Are you planning a party in your backyard? Throwing outdoor parties is a great way to bring people together for a fun time, but it can be hard to know how to plan.

If you’re looking for fresh ideas, keep reading to learn 7 tips for throwing outdoor parties in your backyard!

1. Create and Send Invitations

This might sound like an obvious suggestion, but it’s important to create and send invitations to your party. Invitations make people feel wanted and excited, but be sure to send them out a few weeks in advance so people can plan.

Jazz up invitations for your party with some playful imagery and text, and be sure to include clear instructions on when to come and how to RSVP.

2. Have Enough Seating When Throwing Outdoor Parties

If your party stretches over a few hours, you want to make sure that there is enough seating outside. Grab some chairs in advance and even buy a few extras to have on hand. You can group the chairs in smaller clusters to encourage mingling throughout the night!

3. Find the Perfect Soundtrack

Plan ahead so that you have some music to create background ambiance. If your party has a beach theme, load your soundtrack with music featuring steel drums or surf tunes. A little music keeps the party lively — just don’t turn the speakers up too loud!

4. Think Outside the Box With Plates and Bowls

Did you ever think that a berry box or hollowed-out orange could make a cute bowl? Adding fun, seasonal touches to how you present your food can make all the difference when throwing outdoor parties. Finding creative ways to present drinks and snacks will impress your partygoers!

5. Create Your Own Photo Booth

Everyone likes a way to document a good time, so set up an easy photo space in your backyard. Drape some fabric against your backyard fence and add a few pops of color or some text to label your event.

When everyone enters the party, ask them to stop by for a fun picture, or encourage them to take one throughout the night. You’ll create fun memories that you can share on social media! 

6. Plan a Group Activity

If your party is geared toward kids and needs activities for kids, look into throwing a color powder party. All you have to do is mix up some safe color powders, set a few ground rules, and let the kids go wild tossing and playing with these vibrant colors.

For adults, try a game of Charades or a little trivia. When the beverages are flowing, these games become even more exciting and add a little focus to the evening!

7. Use Cool Lighting at Night

Those strings of party lights that you bought five years ago can come into play when you host an evening party. Stringing up some outdoor lights and placing a few tea lights or luminaries around the backyard will create a magical atmosphere.

Just make sure you stay aware of the encroaching darkness and know when to turn them on.

Get Your Party Started

Throwing outdoor parties is a staple of summertime fun. With a little attention to some key details, you can throw the best party on the block. You don’t have to go to a resort or other venue to have a good time — your backyard can provide the perfect setting.

When you’re ready to find other useful tips to make your life better, check back with us for more great articles!