Baby, it's cold outside = the understatement of the century! Where does that leave you when the kids are begging to play outside when the temperature hits 15 below?
Take the doldrums outta winter and go camping. Although my daughter loved it, I Do Not enjoy sleeping in subzero temps- AT ALL- so, we settled on indoor camping this time.
But wait- There's More! Click 'Read More' to get the play-by-play... ↓↓↓
Take the doldrums outta winter and go camping. Although my daughter loved it, I Do Not enjoy sleeping in subzero temps- AT ALL- so, we settled on indoor camping this time.
But wait- There's More! Click 'Read More' to get the play-by-play... ↓↓↓
There are a ton of ways that you can recreate the idea of camping inside. Simple things go a long way in this activity. If you feel like it, build upon the basic premise and expand- it depends on how ingenuitive you are feeling.
This is great for snow days, frigid winter weekends, or any day that just needs an infusion of fun. A wide range of age groups can participate. Little ones love being in their own special house, or hiding- while older kids will love to "design" then "build" their abode. So- let's get started on creating an indoor camping experience.
This is great for snow days, frigid winter weekends, or any day that just needs an infusion of fun. A wide range of age groups can participate. Little ones love being in their own special house, or hiding- while older kids will love to "design" then "build" their abode. So- let's get started on creating an indoor camping experience.
Ingredients:
A sheet
Furniture: round up a table, or chairs, or a mish-mash of some sturdy pieces
A flashlight [optional, but adds to the "authentic experience"]
Throw a sheet over a table, or use at least two chairs and drape the sheet over the chairs. Make sure the seats are facing inwards- into the tent- or they could topple over and collapse the tent.
The options are endless, and just depend on what is floating around your home & the amount of time & effort you feel like putting in. Each time we do indoor camping- the finished product is different.
A sheet
Furniture: round up a table, or chairs, or a mish-mash of some sturdy pieces
A flashlight [optional, but adds to the "authentic experience"]
Throw a sheet over a table, or use at least two chairs and drape the sheet over the chairs. Make sure the seats are facing inwards- into the tent- or they could topple over and collapse the tent.
The options are endless, and just depend on what is floating around your home & the amount of time & effort you feel like putting in. Each time we do indoor camping- the finished product is different.
Variations
Campout food
Make some traditional campout food. Grill up some hot dogs in the oven and roast some marshmallows on the stovetop or using a candle. This is stuff we have done, but use your discretion depending upon the age of the kids participating.
S'mores. The quintessential campfire food. So- either stoke up the fireplace or- if you don't want to get into all that, check out these s'mores cupcakes that you can bake. These are simple or scour the internet for a different recipe- there are a ton of amazing variations out there!
Campout food
Make some traditional campout food. Grill up some hot dogs in the oven and roast some marshmallows on the stovetop or using a candle. This is stuff we have done, but use your discretion depending upon the age of the kids participating.
S'mores. The quintessential campfire food. So- either stoke up the fireplace or- if you don't want to get into all that, check out these s'mores cupcakes that you can bake. These are simple or scour the internet for a different recipe- there are a ton of amazing variations out there!
A Fishing Pond
Grab a pole and "catch" dinner for the evening. Or take the more realistic route and
make your own pond. I used a blue sheet and pretended it was a lake- then grabbed the sled and voila! A boat. I wiped the fridge clean of its alphabet magnets. Those became the "fish." Then make a pole using a stick of some sort, a string, and a paperclip- or use the magnetic rod [see pic above] found at many stores. [A set of marine life is included with the fishing pole] So children can fish while the food is cooking or while you work on your novel or whatever project you have in the works.
Note: toddlers need supervision when playing with magnets. You can ask older kids to spell words or to solve math problems.
Entertainment | A Movie
We used a vintage projector that the kids could operate themselves. They could project the movies onto the sheet and have their own movie night in the tent. Pop some popcorn to add to the experience.
Grab a pole and "catch" dinner for the evening. Or take the more realistic route and
make your own pond. I used a blue sheet and pretended it was a lake- then grabbed the sled and voila! A boat. I wiped the fridge clean of its alphabet magnets. Those became the "fish." Then make a pole using a stick of some sort, a string, and a paperclip- or use the magnetic rod [see pic above] found at many stores. [A set of marine life is included with the fishing pole] So children can fish while the food is cooking or while you work on your novel or whatever project you have in the works.
Note: toddlers need supervision when playing with magnets. You can ask older kids to spell words or to solve math problems.
Entertainment | A Movie
We used a vintage projector that the kids could operate themselves. They could project the movies onto the sheet and have their own movie night in the tent. Pop some popcorn to add to the experience.
Entertainment II | A Shadow Performance
Kids can create their own shadow puppets. As a prelude to camping, do a project that can be used in conjunction with camping later. Grab some popsicle sticks, attach some cut-outs onto them and now you have the characters for a play. Kids can color on them or leave the silhouette blank- it doesn't matter. Later they can use a flashlight to transform the characters into shadows on the sheet. Let their imaginations get carried away as they develop stories for their characters.
Entertainment III | Telling Stories/Reading Books
Kids love listening to stories or creating their own tall tales. Encourage the use of imagination by crafting your own funny or scary stories in the tent. Everyone can have their own turn being the storyteller. Or choose a stack of favorite titles from the bookshelf and read. Kids who can read can use the flashlight for the novelty and parents can read get involved in reading too. Either way- it's a win-win!
Post your own camping stories or variations for indoor camping in the comments section! I would love to try some new ideas out!
Kids can create their own shadow puppets. As a prelude to camping, do a project that can be used in conjunction with camping later. Grab some popsicle sticks, attach some cut-outs onto them and now you have the characters for a play. Kids can color on them or leave the silhouette blank- it doesn't matter. Later they can use a flashlight to transform the characters into shadows on the sheet. Let their imaginations get carried away as they develop stories for their characters.
Entertainment III | Telling Stories/Reading Books
Kids love listening to stories or creating their own tall tales. Encourage the use of imagination by crafting your own funny or scary stories in the tent. Everyone can have their own turn being the storyteller. Or choose a stack of favorite titles from the bookshelf and read. Kids who can read can use the flashlight for the novelty and parents can read get involved in reading too. Either way- it's a win-win!
Post your own camping stories or variations for indoor camping in the comments section! I would love to try some new ideas out!
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