you can achieve similar ambiance with a wall tent or cabin tent.
A tarp placed under the tent helps protect the ground and make for a more comfortable sleeping surface. If you don’t want to sleep directly on the floor, outfit your tent with a mattress pad or air mattress and add plush pillows and blankets for a cozy feel. Ambiance lighting, like string lights or candles, adds to the ambiance. An essential oil diffuser helps boost mood and can repel mosquitoes, too.
Sleeping Surface
To turn your backyard tent into a campout, you'll need some sort of sleeping surface. Younger kids might do well with sleeping bags, while older kids or adults may appreciate a cushy mattress or air mattress. If you don't have a spare mattress lying around, a closed-cell foam mat like the Therm-a-Rest Z-lite Sol Sleeping Pad or the NEMO Switchback Sleeping Pad can be an affordable and comfortable alternative.
You'll also want a place to build a cozy campfire. Glamping in your own backyard can also make for some amazing stargazing. If you have kids, a treasure hunt before bed will keep them entertained and satisfied. It can also be a great opportunity to teach children about the night sky and the constellations that they can see.
Comfortable Seating
Glamping offers the outdoors experience with a few added luxuries that make it more appealing to those who prefer a little bit of comfort. While glamping isn’t for everyone, it can be an enjoyable activity that can be enjoyed by the whole family. Plus, glamping in your backyard is far more convenient than the hassle of packing up a car and driving to a remote campsite.
To enhance your backyard glamping, add comfy seating options. Try the NEMO Stargaze Chair, which offers lumbar support and a slightly reclined position for maximum relaxation. Or, opt for the Kelty Low Loveseat that can fit two people comfortably with its oversized seat and quilted padding.
For entertainment, bring along a few fun yard games, such as cornhole or spikeball. You could also plan a tasting night with a new food, dessert or drink. For a quick refreshment, a small blender is an ideal addition to your camping gear.
Ambiance Lighting
Lighting is a crucial part of creating the ambiance and atmosphere for glamping. Lighting should provide functional light for activities, such as cooking and reading, but also contribute to a cozy, welcoming atmosphere.
Choose a style that complements the aesthetic of your tent. Rope lights can be hung around the perimeter of the tent or wrapped around the tent poles to create a cozy, rustic feel. String lights with warm or cool color temperatures can add a variety of colors and styles to the glamping site. Propane lanterns can provide bright, focused light for activities and also add a decorative touch to the area. Tin can lanterns are a fun, DIY project that can add a personal touch to the glamping site and repurpose old items.
Energy-efficient lighting can help glamping sites save on energy costs and maintenance expenses, while still providing guests with a comfortable, aesthetically pleasing experience. Using smart lighting solutions, such as timers, can glamping ideas further minimize energy consumption and prevent waste.
