Summer is a time to spend time with family and friends, and the perfect way to do that is to plan a cookout on your patio. Here is a step-by-step guide to planning the perfect cookout.
Plan Ahead
The first step in planning your cookout is who are you going to invite? Write down all of the guests, so you have a headcount to plan accordingly how much of everything you will need for the party. Next, pick a date that is convenient and is far ahead for you to plan, and for your guests to save the date. The weather could be an unexpected factor, so make sure you have a backup plan in case the weather is not ideal that day. Then, create a cookout menu, something that all guests can enjoy. Finally, have some activities for your guests to do- both adults and kids.
Menu
Creating the perfect menu for your guests to enjoy is essential to any cookout. There are a few ways you could go with this. A traditional cookout menu could include hamburgers, hotdogs, corn, potato salad, or any of your favorite cookout recipes. Another route you could go is having your family and friends bring their favorite dishes to the cookout, while you provide the main entree. This is a fun way for your guests to get involved in the cookout, but also have some ease as the host. However, if you do choose to do your menu this way, make sure you know what everyone is bringing for a well-rounded palette.
Another decision to consider is the drinks. Always provide non-alcoholic beverages, especially if kids are involved. A unique way to provide alcoholic beverages is to create simple cocktails that will pair well with the food or bring in the summer spirit. Finally, everyone has a sweet tooth, and s’mores are always a summertime favorite. Create a s’mores bar for everyone to be able to create their own. If you do not have the ability to have a fire for s’mores, you can create a sundae bar for your guests to customize.
Activities
Next, let’s plan some fun activities for you and your guests to enjoy. Cornhole, kan jam, ladder golf, horseshoes, and bocce ball are always great for a cookout. You can get creative by doing some competitions with everyone, like keeping the balloon up and relay races. Don’t be afraid to bring some board games and card games. You could add in some water to make a splash, especially in the summer heat, with water balloons, water guns, and slip-n-slides. Also, setting up a big movie screen with a sheet and projector for a movie night is a fun way to have everyone enjoy an activity together, but don’t forget the popcorn!
Setting Up
On the day of the cookout, make sure you have enough seating on your patio for everyone. This is a way for your guests to sit back, relax, and have fun with everyone. Put some tablecloths on the tables to ensure a nice, clean look on your patio. Add in some flower arrangements or fun centerpieces for the tables to make your patio stand out and look beautiful. Make sure you have enough plates, bowls, utensils, cups, and napkins.
When setting up your food, do not bring your cold items out until everything is ready to eat. Keep your beverages cool with coolers and ice so everyone can have a cold drink. Lay out all of your activities for your guests to partake in, or have everything set aside if you are doing a competition. Finally, bring out your speakers for some nice background music for everyone to appreciate.
Enjoy it
Last but not least, don’t stress yourself out for this cookout. Remind yourself to relax, have fun, and enjoy your friends and family on your patio.