8 Great Tips to Host a Backyard Outdoor Movie Night

Heat up your summer nights with your friends and family with these great tips to host a backyard outdoor movie night.

When I think of summer fun, I remember my parents taking us kids in the family station wagon to the local drive-in movie. There, we’d spend several hours huddled together, enjoying the delights of three movie hits, theater food and drink.

Well, the drive-in days are pretty much a thing of the past, but you can recreate the joy of summer movies by hosting your own outdoor movie night in your own backyard.

How to Host a Backyard Outdoor Movie Night

With a few basic items, you’ll be well on your way to being the hit of the neighborhood by hosting your own outdoor movie night.

Here’s What You Will Need:

1. Outdoor Movie Screen

Of course your can sling a line and clothespin a bedsheet between two trees for an inexpensive, rustic but doable movie screen or better yet, follow these instructions to make your own outdoor screen.

RELATED: DIY Outdoor Movie Screen Project

2. Outdoor Projector

For the projector, try the Epson Home Cinema Projector(730HD). It was made to project large and regardless of indoor or outdoor use, your picture will be bright and beautiful.

3. Movie Tickets

You can make your own movie tickets or you can use this handy Movie Ticket Sheet (PDF) by printing off and personalizing your tickets like they do in the cinemas.

4. Popcorn, Candy, Hot Dogs and Soda

Family movie night wouldn’t be the same without the popcorn, candy, hot dogs, and soda. It’s easy to set up a table and let the gang eat at will.

And, of course, don’t forget these: Popcorn Bags  | Twizzlers

5. Sleeping Bags, Blankets and Pillows

One of the most fun for kids and adults is to be able to sit on the lawn and relax. You can set up camp chairs or throw down plenty of blankets and pillows for lounging.

How about these kid-friendly throws for your next outdoor movie party?

Frozen Throw Blanket | Minions Throw Blanket | Batman Throw Blanket

6. Bug Spray

Bugs (aka mosquitos) may appear, so be ready with bug spray. You may also want to fog the area you are going to use as a “theater” before showtime.

Here’s a great tutorial to create your own bug-free zone with a DIY Citronella Candle by Mommypotumus

7. Pre-Movie Entertainment

Anticipation for the night’s lineup is sure to make kids antsy. So be prepared with this fun game that will get them in the mood for everything “movie.”

Scene It? Disney Edition

8. Top Family Movies Ever

Want to know what to show for your Movie Night, be sure to check out Rotten Tomatoes Top 100 Kids and Family Movies, as well as this short list handpicked by Wisconsin Homemaker:

1. Toy Story 4
2. The Wizard of Oz
3. Spider-Man: Inter the Sider-Verse
4. Inside Out
5. Coco
6. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
7. E. T.  (Extra-Terrestrial)
8. The Incredibles
9. Paddington 2
10. Up
11. Toy Story 2
12. Toy Story 3
13. Pinocchio
14. Finding Nemo
15. The Jungle Book
16. Harry Potter Series
17. It’s a Wonderful Life
18. Toy Story
19. Moana
20. The LEGO Movie
21. How to Train Your Dragon (1 and 2)
22. Mary Poppins
23. Dumbo
24. Ratatouille
25. Miracle on 34th Street
26. Frozen 1 & 2
27. The Princess Bride
28. The Pacifier
29. Beauty and the Beast
30. 101 Dalmatians
31. How to Train Your Dragon
32. The Lion King
33. Monsters, Inc.
34. Aladdin
35. Hugo

For more great outdoor ideas this summer, be sure to check out my Pinterest Board: Summer Ideas from Wisconsin Homemaker.