Tips for Hosting a Great Party at the Park

Follow the weather reports leading up to your occasion and make sure you have a back-up plan if there’s rain or high wind in the forecast. If the rain will be brief, you can see whether the park will have a picnic area with a roof where you can shelter for a time. If there isn’t a covered gazebo or if the bad weather will be significant, have a back-up date in mind or identify a nearby indoor location.

If the temperature is expected to be on the chilly side, bring some cozy outdoor blankets and extra jackets for guests who might forget their own; you would be surprised at how many people fail to glance at the weather before running out the door. You might also consider preparing some large thermoses containing warm drinks, like hot cocoa or cider, and insulated travel mugs to keep everyone cozy.

For hot or sunny weather, pack plenty of sunscreen to share and a portable cooler filled with cold drinks, including water to keep everyone hydrated. Don’t forget to buy ice on the way or plan ahead and make several batches with an ice maker at home.

Games are a great way to get people mingling, and there are many wonderful options for both children and adults. If you are inviting people who don’t know each other well, games are especially helpful for getting everything started, and they can improve almost any occasion.

Some fun lawn games you can easily tote include bocce ball, croquet, lawn bowling, and petanque. If some of your guests are truly athletic, you can also bring sporting equipment, like a soccer ball.

It is best to make the games optional and light on competitive energy. You wouldn’t want to force anyone to participate or make them feel anxious about losing. Remember to emphasize the fun and cooperative nature of the experience rather than the goal of winning.

Even if there are picnic tables at the park, it’s a good idea to bring some additional folding chairs and tables. If providing enough seats on your own feels overwhelming, you can always recommend that guests bring a lawn chair with them. That way, if there isn’t enough picnic table space, people can feel free to arrange themselves in different ways based on conversations and interests.

A gracious host of a park party might also consider setting up an area where guests can enjoy a respite from the heat using portable sun shelters and umbrellas. The sun is delightful, but no one wants to go home with a sunburn or spend the whole afternoon squinting. If there are plenty of trees, you may not need umbrellas, but bringing sunshades gives you more flexibility.

Everyone expects to snack at a party, so you will certainly want to deliver with a wide variety of choices. Think outside the box of simply chips and salsa, veggies and ranch, or sugary treats. Cheese trays and charcuterie boards are excellent ways to expand the options, as is fresh guacamole or a platter of deviled eggs.

If your party is expected to be more than two hours long, you will want to provide more substantial dishes, like pasta salads, chopped salads, wraps, and sandwiches. You could even come prepared to serve hot, fresh barbecue with a handy portable grill.

Once you’ve received all the RSVPs for the party, be sure to check in with your guests about any dietary restrictions they might have to avoid preparing lots of delightful dishes that only a few can enjoy. If you are organizing a potluck, share the expected dietary restrictions with the potluck list, and organize the list in such a way that you can anticipate what people are bringing, offer variety, and fill in any gaps you see with a dish of your own.

When it comes to beverages, never underestimate the importance of water (include sparkling water to spice it up). If you are considering alcoholic options, make sure you check the restrictions for the area where you will be partying; consuming alcoholic beverages is prohibited in many parks or limited to certain areas.

Whether you offer juices or sodas, be sure to purchase aluminum cans or plastic bottles; many public parks do not allow the use of breakable glass containers. When the party is over, you can collect the empty containers to be recycled. Along those same lines, it’s always a good idea to bring your own trash bags in case the nearest park bins are a good distance away. To make the clean-up process extra simple, collect recyclable trash separately from other trash. Plus, there’s always the option to go above and beyond with your outdoor party theme by having a compost bin available for guests who value sustainable living.