How to Host an Outdoor Kids Birthday Party

Planning your entertainment

When it comes to maximising the fun, there’s no shortage of outdoor party games for kids that you could try. From tried-and-tested classics to games requiring a little more preparation, any of these will be sure to make your outdoor kids birthday party a hit: 

Outdoor treasure hunt

Get your party guests engaged with the outdoors around them by setting up a fun treasure hunt for them to enjoy. You could either hide some prizes beforehand, or give out bingo cards with popular items and creatures they may stumble upon (this works best if you’re hosting your party in or near woodland). 

Hide & Seek

Depending on the layout of your outdoor kids birthday party, hide and seek is another great way to keep things fun without tiring everybody out. A playing field may lack solid hiding places, but if you’re hosting in a woodland area, start counting and watch your guests scamper to find the perfect spot. Make sure to have a code word, however, which will bring all the kids back if they’ve been hiding a little too long!

Musical Statues

All the best games include music. Musical statues is the perfect opportunity to play the birthday child’s favourite song, and have everybody freeze the moment it stops. You could even hand out prizes for the best dance moves to make sure everyone walks away happy. 

If you’re looking for even more entertainment ideas, our experienced entertainers have a whole host of games and activities to keep your party going. Take a look at our themed parties to find the perfect outdoor package for your event. 

Finding the perfect outdoor kids party venue

Your outdoor party needs a location, and whether the weather is on your side or not, there are lots of options you could choose from. Prices are generally lower with outdoor parties than indoor venues, and you could even keep your venue completely free as long as you don’t mind sharing the space with the general public. 

Public parks

Large open fields, picnic areas, and public playgrounds are all great options for your outdoor kids party – especially if the sun is shining and blue skies are on your side. These areas can often be free to use, but may require booking with a local council or authority if you want a degree of privacy. If you’re happy to share the space with others, though, then minimal planning would be required. For added convenience, bring along a festival trolley to store your food, drink and games as you move to and from your venue. 

Adventure and activity centres

Looking for an outdoor kids birthday party with added excitement? Outdoor activity parks are often equipped with ziplines, assault courses, and all manner of adventurous equipment that’ll keep your guests running and swinging all day. This can sometimes mean a more expensive party, so you might want to consider how many guests you’ll be inviting before choosing this option. 

Woodland and nature centres 

If you want to keep things budget-friendly and fun, host your outdoor kids party at a nearby woodland. This will allow for fun and games, an outdoor picnic, and plenty of exploration to keep everyone entertained. For a slightly higher fee, you could also look into dedicated nature centres that will offer party packages specialising in outdoor entertainment; typically including bug hunting, den building, and simple survivalist skills.

Pack delicious (and easy) lunch options

Catering for an outdoor kids birthday party can be a little trickier than an indoor venue, because you’ll often lack the preparation areas that are found in the latter. With a little preparation and some inspiration, though, there’s no reason your outdoor food and drink will be any less satisfying for your guests. 

Mini sandwiches 

One of the best aspects about a sandwich is its portability. You don’t even necessarily need plates or napkins; just prepare a selection of tasty sandwiches before your party, keep them cool, and then hand them out when it comes time to eat lunch. You could even cut them into fun shapes that match your party, such as prehistoric creatures for a dinosaur party.

Homemade fruit squash   

If you have a large container with a tap, you could prepare a big batch of fruit juice the morning of your party and pop in some ice to keep it nice and cool until your guests start to arrive. All you need is an assortment of paper cups, or you could even ask your guests to bring their own to keep things as eco-friendly as possible. 

Individually packeted treats

If you’re out and about without access to a way of heating food, party staples like pizza can be trickier to prepare (though cold pizza can be enjoyed regardless!). Instead, you should opt for quick and easy snacks like bags of crisps or cookies that can be given out to each guest. Just make sure that you bring plenty of bin bags to clean up after yourself! 

Make safety a priority 

Keeping your guests safe is crucial for any kind of party, but for an outdoor kids birthday party, there are extra considerations that you’ll need to be mindful of. Don’t stress about every detail, but keep these pointers front of mind to make sure everything runs smoothly. 

Set clear boundaries 

If you’re in a playing field or a wide open space, it’s important that your guests know the perimeter of your party. This is particularly important if you’re in a busy public area where other people are coming and going; you don’t want to lose track of your guests when it comes time to do a headcount! 

Pack plenty of sun protection

One of the best parts of an outdoor kids party is being able to enjoy the sunshine, but that comes with some caveats. Packing suncream and hats is a must, and you might want to bring extra in case some of your guests aren’t as prepared. Bring along plenty of bottled water, too, so everybody can stay hydrated throughout the fun and games. 

Keep an eye on potential hazards 

If your party is taking place in a playing field, you’ll likely not encounter any boulders that might cause harm. If you’re moving into woodland, though, keep an eye out for any hidden ditches or swathes of stinging nettles that could seriously disrupt your event. This might mean inviting a few extra parents along to act as eyes and ears, just to keep everybody safe throughout the day.