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8 Great Tips to Host a Backyard Outdoor Movie Night

By Deborah L Melian

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

Toast for a Outdoor Movie Night found on Wisconsin Homemaker

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.

Movie Projector

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.

Backyard Outdoor Movie Night featured on Wisconsin Homemaker

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

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

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

Scene It?

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.

Backyard Outdoor Movie Night found on Wisconsin Homemaker

 WE’D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU! If you do try any of Wisconsin Homemaker’s recipes, ideas or products be sure to share your comments below and photos on Instagram or Pinterest with a tag @wisconsinhomemaker and hashtag #wisconsinhomemaker Thanks!


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DISCLAIMER: Deborah L Melian is a participant in the Amazon Service LLC Associate Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. She also is a participant in Google AdSense Affiliate program. 


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About Deborah L Melian

I am a midwestern wife and mother who loves to share family friendly recipes, along with my two cent's worth on everything home and garden. I live in Wisconsin. You can follow me on FACEBOOK • TWITTER • PINTEREST • INSTAGRAM

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***Deborah L Melian is a participant in the Amazon Service LLC Associate Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate she earns from qualifying purchases. She also is a participant in Google AdSense Affiliate program.***

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