Doing Fun Things
Play outdoor games. Games like tag, limbo, or a three-legged race are perfect for an outdoor party. You can also play sports-oriented games like flag football and catch. Volleyball is a great option as well, but usually only if there are nets at the beach. Think of other outdoor games and get the equipment for them. Other outdoor games that you can play include corn hole, horse shoes, and frisbee. If you're playing games while it's dark out, make sure you have enough lighting so people don't hurt themselves.
Light off fireworks. Find legal fireworks and purchase them online or at an authorized fireworks store. This will add to the festive nature of the night and will give people something fun to watch. If the party isn't being held in your own yard, make sure to get permission from the staff or owners of the location before lighting them off. Make sure to have an adult with you at all times when handling fireworks. People can light sparklers on the bonfire. Visit http://www.americanpyro.com/ to read the laws and regulations in your state before buying fireworks.
Tell stories around the bonfire. A conversation around the bonfire is a great way to encourage socialization during the party. You can talk about anything, from what you're watching on TV to an interesting story. When it gets dark out, you can all tell scary stories around the fire.
Sing the Happy Birthday song around the fire. When you bring out the cake for the birthday person, you can all gather around the fire and sing the Happy Birthday song. If people play musical instruments, you can add instrumentals to the song. You can also sing regular songs around the campfire before or after singing the Happy Birthday song.
Setting up the Party
Create the bonfire. Make sure that when you set up the bonfire, you’re doing so safely. Dig a hole and surround the hole with stones or rocks from the yard. Fill the bonfire with logs and sticks, then light it. Continue adding wood to the fire as the party goes on. Make sure you have blankets and chairs set up so everyone is comfortable.
Get special chemicals that change the fire's colors. Search online for color changing sand or purchase some from a department store. This sand has special chemicals that will change the color of the fire and is a fun and easy thing to get for the birthday party.
Check the weather predictions for the day of the party. It's important that the weather predicted for the night of the bonfire isn't too hot or cold so that people can be comfortable. You'll also want to make sure that it isn't supposed to rain or snow. Look online, read the farmer's almanac, or watch the weather channel to see predictions for the night of the party. If a storm is passing through your area, you should reschedule the party to a different date. If your party is going to start during the day and go through the night, be prepared for both the sun during the day and for the chilly climate of the night so no one becomes uncomfortable.
Purchase food and decorations in advance. If you buy the party supplies well in advance, you won't have to rush on the day of the party. Give yourself a week or two to purchase everything for the party and have it ready to go on the day of the celebration.
Preparing Food
Cook food over the fire. Hot dogs, hamburgers, and veggies can be cooked over the bonfire. You can either purchase an over-the-fire grill or put the food on sticks and skewers so that people can cook their food over the open bonfire. You can also use a traditional BBQ grill.
Make s’mores and melted marshmallows. Put out marshmallows, chocolate, and graham crackers so that people can create s’mores and melted marshmallows. People can find their own sticks and melt the marshmallows themselves.
Fill coolers with beverages to keep them cold. A cooler filled with ice will keep drinks cold even if they are stored outside. Get a cooler to keep the beverages cool. If you are putting out alcoholic beverages for the adults, make sure to use a separate cooler for the alcoholic drinks.
Put snacks in bowls. Snacks like chips, pretzels, and candy can be put into bowls for easy eating. These snacks require little to no prep, so it's a great idea if you're short on time.
Get a nature-themed birthday cake. A nature-themed cake that looks like bark or a bonfire or one that has nature-themed things like owls or leaves is the perfect kind of birthday cake to get for a bonfire party. Go to a bakery where they create custom cakes, and ask them if they can make you a custom nature-themed cake.
Decorating the Party
Let nature act as the main decoration. The great thing about an outdoor birthday party is that nature and the environment can be the main decoration for the party. Use the nature and foliage around you to act as the main set piece for the birthday party.
Cater your decorations to fit a nature theme. When decorating the bonfire party, make sure to use earth tones like orange, tan, and green. Hang mason jars from trees and use other rustic themed decorations. This will help fit the outdoor theme for your party and will bring the decor together. Other nature-themed decorations could include stools that look like stumps, hanging pine cones, or wooden barrels filled with goodies.
Send out nature-themed invitations. Create your invitations on brown card stock and add nature-related graphics like trees, owls, and leaves. Let people know that it will be a bonfire party and encourage people to bring outdoor games or instruments they can play around the bonfire.
Hang a happy birthday banner from the trees. Go to art and crafts or party store and purchase a banner that says "Happy Birthday." You can also buy individual letters and string them together to spell out the person's name. This will add personalization to the party and make the birthday person happy.
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