Another day of ice and below freezing wind chill factor have you longing for spring? The kids just stir crazy with being trapped inside and you’re tired of watching them play video games or staring at the TV? Why not get out the tent and go camping? Obviously not real hike into the woods camping, but the stay at home kind. Indoor camping can be a fun way to break up the monotony and have some great family time.

Borrow a tent if you don’t already own one. It needs to be one big enough to move around in because you’ll be spending more time inside the tent to keep the illusion of camping alive.

Then fill it full of sleeping bags and pillows. Grab some camp lanterns and turn off the regular lights. Have a stash of snacks in there and before turning off the phone for the evening place a call for pizza. After that, shut down the computer, turn off the ringers and ignore the outside world just as if you were out in the wilderness somewhere.

If you have a fireplace this is the perfect time to get a fire going and if possible even use it for roasting some marshmallows. Even without that it adds to the feeling of the evening. Maybe use the microwave just really quickly to make some s’mores or something and then head back to the campsite.

Inside the tent you can tell stories, play board games, cards, whatever fits the moment. Then the kids can curl up and sleep and the parents still have a nice roaring fire to cuddle up in front off.

For the couples – you can turn this into a just for couples night just as easily. Light the candles and get the fire going. Have chocolate dipped strawberries as your snack of choice. Fill the tent with tons of soft big pillows and give each other a massage. Or even just relax and enjoy watching the fire from your tent. The important aspect is to shut off the outside world for a bit and just have it be the two of you.

Have you ever tried camping indoors? Any tips or suggestions you’d like to add? Please
Email me!