Outdoor & Garden Party Ideas
A garden party gives children room to run and takes the mess outside, which every parent appreciates. With a bit of set-up and a shady spot, the garden turns into the easiest party venue you have. Here is how to lay it out and the games that make the most of the space.
Set up the garden
- A shady base. Set the food and a rug in shade, or under a gazebo, so children have somewhere cool to sit and eat.
- Zones. Keep a running-around zone away from the food and any flower beds, and mark it out with bunting.
- Bunting and balloons. String bunting between fences and trees, and tie air-filled balloons to chairs and posts for instant colour.
- A water station. On a warm day, jugs of water and squash in the shade keep everyone going.
Garden games and keeping cool
The garden is made for big, active games: relay races, egg-and-spoon, sack races, limbo, a water balloon toss on a hot day and a bubble machine that toddlers will chase for ages. Keep a parcel and a calmer game in reserve for the shade when little ones need a breather. On a sunny day, plan around the heat: sun cream on arrival, a shaded seating area, plenty of water and the most energetic games earlier before the midday sun.
Frequently asked questions
How do I handle strong sun?
Create shade with a gazebo or a large parasol over the food and seating, ask parents to send children in sun cream, keep water flowing and run the busiest games earlier in the day. A few quiet, shaded activities give children a chance to cool down.
What if the grass is wet?
Lay picnic rugs or a tarpaulin over the worst of it, keep the food under cover, and have an indoor back-up ready in case it turns. Wellies on the invite note are never a bad idea for a British garden party.
Load up on party games for the garden, sort the essentials in kids party supplies, and keep the little ones busy with bubbles.