Backyard Storytime Campout | Guest Post

I am super excited to have Branson from My Reflection of Something with me today! Branson is a long time blog friend of mine and has inspired me in so many ways! Please, if you don't go follow her journey. I am also super excited about this idea and really want to do this at home. Enjoy!

I am always on the lookout for great ways to have summer fun on a budget. So, when I was thinking about how much my little guy loves both story time and anything camping related right now, I decided that a story time campout would be a great way to surprise him one evening. We were able to set it up in 3 simple steps:

• First, while he was in the bath, we set up a simple makeshift tent in the yard using some rope tied between two sheets and a flat bedsheet. I then stuck his crib/toddler mattress in there, with some pillows and blankets.
• Next, I added some of his favorite stuffed animals, and included a citronella “campfire” for ambience (the campfire is his favorite part of any camping experience!).
•  Finally, I put together a basket with all the necessary elements: lots of library books, a couple little flashlights, and some snacks!

When we told Aiden we were going outside after bath, he was curious. When he saw what we had set up, there was an eruption of happy giggles. Now, I will admit that it was a bit tricky to get my 6’8” husband into the little tent, but once they were settled it was awesome. They read their stories, talked about random daddy-son stuff, the caught some fireflies on their way inside for the evening. What a fun, simple, and FREE way to create summer memories and encourage reading time all at once!

Looking for some great books to include in a storytime campout basket? (Or just to add to your summer reading list?) Here are 5 of our current favorites:

•      Even Firefighters Hug Their Moms by Christine Kole MacLean  – This book is simply adorable! I love the imagination of the little boy in the story, and how he includes his baby sister, too. This would be a great one to read to inspire some creative play.   
• Kipper’s Monster by Mick Inkpen – Aiden loves everything Kipper, and this is a great choice for a camping theme.
•  The Pigeon Needs a Bath by Mo Willems – Pretty much any book by Mo Willems is a hit in our home! This is the newest in the pigeon series, and is very fun. I also discovered there is a website with some activities for pigeon fans!
•  I Lost My Tooth in Africa by Penda Diakité – This was on our Little Passports summer reading list, and Aiden loved it! It inspired his current fascination with everything African!
•      The Giant Jam Sandwich by John Vernon Lord – This is a classic that my husband loved as a child. Aiden loves to retell the story, and with all the bugs around in the summer it seems fitting!

What books are your favorites for summer story time? 

You can find Branson writing about motherhood, faith, photography, and homeschooling her preschooler at My Reflection of Something.  Facebook / Twitter / Pinterest