Smores & Stars: Cozy Backyard Bonfire Parties to Close Out Summer

• Pick a theme like glow party, summer, or sweet treats for your bonfire party.
• Serve classic smores or get creative with variations.
• Provide extra lighting, blankets, and maybe even a movie!

Summer sure flies fast when you're having fun! Before you know it, the chill of fall will be moving in. Your summer deserves one more celebration before school starts up again and friends get back into the swing of fall extracurricular activities. A backyard bonfire party is the perfect way to get everyone together for a little summer star gazing and cozy treats. Check out these fun ideas and start planning your end-of-summer bonfire.

Glow Party Theme

Themes add an extra layer of fun to any party. For a backyard summer bonfire party, we have a few suggestions that make perfect sense. Bonfires are best enjoyed as the evening turns into night. The flames just seem a bit more inviting and magical. To add to the excitement of a nighttime scene, make it a glow party, too! Young kids to teens will love wearing glow bracelets and necklaces and dancing around to make their own glow show. Add to this theme with glow-in-the-dark tableware and party supplies.

Summer Party Theme

If you're not ready to switch your swimsuit for a cozy sweater just yet, then go with a summer theme for your bonfire party. We imagine your event starting off with fun water activities or yard games and shifting into a relaxing evening by the bonfire just like something you might experience at a tropical resort. Bring the vacation scene to your yard with decorations and tableware that feature tropical flora and fauna. Grab some Hawaiian leis for guests and serve up some tropical drinks like pina coladas!

Twists on Smores

Every respectable backyard bonfire party needs smores! And while everyone loves the classic version, we think you should break out of the box and try a few new things. An easy twist on the kids' classic is to replace the chocolate bar with a Reese's peanut butter cup. Just make sure to check with all guests for peanut allergies before handing them out. If candy and smores will be the highlight of your bonfire snacks, consider going with a sweet treat theme. Explore Ultimate Party's collection of sweet treats decorations and tableware to set the scene.

Now that the kids are satisfied, let's tend to the adults with a savory smores tray. You'll need small brie cheeses that can be roasted to a melty gooey goodness over the fire. Create a platter with crackers, meats, apple slices, nuts, and anything else you want to sandwich together with the melty brie. If you can't find small brie rounds, consider using mini gouda cheese. Remind guests to remove the wax coating before roasting!

Extra Lighting

As the sun sets and your backyard bonfire party goes into full swing, you'll want to provide some extra lighting for safety and ambiance. If it's too dark, you risk guests tripping and getting hurt. Too much light, like from household spotlights, will kill the mood. You'll want to go with subtle string lights or paper lanterns to set the party mood for the night.

Outdoor Movie

Take your bonfire party to the next level with the addition of a movie showing! These days, it's easy and affordable to purchase a small movie projector for your own yard. You'll also need a white sheet to hang as the projection screen. Don't forget to supply plenty of movie snacks like popcorn, candy, and cans of soda. Lastly, you'll need to choose just the right movie. Will it be a Disney classic for littles or a spooky movie that will scare the pants off your teens?

Provide Comforts

As the sun sets, the temperature is sure to drop. Not everyone thinks ahead about weather changes, so guests may not remember to bring sweatshirts and warm clothing to throw on. Make sure everyone has the comfort they want by providing a few baskets of rolled-up throw blankets. Lay out a couple of large blankets or outdoor rugs for young guests to sit on in addition to some outdoor seating for adults.

When fire safety is practiced, a backyard bonfire party is a cozy way to enjoy a lovely summer night with friends and family. Roast wienies and marshmallows over the fire and make lasting memories with loved ones. Make sure you have all the matching tableware and decorations you need shipped straight to your door from our party store!