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Summer Party Planning Guide

Ideas, Invitations, Decorations, Games & Favors

Summertime and the living is easy!  Long days and nice weather are the perfect ingredients for having a great outdoor party. We can help! We have hundreds of summer party ideas.  We have summer theme parties, beach party ideas, barbeque party supplies and pool party plans.  Yes, everything you need for a great summer theme party. 

For a more complete selection of summer party supplies

Summer party personalized invitations and more Creations For You personalized party supplies.

We know that many summer parties have a patriotic theme.  So we created a section of the site devoted to patriotic theme parties, patriotic party supplies and party favors.  If celebrating the USA is your plan see our Patriotic Planning Guide. 

Summer Theme Parties

• Backyard BBQ.  Your basic backyard BBQ with some special Party411 flavor.

• Party on the Porch. You can have this on a porch or on your deck. A great way for friends and neighbors to enjoy the weather and the company.

• Barbeque Express  A western-style backyard barbeque.

• Clambake At home or on the beach.

• Dog Day Afternoon  Yes we actually wrote a party for dog lovers.

• Come on In! The Water's Fine...  A great summer fun pool party.

• A Lulu of A Luau! Hard to believe that your backyard can feel like a Hawaiian paradise but this summer theme party can make that happen.

• Project KidCare Summer Block Party  Block off the street. Invite the neighbors and have an old fashioned block party.

• Golf Outing A perfect way to spend a summer day.

Summer Party Invitations, Decorations, Party Favors and More

For a great selection of unique products for your summer party including invitations, candy bar wrappers and life size cardboard cutouts take a look at these personalized summer party supplies. No matter what theme you select, we will help you find ways to personalize the event and make planning and clean up easier.

For more party supplies, paper products and party favors, see our Summer Party Decorating411.  

Summer Party Games and Activities

Outdoor parties are great because there are so many activities available for the most active and the most sedentary. 

Summer party games are usually a hit. You can play bocce, horseshoes, volleyball or even have a putting contest with a limited amount of space. See all of our summer party games.

You can have the kids amuse themselves or you can play some games that are fun for kids and adults. Some suggestions that are fun for both include running bases, a bean bag toss, or kick ball.

At night the kids get a kick out of glowing light sticks or any kind of glow item.  Hand them out and they'll amuse themselves. Probably a bit safer than sparklers.

Let the kids organize a parade. Give them some streamers, tag board, etc. to decorate a float. Some of them can be a marching band. You can even give them inflatable instruments.  Make sure the adults take the time to “review” the parade. A great excuse to cool down by grabbing a seat a cold beverage.

Have your own baseball game! Divide guests into teams and play ball! Or you can have an entire Olympiad! The games don't have to be traditional ones either. You can have cookie eating contests and fun relay races or other crazy games. 

Summer Party Food

Hot dogs, hamburgers, potato salad, anything barbecued /grilled, Cole slaw, fruit salad, etc. For dessert you can have apple pie, and cake.

Want to be a little fancier than that? Try some of these grilling ideas from epicurious.com

Here are some more barbecue recipes and grilling tips from Weber grills.

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