Guide to the Ultimate Backyard Party

Want to know how to plan a backyard party without draining your bank account or stressing over details? Throw the ultimate backyard party using these party planning tips and nifty backyard party ideas.

Essentials for an Outside Summer Party

• Insect repellent – both the yard kind and the spray-on-the-skin kind
• Check the weather several days before the party. Tornadoes and hurricanes tend to be party poopers
• Have a first-aid kit handy – kids fall down a lot!
• A clean, mowed yard. If you have a dog, this is self-explanatory
• Large golf umbrellas or outdoor tents for shade in the afternoon

Seating Arrangements

Turn boring folding chairs or old, ugly ones into colorful, fun seats by spray-painting them bright reds, yellows or pinks. When guests arrive, hand them a brush, a can of black paint and have them write their nickname on the chair of their choice.

Ice, Ice Baby

Instead of spending too much money on already frozen water, fill small balloons with water, freeze them and throw them into coolers and punch bowls. Give some of the balloons that have melted to bored kids and watch them go to work untying and blowing them up. 

Light up the Night

Old wine bottles make great candleholders, because taper candles fit securely into them and you don’t have to purchase expensive jar candles. Sprinkle citronella candles among your more elegant wine bottle candles to keep pesky arthropods from crashing your party. 

Get Back to Nature

This does not mean having your guests head to the woods instead of your bathroom. Instead, it means finding nice, big green leaves and giving them to guests to use as drink coasters. If you have big enough leaves, they can also be used to stop bugs from getting in your guests’ drinks, or you can poke a straw through a paper cupcake liner to cover sugary drinks.

Burgers, Dogs and Healthy Stuff

It’s de rigueur to serve grilled hot dogs and hamburgers at a backyard soiree, but what other food can you provide guests that is healthy and resists spoiling in the afternoon soon? Great party food ideas include raw vegetable and fruit trays complemented with a variety of crunchy, munchy nuts and cheese cubes. Although a dairy item, cheese won’t spoil if left out during your party.

More Backyard Party Ideas – Games for Kids and Adults

What’s a party without a few great games? Here are some that the whole crew will enjoy:

Race Your Marbles: Cut a pool noodle in half, give kids a couple bags of marbles and let the race begin.

Bowling for Dollars: Well, maybe not dollars, but how about 50 cents? Decorate large water bottles like bowling pins, draw a bowling alley on your driveway with chalk, give the kids a small rubber ball and award strike throwers with half a buck.

Night Hunting: Give kids butterfly nets and jars with lids and let them catch lightning bugs to make their own nightlight.

Games for the Big Kids: Charades, Cornhole and Euchre are a few favorites of the older crowd. If your group is feeling energetic, sack races are a barrel of laughs. If they’re not so energetic, Trivial Pursuit might be the hit you’re looking for.

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