How to Bring Forest Camp Fun into Your Back Garden 

So, your little adventurer has come back from an epic forest camp, full of stories about campfires and probably way too excited about learning how to tie knots. And now, they want more. They’re itching to relive the bushcraft fun, and guess what? You don’t need a magical woodland to make it happen. Your back garden can become the perfect autumn wonderland for these outdoor activities!

So grab your hot chocolate, dust off your old camping gear, and let’s bring the forest to your doorstep.

Backyard Fire Building: Mini Campfires & Marshmallow Toasting

Remember how they couldn’t stop talking about building campfires? Now’s the perfect time to let them channel their inner wilderness expert right in the garden.

• The setup: Grab a fire pit or build a safe, small fire circle (with your help, of course). If a real fire’s not possible, no worries – you can make a pretend campfire with LED lights or fairy lights tucked under a pile of sticks. They’ll love the “building” part just as much as lighting it!
• The fun: Once you have a fire (real or fake), it’s time for everyone’s favourite activity – marshmallow toasting! Teach them the fine art of perfectly golden, gooey marshmallows – not the burnt-to-a-crisp kind they might have attempted at camp. And don’t forget the ultimate autumn treat: s’mores!

For added fun, have a marshmallow-toasting contest. Who can make the most perfectly toasted one without setting it ablaze? (Hint: probably not you, but that’s the joy of it.)

Leaf Art and Nature Creations

Autumn’s got nature’s finest art supplies falling from the sky – leaves! This is the season of crunching footsteps, swirling colours, and all the crafting potential. Time to let your kids turn the garden into their very own nature-inspired art studio.

• The setup: Get them outside collecting leaves, twigs, acorns, and whatever else they can find. Trust me, the weirder the better – they’ll surprise you with how creatively they use them!
• The fun: Once they’ve got their stash, challenge them to make forest-inspired creatures or sculptures. You could end up with a leaf-covered hedgehog, a stick-person family, or maybe even a whole acorn army. They’ll love the freedom to craft whatever they can dream up, and it’s a brilliant way to keep them busy (while you sip that coffee in peace!).

DIY Shelter Building: The Great Garden Hideout Challenge

One of the coolest things kids learn at forest camps is how to build their own shelters. And now, it’s time to turn your backyard into their personal survival course – minus the whole survival bit.

• The setup: Raid the garden (or local park) for sturdy sticks, large branches, and fallen leaves. You can even throw in some old sheets, blankets, or tarps to give them a little extra “structure.” Don’t forget rope or string – they’ll love putting those knot-tying skills to the test!
• The fun: Let your kids build their very own backyard hideout, fort, or woodland shelter. Offer a small prize for the sturdiest or cosiest (maybe the one you’re invited to sit in gets extra points!). Once they’re done, fill their new hideout with cushions, blankets, and books, and let them spend the afternoon chilling in their cosy creation. You might just have trouble getting them to come back inside!

If you’re feeling adventurous, why not take it up a notch and let them sleep out there one night? Backyard camping is a huge win in autumn – no mosquitos, and the stars are extra bright!

Nature Scavenger Hunt: The Ultimate Autumn Adventure

Bring that forest camp exploration energy back to your garden with a good old-fashioned scavenger hunt. Autumn’s the perfect time to send them off in search of seasonal treasures!

• The setup: Create a list of autumn-specific items for them to find around the garden – think along the lines of:
  • A red leaf
  • Something fuzzy (hello, woolly caterpillars!)
  • A cool-shaped twig
  • A “secret” acorn (bonus points if they think it’s magical)
• For an extra challenge, throw in some quirky nature facts – “Find a plant that a bee might like!” or “Can you spot an insect preparing for winter?” You’ll be amazed at what they discover.
• The fun: Let them run wild (or, you know, within the boundaries of your garden) while hunting for their treasures. Whoever finds everything on the list first gets to choose the next outdoor adventure – or maybe the last toasted marshmallow from the fire pit!

Turn this into a photo scavenger hunt. Give them an old phone or camera and have them snap pics of everything they find. It’s a great way to practice photography and make memories at the same time.

Stargazing Night: Bring the Campfire Vibes Back

One of the best parts of any camp experience is winding down under the stars, listening to the crackle of a campfire, and telling silly stories. And guess what? You don’t need to be deep in the forest to make that happen. The sky’s just as amazing from your own back garden!

• The setup: Spread out a blanket, make a nest of cozy cushions, and grab some hot drinks (marshmallows in your hot chocolate are non-negotiable). If you have a telescope, great! If not, no worries – there are plenty of stargazing apps you can use to identify constellations.
• The fun: As the night falls, encourage your kids to spot their favourite constellations or make up their own. (You might end up hearing about “The Flying Squirrel” or “The Marshmallow Monster” in the night sky.) For extra fun, challenge them to come up with their own silly campfire stories or relive some favourite moments from their camp adventure.

Autumn skies are crisp and clear – it’s the perfect time to bring the magic of stargazing into your backyard.

Let the Backyard Adventures Begin!

So, there you have it! With a little imagination and a touch of autumn magic, you can transform your back garden into the ultimate bushcraft camp experience.

And who knows? You might just find yourself loving these mini-adventures too. After all, nothing says “family bonding” quite like a well-roasted marshmallow and a backyard full of creative chaos.