There’s no better way to celebrate the arrival of summer than by pulling out the backyard grill and enjoying the outdoors! Here are some ideas to make your home the place to be for any gathering this summer.
- Backyard games galore: Spice up your backyard activities and add some family-friendly competition with any of the games listed below:
- Cornhole (or bags if you prefer!): Unless you’re feeling extra DIY, you can easily find a set of cornhole equipment at your local sporting goods store or buy a used set off of Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist.
- Yard Yahtzee: All you’ll need to play are a set of giant wooden playing dice and players who are ready to use their outside voice to shout, “YAHTZEE!”
- Water Balloon Dodgeball: If you don’t have a neighborhood pool to cool off in on a sweltering summer day, pick up some water balloons and get a game of dodgeball started.
- Lawn Bowling: If you don’t feel like spending money on a bowling set for your backyard, you can easily DIY your lawn bowling game by filling empty soda bottles with sand. Depending on how much sand you fill them with, you can use a beach ball or soccer ball!
- Cornhole (or bags if you prefer!): Unless you’re feeling extra DIY, you can easily find a set of cornhole equipment at your local sporting goods store or buy a used set off of Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist.
- Food and drink: When it comes to hosting a BBQ, you want to be able to enjoy the party as much as your guests. Take the stress off by prepping ingredients and making your beverages in large batches ahead of time, so you can spend time catching up with friends rather than worrying about whether or not you sliced the tomatoes for your burgers.
Unsure what food to offer? Make sure you have food that is easily eaten with your hands – think kebabs, chips and dip, popsicles, and of course, hot dogs and hamburgers.
Additionally, a day or two before your BBQ, make sure you’ve got enough fuel for your grill – whether it needs propane or charcoal. Also make sure the grill is clean and ready for food, because no one wants to taste the remnants of last summer’s meal.
- Decorations: It isn’t a party without some fun décor! Pick up a set of string lights to hang above your backyard, some fun table settings, and maybe even some festive red, white, and blue plates and napkins if you’re hosting on the Fourth of July.
The summer is yours to enjoy. Fill it with fun memories made with your friends and family – but don’t forget the mosquito repellent and the sunscreen!
