Long days and warm weather make summer a great time to throw a party! Summer birthdays, family reunions, or simply "It's August!" are all good reasons to get together with family, friends, and neighbors. Here are 7 tips for making your summer parties engaging and fun for kids and adults.
Select a great setting. Want plenty of room for the kids to play? Did you know that many state and municipal parks provide group facilities? To find a state park near you go to www.nps.gov.
Plan shared refreshments or a "bring your own." If you don't have the time or energy to organize who will contribute what to a potluck, ask each family to bring their own food and beverages. The first is more communal, but the second is easier and works well, too.
Plan games and activities. Introduce your kids to some traditional relay games, such as wheelbarrow races (the "wheelbarrow" is created by one person walking on his hands and the other holding up his feet) or potato-sack races (one person hops along holding up a sack). Grown-ups can supervise or get in on the fun! For more suggestions, go to: 7 Family Games to Play Anywhere!
Recorded music is but one option! Playing music sets a festive tone. If you keep the volume down, people can still talk and you'll keep the neighbors happy. Better yet, ask your talented friends to bring guitars. Making music provides a way for people to participate as well as listen. Kids love learning songs and may want to teach you their favorites.
Be aware of outdoor safety issues. Whether you're near water, burning charcoal, or traffic, it goes without saying that parents need to keep an eye on their kids at all times. Don't forget the importance of drinking plenty of water and using sunscreen and insect repellent.
Create a clean-up crew. Have garbage bags available during the party for on-going cleanup. Then, when everyone is ready to head home, kids can help finish the job by turning into "litter finders."
Have fun, and remember it's about the people. If you're hosting or organizing a party, it's easy to get hung up on details. Remember, however, that the point is to get people together to talk, laugh, and enjoy each other's company. Summer parties provide a relaxed opportunity for families to get together to play active games, move around, and use their outdoor voices...and you don't have to worry about pre-visitor cleaning. Enjoy!
Planning a summer birthday party? Read what parents told us about their kids' birthday celebrations at: Parents' Poll: How Do You Celebrate Your Children's Birthdays?.