Use these awesome backyard bbq ideas to make hosting your own backyard party easy this summer! Everything from the perfect backyard bbq menu to decoration ideas and of course outdoor games to play!
The summer is all about the outdoors! Invite your friends and entire family over for the ultimate summer backyard bash for Memorial Day, 4th of July, or any of the days in between.
There are so many different ways you could do this, but I’ve put together some of my absolute favorite recipes, activities, and decorations to help make it easy to host and make sure everyone has a fun time!
So whether you want to have a fun outdoor night with your neighbors, a full-on bash with your entire block, or a huge family reunion in your backyard, these backyard barbecue ideas are for you! I didn’t really get into if you’re doubling this as a pool party – I’ll get into those ideas in a different post!
I’ve split this guide into four different sections – delicious foods, things to do, decorations/themes, and hacks (like how to host backyard barbeques with small outdoor spaces) – everything you need for your next backyard bbq.
Now all you need is some warm weather, a picnic table (or any outdoor tables) or two, and the whole family (or friends)!
Click on each of the links in the guide below to be taken directly to that idea!
These fun party decorations work for any backyard barbecue, no matter what the theme! And of course, I have a couple of fun theme ideas in here too!
And if none of these work, it’s always fun to add some tiki torches – although I typically reserve those for pool parties personally.
DIY S’mores Bar
If you have a firepit or can light a few s’mores candles, this DIY s’mores bar is the perfect way to let people make their own dessert and enjoy the outdoors! And all you need are some graham crackers, chocolate bars, and of course, marshmallows!
Is there anything better than going to a farmer’s market for fresh produce on a summer morning? Bring that feel to your backyard bash with a fun farmer’s market themed party like this one! Serve fresh produce, baked goods, and use baskets and bags (maybe even a bar cart) like they’d give you at the market! This is one of our family favorites!
Setup a grab and go salad station in glass jars with lids (to keep out bugs). Choose salads like the strawberry spinach salad in this post that will stay good throughout the party! Or you could just do a big jar of salad and put your favorite toppings in smaller jars to make your own salad!
Setup a DIY popcorn bar for snacks throughout the event! Even better if you’re planning on showing an outdoor movie when it gets a little darker! This is a great option to setup away from your main bbq area as a little snack station.
Setup a little burger bar for people to top their burgers! It can double as both food and decorations! This is a great idea if you’re serving burgers or also a great option if you’re doing hot dogs or chicken sandwiches that require toppings!
Go all in on the red checked look like you would get if you ordered burgers or hot dogs at a diner! This fun party setup uses plastic baskets, basket liners, and even plastic condiment containers to give you the true barbecue feel!
Plate your toppings in a fun way by adding some height and layers like she did in this hot dog bar! And don’t forget the printable labels, they just add the final touch to any event!
Setup a drink station with drink tubs full of ice and grab and go drinks. And then have various punches and mix-ins so everyone can pour and mix their favorite drink!
No one said you have to grill at a backyard barbecue. Buy or make the food ahead of time and just serve it in fun serving dishes like these rustic containers! This is a great option if you have less time and want to enjoy each other’s company instead of cooking!
Do a backyard bbq picnic where everyone can choose from typical picnic foods but barbecue style – pulled pork sandwiches, grilled chicken sliders, etc. Then have people grab their eats and sit on picnic blankets (or eat at picnic tables) for a fun crossover theme!
One of the toughest things about hosting an outdoor event, especially in the summer, is the heat. I’ve put together an entire post with beat the heat party ideas PLUS a full post with tons of water games, so I won’t rehash those here.
But I do recommend incorporating some of them, if for nothing else to keep your guests cool!
These are instead non-wet outdoor games, lawn games, DIY backyard games, and pretty much anything else you can think of to do in your backyard! They use hula hoops, bean bags, and even things normally just found in a kiddie pool for some summer fun!
Outdoor Games
This is the ultimate list of outdoor games, 36 different games to be exact! There’s everything from DIY yard games to traditional games you probably played growing up. They’re great for kids, teens, and adults! Pick one or five to keep your guests entertained!
Let kids explore the yard and see how many of the items on this nature scavenger hunt they can find! It’s an easy way to keep them from saying I’m bored at any backyard bash!
Or get the entire party involved by splitting into teams and seeing who can find all of the items on this neighborhood scavenger hunt first! Just don’t forget to leave someone at the house to man the meat on the barbecue! The winning team gets first dibs on the food!
Want to mix things up? Try one of these silly ball games that use sports skills in a fun and silly way! They’re perfect for playing in the backyard, plus every party needs a little competition!
Have extra pool noodles lying around? Use them to form an outdoor bowling lane then play beach ball bowling with cans, bottles, or plastic bowling pins!
Break into teams and play through a series of games and challenges like this blanket pull, a three-legged race, potato sack race, etc. Crown the champions at the end of the challenge! Need more ideas? These Olympic party ideas have tons of other games too!
Pick and choose some of these hilarious field day games to work for your backyard BBQ. There are tons of water based ones, obstacle course ones, and ones that are good for the entire family!
Create your very own ring toss game with some old bottles, a little paint, and some rings! It’s easy and a great passive game that people can play as they want!
A backyard barbecue isn’t called a barbecue for no reason – this type of get together is all about the food! So let’s finish it off with food!
There are so many different things you could serve for a backyard barbecue, so I’m just going to share a handful of my favorites! Obviously something grilled up on a barbecue grill (or pellet grill or charcoal grill, you choose) plus sides, refreshing drinks, and summer desserts that won’t melt!
Main Dishes
I tried to include more creative and unique ideas than just the traditional hamburgers and hot dogs. I always like those two but if you’re looking for something really special, these recipes hit the spot!
Balsamic Grilled Chicken
Forget just basic grilled chicken recipe and go with this balsamic alternative instead! Flavorful, moist, and the perfect pairing for a delicious summer salad! Plus, it’s easy for your grill master to cook this chicken breast to perfection!
It’s not a backyard barbecue without a little barbecue! Serve up some pulled pork with this delicious cabbage slaw for a total winner! This goes well with any of your favorite side dishes like potato salad!
Try something totally different by grilling up a little eggplant then stuffing it with a little arugula, bacon, and cheese. This is one of those menu items that will have your guests coming back for more!
These fall off the bone spare ribs are cooked on a gas grill and slathered in barbecue sauce. They’re the ultimate feast for your next bbq! Plus, the post has simple ways to make them as tender as possible.
Now that we’ve talked about the main event, it’s time to talk about my favorite part of any backyard barbecue – the sides! These sides all make perfect additions to the typical meat, meat, meat part of a cook out!
I recommend having other people bring side dishes to share or planning make ahead recipes so that you can focus on grilling!
Baked Macaroni and Cheese
This is the ultimate comfort food and makes a great side dish for pretty much any event! The best part is that it’s good served hot or at room temperature so makes a great dish to enjoy all day long! Plus, it’s super creamy and delicious – win win!
This strawberry fluff salad is cool, refreshing, and highly addicting! It combines strawberries, whipped cream, and other flavors in a to die for barbecue side dish!
If you’re more of a traditional strawberry salad kind of person, this salad is for you! It combines spinach, pasta, and fruit all with one truly phenomenal dressing for a salad people will be coming back for seconds of!
Is it really a barbecue without corn on the cob? The summer season is easily the best time to have corn on the cob, so it’s a good thing it’s been deemed a barbecue staple! This corn is cooked on the grill to perfection.
Baked beans are a traditional side dish for barbecue and cooking them in the slow cooker makes for an easy way to not only cook them but also keep them warm!
You really can’t go wrong with serving some sort of chip and dips! Pick a tortilla chip that you love and serve it up with a classic dip like this spinach artichoke dip!
Now it’s time for desserts. When it comes to desserts, you want to make sure and serve things that are light, refreshing, and that won’t melt. Or if they will melt, serve them immediately from the freezer!
Chocolate Brownie Cake
These old-fashioned cake brownies are super simple to make and great for serving a crowd! They’re topped with a chocolate frosting that won’t melt but that will stay super creamy and soft regardless of the heat! Serve with vanilla ice cream if you can or just serve on their own!
My go-to dessert recipe for any occasion! Four layers of absolute goodness that you get in every single bite. If you like chocolate, this takes it to the next level of good!
Vanilla cake filled with strawberry flavor then topped with fresh whipped cream and strawberries – it doesn’t get more summer or more delicious than this!
If you’re planning to make s’mores at your backyard bbq, this is the best thing ever! It’s a great way to put out a bunch of s’mores options in a beautiful presentation!
This is one of those desserts that needs to stay in the freezer until you’re ready to serve but when you are ready to serve, be ready for all the compliments. This one’s as tasty as it is gorgeous.
Last but not least, you can’t forget the drinks! These are just a few drinks you can serve whether you’re having an event with kids, adults, or a mix of both!
Blueberry Lemonade
If you don’t want strawberry lemonade, you can try this blueberry version as well! This is best earlier in the summer when blueberries are the freshest!
Forget the artificial Hawaiian stuff and serve this delicious homemade fruit punch instead! And as a bonus, it’s even better if it sits for a day or two to let the flavors of the fruit juices mingle so you can make it ahead of time! Serve in a large jug so people can pour their own throughout the barbecue!
A super easy homemade limeade recipe that’s just a bit more tart than a traditional lemonade! A great option if you want something to balance out the sweet lemonade options.
Alright, let’s add the finishing touches to this backyard blowout! These are some of my absolute favorite backyard ideas and hacks to just put it over the top – in a good way!
Sunscreen Station
Put out sunscreen and bug spray people can use and keep them accessible with a cheap tin hanger! I can guarantee at least a few people will have forgotten to apply before they came!
Make sure to have plenty of paper towels on hand for guests – summer food is messy! These Dollar Store flag holders make a great place for paper towels without taking up space on your table!
Forget regular ice cubes in your drink tubs that melt quickly and use frozen water balloons instead! When they melt, they still hold shape and keep drinks cold longer! And once they’ve thawed, you can use them as an activity as well!
Store paper goods in metal buckets away from the food so people can grab them as they want without having to get back in line! Plus, napkins are much more likely to stay in a bucket than just sitting on a table!
Send guests home with their own individual wood games to remember all the fun backyard games you played! Add little grill tags for the perfect sendoff!
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