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DIY Outdoor Movie Screen

By Deborah L Melian

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If you want to show movies like the old drive-ins of yesterday but don’t have a screen, here’s an easy DIY outdoor movie screen project that takes minimal supplies and will last for years of enjoyment.

Backyard Outdoor Movie Night with Homemade Outdoor Movie Screen

How to Make an Outdoor Movie Screen

I love the idea of showing movies outdoors at night during summer. It reminds me of days gone by and those late night drive-ins that my mom and dad took us kids to.

Well, you can enjoy this same experience and in the privacy of your own backyard. Best of all, you can do it with minimal supplies and a little sweat equity.

RELATED: 8 Great Tips to Hosting a Backyard Movie Night

What I love about this project is that you’ll make something that will serve as an anchor for a large movie screen but also for badminton and volleyball nets, too.

It’s super simple to do and with minimal supplies and a little tool know-how, you’ll find that this project comes together in no time at all.

And, as for the screen itself. You have the option of using an old sheet, tarp, or even a blackout screen that is made specifically for this purpose. It’s totally up to you.

Here’s what you’ll need:

Supplies

Blackout Cloth
  • Blackout Cloth  (66 inch x 110 inch)
  • 2-8 foot pressure treated 4’x4′ posts
  • 12 screw eye hooks
  • Lord and Hodge Grommet Kit
  • 2-5 gallon empty paint buckets*
  • shovel
  • 40-pound bag of Quikrete concrete mix
  • 4 tent stakes
  • 8 mini (10 inche) bungee cords
  • 100 foot of rope (clothesline will do nicely)
DIY Outdoor Movie Screen featured on WisconsinHomemaker.com

Instructions

FOR THE SCREEN:

On each of the short end of the black out fabric grommet 4 times equidistance (approximately every 16.5 inches). And, be sure to grommet in about 1 inch in from edge.

Note: The mini bungee cords will hook into these grommet holes and also to the standard.

FOR THE STANDARDS:

  1. Fill the buckets with Quickrete and water.
  2. Follow the concrete bag instructions for mixing.
  3. Put a 4’x4′ post in the middle of each bucket. Hold or support until set.
  4. Let the pole stand in the concrete mix overnight in a dry area.
  5. On both posts, measure down from top approximately 3 inches and from there screw in the 4 eye hooks, 16.5 inches apart.
  6. On the opposite side of each post, measure down 3 inches and attach 2 eye hooks 36 inches apart.

TO SUPPORT:

  1. Attach mini bungee cords to both screen and to standards.
  2. Pull screen taunt.
  3. To offer more security, tie off on the outside eye holes and stake with the rope (approximately 15 feet for each tie-off).

DIY TIP: As a caveat for making this project, you can also use these posts as standards for a volleyball or badminton net. Sweet!

DIY Homemade Outdoor Movie Screen found on Wisconsin Homemaker

For more great fun ideas for your summer days and nights, check out my Pinterest Board: Summer Ideas from Wisconsin Homemaker, as well as these family favorites:

  • Homemade Bubbles
  • Kool-Aid Tie Dye
  • Glass Candlestick Garden Totems
  • Seashell Candelabras

 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!


*This Post Contains Affiliate Links*
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. So, if you buy something or take action after clinking one of these links on this website, I will receive a small commission.
Thank you for your patronage.


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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