While school is still out, and the heat is still on, you’re probably in need of some new ideas for entertaining the kids. The kids wanted ice cream and I thought it sounded like the perfect party theme. This ice cream party is a great way to spend a summer afternoon; just right for end of school, sports team, or summer birthday parties. When you host the party at a park, you won’t have to worry about cleaning up before the party, either. Just make sure you have any necessary permissions or permits. Cleaning up during the party may be another issue. Just make sure to have plenty of wipes to take care of those adorably sticky faces and hands. Two scoops, anyone?

Thank you to Arden Ward, Arden Photography for the beautiful images.

have an ice cream party this summer Martie Duncan

FOOD

This is the extremely easy part. Just run by the store on your way to the park and pick up everything you need. Ice cream, cones, disposable dishes, toppings like crushed cookies or sliced strawberries.

Put a cooler in your car to keep ice cream from melting. If you use dry ice; it will keep the ice cream really frozen. Wear thick insulated gloves to make sure your skin doesn’t come in contact with dry ice and keep it away from children; it can quickly cause frostbite or burns. If you haven’t used dry ice, learn about the hazards beforehand. You can also layer ice with rock salt instead of using dry ice. If you love the taste of homemade ice cream, break out your ice cream maker or get one of those awesome ice cream making balls. Toss it and freeze your ice cream at the same time.

Dress up store bought cones or pretzel rods with a quick dip in melted chocolate and then dip in sprinkles. Allow to dry for at least an hour before serving.

You can find stacks of $1 reusable plastic bowls or plastic cups at the dollar store along with plastic pails for keeping ice cream cold. I used dry ice but layering ice and rock salt works well too. Dry ice is so cold, it will crack the plastic aft… — You can find stacks of $1 reusable plastic bowls or plastic cups at the dollar store along with plastic pails for keeping ice cream cold. I used dry ice but layering ice and rock salt works well too. Dry ice is so cold, it will crack the plastic after a few minutes.

BEVERAGES

Since ice cream makes you thirsty, juice isn’t a good choice. I decided on Kool-Aid this time; always refreshing and fun. I made three flavors in self-serve plastic beverage dispensers loaded with fruit slices. The dispensers were easy to transport, too.

Water is best, but at a party, you want something colorful and festive so flavored water is a great option. Infuse water by adding fruit, cucumber, or mint. I like a cucumber/mint combination or oranges and other citrus. Simply slice the fruit into water in a pitcher or dispenser an hour or so ahead of serving. When you are ready to serve, add the ice to the dispenser. Refreshing, delicious, and a healthy alternative.

Cheap plastic dispensers filled with Kool-Aid or flavored water infused with sliced fruit looks pretty and keeps kids hydrated.

DECORATIONS

So guests could easily find us in the park, a clearly defined party space was essential. We decided to make a bright flag banner in party colors from rope and scrapbook paper. The project cost us $9 and took about an hour. Fold paper squares into a triangle over the top of the rope and use a glue stick to fasten the edges together. You can use any paper you have for this project or find ready-made party banners to match your theme. Use your party food as decorations. Waffle cones dipped in chocolate and rolled in sprinkles held all of our toppings or get an ice cream set to kick it up a notch. I used vivid kid-friendly vinyl from the fabric store for tablecloths, only $2.99 per yard. Find cheap plastic bowls and serving pieces at the dollar store and your decorations are complete.

ENTERTAINMENT

Kids will do anything if ice cream is the end result so you can easily keep them occupied until you’re ready to serve. My niece and I made a bean bag toss game, Baggo, out of some scrap lumber. We designed it with an ice cream cone motif. After that, we made bean bags out of fabric squares. We had fun making our Baggo game but if this seems like too much work, you can buy a Baggo game online. You’ll use it for tailgate parties, birthday parties, etc. We also had a big play parachute and used our ice cream ball for lawn bowling. Get the kids to roll the ball around and half an hour later—ta-da, you have ice cream!

Create a "wipe" station so moms can simply wipe down the kids before the ride home. Chilled paper towels also work well. Roll them, put on ice, and tidy up the kiddos after a day in the park.

This party is a cinch to pull together. You can even plan and execute this party in the same day if you have a gang of kids headed to your house. Set up stations of all-purpose wipes and recruit other parents to help you keep the kiddies cleaned up—but try to relax and let the kids be kids. Who cares if they’re covered in sprinkles afterwards? Just wipe them down for the ride home and have a great afternoon in the park!

Longing to take a trip but your budget has you staying home this year? Why not recreate your favorite vacation right in the backyard? My brother and his family love to camp and they have this backyard camping party when time or money keeps them home. If you love to camp, bring all the elements of a camping trip to your own backyard. Pop up a tent, grab a sleeping bag and build a campfire! And hey, if you don’t have a backyard, indoor camping can be a lot of fun, too.

Make memories and have more fun than you can imagine when you go backyard camping.

Plan a backyard camping party Martie Duncan

This is a great party for almost anyone: the kids, a birthday party, a dads and daughters get-together, a neighborhood party… it could even be a romantic date night… (You know, campfire and all?) It could even be the perfect wedding shower for that couple you know who love the great outdoors. To encourage spending time outdoors, the National Wildlife Federation hosts an annual campout called The Great American Backyard Campout. Find out how to participate!

Quilts, blankets, sleeping bags, plus other camping equipment like these inexpensive pop-up tents are all you need for a backyard camping party.

THE FOOD

Start with a super easy menu. Barbeque Hobo Packs are perfect. You remember those aluminum foil packages you can put right on the fire? Hobo packs make cooking simple. Even better, they are easy serve and easy clean-up. If you can’t build a fire, you can do these on the grill or in the oven. I like to start with onion, tomatoes, potatoes and add a hamburger patty. Add a splash of olive oil, season with salt and pepper.

I like to cook fish this way, too. Add a squeeze of lemon, some fresh herbs, shallots, and a drizzle of olive oil—so easy and so good. For a more sophisticated menu, try my Fish in Parchment recipe but wrap it in foil instead of parchment paper.

If you want to keep it simple, you cannot beat a delicious fire-roasted hot dog! Other great menu items depending on the weather could be hot chocolate, chili or soup served in a big cast iron pot, roasted corn-on-the-cob, and baked potatoes. These are all easy to cook over a fire.

NEED MORE INFORMATION ON HOW TO START A FIRE? SMOKEY BEAR HAS SOME TIPS FOR STAYING FIRE SAFE

Have a designated area for your fire and make sure to follow all of Smokey Bear's rules for fire safety and keep a hose or bucket of water handy.

Make sure adults help the kids with any sharp objects used to grill or roast hot dogs and there is always plenty of adult supervision around the fire.

You’ve got to have S’mores at a campout. It’s a requirement! S’mores have really evolved. I love to put together a s’mores bar. It’s a lot of fun and everyone loves it. I put all of my ingredients for the S’mores bar in bowls so guests can select their favorites. In addition to the standard s’mores ingredients, Hershey bars, marshmallows, and graham crackers, I like to include Nutella, the hazelnut and chocolate spread – You don’t have to wait for the chocolate to melt!!! I also include raspberries or sliced strawberries, peanut butter, and different types of cookies. This will be a huge hit for the kids AND the adults!

Build a S'more Bar with plenty of toppings and add-ons: sliced strawberries, raspberries, bananas, peanut butter, Nutella. coconut, pineapple are all delicious options.

Other easy menu items include popcorn, popsicles, granola bars, or fresh fruit.

Healthy snack options camping party Martie Duncan

You know, I always like to see what I have that I can use before I run out to buy any decorations for a party. For this party, camping lanterns, tents, sleeping bags, cots, or anything else you’d take on a camping trip works. Ask guests to bring their camping items, too.

Find inexpensive cotton ticking at the fabric store to use for the table--- and bandanas make the perfect napkins. You can even find paper plates in a bandana print! Tin pails are cheap and make great containers for serving food or icing down beverages and they even make good seating--- Bonus---you can re-purpose them to wash the dog or the car after the party is over!

ENTERTAINMENT

For entertainment, you most certainly have to invite that guy you know who plays the guitar--- what’s a campout without singing around the campfire? Brush up on your ghost stories… that’s another camping essential. For the kids, you can have a game of hide ‘n seek or hide lots of small prizes around the yard and let the kids look for them. Get a telescope and star gaze; give prizes for the person who finds the most constellations. Baggo, the beanbag game, is always a winner! You can buy a baggo game online or make one with scrap plywood. Decorate the wood to match your party theme. Brilliant!

Backyard Camping Party fun Martie Duncan

Make sure to have a “summer survival” kit handy for backyard entertaining: include bug spray, sunscreen, wipes, cheap sunglasses and even cheapie flip-flops so your guests can be comfortable. If it’s a cool night, make sure to have a few quilts or blankets available. Stack them or pile them up in baskets…

Make a backyard party survival kit with everything your guests will need to be comfortable.

OK, are you ready to go camping in the backyard? This party will bring back old memories and make lots of new ones…. I have to admit, this is my favorite way to camp—my warm bed and a hot shower are just inside!