Backyard BBQ Birthday Bash
A Backyard BBQ Birthday Bash with so many fun details! Watermelon Pops, a S’more Station, DIY Sponge Water Bombs, Loot Bag Ideas and more!
This past week was my daughter’s 10th birthday! (On a side note, I just can’t believe she’s 10, I mean I’m still 25 right?!) I swore I would never have another birthday party hosted at our home, but she really really wanted to have her friends here for her special day! I couldn’t resist…if she still wants to hang out at home, I’ve got to go with it!
So what to do?!
10 is a tough age for parties…they’re not quite little kids anymore, but they’re not teens yet either. And this makes it kind of tough to plan activities…I didn’t want it to be too babyish, or too old for her either. So we decided on a Backyard BBQ Birthday Bash! Just simple food, simple fun, and a lot of relying on the girls being their own entertainment. I hope that by sharing this party with you, you might find some inspiration for your own party planning! Parties don’t have to be elaborate or perfect.
Our Simple and Fun Backyard BBQ Birthday Bash!
Apron Invitations
Here are the invitations that we sent out to all of the kids. How cute are these little aprons?! I found these pre-made invites at Michaels. Whenever I can buy a cute, pre-made invite, I’m in!
Loot Bags
We made loot bags filled with bubbles, glow sticks, bubble gum, salt water taffy and chocolate covered pretzel sticks. All fun and simple things you can find at the dollar store!
More loot bag fun! I found these whistle tubes at Dollarama.
DIY Sponge Water Bombs
As a fun birthday activity I had the kids make their own sponge water bombs! They seemed to really enjoy this, and since the weather co-operated with us, they were able to get into their bathing suits and have a water bomb fight! Soooooo fun! This is a really great tutorial on how to make them.
Nail Painting
Another fun activity was a nail painting station. I put out a big selection of colours and let the kids paint each other’s toenails in rainbow colours! This is a great outdoor activity 😉
Shirley Temples
For ‘fancy’ drinks, I made up a batch of Shirley Temples for sipping! Kids always love this drink. Overheard: “this is the best drink evah!”
Customized Mason Jars
For a special touch (and an easy take-home gift), each girl got their own mason jar glass with their names on them! To make these, I bought pre-made chalkboard stickers and wrote each of the girls names on them with a chalk marker (both of which I found at Michaels).
Watermelon Pops
Watermelon on popsicle sticks, because they’re SO cute and why not?! These watermelon pops are so easy to make. I just cut the watermelon into wedges, then cut a small line in the rind, and pushed in a popsicle stick. The girls loved these.
Fun with details!
Sometimes it’s the little details that are the most fun and memorable. Simple things like wrapping cutlery bundles in matching bakers twine.
Neon Pink Cupcakes
We made neon pink cupcakes instead of a birthday cake. Individual servings like cupcakes, are always fun to serve. This chocolate cupcake recipe that I use is always such a hit.
Dinner Time!
We kept dinner really simple for this party, and in keeping with the theme we served hot dogs with all the toppings! These hot dog paper serving ‘plates’ were from Michaels as well.
Decorating with No-Sew Banners
I tried to keep the decor as simple as possible. We put up the big tent on our deck and hung pretty no-sew pennant banners inside! Very festive and fun.
S’more Station
And last, but not least, the most favourite part…the S’more station! We put out the ingredients and let girls put together their own S’more, then we cooked them on the BBQ! Yum!
PIN IT for later!
This was such a fun party. And not only was it fun, it was really easy to pull together. Honestly, when you have a group of fun kids, some kid-friendly food and activities, it’s going to be such a good time!
Thank you for all of the wonderful ideas. I also have a daughter turn 10 this year.
What a beautiful party!
I love the watermelons sticks!
How fun! You definitely lucked out with the weather. Love all the details. She’s lucky to have a mom like you creating special memories she’ll always cherish. =) My oldest will be 14 at the end of August! She’s my stepdaughter, but I still feel like she’s mine and can not believe she’ll be starting 9th grade in September. Time sure does fly when it comes to growing kids, cause I’m still 25 too. ; )
~ Catie
Awesome idea!!! I will definitely be pinning this for future party ideas 🙂
Awh! SO cute! What a great party. So glad your daughter loved it. Awesome details. Way to go!
What a great party! It sounds like the kids loved it too! Love the watermelon on popsicle sticks.
Wow. Gorgeous little shindig Jo! Way to be awesome! Love the details!
Lori
Oh my gosh!! This is so so so cute. You really thought of every detail! I love the watermelon on the stick idea! I think I will have to do that sometime this summer for sure 🙂
Great ideas. You have a knack for making everything so pretty!
fabulous photos, amazing treats and ideas … wow!
That looks like THE best party ever and I about died over those invitations! Wow, you get mom of the year in her book, I sure bet! I’ll pin some of these ideas to save for another time. I’m just loving all of this! Found you at The Winthrop Chronicles. Stop in and see me at Quirky Vistas!
Liz
I am always in awe of those that can put together such great stuff for parties, this looks great! The watermelon wedges on a stick are totally BRILLIANT.
Love the watermelon idea!
http://www.iheartpears.blogspot.com
O.M.G. Can I hire you for my next birthday party? No seriously. Seriously….!
Wow, look at all your great ideas! Sounds like such a fun party. I’m glad your daughter loved it 🙂
Oh love the watermelon sticks what a great idea!
love the watermelon popsicles!! great idea! sounds like a plan for the 4th!
your newest follower…Danielle
http://bellaella2121.blogspot.com/
Thank you Danielle! And a big thanks for following along! 😉
Jo-Anna
Great ideas! I love the watermelon pop idea. I agree, why not?? 🙂
Trying my hardest to get a hold of those tubes. Love your party 🙂
Thanks Erin! Good luck on your hunt – check dollar stores…
Jo-Anna
found you on Uncommon, what great ideas and what lucky girls!
Very fun! Love the toenails~!
Great ideas for an outdoor gathering, my grandkids will be here next week might try this for one of the days. Just might keep the “I don’t have nothing to do” away…LOL
Hi Jo-Anna, I’m new here..congs, I really love your blog, so many cute ideas..well done girl!
love from Italy
Thank-you! I’m very happy you enjoy my blog!
Jo-Anna
You’re such a cool mom to host a fabulous party like this! Love the watermelon pops, the mason jar drink cups (with chalkboard paint!), and the cute apron invites! Thank you for sharing your ideas at our Summer BBQ Bash!
Thanks so much for sharing your party at our BBQ Bash! It was incredible! I know that your daughter must have really loved it! We featured it today on our blog!
Take care,
Trish
http://www.uncommondesignsonline.com/2012/06/summer-bbq-bash-features-and-giveaway.html
Thanks for linking up at the BBQ Bash! Apparently it was a HIT because I also featured it on my blog today too!
xo,
Kimberly
http://anightowlblog.blogspot.com/2012/06/bbq-bash-blog-party-features-winner.html
What an adorable party!!
Thanks!
Very cute! I’m having trouble telling what all you have in the smore’s tray. Can you list that for me? Thanks!
Thanks! The plate you are probably wondering about is filled with coconut crusted marshmallows, and caramel covered marshmallows!
Jo-Anna
Your party makes me want to have my own BBQ bash:D Love all the details.. and especially loving the watermelon on the popsicle sticks!! Popsicle sticks make everything more fun and cuter!!
Love the watermelon on pop sticks.This is fantastic! I hope you will link this up to The CSI project this week starting Wednesday. The challenge is Frozen treats and Push Up Pops. You just might win.
Each day we have a fun tutorial and on Wednesday you can start linking up!
Come on over!
http://www.thecsiproject.com
What a fun party! Thanks for sharing at the CSI Challenge!
Hi! I love your watermelon on a stick idea and shared it on Friday Finds today. Thanks!
Hello! I found your site via Pinterest! It had a pin about your watermelons served on a stick- very cute and YES, why not?
I enjoy the simple layout and pictures of your blog 🙂 It’s very pleasing to the eyes. It makes me want to sit and read more!
ciao! Tua idea di servire cocomero e fantastica 🙂
http://www.agustomio.com/le-mie-ricetteprzepisy/di-tutto-un-po/227-cocomerosposob-na-arbuza.html
Grazie
How did u make the sponge bombs??? Please 🙂
Your watermelon on a sticks are adorable!!! What a great idea. 🙂
hi guys, are u on cardsapp? thanks
how did you make those cute little invataions
I just cut out a folded sheet of paper, into the shape of an apron, ran a piece of ribbon through and embellished them with some BBQ stickers I had. Super easy and so fun!
Can I come to her 11th birthday?
Those adorable little watermelon-on-a-stick pops would make the PERFECT beach treats! Great idea…thank you!
You are so welcome! They are really fun and kids love them!
This blog is great i love reading your posts. Keep up the great work! You know, a lot of people are hunting around for this info, you could help them greatly.
Wow, these look really beautiful.. Im loving it.
the s’mores platter looks like such a good idea – but i cant tell whats there besides the chocolate, marshmallows, and graham crackers…
Thank you Connie! Those are caramel covered marshmallows, and toasted coconut covered marshmallow that I bought