It's always fun to create a unique experience when throwing a birthday party. Nothing can be more unique than throwing a backyard camping birthday party.
You and your guest will remember the great time you have playing games, roasting marshmallows, and sleeping in tents.
In this article, I will give you the ins and outs of throwing an amazing backyard camping birthday.
Make sure you don't miss the awesome tip for getting the right cake.
Create a list of must haves
Although doing the party in your backyard means saving on the venue, expenses can still pile up easily if you’re not careful with the things you spend on.
To prevent that from happening, it’s best to start with a complete list of non-negotiables for your party. This includes the food, décor, cake, and favors.
Set aside a budget for each of these items to see if you have enough to cover the entire cost. If you have extra, you can add more items on your checklist to make the party more fun and memorable. Focus on the essentials first so you don’t go over budget.
Make a unique invite
For invites these days, you have the option between a physical and electronic invite. You don’t need to spend a lot on invites because you can make your own for free through design platforms like Canva. You can also purchase pre-designed invites and just write down the details.
Although some people would skip having an invite, it’s actually a great way to get guests excited and make sure that you have a good turnout to your camping birthday party. It also gives your guest time to prepare.
Prep your menu
One of the great things about planning a backyard camping birthday party is that you have a wide array of food options to choose from and you can be as creative as you want with your food and beverages.
Camping birthday party food is also pretty easy to make and absolutely delicious.
Aside from barbecue, burgers, and some steak for your main courses, you can also create a buffet of finger food. This could include camp fire logs made of frozen taquitos rolled and fried, pigs in a blanket made with hotdogs wrapped in dough, tacos, and of course, the camping classic s’mores.
Try to diversify your menu to cater to different preferences and food restrictions. For instance, you can offer beef, chicken, and pork for protein. You may want to create vegetarian and vegan options for guests who don’t eat meat. You should also be mindful of guests who have food allergies by putting labels on your food. Ask your guest ahead of time, so you know if anyone is allergic to specific foods.
Then, there’s the kids’ menu, especially if it’s a kids’ camping birthday party. To save time and money, you can actually make child-friendly versions of your adult food dishes.
For instance, if the adults get regular burgers, the kids can go with small pork sliders. Plus, don’t forget about your beverages. Root beer is a staple for these types of parties, but you can also go with water, juice, and soda.
Of course, you should never miss the classic hot chocolate in thermoses that guests can enjoy late at night when you’re all gathered around the bonfire sharing stories and eating s’mores.
Choose the right birthday cake
A camping birthday party wouldn’t be complete without a great cake. Depending on your budget, you have the option to go simple or go all-out with your birthday cake.
If you don’t want to spend a lot on the cake, here’s a trick: buy a simple pre-made cake from your local supermarket and decorate it using icing, candies, and even toys to make it look more appropriate for your theme.
Get creative with décor
The great thing about throwing a camping birthday party is that you don’t need to spend a lot on decor because you already have the outdoors as your backdrop. But you can still add a few details here and there to make the event extra special.
Start by dividing your venue into different areas for the tents, the buffet, and the entertainment area. This will help you maximize your space and ensure that your guests can move around freely and have fun during the party.
You can also add some décor like some lights, logs, and maybe even a bonfire if it’s allowed in your area. You can use materials that you already have on your property so you don’t need to spend a lot on décor.
Get ready with your activities
No camping birthday party would be complete without some fun activities for both the young and old. For this, you have to stock up on cards, board games, bubbles, and water guns.
You can also set up an outdoor theater where you can show a movie for guests to enjoy while munching their food and drinking their drinks. These camping activities may be simple, but they will allow your guests to have the best time during your party.
You can also set up an activity area for the kids so adults can enjoy the party without having to watch over their kids constantly. You can provide art materials for them to make their own art. Or plan a scavenger hunt around your backyard so the kids can have a blast and even win some prizes.
Keeping the kids busy will not only ensure a successful event, but it will also save you from the chaos of having kids running around your backyard.
Another fun activity would be to let the kids look for gold in your backyard. You don't have to really have gold in your yard; although that would be good if you do. You can setup an area by planting some gold, like in a sand pit, and let the kids dig for the treasures.
Make sure that everyone’s comfortable
If your guests are planning to stay overnight, you can set up tents that fit everyone comfortably. Don’t forget to provide mattresses, pillows, and blankets to make sure everyone gets a good night’s sleep.
You can also include some bug sprays, eye covers, and other trinkets that will make your guests feel special during your camping birthday party.
It’s also very important to make sure that you have enough seating for guests to enjoy their food and share great conversations with other guests during the party. You could rent wooden tables and chairs and cover them with colorful table covers for that festive look.
If you’re planning to set up a campfire during the party, make sure that it is built well and that you’re abiding by the laws in your area. Never leave the kids near the bonfire to avoid any accidents.
On nights that it is really cold out you may want to setup a patio heater under a covered patio so your guest can get a little warmer. Just remember to follow the proper safety guidelines when using a patio heater.
Go throw a party
Your backyard camping birthday party will be an event to remember. Setup a campsite that is authentic. Provide your guest with plenty of games and food. And enjoy some time around the campfire. They are sure to be talking about it for years to come. They may even ask you for some advice in throwing their own camping party in their backyard.
