The Ultimate Guide to Hosting an Outdoor Birthday Party

From food and décor, to a guest list and invitations, party planning can be stressful. If you plan to host an outdoor birthday party this spring or summer, we’re here with a variety of tips and advice to ensure that your party planning runs smoothly.

Creating a delicious menu 

Whether you plan to serve a full meal or just snacks and desserts, it’s essential to create some sort of menu for your guests. For summer parties, you can’t go wrong with a barbeque. Add a few fruit and vegetable platters, and you’re all set! 

Along with a birthday cake, consider adding a few sweet snacks for guests to eat throughout your party. 

1. Chocolate-Covered Pretzels 

Although a simple snack, chocolate-covered pretzels are bound to be a crowd-pleaser. Simply melt semisweet or white chocolate chips, dip your pretzels in the melted chocolate, and set in the refrigerator to harden on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. For an extra touch, add some nonpareils or drizzle some additional chocolate on top. 

2. S’mores Dip 

As another simple recipe, s’mores dip is a great alternative to the popular dessert, especially if you don’t have a fire pit. Simply cover the bottom of your greased baking dish with milk chocolate, and top with marshmallows. Bake at 450 degrees until the marshmallows are golden (around 3-4 minutes). Let cool for 8-10 minutes. Serve with graham crackers and enjoy! 

Choosing your outdoor decorations

If you’re looking for bright and colorful outdoor decorations, we recommend investing in inflatables. These statement pieces are an excellent way to add a festive touch to your yard – plus, they make your house stand out for arriving guests!

With simple set-up and top-notch durability, outdoor inflatables are the ideal accessory for an outdoor birthday party this spring or summer. Each package includes ropes, stakes, a storage bag, and an air blower, so you’ll enjoy efficient set-up and tear down. Perfect for photos, these weather-resistant decorations include LED lights for an extra-special addition to your party. 

Here are a few of our favorites: 

6-Ft. Inflatable Happy Birthday Cake with Faux Candles with Lights 

8-Ft. 30 Years Birthday or Anniversary Milestone Outdoor Inflatable 

For the full collection, click here. 

Using an online invitation platform

If you plan to invite a lot of guests, you'll want to consider utilizing an online invitation creator. Compared to traditional invitations, these websites allow users to create and manage their guest list in one place, so you'll know exactly who can make it to your event. If you prefer paper invitations, make sure to send them out with plenty of time -- about 4-6 weeks beforehand. 

Best wishes in planning your birthday party!