Summer Birthday Party Ideas

Got a summer birthday? Well, you’re in luck! Not only can you celebrate your special day outdoors in the summer sun, but you’ll save on money and the mess! Check out some sweet summer birthday party ideas below.

Outdoor Movie Night

Enjoy your favorite flick outdoors! Rent an inflatable movie screen from your local party supply store to watch your most-loved movie with friends under the stars. For seats, just throw out some comfy blankets and bean bag chairs on the lawn.
Don’t forget to create your own concession stand so everyone has something to munch on throughout the screening. Set out boxes of candy, buckets of popcorn, and all of your favorite drinks. You can even make your own slushies if an ICEE is your favorite theatre treat! A great show, yummy snacks, and your best friends will make for a blockbuster birthday.


Potluck Picnic

Find the perfect spot in the park, and plan for a birthday picnic! Invite a few friends or family to each bring a special dish or treat to your picnic. It’ll be less work on you, plus it’s sure to excite your tastebuds! Make a playlist with some of your favorite summer tunes and bring a few outdoor games such as bag toss and ladder ball. This warm-weather birthday party will be low-key, inexpensive, and tons of fun.

Ice Cream Social

Since we all scream for ice cream, why not have a birthday party all about it? An ice cream social is fun, interactive, and makes for a delicious, cool treat for a hot summer day. Come up with a fun ice cream-themed game such as pin the cherry on the ice cream cone! You can also have guests decorate their own bowls with stickers and colored markers. It’s sure to make their ice cream sundae extra sweet. Of course, you need an ice cream bar with all the fixings. Everyone will be on a sugar high while celebrating your special day.

Under the Sea

Dive in to a new year with an under the sea birthday party! Decorate the space in turquoise and white and use fun accessories to add to the theme! For example, replicate seaweed by carefully twisting green streamers, or put a layer of netting over the table clothes and lay some sea shells on it to give everything an ocean feel. There’s plenty of delicious “seafood” to serve your guests. Pretzel “fishing” rods, sour gummy worm “bait”, and “crabby” croissants will be instant hits. Play dolphin nose ring toss, sharks and minnows, and pin the tail on the flounder. Everyone will have a whale of a time!

Pool Party

There’s no better way to celebrate a summer birthday than with a pool party! Give out super cool floats and rafts to guests as soon as they arrive. That way, if someone isn’t a great swimmer they will be comfortable and safe in the water without being embarrassed! Many dollar stores and bargain shops sell pool noodles and rafts for a great price. Everyone is sure to workup an appetite while swimming away. Grilling up some hot dogs and burgers is a delicious an easy way to feed a crowd. If a grill isn’t available, bring some pre-packed sandwiches and chips for a meal. Cupcakes are definitely the way to go since they are easier to eat and more portable than a birthday cake. Have them decorated in a fun summer theme – it’s sure to make a splash!

Water Works

Get wet ‘n’ wild with a water works party! It’s the perfect way to beat the heat and have gallons of fun on your birthday. Make sure everyone knows to dress for the mess and brings their own towel. There are plenty of water-themed games and activities to set up outdoors. A water balloon toss, sprinkler, and a slip ‘n’ slide will leave everyone laughing! If it is in your budget, look in to renting a huge blow-up slide for some extra fun. To save yourself from providing a meal, make this an afternoon party. All the kids will be having so much, they probably won’t stop to eat anyway! However, don’t forget the birthday cake and plenty of refreshing drinks. Splish, Splash, Hooray!

Gone Camping

Summer is the season for camping and makes a great theme for an outdoor party. Roast hot dogs, make s’mores, and sing campfires tunes all night long. For an interactive food idea, try a make your on trail mix bar. Set out some brown paper bags along with pretzels, nuts, dried fruit, and chocolates, for a delicious treat. And for a fun outdoor activity, invite guests to paint their own wooden birdhouse or create their own butterfly catcher. You could even plan a scavenger hunt to get everyone moving and exploring the great outdoors. Kids and adults alike will enjoy this camping celebration!

Outdoor Carnival

Carnival games, bright balloons, and junk food have all the makings of a great party! Throw an outdoor carnival in your backyard or nearby park to celebrate an upcoming birthday. Create a cute hand painted sign to direct guests in the right directions of the carnival. Set up easy homemade games such as a balloon pop and ball toss for kids to play. You can get super creative with other carnival games too – just do a quick internet search and there will be plenty of ideas at your fingertips. A temporary tattoo booth and prize table are also great adds! Don’t forget the traditional fair food. Set up a tent with popcorn, hotdogs, and cotton candy. Step right up and join the fun!

Strawberry Festival

Summertime is the season of strawberries, so why not have a party all about it? Start out by sending strawberry shaped invitations to all of the guests. Whether your party is inside or outside, decorate with plenty of pinks, reds and a touch of green. Paper poms and tulle table clothes will give this party an extra girly and chic feel. A strawberry piñata will make for a fun party activity. Pink-hued strawberry lemonade served along with a delicious strawberries and cream birthday cake will be a sweet surprise!

Bubble Blow Out

Who doesn’t love to get outside and blow bubbles in the summertime? Invite guests to pop on over for a bubble-filled birthday bash! Of course, you’re going to need loads of bubble solution, along with tons of wacky wands and bubble blowers. As for decor, the color blue and helium balloons go right along with the bubble theme. If you’re feeling creative, try bubble art for an extra fun party activity. (Warning, this can get messy!) Mix some paint with a little water, then dip the bubble wands in the mixture and blow on to a piece of paper or cardboard. Kids will have a blast making fun and unique designs. Don’t forget to blow out the bubbles, I mean, candles on your birthday cake!

Beach Bash

Bring the beach to your own backyard with a beach bash birthday party! Ocean blue hues along with a bright orange and lime green make a great color palette for decor. Beach umbrellas, beach balls, and beach towels are sure to set the mood. You can also turn a couple of kiddie pools into sand boxes complete with beach toys for a fun play area. A water balloon toss or sand castle building contest is sure to keep guests entertained. For something less competitive, invite guests to decorate a pair of flip flops with rhinestones, foam shapes, and whatever else you can come up with. Serve up snacks in brightly colored beach buckets, complete with shovel scoops. It’ll be a beachin’ good time!