We have super-easy summer party ideas, including summer party decorating, menus and activities.
Gather inspiration for a casual outdoor gathering from one of our easy summer party ideas.
Whether a no-fuss dinner on the deck or a festive taco buffet, your summer party options are endless.
Credit: Adam Albright
Keep the area lit withstring lanterns(leave them out all season long!
), and set the table with single-stem flowers in tinted glass vases.
Go the dessertand coffee route.
Credit: Ray Kachatorian
This summer party idea is perfect for a book club or just having the neighbors over.
Embrace the versatility by featuring the fruit as the main food and even the decoration inspiration.
Use plastic plates and acrylic cups, as they won’t shatter if dropped on the patio.
Credit: Brie Williams
Pair berry-themed decor with a seasonal, make-ahead menu full of farm-fresh foods and sweets.
Plus, serving the food buffet style lets you nibble and mingle while your guests help themselves.
Then, send guests off with Strawberry Meringue Cookies.
Credit: Jason Donnelly
This casual and relaxed get-together is the perfect way to spend a hot summer day.
Servesnacks that are easy to eatwhile you dip your toes in the waterfresh finger foods fill the bill perfectly.
Place drinks on ice in a metal bucket near the pool.
Credit: Ray Kachatorian
So why not combine the two?
Spend a weekend day grilling with friends and enjoying each other’s company.
Set up a low table and seat guests on colorful floor cushions.
Credit: Adam Albright
Serve aneasy-prep appetizer, such as heirloomtomato salad, veggies with dip, and ice-cold drinks.
Put a grown-up spin on a summertime classic with an a la mode bar.
Put out baked goods, like pie and fresh-bakedcookies, and toppings, like homemadejamand chocolate syrup.
Credit: Andy Lyons
Then, have guests adorn their desserts with the ice cream and toppings.
Let all of your mix components serve a dual purpose as a decorative display.
Custom trail mix also makes a perfect party favor, and you might tack this activity onto any party.
Credit: King Au
Provide cute jars, decorative bags, or reuse plastic containers for guests to take home their perfect combination.
Set the table within-season blooms, candles, and umbrella-topped drinks for a sunny escape.
Show guests to their seats with personalized flowered placeholders and patterned napkins.
Credit: Quentin Bacon
Keep things authentic by servingfare that’s signatureto your destination of choice.
Showcase trip highlights or bucket-list locales in basic, inexpensivepicture frames.
Journals, photo albums, and favorite souveneirs are also perfect for sharing.
Credit: Carson Downing
Campout
Guest pop in:Friends with kids
Who says you need woods to camp?
Individuals’mores kits, a ground-level table, campfire tunes, andpicnic-friendly blanketsround out this backyard campout.
Have guests swap ghost stories around the campsite or spark alively bonfirein your yard.
Credit: Adam Albright
Throw a fewfoil packson the grill to make it a casual dinner party.
Hangingglobe lightsand a display of greenery help bring the patio inside.
Showcase airy branches in whatever vases you have on hand.
Credit: Kim Cornelison
Play with size and shape to add dimension.
Stick to a cooled-off menu with items likefresh veggies, purchased breadsticks, and plenty ofsummer sipson ice.
Keep an extrawater pitcheron handwe like ours filled with lemon, cucumber, and mint!
Credit: Marty Baldwin
Fanned-out leaf fronds make a clever table runner, while vibrant flowers add a sunny splash of color.
Complete thebeachytheme by serving food inshell-shaped dishesand sticking to hues incorals, oranges, and blues.
So have some pals and their little ones over for asundae soireeand go all out with the toppings bar.
Credit: Greg Scheidemann
Bring together all your favorite salty, sweet, and even savory flavors.
Easy Garden-Theme Party
You don’t need a garden to host this fabulous party indoors or out.
Simpleterrariumsmade from ferns andglass clochesstar as the table centerpiece, accented by roses floating in stemless wine glasses.
Credit: Robert Brinson
Each place setting has its bit of greenery and an uplifting quote to keep the party in good spirits.
Serve whatever you’d like at thiseasy-to-throw party, but we recommend dishes withfarmers marketfresh ingredients.
Apitcher or drink dispenserallows guests to help themselves.
Credit: Marty Baldwin
The Ultimate Burger Bash
Guest jot down:Families
Fire up the grill!
Thiseasy summer party ideastarts with the season’s signature dinnerhamburgers.
Set up a spread of creative toppers like pickled vegetables, sliced avocado, mustard, and relish.
Credit: Dana Gallagher
During the party, let guests build their ultimate burger and fill their plates withfresh summer side dishes.
Keep the decor simple (like colorful tablecloths and lawn chairs) and set upfun yard games.
Adults, kids, and pups will love this easy summer party idea.
Credit: Reed Davis
Serve herbal tea and bite-size sweets, and set up a DIY flower arranging bar.
Head to thefarmers marketor yourlocal flower farmfor inexpensive, in-season blooms.
If you’re setting up a bouquet bar, cut down on costs by purchasing flowers in bulk.
Credit: King Au
Call local florists or look online for places to order flowers in large quantities.
Summer Shrimp Boil
ThisSouthern-inspired shrimp boilis all about dining family-style.
Set up a super casual summer party spread starring shrimp, corn, and sausage.
Credit: Annie Schlechter
Round out the meal with freshhush puppiesandcoleslaw.
Use newspaper-print parchment paper, a red plaid tablecloth, and a kraft paper runner to compliment the theme.
Backyard Movie Night
You don’t need to head to the theater to catch a summer flick!
Credit: Brenda Wegner
Set up a backyardsummer movie nightcomplete with a DIY screen,concession-style snacks, and festive decor.
Create a cozy seating area with cushions, chairs, andblankets.
Backyard Pizza Party
Jason Donnelly
Guest throw in:Friends and kids
Everyone loves apizza party!
Credit: Victoria Pearson
And it’s a great way to utilize extra summer veggies.
Use an outdoor pizza oven or cook the pies directly on the grill.
Purchase store bought ingredients or make the pizza dough and sauce ahead of time to keep things simple.
Credit: Anna Carter
Credit: Rebekah Molloy
Credit:Jason Donnelly
