It’s finally hot in Minnesota where my family lives, and I’m loving the rays. My kids have already been invited to several birthday parties, and there will be many more. While a pool party is the standard go-to for keeping kids cool while they celebrate the birthday kid, there are so many other fun outdoor birthday party ideas. And having a party in your yard solves the problem of not being able to fit 20 kids in your house. Kids can go totally crazy outdoors! It’s also usually much cheaper than having to pay for a venue.
Here, I’ve rounded up 15 awesome outdoor birthday party ideas for the kids that don’t require a pool.
More Birthday Party Ideas:
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15 Awesome Outdoor Party Ideas for Kids
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Movie Under the Stars
Let the starry night sky (and movie screen) light your kid's way to happy birthday memories. Keep the food simple with hot dogs, fruit, and cupcakes.
Image and how-to: Lay Baby Lay
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Easel Extravaganza
Little party guests can paint the town, or just their canvas, red with this paint party idea.
Image and how-to: Jay and Jay Home
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Star Wars Soiree
Turn your outdoor playhouse into Yoda's Swamp for a galactic getaway at your kid's next birthday bash.
Image and how-to: Lay Baby Lay
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Twister Time
Use a DIY stencil to spray rows of circles with yard paint for your giant Twister game -- no mat needed here! Clean up is as easy as mowing the lawn. A good downpour helps, too.
Image and how-to: Euchariseo
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American Ninja Warrior Games
Create an inexpensive obstacle course (hello, pallets!) to challenge the birthday party guests to run, jump, and play 'til they drop.
Image and how-to: Frugal Fun 4 Boys
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Giant Bubble Blast
Amaze your party guests as they stand inside an actual bubble that’s bigger than they are. Fill buckets with bubbles, bubble gum, and bubble bath as party favors.
Image and idea: One Charming Party
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F-U-N Times With Bananagrams
Use cardboard tiles to spell P-A-R-T-Y with this giant Bananagram game. Guests will get a mental challenge, with the added bonus of some exercise!
Image and how-to: Constantly Lovestruck
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Angry Birds Birthday
A big slingshot, a bunch of balloons, and some painted kickballs make this creative game a party favorite.
Image and how-to: My 4 Misters and Their Sister
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Start Your Engines!
A pool noodle and little cars are all you need to create a backyard raceway for your partygoers to become drag racers.
Image and idea: Ramblings from Utopia
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Backyard Mini Golf
Little guests can hit the links with this easy-to-make, 9-hole mini golf course.
Image and how-to: ehow
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Water Balloon Baseball
Kids will stay extra cool during a summertime soiree when they swap baseballs for water balloons. Write party details on the baseballs and deliver them as invitations!
Image and how-to: i-candy handmade
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Water Gun Races
This fun birthday activity will keep the kids running. Water guns, plastic cups, and string are all you need for this outdoor-only race.
Image and how-to: All For the Boys
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Scavenger Hunt Party
Kids can go on an epic backyard search for birthday favors and other goodies when you arrange a scavenger hunt with clues.
Image and how-to: No Wooden Spoons
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Pow Wow Party
A pow wow party brings the fun outside, and makes it easy to keep the kids cool in the shade. Hang out in a teepee, sing campfire songs, and create camp-y crafts.
Image and how-to: 100 Layer Cakelet
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Water Balloon Piñatas
Birthday guests will love these piñatas that rain down cool water during a hot, summer party.
Image and how-to: Milk Allergy Mom
