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Exciting Summer Garden Party Ideas for Adults & Children

Summer brings longer days, perfect for celebrating with friends and family in your garden. If you’re planning a celebration, why not consider these creative summer garden party ideas to make your event unforgettable?

Summer Garden Parties for Adults and Children

Make Your Own Pretend Drive-In Movie Theatre

Transform your garden into a cosy outdoor cinema with a makeshift screen (a white wall or sheet), a projector, and a device to play the film. Add some comfy seating such as beanbags or large cushions with blankets, and some snacks like popcorn for a magical movie night under the stars. A fantastic summer garden party idea for all to enjoy!

Play Classic Outdoor Games

Rounders and cricket are classic summer games and excellent choices for garden party ideas. Organise a game of rounders or tag for some friendly competition. These timeless activities are enjoyable for both children and adults and are sure to get everyone moving and laughing.

Host a Sports Day

If you know you have an active or competitive crowd, take advantage of the sunny weather by organising a sports day complete with team games and competitions. You can divide everyone into teams or houses (if you have a theme) and get the leaderboard ready. Having a diverse range of activities should allow most people to do well. Set up challenges like sack races, three-legged races, and tug-of-war for a fun-filled day of outdoor excitement. For a little extra fun, if your budget allows, include elements from Total Wipeout or It’s a Knockout.

Delicious Summer Garden Party Food Ideas

Classic Afternoon Tea

Treat your guests to a delightful afternoon tea with freshly baked scones, finger sandwiches, and an assortment of cakes and pastries, for an exceptional summer garden party idea. Don’t forget to offer a selection of teas, coffees, and refreshing cocktails to complement the spread. Afternoon tea al fresco dining is a popular choice and an easy one to adapt for people with different dietary or cultural needs while adding a little colour to your table.

Fire Up the BBQ

If you’re searching for adult garden party ideas we highly recommend hosting a BBQ. After all, nothing says summer like a barbecue! Set up a grilling station with an array of meats, veggies, and condiments. Add some salads and desserts to round out the menu for a satisfying and festive feast. Why not throw in a few beers and gin and tonics? Summer BBQs can also be a great family-friendly garden party idea. 

You could even make it like a picnic with a dedicated outdoor space with a garden party table, an outdoor rug, table decorations, a fire pit, and string lights, there are plenty of ways you can accommodate your party guests for a summer BBQ.

Outdoor dining table

Summer Garden Party Decoration Ideas

Light Up Your World

Fairy lights look stunning when wrapped around trees and can also benefit you by adding to the atmosphere. They also make sure that everyone can see where they are going in the evening so that you can all stay out a little longer.

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Let Nature Take Over

If you’ve got stunning grounds like ours at Alexandra House, sometimes it’s worth letting nature be its own backdrop. During the summer months there should be plenty of beautiful flowers out and lush green leaves so you don’t have to try too hard to make your summer garden party look good.

Accessorise Your Table

A few colourful elements like table centrepieces, tablecloths, napkins, plates and table runners can go a long way to make your party stand out. Be careful of what you’re using though, as you don’t want to be left with lots of disposables and rubbish.

Get Some Music Playing

It’s not technically decoration (unless decoration for the ears counts?) but it is part of the atmosphere or ambience so get those chilled tunes or summer hits out and add an extra little bit of entertainment to your day.

Whether you’re hosting a casual family get-together or a corporate summer bash, these summer garden party ideas are sure to impress your guests and create lasting memories.

If you’re looking for outdoor space to hire for an outdoor celebration, Eastwood Hall has beautiful grounds for you to host a fanatastic event. Whatever you decide, have an excellent time!

Header image courtesy of Firewood Film

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About the Author

Ellie