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Rock the Neighborhood Block with Your Next Summer Backyard Party 🍔🥤🍦🎉
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items As a former event planner, I know all about the struggle (and worry) to get everything you need for The Big Day. Lists and notes are indispensable! Here's what you should consider to host the perfect summer gettogether with family and friends -- from...
Note: This list may contain affiliate links, which means that I may receive a commission (at no charge to you) if you make a purchase using these links.
Note: This list may contain affiliate links, which means that I may receive a commission (at no charge to you) if you make a purchase using these links.
Sections
5
BBQs
Cookware & Serveware
Food & Refreshments
Entertainment
Furniture
BBQs
I'm not a big steak eater, but I'll admit that barbequing is the way to cook meat and seal in those tasty juices … so, long live the grill (and the griddle!)
Now you're cooking with gas! and full-featured units that get the job done quickly while sealing in the flavor!
Gas & Propane Grills
The quick way to cook large amounts of food, fast -- and cleanup is a no-brainer, too! Cast iron, stainless steel, non-stick, and aluminum models available.
Outdoor Griddles
If you like the ease of use and maintenance that (wood burning) pellet grills offer, be sure to check them out here!
Pellet Grills
Cookware & Serveware
Flip, sear, serve, swig, and wipe: here are my picks for the essential tools and party supplies for your BBQ party.
You can't BBQ with the proper utensils! Basting brushes, fire pit mats, turner and tong sets, propane tanks, burger presses, and so much more to make the art of grilling a breeze.
Grilling & BBQ Tools
In my books, this is the proper way to dispense family-friendly libations (and easily see when a refill is needed)!
JoyJolt 1-Gallon Glass Drink Dispenser, Ice Cylinder, & Fruit Infuser
Don't let BBQ sauce or salad dressing end up on your shirt or shorts (unless they're red, of course!)
Moist Wipes
Disposable cups are not just for parlor or magic tricks … they can also double as charcuterie cups (this is where those skewers come in handy, too!)
Party Cups
I know that not everything is a handheld (hot dogs, burgers, and ice cream in a cup/cone) or finger food – so spoons, forks, and knives!
Party Cutlery
You can never have too many napkins! Everyone from 0-100 gets messy when they eat or drink!
Party Napkins
The sturdy way to hold large amounts of food. I always get the extra-heavy strong ones for fewer spills (and more tasty thrills!) Want to upscale the look of your plates? Some of these paper plates look as elegant as formal dinnerware!
Party Plates
Serve up shish kabobs with skewers. Precut, bite-size portions make for less messy, more enjoyable eating!
Skewers
Food & Refreshments
These yum yums need to be on your list! Of course, you don't need to wait until party time to indulge.
Make sure you have plenty on hand, with gluten-free alternatives for celiacs and those with wheat sensitivities.
Bread 'n' Buns
The other staple of BBQs. How juicy are your burgers?
Burgers
Don't forget the ketchup, mustard, relish, mayo, salad dressings, and sauces!
Condiments & Sauces
Because a couple scoops of ice cream deserve a nice cup!
Favorite Day™ Ice Cream Cups
You don't have to be Italian to enjoy this delicious dessert!
Frozen Chocolate Flavored Cannoli
These are godsends for the gluten-sensitive (rice, potato, millet, or sorghum can be used in place of wheat).
Gluten-free Bread 'n' Buns
IMHO, this is next best thing to homemade guac!
Good & Gather™ Spinach Artichoke Dip
Tangy Greek yogurt with cucumber is the bee's knees as a chip dip!
Good & Gather™ Tzatziki Yogurt Dip
Add a nice kick to your chip-and-dip platters! Pairs perfectly with nachos, crackers, melba toast, and crunchy crudités!
Herdez Guac Salsa
One of the most beloved staples of BBQs! If you have vegan or vegetarian attendees, remember to get the veggie dogs (which are scrumptious!) as well.
Hot Dogs
I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream!
Ice Cream
Sweet potatoe chips elevate the lowly potato chip! Yes, I yam serious! ;)
Jackson's Avocado Oil Sweet Potato Chips
Veggie dogs are now soooo good that I dare you to tell the difference between them and their meat-based counterparts.
Lightlife Smart Dogs Plant Based Hot Dogs
You can't go wrong with chocolate, whatever the celebration or the reason for one!
Party Snacks
Pre-popped, pre-flavored popcorn is not just for movie night! They're a handy addition to snack mixes, and you won't have to worry about unpopped kernels, either (hopefully)!
Popped Popcorn
Squee!! If you say no to ice cream, you won't be able to pass up a popsicle!
Popsicles
I have a bit of an obsession with potato salad. I have been known to throw it between two slices of French bread. ;)
Potato Salad
Premade salads are always an option, but I always make my salads from scratch on the day of the event, with fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, celery, spiraled carrots, shredded cilantro, homegrown chives, red and orange bell peppers, and sometimes, even wit...
Premade Salads
Despite my lifelong distaste of carbonated drinks, I like to indulge in a chilled glass of Pellegrino Aranciata Rossa (Blood Orange) or two at family holiday dinners.
San Pellegrino Sparkling Drinks
Quenchers for everyone's thirst. If you imbibe instead, please drink responsibly – yes, I'm speaking to you adults who are driving!
Soda Party Packs
I'm salivating, just typing this note! Next to homemade guac, spinach dip is my to-go bread spread and chip dip!
Spinach Dip
These are the reason why dips and salsas were created!!
Tostitos Scoops! Party Size Tortilla Chips
Veggie burgers are a must-have for vegans and vegetarians. I also love portabello mushroom burgers.
Vegan Burgers
Move over, french fries – these successors are lip-smackingly good (I'm speaking from firsthand experience!)
Veggie Snacks
Entertainment
It is always a big challenge for me to come up with games that are safe and fun for everyone. Liven up the party with friendly competition or activities for all ages. Take the proper safety precautions when engaging in any sport or fitness activity!
Throw foam axes at the bristle target for tons of fun! (although this doesn't mean you have a career in the circus).
Axe Throwing Game with Height Adjustable Bristle Target
I have destroyed many a badminton birdie (plastic as well as feathered) and I've lost count of the number of the catgut strings that have snapped during gameplay over the decades. Doubles is always fun, but singles makes for a greater workout. Of cou...
For those who want to try something a little different, there's jazzminton (which blends together the rules and gameplay of badminton and tennis).
For those who want to try something a little different, there's jazzminton (which blends together the rules and gameplay of badminton and tennis).
Backyard Badminton
Sort of like bowling on grass (not to be confused with lawn bowling), but with smaller balls and without lanes. Can be played in teams, but you'll need at least one more person to make things interesting.
Bocce
Keep everyone occupied (or laughing) with this trio of backyard games!
EastPoint 3-in-1 Cornhole / Ladderball / Bottle Smash Game
This croquet set delivers fun for up to six players! I always try not to end up dead last in the rankings, but lumpy grass will add a wrinkle to the competition!
Franklin Sports Family Croquet Set
Cool off in the summer heat with some water sliding action!
Joyfy 22.5-ft Slip Water Slide with 2 Bodyboards with Built-in Sprinkler
Someone finally took humorous liberties with the sport of smashing shuttlecocks! Dubbed the world's easiest racquet sport, goodminton uses special birdies that, instead of speeding up when they spin, actually slow down, which makes shots fly straight...
Goodminton
If your backyard festivities extend until the nighttime hours, why not try a game of lawn darts after dark?
Joyfy Glow in The Dark Lawn Darts
If disc golf mania has struck your neighborhood, it's time to step up to the plate and get the game started at your party.
Monoprice Complete Disc Golf Set
It's time to get good and soaked with this crowd-pleasing invention, which is celebrating its 36th birthday in 2025! Seems like it's been around for longer than that!
NERF Super Soaker Power Drench (XL)
Now, I'm not sure I'd be one for rolling down the hill, but colliding gently with the plastic orb of your fellow zorber can be quite fun! It's like bumper cars, but with hamster bubbles. If this sport existed when I was in high school, I might have p...
VEVOR Inflatable Bumper Balls for Kids and Teens
Furniture
I've never had any issues finding sufficient seating for everyone, because my past events have been of the closed seating kind, but because attendance at BBQ parties can vary, here are some ideas for your consideration that let you shoot the breeze a...
These lightweight lawn chairs fold away easily when not needed.
Lawn Chairs
Seeking some shade from the summer sun? You've come to the right rec.
Patio Umbrellas
Dine on hot dogs, hamburgers, and sausages without worrying about juggling your food on one hand and your drink in the other.
Picnic Tables