You don’t need to leave home to enjoy the magic of camping—your backyard holds all the potential for a night full of fun, imagination, and learning. Whether you’re setting up for the first time or looking for new ideas, backyard camping is a perfect way to engage young explorers. Many families enrolled in preschool Silver Spring programs enjoy this style of play-based, safe adventure right at home.
Create a camping vibe by transforming your backyard into a cozy and fun space.
Pitch a tent or make a DIY fort with blankets and chairs. Lay down sleeping bags or mats and add pillows for comfort. String up fairy lights or use battery-powered lanterns for a magical glow. Even if bedtime eventually moves back indoors, starting the night outside creates a memorable and special experience for kids.
Keep your child engaged with activities that combine play and learning.
Try nature scavenger hunts, flashlight tag, or storytelling around a pretend “campfire” made of construction paper and flashlights. You can even make s’mores in the oven together before heading outside. These kinds of activities support sensory learning and imagination—two cornerstones of early development emphasized in many preschool Silver Spring classrooms.
Incorporate simple learning moments into the adventure without interrupting the fun.
Encourage counting stars, identifying colors of leaves, or using a compass to find directions. Bring along picture books about nature or animals and talk about what you see and hear in the backyard. Labeling items like “tent,” “lantern,” and “sleeping bag” can build vocabulary while playing.
With preparation, camping at home can be both safe and enriching.
Choose a flat, secure space in your yard and check for any hazards like sharp sticks, tools, or uneven ground. Keep bug spray, flashlights, and water nearby. A baby monitor or open window from the house can also give you peace of mind if your little one nods off outside.
Use your camping night to spark curiosity and encourage future exploration.
Ask questions the next day like, “What was your favorite part of camping?” or “Did anything surprise you outside?” You can recreate parts of the experience indoors on colder nights—set up a tent in the living room or have a flashlight reading night. These simple follow-ups strengthen memory, storytelling, and emotional connections to family routines. Many families find that these experiences echo themes in their Silver Spring preschool learning journeys.
Looking for more ways to enrich your child’s learning and play experiences? Explore these insightful articles from the MCCA blog: (Kensington preschool programs breed creativity & imagination in kids)
MCCA has been recognized by the Maryland State Legislature for its commitment to Montgomery County issued a quality programs and special needs child care Proclamation in 2016 to MCCA for its commitment to Montgomery County child care for more than 50 years. MCCA was also selected as a 2018 nonprofit finalist for a MOXIE Award for boldness and innovation
MCCA is the oldest nonprofit licensed child care provider in Montgomery County and started its work in 1968 as a Community Action Project of the War on Poverty. Recognizing the need for quality child care programs in their neighborhoods, a group of local activists formed an association to establish centers in Montgomery County that would serve a diverse population and establish high standards for child care. Now, more than 50 years later, MCCA’s dedicated and expertly trained staff continue their tradition of providing high quality child care and play-based education for children.
Families with school aged children who can afford their child care expenses during the school year often struggle to afford the all-day programs they need when school is out for the summer. The Richard Krampf Summer Adventures Scholarship Fund was established to help provide children a safe and stimulating place to spend their weeks when school is out. Please contact an MCCA Director for details on how to apply.
