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The weather may be getting chillier, but there is still a lot of fun to be had outside. Before your family, and the rest of the neighborhood, is cooped up for the winter, throw a backyard bash for everyone to enjoy during the last moments of comfortable weather. Below are some ideas and tips to help plan the festivities.
Get the family together and make a small invite list of kids in the neighbourhood and other friends to join in. Pick a few activities that everyone can take part in and offer some variety. Enjoy making invitations that are decorated with a fall theme and hand-deliver them. Check the weather on the date for rain, and select an alternate day in case the clouds do roll in.
While the sun’s out, consider:
- Playing in the leaves
- Setting up a bocce ball game – you can use pine cones and tennis balls if you don’t have a set
- Organize a game of hide-and-seek (setting strict area limits to stay safe!)
- Enjoy an afternoon bounce on the world’s safest trampoline, Springfree Trampoline that prevents injuries
- Create leaf rubbings with large crayons and thin paper and decorate them with glue, glitter, and markers
- Have a BBQ with everyone’s favourite burgers, hotdogs, and veggie patties
While the kids are playing, or before, set-up a homemade movie night for everyone to snuggle up and enjoy when it gets dark (start rolling right after the sun sets). Follow these set-up tips:
A Springfree trampoline is the perfect comfy sitting place for everyone to spread out and see the movie screen together. Just remember to enforce a ‘no jumping’ rule first. Wipe down the surface and let it dry, then bring out lots of blankets and pillows so everyone is comfortable. Adults can sit in folding chairs: it’s easier to monitor everyone from the sidelines. You can also bring out patio chairs or set-up a viewing area on the soft grass with beach towels and blankets.
Bring a variety of snacks that can be passed around, plus plates so everyone can fill up and pass less often. Popcorn’s a classic movie night favourite. Other kid-friendly choices are pretzels, crackers, veggies, pieces of fruit, cubes of cheese, and fruit snacks. Consider asking everyone to bring their favourite on the invite, in case there are any surprise dietary restrictions, and to let you know if that’s the case.
For the screen, you can either rent or borrow a movie screen, or make one yourself. A large white sheet with a darker coloured sheet as a backing works well when fastened onto a wall or a fence, or, you can use the soft safety walls of a Springfree trampoline itself to hang the sheets. For the latter, you might want to set up rows of chairs for viewing in case sitting on the trampoline is a little too close for comfort. For another DIY screen set-up, check out this video.
To view and hear the movie, you’ll need a projector, a laptop or DVD player or Blu-ray player, external speakers, and an extension cord. You can find new and used projectors online and use it for outdoor and indoor use all year. Make sure to find a flat and steady platform for it to sit upon.
Of course, this party idea works great for spring and summer, too. Any time the weather is comfortable. Remind attendees to bring extra layers for when it gets chillier at night. And have fun playing, bouncing, and snuggling up for show time!
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This post made possible by site supporter Mike John.
Photo by Stephanie McCabe on Unsplash