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How to Host the Perfect Backyard Movie Night
8
Feb
There is something magical about sitting under the stars while watching some stars. As the heat and humidity fade along with the sun, the summer nights start to shine. With movie tickets at the current prices, it can be pretty costly to take a small family to the movies on a Friday or Saturday night. Backyard movie nights are fairly easy to set up and can help save some money. Watching movies with friends and family can be a great way to beat the heat, or spend time together in the evening.
When planning a movie night, often the most difficult part of creating a great event is finding free time to spend with family and friends. Now that the movie night date is set and the screen is set up, there are a few ways to put some nice touches to provide an excellent experience. The following are some steps to take to ensure the perfect backyard movie night.
Proper Set-Up
Setting up a simple screen, such as a white blanket or bed sheet against the side of a house, is low cost and an effective way to broadcast the movie. The main cost is finding a projector. Basic projectors will run about $50, which may be a nice investment if movie night becomes a standard activity during the summer.
In addition to the projector and movie screen, there are a few other steps to ensure a fantastic time. Importantly, ensure that everyone can hear the movie! Although an outdoor sound system may be a great touch for your backyard, a full sound system might not be needed for movie night. You can find small Bluetooth speakers for a reasonable price and you will only need a few to be able to enjoy your movie.
Additionally, one great thing about technology is NetFlix and smartphones. A simple projection solution would be to play the movie on NetFlix off a smartphone or tablet and project it to the screen.
Create the Theater Ambiance
Although movie night is in the backyard, make sure your guests feel like they're at the movie theater! The classic drive-in has gone by the wayside, but attempt to recreate the same family fun experience.
For starters, be sure to provide sufficient seating. It is ok to provide a few blankets so people can sit together on the ground, but make sure that is an option and not a necessity.
Additionally, summer nights can become a bit chilly, especially after the sun sets for the evening. The day before the movie, take a few minutes to stand outside during the time of the show. This is a little touch so you can give everyone an expectation of the temperature. Find some extra blankets and set them near the seats so guests can easily find them if they get a chill during the movie.
Provide the Right Food
Like all great events, people usually end up talking about the food. There are some staples to include, such as popcorn, candy, and a cooler full of soft drinks. It is movie night, so the essentials should keep everyone happy.
However, to set the mood and embrace the movie theme, provide a few hearty dishes that match the movie. One of our favorite examples is Heavyweights. Not only is Heavyweights a wonderful family-friendly movie, but it is also a wonderful play on the menu. Inspired by the Cooking Channel TV post, a great dish is a huge sub. This works well because there is a sub on the movie poster and it will feed multiple people and who doesn't like a sub?
There are a ton of ways to make catchy plays on classic summer movies as well. As most summer films involve the beach or camp, grilling hamburgers or hot dogs fit the theme and are quite easy. Backyard movie night should be fun and easy, so little puns for dessert work just as well.
Pick the Right Movie
To host a great movie night, the setup is like the Coming Attractions. The movie itself is the Main Event of the evening. Although Jaws is an oldie, the movie is still a classic summer film that fits most groups. However, depending on your group, Jaws might be a little violent for younger children.
From superheroes to action-adventure blockbusters and cartoon mayhem, there are some standard summer movie themes to consider when making the movie selection. If movie night is family-focused and there are some young children, then a well-made cartoon-type movie might fit the bill. Some of our favorites include:
For a group that is a little more mature and enjoying adolescence, then these might be great films for movie night.
For a group of movie patrons that are in their teen years or much older and want to relive their youth, then we enjoy these films.
Alternatively, if the heat is really bad, then consider a cool movie to take advantage of those hot nights.
If you make movie night a reoccurring event, you can always take turns picking movies so that everyone is happy. But no matter what movie is picked, having a fun night in the yard is a memory you and your family will have forever.
What are your favorite backyard movie tips? Please join the conversation on Twitter and Facebook to find out more ways to throw the perfect backyard movie night!