Got a child with a summer birthday? This year tap into your creative side and make it a memorable one for your child.  Here are a few of my favorite ideas for an outdoor summer birthday celebration. The great thing about summer and good weather is you’re not stuck with an indoor space.  All the ideas below are outdoors so the guest list isn’t limited, allowing your child to reconnect with classmates and neighborhood friends, and it also keeps the cost low. 

Party at the Park.  Most parks have free picnic tables and shelters, you may just have to arrive early to reserve them. But once you are there, you’ll have the park for playtime and wide-open fields for games like relay races, obstacle courses, a water balloon toss and scavenger hunts. The only downside is you may have to share the park with others.

Water Fun Party.  What kid doesn’t love water? Hook up the sprinkler or a Slip-n-Slide in your backyard and let the kids go at it. Throw in some “wet” activities like water balloons and squirt guns and it becomes good, clean fun! Give it a Popsicle theme with popsicle decorations and popsicles as treats.

Baseball/Kickball Party. Skill and numbers aren’t a problem here! Make “team t-shirts” for your party favors and have a grand old time playing ball. Many parks have open fields you can meet on or create a smaller diamond in your own yard. Strike up the grill and serve an easy meal of hot dogs and chips.

Ice Cream Social: Set-up a table for “make-your-own” sundaes or ice cream cones.  Offer guests different ice cream flavors and plenty of toppings to choose from. Play games like croquette, hopscotch or Twister (with game painted on a sheet) and “pin the cherry on the ice cream cone.”

Drive-In Movie: Hang a sheet on your house or fence, get a projector and set up the movie! Spread out blankets for guests to sit on, serve popcorn (a rented popcorn machine would be a big hit!) and movie theater treats and fill coolers with drinks. For fun you can make the invitation look like movie tickets and encourage guests to bring their tickets to get into your theater.

Having an outdoor birthday party not only keeps the mess outside, rather than in your home, but it also allows kids to be kids.  Hosting your own party also keeps costs down (vs. going to an indoor inflatables place or other rental space) and makes for a one-of-a-kind experience. So let your imagination run wild as you plan the ultimate summer party!

Sincerely,

Daddy Nickell

Robert Nickell, aka Daddy Nickell, father of 7, offers his “5 cents” worth of advice to expectant and new parents.  Daddy Nickell is the founder of Daddyscrubs.com, delivery room duds and daddy gifts and apparel, and the DaddyScrubs blog where he covers topics about parenting all from a Dad’s perspective.

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1. Be smart. Keep it small – with an intimate gathering you can connect with your guests – that’s the goal, right?

2. Be realistic. Decide what style of party (cocktail, dinner, brunch, wine tasting, dessert party) works for your entertaining style, schedule and space.

3. Be early. Pick your party date and send your invites out asap as calendars tend to fill up quickly.

4. Be personal. Personalize your party with special touches, e.g., a “wow” tablescape, a welcome signature cocktail, thoughtful favors. By taking the time to make your guests feel special, your party will be transformed from a holiday gathering to an unforgettable experience.

5. Be present. Have a party plan that allows you to prepare most everything ahead of time so you can be a guest at your
own party and enjoy sharing time with loved ones. Plan to Party contains more tips, strategies, tools, checklists and actual Party Plans for simple and special entertaining.

Visit us at The Party Bluprints Blog where you can get additional ideas and inspirations for entertaining in order Plan to Party. www.partybluprintsblog.com

 Dawn Sandomeno and Elizabeth Mascali, co-founders and owners of Party Bluprints Inc. and The Party Bluprints Blog, are lifestyle and entertaining experts. In October 2010, Dawn and Elizabeth published their first book, Plan to Party. These party architects, creators of the original Partybluprints Party Plans, design experiences. They deliver useful DIY information, “bluprints” and party plans to hosts’ fingertips enabling them to build a successful party. Their motto “There’s no place like home for a party”! Dawn and Elizabeth, The Partybluprints Blog and Plan to Party have been featured on NBC TODAY Show, Fox TV Good Day NY, Good Housekeeping, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance Magazine, Consumer Report’s Smart Shopper, Redbook Magazine, Denver Life, Martha Stewart Living Radio, Fox News Strategy Room, CBS NY2, CBS The Talk (featured bloggers), and many more regional and local radio shows and newspapers. In 2010, Dawn & Elizabeth partnered with A&E Television Network’s Lifetime Digital and were named editors of the new Parties & Entertaining Channel on Lifetime- Moms.com. In addition, they are featured experts and contributors on Good Housekeeping’s Blog, Galtime.com, Money Talks News, SocialMoms. com (formally TwitterMoms.com), BetterWayMoms.com and Project You, a syndicated ezine.

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