Summer birthdays are the best! Okay, birthdays are fun any time of year, but during the summer months there just seem to be many more possibilities for party themes and venues. My son's birthday is just after Memorial Day, so while it's not technically summer, it is unofficially summer, and we've been able to host some fantastic parties both at parks and at home thanks to the extra space the great outdoors affords. Here are 10 unique ideas for your next summer birthday party!
Read more ¿Qué más?: 5 Bilingual board games your whole family will enjoy
Image via iStock
Camping Party
A camping themed birthday party is perfect for both boys and girls, and can be done at home or in pretty much any park or natural area. You can pick a few activities like a s'mores bar and a bonfire, or go more elaborate and plan a hike and do some fishing. You can even make it a sleepover and pitch a few tents in your backyard!
Luau Party
With its bright colors and abundance of floral accents, a luau theme screams summer. It's the perfect theme for a big backyard barbecue with all of your closest friends and family. Add some fun music, tiki torches and lots of roasted meat and fresh produce, and you're good to go.
Movie Night Party
An outdoor movie party is a great option for a low-key, but still spectacularly fun birthday party. You can even get away without serving a meal, since you'll have to wait until after dark to the show the movie. You'll need a projector and a white sheet for the actual showing, but as far as food you can just stick to classic movie snacks–popcorn, candy and fizzy beverages.
Ice Cream Social
If you're not keen on outdoor parties–whether it's because it's just too hot where you live or you're simply not one with nature–an ice cream social is a great indoor option. You can do a modern ice cream cart version like the one pictured here or set up an area in your home like an old-fashioned soda counter, where kids can cool off with sweet treats.
Under the Sea Party
Bright colors and inexpensive beach toys are almost all you need to bring an under the sea party theme to life. Make sure there's lots of fun, fishy decor and yummy beachy treats for all.
Paint Party
Paint parties are all the rage with grown ups these days, but the idea can easily be adapted for arts-and-crafts loving kiddos. The key is to provide canvases, smocks and paints for each child, and use color and artwork to carry the theme throughout your venue.
Sunshine
Simple and super-festive, a sunshine themed party can work for boys and girls of just about any age. Lots of bright yellow decorations, fresh lemonade and sweet lemon cupcakes, all make a for a fun and easy summer celebration.
Farmer's Market Party
One of our favorite things to do in the summer, is visit the weekly farmer's markets, and I love the idea of transforming that occasion into a fun summer-centric party. A farmer's market theme is easy to create with a few country accents and a seasonal menu utilizing local ingredients. Make it fun and interactive for the kids with some DIY treats and produce-themed coloring sheets.
Water Fun Party
For an amped up take on the classic pool party, set up a slip 'n' slide, a sprinkler, the kiddie pool, a bucket of water balloons, some squirt guns and any other water toys you can think of and let the kids go crazy at a water fun themed party. By dinner time they'll all be worn out enough to sit quietly and enjoy the spread before getting sugared up on cake and ice cream.
Garden Party
Whether you choose to decorate your own space with tons of potted plants and flowers or you rent out space at a botanical garden, you can throw a smashing summer garden birthday party. Serve an afternoon tea style menu and have the kids pot their own flowers to take home to complete the experience.
