Backyard Camping + A $50 Kohl's Giftcard Giveaway!

This post is sponsored by Kohl’s.  
I was paid for this post and received the included camping products as compensation.

One of my kids favorite summer traditions is camping in our backyard.

Kevin started this tradition about 4 years ago when the girls were 4 and 5 years old.

Kevin loves to camp & go backpacking (which we did 1-2 times a year before we had kids)

But, the thought of camping with little kids made me a little nervous, especially because when my kids were little they weren't the best sleepers. 

So, about 5 years ago, Kevin had the genius idea of testing them out with camping by camping in our backyard.

This was a great way to see if our kids liked camping. 

He made it realistic....set up a tent, sleep in sleeping bags, make s'mores and have campfire food. 

My girls LOVED camping in the backyard and since that first time years ago, they have added "Backyard camping" to their summer list and it is one of the things the girls look forward to every summer.

I am so glad Kevin thought of this idea because we realized our kids love to camp and it created excitement for them to go camping in Yosemite each year.

You may not know this (I didn't!) but Kohl’s has recently built out their camping department.

You can see all the amazing camping gear they have HERE

I am so excited to partner with Kohl's to tell you about their camping department and share some of the awesome camping gear that they have and that we were compensated with. And, there is a giveaway at the end of this post!

We got this AWESOME 8 person tent:

You can get it HERE

Kevin picked out this tent because he is the camping expert :)

He picked out an 8 person tent because we are a family of 5 and we wanted lots of room in the tent!

Some reasons he picked this tent were because of the features:

Angled windows keep rain out even when opened & water resistant

Rainfly provides weather protection.

Snag-free pole sleeves make for easy setup

It really is easy to put up...he pretty much put it up by himself while we watched :)

One of the reasons we all like the tent is because it is tall enough to stand in & has a really cool mesh roof so you can see through it.

 Some other camping necessities are a sturdy ice chest like THIS one that keeps things cold for up to 4 days. I also love that it clips on it so critters can't get into your cooler!

My girls like the cooler because it has a flat top and they like to use it as a table for playing cards.

My girls also love these chairs HERE.

Perfect for camping, the beach or watching an outdoor movie. And, light enough for the kids to carry on their own since they have a carrying strap attached to them.

  When we have our Backyard Camping night, we always make S'mores:

After we make S'mores we set up a movie outside & project it onto our house.

My kids get so excited about sleeping in the tent because they have a lot of room to spread out & we make it comfortable for them. 

A couple of tips for being comfortable while camping:

1) Get an air mattress or sleeping pad

(We like the self inflating ones like THIS or THIS one for kids. If you have room in your tent for an air mattress, THIS is the one we have for us)

2) Make sure you have a warm sleeping bag

(We need to get Claire a warmer one, but Kate has THIS one & loves it)

3) Have a lantern/flashlight/head lamp next to your sleeping area. 

(We have these lanterns & these head lamps)

My kids also like to bring their favorite stuffed animals....and Dolls

My kids love camping & being outdoors...even if it's just in our backyard!

I love that my kids love backyard camping so much....I will be honest....I prefer hotels over camping, but my kids (and husband) LOVE camping, so that is what makes me like camping.

I didn't grow up camping & my first time camping was when Kevin & I were dating. 

Camping creates such great memories & it really is fun to be out there & unplugged...even if' it's just in your own backyard for a night!

 Are you a camper? 

Have you tried backyard camping? 

What is your favorite (or least favorite) thing about camping!

I am so excited to giveaway a $50 Kohl's Giftcard....you could use it to get some new camping gear!

To enter the Kohl’s gift card giveaway, click on this link HERE to enter your information for a chance to win.

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Ends 8/1/16 at 11:59:59 p.m. PT. 
Open to legal residents of the US/DC who are 18+ yrs of age. 

For official rules click here:  

http://rules.creativezing.com/KohlsCamping/

Good Luck & Happy Camping!  

Winner will be contacted on or about August 8, 2016.