Summer Party Ideas

In this post I will provide my best summer party ideas to plan the perfect party.  Summer parties require some planning to make the party enjoyable by all.  Most summer parties are typically outdoors, so you have to consider the weather, entertainment, and menu.

As with all great party planning, you have to start off with a “To-Do” list.  I like to brainstorm first, everything I can think of, and then organize it into categories.  As you continue to plan, more details and logistics will pan out.

Having a summer party can be as simple or complex as you like.  The themes for summer parties are endless as well.  For example, it could be a pool party, BBQ, Independence celebration, graduation, baby shower, bridal shower, birthday, family reunion, etc.

Here are my ideas and steps to start planning the best summer party.

 

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For more great party ideas and DIY ideas, visit my DIY section here:  https://majorgates.com/category/do-it-yourself/

To see my available party bundle downloads, click here:  https://majorgates.com/product-category/party-bundles/

 

For some delicious recipes, visit my Recipes section here:  https://majorgates.com/category/recipes/

 

Pre-Planning Summer Party Ideas

• First you need to select a date and time for your party.
• Next, determine the location of the party.
• Then, make a rough estimate guest list to determine the number of guests you will have at the party.
• Once you know around how many people will be attending, you can start planning the menu.  Determine if you will be doing a sit down served party, buffet style, or specialized food bar or stations. Also, think of the season and try to incorporate foods that are only in season for the summer.  Consider the amount of beverages to be served since it is hot.  Guests will drink more of everything due to the heat.
• Next is planning the theme and decorations.  Then determine your invitations and method of delivery.  Will you be mailing invitations or sending out electronically?  Also, determine seating and tables and how you will decorate it all.  Consider kits or bundles to help decorate.  Do an internet search in your desired theme and get ideas and make a list of what you like.  Then start shopping for deals and locating the decorations you like.  It is fine to start this as early as possible in case you run into any shipping or out of stock delays.
• Now plan how you will entertain your guests.  This is very important to having a great party.  Guests remember how much fun they had, the decorations, and the food.  They also remember if your party was organized with limited down time.  So I always create a high level agenda to keep the party flowing.  Moving from activity to activity, keeps the party flowing, and the guests engaged.
• Last, consider a party favor or favor bag.  Send guests home with more happy memories, and a nice favor or treat bag.

 

Summer Party Entertainment

• Outdoor Games – team challenges and group games are the best.  These can be done at home, at the park, or rented place that has multiple activities like – go kart racing, mini golf, inflatables, paint ball, and obstacle courses.  Relay races that involve water games, really cool guests off.  Just make sure you let them know before coming they will be getting wet, so they can bring a towel and change of clothes.  Also, minute-to-win-it games are so much fun.
• Pool Party – the pool does most of the entertainment, but have games for people to play inside and outside of the pool.

• Beach party –  like the pool, have beach themed games.  Consider frisbee challenges, corn hole, kite flying races, volleyball, bonfires, sand castle competition, and any game with a ball.
• Music – live, DJ, or played from a playlist on speakers.
• Photo backdrop with fun dress up items to take pictures with family and friends.
• Photo QR code where guests can upload their pictures.  This is great, post a sign with a QR code that guests can upload their pictures, then share the link after the party where everyone can view the fun at the party.  You will be surprised all the great memories that are captured.

 

If you need a fun group game, try my Summer Jeopardy game in my shop here:  https://majorgates.com/product/summer-party-trivia-jeopardy-game-download/

To see all my available Party Jeopardy Trivia Downloads here:  https://majorgates.com/product-category/jeopardy-trivia/

 

 

Other Summer Party Ideas and Tips

• Don’t worry if you change up things after your invitations have been sent.  It is okay to have different decorations that are different than your invitation.  This tends to happen after you start shopping for decorations.  You may find something you like better than the colors, or even theme in your invitation.  Most of the time it is colors though.  For example, you start with a summer vibes idea but it turns into a Hawaiian luau.  When guests arrive, the decorations are a tropical paradise.  Still summer vibes but includes leis, palm trees, bamboo, fruity drinks, etc.
• Blend solids with themed patterns.  Try not to make everything themed.  So incorporate decor in solids, to really highlight the pattern/theme.  Sometimes the theme can be overdone, for example, everything has a beachball on it.  Instead, pull the colors from the beach ball and have solid color table clothes, plates, backgrounds, etc.
• Have a few ways to keep guests cool.  Things like:  misters, portable fans, fans, games with water, cooling towels, ice cold beverages, ice cream or frozen drinks, shade areas and umbrellas.  All these things will help keep your guests cool.

 

Other Great Ideas

• Food trucks – ice cream, Mexican, beverage, specialty burgers or food
• Mobile entertainment for kids and adults – examples: spa bus, gaming bus, glamour bus, and reptile bus
• 360 photo booths and selfie stations
• Face painting
• Balloon artist
• Magician
• Table games
• Craft activities for kids
• Desert stations

 

For another great party idea, see my post on Taco Bar Planning here:  https://majorgates.com/do-it-yourself/taco-bar-planning/