5 Things for a Fun Backyard Basecamp This Summer!

Have you ever had your kids ask to camp in the backyard? There’s likely never been a better time than right now to indulge in such a micro-adventure. You get the advantage of staying in the safety of your home, in these uncertain times of social distancing. But you can still enjoy the outdoors and make some fun family memories, with your very own backyard basecamp.

I teamed up with Ace Hardware this summer to try out some outdoor products from Yeti. I was surprised at the selection Ace offers of Yeti, and other outdoor gear!  You can even shop online, and do a curbside pickup at your local Ace store.

Here are my top 5 recommendations of things to setup your very own backyard basecamp.

#1 Tent

As much as I enjoy our family camper, there’s just something special about sleeping in a tent. And though it’s a more rugged camping experience, I lament that my spoiled children didn’t even “work up to” camper camping. Perhaps they should have first payed their dues sleeping through a rainstorm in a bear infested forest in a 3-man dome tent? We’ll never know.

I still own and love my original tent from Coleman that I got at age 19. It works likka champ! If you don’t have a tent, these smallish dome designs are awesome, in my opinion. Easy to put up, and they are stable and stay put even in wind and weather.

My son and I have a lot of fun sleeping outside in our tent… in our own backyard.  ????

#2 Quality Lawn Chairs

If you’re like us, you have a mismatched combination of ratty lawn chairs you’ve owned for years. Maybe that’s why we were so impressed by these new Yeti TrailHead Camp Chairs. Besides being super sturdy and incredibly comfortable, my favorite feature is the quality backpack style carrying bag each comes in.

We’ve used these all summer at the lake. My dad even tried to steal one from me, after trying it out one afternoon. They are noticeably terrific once you experience sitting in one! We have even set them up in our house on occasion, because they are just that comfortable. Excellent addition to a backyard basecamp, and some evening star gazing sessions.

#3 Fit Pit

For years I debated whether we’d really use a fit pit in our backyard? The answer I’ve discovered since getting one last summer is “yes”. Nothing better than s’mores whenever you get the craving!  You don’t even have to head to the mountains for a camping trip… you can have a campfire in your own backyard basecamp.

This is another cool outdoor gear item you can pickup from Ace Hardware. I like this one they currently have in stock, the Living Accents Steel Wood Fire Pit.

Our firepit has also helped us enjoy some family COVID-cautious picnics in our backyard this season. Having a campfire to sit around made the evening that much more festive and enjoyable.

#4 Outdoor Blanket

More and more outdoor brands are offering an “outdoor adventure blanket”, but Yeti’s is the most utilitarian and unique one I’ve seen thusfar. The Yeti Lowlands Blanket is a truly rugged blanket you could use outside in the dirt and muck, with one side made of tough waterproof material, and the other a nice soft quilted fabric. It’s a great combination, and another asset for your backyard basecamp setup.

This awesome blanket also comes with an impressive, high quality carrying and storage bag. It’s a backyard basecamp throw that will be enjoyed by both spoiled puppies, or spoiled people! You can recline on it while relaxing and reading a good book, or watching the evening sky.

#5 Water Bottles

Last but not least, don’t forget to hydrate! I added this since I never go anywhere without some sort of water bottle, and have been impressed with the styles we tried this summer from Yeti. I love the new coral, pacific blue, and chartreuse colors they’ve offered this summer.

The wide mouth and sturdy design of the kids Yeti Ramble Jr. water bottle has been great for my son this summer, and we use it all the time. And the Yeti Rambler 30 oz. tumbler is my new favorite ice water container that I use daily. As is true of Yeti gear, these are top notch insulated stainless steel that preserver ice very well.

Have fun camping in your very own backyard basecamp this summer!

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This post was part of a sponsored partnership with Ace Hardware. All opinions are my own.