HOLIDAYS
HOLIDAYS
A Backyard Movie Party is a slam-dunk idea for a kid's birthday. Everyone has a great time from the kids watching the movie on a big screen in the backyard to the parents who tag along to hang out.
Pick one of these 5 cinema favorites and theme your birthday party to the movie.
Create two specific areas in your yard for the party:
- The "movie lobby" is where your food & drink will be set up. Consider renting a popcorn machine and offering a grab bag of movie theater candy or concession items.
- The "theater" is your viewing area, which should have ample ground seating and an electrical outlet nearby.
5 Movie Party Musts:
- Blankets & Pillows - ask guests to bring these in the invitation
- Bug Spray - keep pests away by spraying your yard
- Sprinklers - turn these off a day in advance for dry seating on the lawn
- Popcorn - rent a machine or pop individual bags in the microwave
- Heads Up for the Neighbors - be courteous and let neighbors know about the event
The Epson MovieMate 50 is great for those who want to buy a projector. It's easy to use with a built-in DVD player and it has terrific clarity on the screen.
Or you can rent a projector, screen and electrical / speaker cords for the evening. Here is a list of items that I usually rent or use for my movie parties:
- DVD projector & player
- Movie screen (or you can use a white wall or hanging white sheet)
- 2 speakers for stereo sound
- Speaker receiver with cords that hook up to the DVD projector & player
- Speaker cords that are long enough to extend from the screen back to the receiver
- Extension cords
- Table to set equipment on
- Duct tape or mats to secure cords so kids don't trip on them
Research DVD projector rental vendors in your area and ask a lot of questions. If you are not the "technical type" make sure that you set up everything in advance with the help of a tech-savvy friend so there are no mishaps at the party. Or, ask the DVD rental house to draw you a diagram if you are unsure of how to set up the equipment.
- 1. Willy Wonka - A nostalgic movie that is great for all ages, you can max out this theme with a candy-clad birthday cake and movie tins full of candy for party favors.
- 2. Lady & The Tramp Italian Theme - Who can forget the “spaghetti scene” from Lady & The Tramp? A kid’s movie with Italian overtones is easy. After all, pizza delivery is the #1 kid’s party food and a red-and-white-check motif is classic Italian decor.
- 2. Super Hero - Super Hero movie themes are simple, as there are plenty of decorations specific to Batman, Superman, Spiderman, or the current movie hero. Add to the atmosphere with hanging metallic stars.
- 4. Pirates of the Caribbean or Sea Themes - For older kids, a “Pirates of the Caribbean” party is ideal with adventurous food and “treasured” décor. For a younger crowd, go with a sea-themed movie such as “The Little Mermaid” or “Finding Nemo”.
- 5. Harry Potter - Oh, the magical décor a “Harry Potter” movie party conjures up! For party favors, give guests a simple magic trick or a collapsible wand. Ask everyone to come as his or her favorite “Potter” character and stop the show with a magician at the movie’s intermission!
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Late summer (Labor Day Weekend) is great for these events because the weather is still warm but it starts getting darker earlier (just a little). The backyard movie parties here in Ventura County can...