Guest List and Invitations
For formal occasions such as birthdays, graduations and bar and bat mitzvahs, send out printed invites three to five weeks before the party. While older kids may prefer to share their special day with a dedicated friend group, it’s common for parents of younger children—think first grade and before—to invite the entire class. Either way, mailing cards to guests at home adds a special touch.
When inviting younger guests, keep in mind that children under five should be accompanied by an adult for the festivities. This also rings true for elementary students, as offering parents the option to attend creates an inclusive atmosphere and encourages a bigger turnout. Welcome parents by including them on the invitation or addressing it to the entire family. If you're throwing a party for an older kid, include the phrase "Drop Off Optional"—giving parents the opportunity to duck out.
Choosing a Theme
Not that you need a reason to party, but if there is a special occasion for the gathering, take it into consideration when choosing a theme. Celebrating a birthday? Asking for the guest of honor's input helps the event feel meaningful. Try incorporating a favorite character or color into the decor. If the party celebrates something more low-key, use the purpose behind the gathering as a motif. For instance, to commemorate a ballet recital, ask that the invitees arrive dressed for the occasion in tutus. Then, incorporate decor and treats featuring the iconic slippers.
The reason for the party doesn't need to be something big. Some other backyard party occasions include:
- Culminating a peewee sports season
- A completed dance recitaf
- The end of the school year or summer school season
- A last hurrah before school starts again
- The release of a favorite movie's sequel
Kids Backyard Party Theme Ideas
Make the party memorable with a theme that takes the backyard setting into consideration.
Go with a Camping Theme
Treat your little explorer to a party with a camping theme—complete with tents pitched in the yard and a fire pit for roasting marshmallows. For older kids, start the event in the evening and turn it into a slumber party beneath the stars. If the crowd is younger, you can still ask that guests bring a sleeping bag. That way, they can enjoy the traditional camping experience over the space of an afternoon instead. During the gathering, offer wearable animal ears or masks so kids can play pretend as their favorite woodland creatures. Give party-goers a taste of the outdoors with a daytime party that includes a group hike on a neighborhood trail. For game ideas, try a sleeping bag race, a forest-themed scavenger hunt where campers look for acorns, toy insects and leaves, and a fishing game where they use magnetic poles to catch play fish. When it comes to food, drinks and treats, embrace the theme with grilled hot dogs, hot chocolate and s'mores roasted over the backyard fire pit. Make the campfire treat more creative by swapping milk chocolate for a different meltable option—cookies and cream or peanut butter flavor, for instance—and providing different flavors of marshmallows and crackers for unique combinations. Be sure to check with parents in advance regarding any allergies.
Get Creative with Arts and Crafts
Use being outside as an excuse to get messy with a craft project. Let young artists get creative by decorating found materials from the yard, creating their own masks or making landscapes on construction paper canvases. When it comes to supplies, a variety is best—from crayons and markers to paint and glue-able objects. Be sure to opt for washable varieties. Then, bring out a few packets of wipes for a quick clean-up afterward. To keep their outfits tidy, ask that parents send their child with an artist's smock or an oversized t-shirt. For another idea, have the kids use fabric paint to decorate a t-shirt for themselves or the guest of honor with their handprints and signatures. Or, rely on stencils for a more structured option. When it comes to the menu, offer food that incorporates the colors of the rainbow, such as a fruit platter or candy tray. To make traditional entrees fit the theme, consider using paint palettes as serveware or art-inspired plates. For dessert, try a rainbow layer cake featuring artists' paint brushes as decals. If you prefer a hands-on approach to sweets, have kids decorate their own cupcakes with candy pieces and multi-colored icing.
Kid-Friendly Pool Party
Make this summer staple kid-friendly with floats and beach balls featuring fun characters—from unicorns and narwhals to favorite movie heroes and popular sea creatures. That way, kids can kick back and relax in the water. Some fun games to try include diving for rings, swimming races and water basketball where kids toss a beach ball through a hula-hoop to score points. If you don't have a pool but want a way to beat the summer heat, consider outfitting the yard with a splash pad or rented inflatable water slide instead. Either way, keep extra beach towels and plenty of sunscreen on hand. Then, make the party fare special by inserting fun straws and drink umbrellas into topical juices served from coconut cups, mimicking a tropical beach vacation aesthetic. For the food, cut sandwiches into starfish shapes or serve cupcakes decorated with sea animals. When it comes to party favors, a sand pail and shovel or a pair of sunglasses in a bright shade are sure to make a splash.
Educational Outdoor Science Party
Share your budding biologist's love of nature with their friends by hosting a backyard science party. Provide an opportunity for the little scientists to dress the part with lab coats and magnifying glasses that they can use in their observations. Then, send them on a scavenger hunt in the yard for leaves, flowers, insects and even common animals—for instance, squirrels, birds and rabbits. Offer crayons and clipboards so they can trace or illustrate their findings. For a more structured activity, have the kids paint terra cotta planters. After they're dry, help them plant a few seeds or a sprout in each to take home as a favor. When it comes to food, use edible flowers to decorate desserts and drinks alike. Other choices that fit the theme include dirt cups with gummy worms and cupcakes decorated as backyard animals.
Cozy Outdoor Movie Night Party
Screen the latest blockbuster from the comfort of your backyard with a movie night party. On the invitations, ask that guests bring their own sleeping bags, pillows and favorite stuffed animals for a movie night on the lawn. Lay out a few oversized blankets or an outdoor rug to make the backyard space feel cozy. Then, string up lights from the trees and house for a comfortable glow. Ask your child's input when it comes to the movie selections. Consider screening an old favorite on a projector as the kids eat slices of pizza and play a few movie-related games before settling in for the feature film. During the movie, pass out popcorn in individual serving cups and supplement the salty snack with sweet treats as well. For instance, a basket full of classic candy in movie theatre packaging.
Stargazing Party
If your little one is into astronomy or space travel, host an evening gathering under the stars. Enhance the mood with glow-in-the-dark bracelets and necklaces for each guest. Then, plan activities that showcase the party's theme. For instance, modify traditional games for the occasion by introducing an outer space motif: pin the antenna on the alien, astronaut freeze dance and Milky Way bingo. From designing their own constellations and extraterrestrials with glow-in-the-dark paint to gazing at the moon through a telescope, keep party-goers occupied with space-related projects. Then, bring your food offerings in on the theme as well. Want a kid-friendly appetizer? Use a cookie cutter to fashion cheese slices in the shape of comets, planets and rocket ships. When it comes to the entree, serve traditional party fare on space-themed serving platters, or give entrees an intergalactic twist with fun names—try rocket ship kabobs and flying saucer pizza. Another idea: deck out the dessert table with celestial treats as well. Think a layer cake adorned with stars or iced sugar cookies inspired by the solar system.
Picnic Party
Turn the outdoor celebration into a picnic. First, lay a big blanket over the lawn where kids can sit to enjoy their favorite cold eats: sandwiches, potato salad, chips and watermelon. Consider serving the meal on durable melamine dishes that will last for future outdoor parties, too. Then, set up a table with drink dispensers filled with lemonade and flavored water. For a functional party favor, consider reusable bottles labeled with each guest's name for use during the party and after. Looking for a dessert idea? Try homemade popsicles in a few flavors for kids to pick from. When it comes to entertainment, set up an open space where invitees can engage in traditional picnic activities—from running relay races and bobbing for apples to playing traditional lawn games, such as tumbling tower, cornhole and horseshoes. Depending on the kids' ages, host a pie-eating contest or rent a dunk tank for a memorable experience.
Backyard Party Considerations
When hosting a kids backyard party, do your best to make guests comfortable. If the weather is warm, provide plenty of shady spots for everyone to cool off with backyard tents or patio umbrellas. In addition to patio furniture, bring out folding chairs, ottomans and poufs so guests have a place to relax.
Keeping some sunblock handy is another considerate idea. Set a few bottles in a bucket for guests' use. On the other hand, if you're celebrating over a chilly evening, drape throw blankets over outdoor furniture and consider setting up a backyard bonfire. If insects are a concern, offer bug spray as well. A well-positioned fan also helps keep them away, while table tents protect food platters.
Are you planning an outdoor gathering for a birthday or another occasion? Share your kids backyard party ideas with us at the hashtag #CrateStyle.