Outdoor party themes can be used for all kinds of parties, from barbecues to family reunions. Choosing a great theme can add fun to your party and also make the planning easier.
Examples of Outdoor Party Themes
When the weather gets warmer, holding parties outdoors just comes naturally. Gatherings in the back yard, at the beach, or even at a campsite seem to be simpler and less stressful to plan. Deciding on a theme for your outdoor party gives you guidance for everything from the decorations to the menu.
Caribbean or Tropical Theme
Caribbean and tropical outdoor party themes fit well with the hot summer weather. There are lots of ways to pull together this type of theme quickly and easily, including:
- Ask guests to wear tropical shirts.
- Provide real or artificial leis for each guest.
- Decorate with lots of splashes of color, including flowers and fresh fruit.
- Motifs for decorating can include tropical fish, parrots, surfboards, grass skirts, and sea shells.
- Play Caribbean-inspired music.
- For games and activities, plan a limbo contest, send guests on a treasure hunt, or have kids make their own leis.
Plan a menu that includes lots of tropical fruits, seafood, jerk seasoning, and of course, rum punch for the adults. Pineapple juice or virgin cocktails would be perfect for children or those who don't want alcohol.
Garden Party Theme
A garden party is perfect for girls young and old. You can transform a tea party into a garden party by holding it outdoors with lots of floral touches, or make it more casual with a variety of different foods and drinks. Here are some more ideas for a successful garden party:
- Use floral prints for napkins, tablecloths, and other décor items.
- Decorate with a variety of fresh flowers and greenery.
- Place candles in plain or decorated terra cotta pots.
- Make place settings by writing each guest's name on pretty paper and clipping it with a clothespin. Secure the other end of the clothespin into a small pot filled with soil.
- Serve finger foods like dainty sandwiches and cut fresh vegetables, along with hot and iced tea. Don't forget the small squares and cookies for dessert!
- Activities can include making flower arrangements, decorating plant pots, and even planting seedlings.
Sports Party Themes
Boys and girls of all ages can enjoy a sports-themed outdoor party. Whether you focus on your favorite outdoor sport or use a variety of different games, this sort of theme lends itself perfectly to an active party. Here are some suggestions for a sports theme:
- Decorate with pennants and flags from different professional or local sports teams.
- Set up lots of different games to play, like a putting green, a badminton or volleyball net, and areas to play soccer, lawn bowling, and horseshoes.
- If you have a swimming pool, plan races or pick up a floating basketball net.
- Serve typical tailgate fare like hearty meat on buns with all the trimmings, potato salad, and chicken wings.
- Beverage choices should include sports drinks.
Make sure you leave enough time for guests to cool down between games, and offer plenty of water to drink. It also helps to have a large shaded area with chairs for guests to relax in after working up a sweat.
Other Party Themes to Enjoy Outdoors
Depending on the location of the party and the age of the guests, there are many other party themes you can use outdoors. Here are just a few:
- 4th of July party with an all-American theme
- Sprinkler party to cool off on hot days
- Beach theme, even if the party is in the backyard
- Ice cream party
- Mexican fiesta
- Hawaiian luau
From wild pool parties to quaint tea parties, you'll be able to find a suitable outdoor theme that will encompass the decorating, food, and activities. Use your imagination to come up with more ideas which will suit your guests and the occasion, as well as the location of the gathering.
