Have you ever thought of indoor camping? Do you love the warmth and crackle of a camp fire? Do you typically return from your camping trips with renewed vigor and excitement? Unfortunately, wintertime can prevent this from happening, and most people who love camping hate waiting for summer. If you can’t bring Mohamed to the mountain, why not bring the mountain to Mohamed? Here are some great tips for creating your own indoor camping atmosphere.

Why would you try indoor camping? Because it’s tons of fun and it can really make those cold days seem shorter. Firstly, make sure you own a fireplace, because this will be the star of your reenactment. Prepare it, clean it and buy enough wood. Decorate it using leaves and branches you find near your home, just to keep that forest spirit alive even inside your home. Safety measures need to be carefully covered, as the dangers of a fire starting are quite large. Also, clear the surface located in front of the fireplace, because this is where you will set up your camp.

You’re also going to need your tent, so make sure you gather all the blankets, carpets and some pillows to be as comfortable as possible in your indoor tent. Place the tent close to the fireplace, but not too close, as you don’t want to create a fire hazard. If you don’t actually own a tent yet, use your blankets and a rope to make a tent, by tying a rope across the room and hanging the blankets over the rope. Secure the corners of the blankets as close to the floor as you can by placing weights on them and try to obtain a triangular shape.

As for the camp food, take advantage on the fact that you are actually still inside your home and use your oven or microwaves to cook your food fast, just like you would if you were on a genuine camping trip. Hotdogs, marshmallows or marinated barbecue, root beer or hot chocolate drinks can be top choices.

As for the indoor camping atmosphere you are not very likely to create in your living room, you can always use your iPod and listen to some nature sounds that imitate anything from the wind blowing to crickets or birds singing. Also, you can invite a friend over, so you can keep the fun coming by telling ghost stories or play spin-the-bottle by the fire, or you can relax on your own watching the fireplace. Sure, it will feel a little like you’re a kid playing make-believe, but what’s the fun in being an adult if you can’t play pretend once in a while? Enjoy your next indoor camping experience.