Outdoor Party Ideas to Wow Your Guests
An outdoor party can be tons of fun. Planning the outdoor event can be tons of fun as well. Whether you decide to go with old classic party activities such as food decorating and magic shows, or you plan for something more brave and daring such as water fun, taking your event outdoors means taking things up a notch. You’ll enjoy the ambiance that only being outdoors can provide.
So, pack up the sunscreen and bug spray and start planning your outdoor shebang.
Planning an Outdoor Party and How to Organize It
Planning an outdoor party can be a lot of fun. There is a bit of extra planning that needs to happen to make sure that everything falls into place. A few things to consider when organizing your outdoor party includes:
- Send the invites early: Your friends may fill up their calendars quickly so send out the invites as early as possible. Let the guests know if they need to bring a dish or some hamburgers to help out.
- Find the right space: If you plan to use your own home for a backyard party, you are set and ready to go. If you want to use another location, you must contact that location to set up a date and time that works for you. Many locations are in-demand and fill up fast so you must make your plans early and contact them. You may also need to get a permit for public outdoor spaces, so make sure you take care of that if it’s required.
- Rent a tent: A pavilion or a tent can provide some shade from the sun or protection if it is very sunny, windy, or it rains.
- Think about the decorations: Be creative here. Streamers and balloons are nice, but may float away or get torn in the wind. Something simple like mason jars full of designs can work nicely too. Party decorations can be fun too.
- Catering or cooking: Catering can save a lot of time, but it is expensive. If you plan to prepare your own food, bring out the grill, ask for help with salads, and get to work creating a potluck for everyone to enjoy.
- Create a backup plan: Even if the weather promises to be good for your party, always have a backup plan. Put up a tent or have an indoor location that you can choose in case it starts to rain.
- As you are planning your outdoor party and getting it organized, make sure to consider bathroom trailers for your guests. These will ensure that your guests have bathrooms at the event, exactly when they need it.
Outdoor Party Ideas for Kids
A picnic can be a lot of fun for kids. Bring some pillows and blankets and let the kids pick out the foods they like to eat. You can put everyone on the patio and let them enjoy the food that you provide. You can also set up a scavenger hunt with a list of items they can find around the yard as a competition so everyone can have a lot of fun.
You do not need to get complicated when it comes to planning an outdoor party for kids. Something as simple as some graham crackers that the kids can decorate with frosting and good toppings and a little lemonade can give a little twist to the party. A smores bar is always a big hit too.
Outdoor party games will be a lot of fun for the kids as well. Play some hide and seek, or even tic tac toe with different items around the yard. When they are done, consider giving them some water balloons or an ice cream cone and their own scoop to help them cool down.
Let the kids get creative during the party to keep them busy. Something as simple as poster board, scissors, and lots of art supplies can keep kids busy while they make something to take home. Or teach them a new sport, like croquet or horseshoe toss to keep them active during the day. Pinterest often has a lot of great ideas on simple crafts you can do with kids of all ages. If you want to teach the children at the party how to play some of the games above, there are many books on the subject that can make it easy and fun!
Outdoor Party Ideas for Teens
Planning an outdoor party for teens can be a unique challenge because you will most likely have many different preferences for food and entertainment in this age group. One option is to have a luau, or a traditional Hawaiian party, for an exotic feel that is always popular with teenagers. You can serve Hawain themed food with lots of tropical drinks, ice, coconut, pineapples, and even fish if your crowd will go for it. Hula hoops can go with this or you can pick out different purchases and transform the yard into something that looks like Hawaii to complete the luau look.
A movie night will work well for this age range as well. A bonfire party will set a nice ambiance if you have enough room and want to have the group over at night. Give them some marshmallows or let them handle their own cooking to save you time and hassle along the way.
Paintball has always been a popular option and there are many reputable locations that will provide supervision so you know it will be safe. While there are many indoor paintball arenas, it is possible to bring the fun — and the mess — outside to add a new level of fun! A pool party will provide lots of fun in the sun if you have a pool or can gain access to one so all the kids can chill out. Just bring along a towel for each kid!
Preparing your party with a theme around a popular sport or a show can help make the party fun when you are outside. Make sure your theme is geared towards teens because they will have their own ideas of fun and entertainment (which will most likely be different than that which adults find fun).
Outdoor Party Idea for Adults
Try to think outside the box when it comes to an outdoor party for the adults in your life. You can do it in your own backyard and grill a burger for each guest if you want to keep it simple. Or add some Mason jars with food in them and a little burlap sack around the bottom to add your vintage flair and a little lighting at night.
For some more fun, choose a theme, such as a specific country, favorite show, television characters, or upcoming holiday. You can serve food and decorate the space to showcase your theme. If it is a hot summer, for example, you may decide to go with an Arabian night theme and serve spicy food with jellab, and decorate the place by hanging Arabian lanterns and teapots.
Sometimes being outdoors is enough as a theme. You can go rustic with a wood feel, all pretty with a flower garden theme, or simply outdoorsy with a natural feel. While the theme doesn’t have to be set in stone, you can use it as a guidepost for how to set up your outdoor party. Some crowds will appreciate things being super simple, with good music, store bought snacks, and the occasional cricket chirp serving as the only backdrop.
A graduation party can do really well outside as well. You can use your garage or other indoor space as an extra space in case the weather goes bad, but May and June are often beautiful months to host this. Set up some pictures of the recent graduate, serve their favorite foods, and let guests mingle and talk with the nice summer air.
Outdoor Party Ideas at Night
An outdoor party does not need as much in terms of party supplies to make it feel nice. Some gentle lighting and good food can set a wonderful mood. Try to bring along extra bug spray or use tiki torches to keep those pesky bugs away.
Add some string lights to the mix of decorations you have at your outdoor party. This makes for an atmosphere that pops, and it also makes it easier for everyone to see where they are going without it getting to be too bright.
If you are hosting a birthday party for someone, getting a projector and having an outdoor movie night with lots of popcorn can be fun. Set everyone up on beach chairs, blankets, or bean bags and let the show begin. Sitting under the stars and getting drawn into a great story make for fantastic, relaxing entertainment for your guests.
Toilet trailers can be the perfect addition to your next party. They can be brought to your location, no matter where you plan your party, and can make it easier for anyone to use the bathroom without having to leave the party! When you plan your next outdoor party, make sure to consider a toilet trailer to make things easier.
FAQs About Outdoor Party Ideas
Having an outdoor party is a great way to enjoy nature and have a lot of fun with friends and family. It also expands some of the options that you have when it comes to party ideas and themes to showcase your skills. If you are planning an outdoor party, consider some of these questions to help you get started.
How large does my space need to be for an outdoor party?
Outdoor parties can be any size that you want. Your backyard is plenty big enough to handle a party for kids or adults alike. Even your lawn can make a great starting point for an outdoor party.
How do I prepare for bad weather?
The weather can be unpredictable at all times of the year. Having a backup plan, such as an indoor event area or your home, can help protect you in case the weather refuses to cooperate during your party.
Do I Need a Bathroom Rental?
Depending on how far away your outdoor gathering is from anything else, you may want to consider a portable bathroom rental to help everyone feel comfortable that they can have their bathroom needs met immediately, without having to go hunting through someone’s house or traveling elsewhere.
If you are interested in planning your own outdoor party and need help finding the right
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