5 summer party alternatives to backyard BBQs
Inviting friends and family over for fun, food and activities is such a wonderful use of your home. And summertime provides a versatile canvas when it comes to gatherings. But sometimes you might get stuck in a rut of doing the same old backyard BBQ during the summer. So, if you are looking to add some variety to your summer plans, here are 5 ideas for parties to host.
1. Smores Party
Graham crackers, gooey marshmallows, and melted chocolate - is there anything else that quite screams summer like a smore? This is a super fun way to utilize your outdoor patio and firepit. But if that still remains a wishlist item for your next home, there are plenty of affordable options to have a fire pit now!
Now to really make your smores party the talk of the town, provide a variety of components to turn that gooey marshmallow into a delicious treat! Here is a list of alternatives to the classic graham cracker and a chocolate bar.
Alternatives to graham crackers:
Cinnamon graham crackers
Chocolate graham crackers
Variety of cookies
Alternatives to chocolate bars:
Reeses cups
Cookies and cream bars
Ghirardelli filled chocolates
Andes Mints
York Peppermint patties
2. Movie Night
A movie night is a relaxing option for a party. It is also easy to make this family-friendly by picking a children’s movie. But if you are having a hard time trying to pick the right movie, you can check out Pick A Movie For Me to help you select the perfect film.
Make your party more exciting by jazzing up your popcorn with a variety of seasonings to allow your guests to customize their flavor. You can also create a full snack bar filled with fun movie treats like candy, soda, soft pretzels, and more. If it’s not too hot you can move the party outside under the stars by getting a projector and sheet to create an outside movie theater.
3. Potluck
When the guest list keeps growing for your next party, it might start to get overwhelming to feed all of the people. This is where a potluck is a great option. Your guests now create a yummy spread by bringing their favorite dishes. If you are worried everyone is going to just bring a bag of chips, use a Google Doc or SignUpGenius to have people sign up for what they are going to bring.
4. Game Night
Games are a great and easy activity for a party. Whether it’s yard games like cornhole, party games like scattergories, or board games like Ticket to Ride, there are also so many types of games that this party can be repeated over and over again with new games each time.
Games break the ice and help the conversation flow. So if you are looking to get to know your party guests better, game night is a great option.
Don’t know what games to select? BoardGameGeek is a great resource to look up board game and card game reviews. And YardGames.com showcases a wide variety of yard games for your next party.
5. Sundae Bar
A frozen treat is always a great way to beat the heat. But what’s more fun than having a make-your-own ice cream creation! From sprinkles to crushed Oreos to fresh strawberries, there are so many fun toppings to provide for your friends.
Make it more interesting by adding a fun contest letting your guests vote on things like best topping, prettiest sundae creation, and most creative combination. Or come up with your own categories!
Let’s Party
So, there you have it - 5 alternatives to the traditional summer backyard party that will have your friends and family begging you to host again. What idea are you most excited to try? Regardless of what party theme you try, may your summer be filled with fun gatherings!
