Creative Outdoor Birthday Party Ideas For Adults And Kids

Take the party outside for half the mess and double the fun with these cool ideas!

Reviewed by Jeff Lanno, Wedding Planner Jeff Lanno Jeff LannoWedding Planner facebook_icontwitter_iconyoutube_iconinsta_icon
Written by Sneha Tete, Integrated MA, Certified Relationship Coach Sneha Tete Integrated MA, Certified Relationship Coach linkedin_icon Experience: 4 years
Edited by Subhrojyoti Mukherjee, MA (English) Subhrojyoti Mukherjee MA (English) linkedin_icon Experience: 4 years
Last Updated on

Gone are the days when you celebrate your birthday inside your home. Now it is more about exploring outdoor spaces and using them creatively. But coming up with outdoor birthday party ideas can be difficult at times. Be it a beach, resort, camping trip, or your backyard or lounge, a lot depends on the venue. Moreover, it takes immense party planning to smoothly organize a birthday party outdoors without compromising entertainment. So, how do you go about it? How do you plan an outdoor celebration? In this article, we have listed some exciting, easy-to-organize ideas to make your outdoor birthday party even more memorable. Follow the ideas and tips mentioned below to provide your guests with an unforgettable and cherishable experience.

Creative And Entertaining Outdoor Birthday Party Ideas For Kids

Creative and entertaining outdoor birthday party ideas for kids
Image: Shutterstock
  1. Birthday Bonfire:What can make your kid’s outdoor birthday bash more perfect than camping in the town outskirts with a bonfire and activities like stargazing, playing cards or board games, reading scary and exciting stories, and having a barbeque? Sit around the bonfire and sing your favorite songs with your loved ones for an entertaining celebration in the wild. Don’t forget the marshmallows!
protip_icon Quick Tip
Rent a telescope for the evening and allow kids to take turns looking through it at the stars, moon, and the planets (under an enthusiastic adult’s supervision, of course).
  1. Birthday Backyard Camping: If you are not the outdoor camping type, that doesn’t mean that your backyard can’t be transformed into a campground. Set up tents and sleeping bags in your yard and keep sandwiches or pasta to eat around the fire pit. A game of flashlight tag will add to the unforgettable memories.
  1. Birthday Beach Day: If you happen to live near a beach, there are endless activities to make your kid’s day special, from sandcastle competitions to building a raft and enjoying water sports. Make teams, play volleyball or football, relax on the beach after a tiring day, and enjoy the sunset. Sunscreen and lots of water are a must!
  1. Backyard Sports Party: Make your child’s outdoor birthday party a sports-themed celebration. Set up your backyard for badminton, cricket, or basketball. You can even have a dunk tank and host a water balloon fight. Serve the kids’ favorite snacks along with some candies and chocolates.
  1. Bouncy Castle And Entertainer: Install a bouncy castle or trampoline in the backyard or front lawn for your kid’s outdoor birthday party. Arrange fun games like balancing on beams inside the castle to get everyone moving. You can also hire an artist who can engage your young guests and keep them entertained with humor.
  1. DIY Activities Or Paint Party: Rather than arranging outdoor games, you can offer DIY activities, such as origami, arts and crafts, and face painting, for your guests. Ask the adults to join the kids and decorate their jars with paint, glitters, and stickers. This is a fun way to pass the time and mingle with everyone at an outdoor birthday party.
  1. Birthday Scavenger Hunt: Enhance the outdoor birthday party by hosting a scavenger hunt game. Divide the guests into teams, provide different clues to each team, and ask them to find hidden objects around the outdoor space. Whoever finds the most objects wins the prize! Arrange various theme-based scavenger hunts to keep your guests engaged and entertained.
  1. Mermaid Birthday Party: Celebrate your child’s special day with this magical idea! Transform your space into an underwater wonderland, featuring ocean-inspired decor and vibrant hues. Plan delightful activities like a treasure hunt, mermaid tail crafting, and water play for endless fun. Engage young guests by organizing a storytelling session and narrating enchanting mermaid tales. Treat them to delightful shell-shaped sweets. Cap off the celebration by cutting a cake that aligns with this theme and then gathering around a bonfire for a mermaid sing-along under the stars. This mesmerizing theme with various engaging activities, promises to create lasting memories for your child and their friends.

Outdoor spaces make excellent locations for parties because they allow sufficient space for activities and games, giving your party an extra edge. Check out some amazing outdoor party ideas for adults in our next section.

Amazing Outdoor Birthday Party Ideas For Adults

Amazing outdoor birthday party ideas for adults
Image: Shutterstock
  1. Beer And BBQ Birthday Party: A barbecue outside your house with friends and family is a beautiful way to celebrate an outdoor birthday. Get the outdoor BBQ set up in your backyard and arrange lawn chairs to sit back and enjoy the evening with a cold beer. You can even play beer pong to make the evening exciting and engaging.
  1. Cocktail Birthday Party:  If you have been searching for some 30th birthday party ideas, this would be perfect for you! Just invite your friends, cousins, and loved ones to an outdoor cocktail party. Get some bar furniture – like stools or tables – to host this party in style with delicious cocktails. Ask your guests to prepare their unique cocktails or host a competition for the ‘best cocktail of the evening’. Decorate the venue with candle lights and string lights for added ambiance. Serve the cocktail with some cheese, nachos, or tacos.
protip_icon Quick Tip
Set up a mic so that your friends may sing, speak, do stand up comedy, or recite at the party—kind of like a karaoke, but without lyrics on the screen. Alternatively, you can book a local band or DJ to come and perform during the party.
  1. Hiking And Picnic: Plan a day out in the woods or a beautiful valley. Hike up the side of the mountain or take a walk through the trails. Save time for outdoor games like frisbee throwing, cricket, or football. After the activity session, enjoy the picnic with sandwiches, fruits, and cold drinks.
Group of friends enjoying picnic after hiking
Image: Shutterstock
  1. Tour A Vineyard: Drive to a local vineyard with wine barrels, glasses, and two-by-two outdoor games. You can tour the vines, learn about how grapes are turned into wine, and taste refreshing drinks and champagne.
  1. Art On The Lawn: Include creative activities, such as pottery painting, mirror painting, DIY soap making, and full-body painting on a big canvas, in your birthday to-do list. These fun ventures will help your guests feel inclusive, and everyone can express themselves through art and create beautiful memories.
  1. Pool Birthday Party: You are lucky if your birthday comes around the summer; now is the ideal time to bring that pool party idea into action! Host a pool party for your birthday and ask your guests to bring their swim trunks and bikinis. You can play some fun outdoor games like water volleyball and water racing.
  1. Outdoor Dinner Party: Invite your friends and family to your favorite restaurant and express your love for them over delicious food and beverages. You can also arrange for a local artist to perform at your birthday celebration.

The next sections list creative, elegant, and memorable yet fun event ideas, food, and game ideas, and beautiful outdoor decorations and party favor ideas. Whether you throw a party on your patio, terrace, or garden, use these ideas to make the event feel special for the birthday person. We have inexpensive ideas for paper decorations, a DIY buffet, easy finger-licking snacks, and themed surroundings. Scroll down.

Outdoor Birthday Party Decorations And Food Ideas

Outdoor birthday party decoration and food ideas
Image: Shutterstock
  • Choose outdoor banners and balloons, specially designed for outdoor spaces.
  • Buy outdoor string lights or LED lanterns.
  • Purchase cute tableware like plates, bowls, cups, and cutlery sets in bright colors to make your outdoor space lively.
  • Decorate your garden, lawn, and pool with paper lanterns. You can also place candles in glass jars as centerpieces for outdoor tables.
  • Serve food items that do not require ’cooking’ or outdoor cooking to keep up with your outdoor birthday theme.
  • Arrange snacks like nachos, tacos, chips or fries, and sliders on serving plates.
  • Enjoy the outdoor vibe with delicious sandwiches and barbecue spread, soup or salads, and refreshing lemonades while sitting on a round table with your loved ones.
  • Invite local chefs and ask them to prepare a curated menu for your guests.

Unique Outdoor Birthday Party Games And Activities

Outdoor birthday party ideas for activities and games
Image: Shutterstock
  • Frisbee throwing, treasure hunts, cricket, and football sessions will keep the party fun and entertaining.
  • If you have a small backyard, engage the kids in casual games like dumb charades, water balloon tosses, or relay races. For adults, you can conduct outdoor bingo sessions with family or friends.

Chantelle, a blogger shares her personal experience of arranging a backyard birthday party for her daughter’s birthday. She gave an entire walkthrough of the outdoor birthday party from the invites, snacks, theme, decor, and more. She rejoices and adds, “She was very happy to have all her friends over to her house to celebrate with her and I was proud to be able to use my creativity and skills to help make special birthday memories for my sweet little girl (i).”

  • Invite everyone to participate in outdoor photoshoots.
  • Host a small badminton or chess competition for kids and adults alike.
  • You can also hire a magician and juggler to make your outdoor birthday party even more entertaining for the kids.

Think about what you like when it comes to spending time outside. Some enjoy picnics, others playing in the water or making a game out of running races. Choose something that you can arrange in your backyard or a nearby park field. Use our creative ideas mentioned above and celebrate your outdoor birthday party with a blast.

Infographic:5 Outdoor Birthday Party Ideas For Adults

Growing old does not mean that your birthday should not be celebrated in the most entertaining way possible. If you wish to enjoy your day to the fullest but are running out of good party ideas, no worries. We got you covered! Check out the infographic below for the top 5 fun outdoor birthday party ideas for adults to plan the most raging gathering ever.

top 5 fun outdoor birthday party ideas for adults (infographic)

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Celebrating a birthday at home might seem cozy. But, it cannot compete with the excitement and grandeur of an outdoor birthday party. Having a picnic at a park, enjoying a beach birthday party, or camping out with friends at night hits differently. Most kids and adults love a good outdoor party, like a BBQ cookout with some music, games, and outdoor activities. You can also organize scavenger hunts or vineyard trips for kids and adults or try combining these ideas. So, scroll up and pick your favorite outdoor party ideas to celebrate your birthday with a bang, like no other, this year.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you have an outdoor party in the rain?

A little bit of rain need not spoil an outdoor party. You can set up some colorful umbrellas or party tents to keep the rain away. If you do not have a budget for so many tents, you can host a nice party in your garage to keep it going.

How do I keep my guests cool at an outdoor party?

Install some outdoor fans, have some cool beverages going around and serve some ice cream sandwiches to keep your guests cool and partying.

How do I keep my guests warm at an outdoor party?

You can create a cozy section with blankets, pillows, hats, and scarves for guests to warm themselves in. Serve warm coffee, hot chocolate, or cider to keep your guests warm. You can create a nice bonfire and install heaters for a warm and cozy winter party!

How do you have an outdoor party in the wind?

Ensure that you put up sturdy tents and keep the food covered to prevent them from flying. Be prepared to go inside or to an alternate location if the wind is too strong.

How do you keep food warm for an outdoor party?

You can cover your food with aluminum foil or store them in insulated containers to keep your food warm for your guests.

Key Takeaways

  • Using your outdoor space for birthday parties is more fun and exciting.
  • You can arrange a bonfire, backyard camping, and a lot of other fun activities at an outdoor birthday party.
  • Outdoor parties allow sufficient space for activities and games.


Check out this video for amazing ideas for an outdoor birthday party celebration that everyone will love. These unique and fun-loving ideas will make your party a memorable one!

Personal Experience: Source

Was this article helpful?
thumbsupthumbsdown
disqus_comment

Community Experiences

Join the conversation and become a part of our empowering community! Share your stories, experiences, and insights to connect with other beauty, lifestyle, and health enthusiasts.

Jeff Lanno
Jeff LannoWedding Planner
Jeff Lanno is a wedding planner and a legally certified Canadian travel agent. He has worked in travel agencies for 15+ years, which has now evolved to managing groups and wedding groups. He aims to make the travel and destination wedding experience a beautiful and memorable one for his clients.

Read full bio of Jeff Lanno
Sneha Tete
Sneha TeteBeauty & Lifestyle Writer
Sneha has a master's degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Hyderabad, a professional Relationship Coach diploma, and over four years of experience in writing. She writes about relationships and lifestyle.Sneha began her career as an instructional designer, shifted to freelance technical and research writing, and self-published a novella on the theme of adolescent mental health.

Read full bio of Sneha Tete
Subhrojyoti Mukherjee
Subhrojyoti MukherjeeAssociate Editor
Subhrojyoti is an associate editor at StyleCraze with four years of experience. He has a master’s degree in English from Presidency University, Kolkata, and has also done a post-graduate certificate course in Editing and Publishing from Jadavpur University, Kolkata.

Read full bio of Subhrojyoti Mukherjee
AFS