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How to host a backyard birthday party

The perfect outdoor bash is just a few steps away!


Elegant outdoor table with pastries, fruit, and pastel cupcakes on stands. A classy backyard birthday party.
A backyard party can make the most of summer weather

It’s summer here in Melbourne and there’s no shortage of gorgeous sunny days - perfect for enjoying the garden. If you have a backyard, hosting a birthday party there is ideal for making sure the kids have enough space to play and to stop your house from getting trashed!


 

Setting up an outdoor space for entertainment


The perfect backyard birthday bash has plenty of space to host a group of fairy-bread charged children, but also shade from the sun or shelter from the rain (unless you have a contingency plan for excessively hot or wet weather which we will talk about later in this post). In Australia in the summer the sun’s strong UV can be very dangerous so it’s important to provide shade for your guests and entertainers - and definitely have some sunscreen out for everyone to top up with!


When it comes to food, blankets and cushions on the grass makes a fun picnic vibe at a party and means you don’t need seating for guests (though some outdoor furniture and camping chairs are useful for any parents that stay for the party). Party fare and picnic food have a lot of overlap so think sandwiches or mini pies and sausage rolls, fruit and veggie snacks and popcorn or pretzels. 


For maintenance and safety, make sure your grass is cut short to deter stray wildlife and any garden tools put away out of reach of small hands. If your garden has different levels or lots of steps, be aware of the trip hazards they present, especially for any younger siblings that have tagged along.


Some people prefer a party in their backyard to keep guests out of their house. If this is the case you can set boundaries by closing doors and putting up signs to the bathroom, and letting guests know ‘We are only playing in the garden today, you can go inside to use the bathroom but all other rooms are off limits’. If you hire an entertainer you can let them know this rule and ask them to remind the kids if necessary.

Person pouring drinks for children at a picnic table with fruit and flowers. Sunlit outdoor park setting, cheerful mood.






 

Ideal games and activities for the outdoors


Many indoor games can be played out in the yard, but there are plenty of activities that can only be played outdoors. So as well as musical statues, pass the parcel and keepy uppy, some outdoor games include:


  • Tug of war - with a long rope and a fair judge this game is ideally played with plenty of space and on grass for when one team inevitably topples the other.

  • Water play - on a hot day set up sprinklers and water pistols, tell your guests to wear their swimming costumes and have a water fight!

  • Tail tag - each player gets a scarf or long scrap of fabric and they tuck it in the waistband of their pants. At the signal they must run around trying to steal as many ‘tails’ as possible. After a couple of minutes the signal ends the game and scarves are counted to see who has the most and is the winner.

  • Dodgeball - designate a playing space and have all the kids inside of it. Have a couple of parents or older siblings on the outside with a beach ball. They have to throw the ball aiming to tap the players with it, anyone who gets tapped has to do a forfeit to get back in the game. OR they join the ball throwers on the outside until everyone is out.

  • Bubbles! - use bubble wands, guns or machines to make thousands of bubbles the kids have to pop


Backyard parties are great for running around games as there’s more space, grass for soft landings if kids fall and noise isn’t contained so it feels less loud and overstimulating. 


Hiring an entertainer to run games for your backyard party can take some of the stress off of you and the kids will have a great time! If you don’t want to hire an entertainer but want something to keep the kids engaged, try a jumping castle or provide lots of materials to build forts and cubby houses. 


A word on trampolines: Many families have a trampoline in their backyard and this is so popular at a party - lots of kids climb in all at once and are content to bounce the day away there. If you have a trampoline in your yard and the kids are allowed on it at a party, please do supervise this as it can be super dangerous. Double bouncing can result in broken bones, a fallen child can get trampled and a stray ninja kick on a trampoline can seriously injure.


Children run joyfully on grass near a yellow house. Colourful birthday balloon arches frame the scene.
Kids love having lots of space to run around in
 

What to do if it rains


If it rains (or if you live in a hot climate and the temperature is climbing to outrageous heights like 40°c), you will need a contingency plan. You may be content to move the party from your backyard to your living room, in which case that’s a fairly simple trade. But if you can’t use your own space, you may need to make an early decision and find an indoor space a few days before the party. 


If you don’t know where to start to find a party venue, especially at last minute, check out community centres, church halls, preschools or childcare centres, fast food restaurants with party rooms, RSLs/ Bowling clubs/ Pubs with function rooms. Or call on your community, ask your friends and even the parents of your kids party guests if anyone can suggest an indoor venue for the party. And make sure you let all your guests and your entertainers know the change of location.


 

Despite the possible weather drawbacks, a backyard party is a fantastic choice or location for a kids birthday party, a garden absorbs mess, noise and boisterous children much better than an indoor venue and can be a great space for running around games. Summer picnic vibes will bring smiles to all your guests faces and in this age of technology, a bit of nature time will be good for everyone.


Kids in party hats celebrate outdoors. One holds a gift, another a colorful stick. Bright piñata and trees in background; joyful mood.


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