Summer party ideas
Long days and warm evenings make summer the easiest time to host. Move the party outside and you have room for lawn games, a barbecue, a pool or paddling pool, a water fight or an outdoor film after dark.
This collection includes ideas for kids, families and adults, from a Hawaiian luau and an ice cream sundae party to a craft beer barbecue, a garden party with croquet and a wood-fired pizza night.
26 ideas
Backyard campout
Tents in the garden, a campfire with s'mores, a torchlit nature trail and ghost stories under the stars.
Backyard carnival
Carnival stalls in the garden: hook-a-duck, tin can alley, face painting, candy floss and a ticket-based prize stand.
Backyard movie night
A projector, blankets, bean bags and a popcorn bar for an outdoor cinema under the stars.
Backyard Olympics
Teams represent countries in sack races, egg-and-spoon and silly relays, finishing on a medal podium.
Bouncy castle party
A hired bouncy castle in the garden, with bounce games, a snack station and a picnic-blanket lunch.
Co-ed baby shower BBQ
A relaxed barbecue for both parents-to-be and all their friends, with nappy pong, a dad-to-be challenge and baby bets.
Craft beer and BBQ
A low-and-slow barbecue with a craft beer tasting flight, beer-paired dishes and garden games.
Fairy garden party
Wings and wands, a fairy door hunt, mini fairy garden planting and a toadstool picnic.
Football tournament watch party
A watch party for a big international football match, with flags, a sweepstake, national dishes and a penalty game.
Garden party with lawn games
An English-style garden party with Pimm's, a croquet tournament, giant games and a summer buffet.
Gender reveal picnic
Family and friends cast their votes, then a balloon box, a cake or a confetti popper reveals the surprise.
Graduation picnic
A celebratory picnic in the park after the ceremony, with a cap-toss photo, fizz and a grazing spread.
Hawaiian luau
Leis on arrival, tiki torches, a limbo contest, a hula lesson and a tropical feast with pineapple everything.
Hot tub party
A hired hot tub in the garden with fairy lights, floating drinks holders, a playlist and a robe for every guest.
Ice cream sundae party
A sundae bar with five flavours, sauces and toppings, an ice cream eating race and a vintage ice cream parlour look.
Mermaid pool party
An under-the-sea pool party with a shell hunt, mermaid tail races and an ocean-themed feast.
Mini golf party
Build a crazy golf course in the garden from household items, play nine holes and award a green jacket.
Ninja warrior party
Trainee ninjas tackle a backyard obstacle course, balance challenges and a final ninja test.
Office summer social
A team summer party in a park or garden venue with a barbecue, sports day games and an ice cream van.
Rehearsal dinner barbecue
A relaxed night-before barbecue for the wedding party, with a slideshow and lighthearted toasts.
Taco fiesta
A build-your-own taco bar, a piñata, papel picado bunting and fresh agua fresca.
Teddy bears' picnic
Toddlers bring their favourite teddy for a picnic, a teddy hunt, bear games and a bear-shaped cake.
Tennis and strawberries party
A summer tennis-themed garden party with the big final on screen, strawberries and cream and a mini tennis tournament.
Tie-dye workshop party
Everyone tie-dyes their own t-shirt or tote bag, then hangs out with snacks while the colours set.
Water fight party
Water balloons, water blasters, a sprinkler obstacle course and a giant slip and slide on a hot summer day.
Wood-fired pizza party
Fire up a garden pizza oven, set out a topping bar and let guests stretch and cook their own 90-second pizzas.