Holidays & Entertaining Entertaining Birthdays 24 Summer Birthday Party Ideas Both Kids and Adults Will Enjoy These summer birthday party ideas will help you throw the ultimate warm-weather bash that's fun for everyone, regardless of age. By Sarah Martens Sarah Martens Sarah Martens is the Senior Editor overseeing food at Better Homes & Gardens digital. She has been with the BHG brand for more than 10 years. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on July 18, 2024 Close Photo: Buff Strickland There's no shortage of summer birthday party ideas when planning a warm-weather bash that's fun for all ages. From exciting themes and inviting decor to memorable activities and delicious food, there are many thoughtful touches you can add to make your celebratory gathering a blast for the guest of honor and other attendees. Even on a budget, there are a wealth of ways to host an awesome outdoor party without breaking the bank. These summer birthday party ideas are all about having fun in the sun—use them as inspiration for your upcoming celebration, and don't forget to brush up on our expert outdoor party-planning tips after you decide on a theme. 25 Easy Summer Party Ideas for Hosting Big and Small Gatherings 01 of 24 Ice Cream Social Carson Downing This summer birthday party idea is all about the season's sweetest treat! An ice cream sundae bar is a tasty and creative way to celebrate another year around the sun. Offer specialty ice cream flavors or stick to the big three—chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry—and line up a wide range of toppings and mix-ins for guests to customize their scoops. Ice Cream Social Ideas for a Crowd-Pleasing Party for All Ages 02 of 24 Outdoor Game Night Chelsea Foy of Lovely Indeed An outdoor game night with yard games like bocce ball, ring toss, cornhole, and giant Jenga is one of the best summer birthday party ideas for any age. Set up different game stations around the yard so no one gets stuck waiting for a turn. Since this theme is casual, you can keep the decor to a minimum. A cooler of drinks and a simple snack bar are all you need! 37 Creative Backyard Birthday Party Ideas Kids Will Love 03 of 24 Cupcake-Decorating Party Andy Lyons If you're wary of ice cream melting under the summer sun but like the idea of a customizable dessert bar, throw a cupcake-decorating birthday party instead. This summer birthday party idea allows guests to get creative not just with flavors, but also with their cupcake design. Make it easy and less messy by setting out pre-frosted cupcakes and bowls of colorful candy toppings. You can even turn it into a fun competition and have the birthday honoree decide whose cupcake design is their favorite, rewarding the winner with a small prize or bragging rights! 18 of Our Absolute Best Cupcake Recipes 04 of 24 Watercolors and Wine (or Painting and Punch) Buff Strickland A new take on painting and pinot parties, this summer birthday party idea mixes crafty brush strokes and seasonal sips. For an adult-oriented celebration, set up watercolor painting stations and glasses of wine—rosé is perfect for summer. Post up on the porch and have plenty of seasonal finger foods at the ready. Make it kid-friendly by setting up age-appropriate crafting stations with juice instead of wine—call it "painting and punch." 19 Summer Appetizers for Your Next Outdoor Party 05 of 24 Backyard Movie Night Rebekah Molloy This summer birthday party idea is worthy of the silver screen. Host a backyard movie night complete with theater decor, boxed candy, soda, and popcorn. Set the scene with an outdoor movie screen, string lights for ambiance, and an assortment of seating options—lawn chairs, blankets, bean bags—then kick off the celebration with a directorial "Action!" 14 Backyard Movie Night Ideas for the Perfect Summer Evening 06 of 24 Mimosa Party Adam Albright If schedules only allow for a morning celebration, host a mimosa party. Invite friends and family to your backyard for a casual birthday celebration over breakfast and the classic cocktail. Set up a drink cart with orange juice and other fruit juices so each guest can create their own custom mimosa to sip after toasting the birthday honoree. This summer birthday party idea is geared toward adults but can easily be kid-friendly sans alcohol. 22 DIY Drink Station Ideas (Cheers!) 07 of 24 Birthday Bagel Brunch Skip the late-night party and throw a leisurely birthday bagel brunch! Set-up is easy: Pick up a selection of sliced bagels and arrange a tray with all your favorite toppings and spreads so each guest can make a creation to their liking. Cut veggies and cheese into fun shapes using cookie cutters to make the occasion fun for kids. And don't forget the coffee and juice! Breakfast Bread & Pastry 08 of 24 Rainbow Jamboree Ari Michelson Summer is the season of bright colors, so what better time to host a birthday party with a rainbow theme? Decorate with rainbows and multicolored decor, have guests dress in rainbow-inspired outfits, and get creative with a few fun rainbow recipes like rainbow sheet cake instead of classic birthday cake. Activities can be rainbow-themed, too. Set up tie-dye stations so kids can make t-shirts, and provide barrels filled with multicolored water balloons to help them cool down in the summer heat while making core memories. How to Make Fruity Rainbow Pops 09 of 24 Root Beer Float Fest Rebekah Molloy Looking for a low-maintenance, budget-friendly summer party idea? Serve root beer floats in the backyard. Create a mobile float station with ice cream, soda, straws, and glasses—toss a bottle of bourbon in your wagon if adults will be in attendance. Host the birthday festivities at twilight and enjoy the floats around a bonfire, making the event celebratory but low-key—a great option for teenagers who just want to kick back and enjoy the summer weather with their friends. Root Beer Float Cupcakes 10 of 24 Backyard Fiesta Blaine Moats Whether your family hails from Mexican heritage or you love the culture's customs, a fiesta-themed celebration makes for one of the most fun and flavorful summer birthday party ideas. Colorful glassware and bold paper flowers set the scene for this festive theme. Go all-out on authentic Mexican party food (we recommend a tres leches cake rather than a traditional birthday cake) and craft a signature cocktail that features tequila for the 21+ crowd. 10 Easy Cinco de Mayo Party Ideas for an Outdoor Fiesta 11 of 24 Spa Celebration Rebekah Molloy If rest and relaxation are at the top of the birthday honoree's list of wishes, host a gathering that gifts them those things. A spa celebration is easy to set up, and it doesn't have to be an expensive endeavor. Create a beauty bar right in your living room with face masks, nail polish, and lotion available for guests to use. Play relaxing spa music or nature sounds in the background to set the mood, and serve up easy-to-eat finger foods and fruit-infused spa water. Bonus points if you have a hot tub for soaking! 25 Party-Ready Finger Food Ideas for Your Next Gathering 12 of 24 Classic Pool Party TwoTwentyPhotos.com Whether you have your own pool or can gather guests at a community pool, a pool party is a summer birthday classic. Put a spin on your water bash by incorporating an ocean theme. From under-the-sea snacks, like blue Jello and fish-shape crackers, to easy party decor (these layered blue tablecloths resemble ocean waves), the theme is a fun twist on one of the most common summer birthday party ideas. 17 Summer Pool Party Ideas for Activities, Atmosphere, and Eats 13 of 24 Backyard Potluck David Tsay For a laid-back crowd, host a backyard potluck party. Have each guest bring their favorite summer dish while you provide the birthday honoree's favorite and a signature drink. Put on a fun party playlist, serve food alfresco, and let the party begin! These 23 Summer Potluck Ideas are Recipes Made for Sharing 14 of 24 Outdoor Luau Adam Albright Bring a tropical twist to your birthday celebration with a luau party complete with a make-your-own lei station. Light tiki torches around your backyard to set the mood, and decorate with tropical touches. Serve pulled pork sandwiches with pineapple barbecue sauce, plate tropical fruit inside carved pineapple husks, and whip up piña coladas (virgin for the kids) for attendees to enjoy. How to Make DIY Pineapple Whip 15 of 24 Outback Shrimp Boil Rebekah Molloy This Southern-inspired shrimp boil is the ultimate summer birthday party for foodies. The main attraction is a spicy feast of shrimp, sausage, and corn. Round out the party with DIY nautical decor and plenty of cold drinks. Make-Ahead Low-Country Shrimp Boil 16 of 24 Watermelon Social Marty Baldwin Watermelon is a quintessential summer fruit, and it's the central characteristic of this summer birthday party idea. Go all in on the seasonal theme with watermelon drinks, watermelon snacks, and watermelon decorations. Serve watermelon balls inside the husk of a halved watermelon, and go outside the box with watermelon fruit pizza in your food spread. Fresh Watermelon Recipes to Satisfy Your Summer Cravings 17 of 24 Birthday Brunch Carson Downing Get the party started early on a hot summer day with brunch on the back patio. Have a bloody mary bar for adults and a juice bar for kids, and opt for an assortment of breakfast pizzas if you don't want to stand over the stove all morning. Keep dessert light and seasonal with fruit parfaits or sorbet instead of the usual birthday cake. 27 Make-Ahead Breakfast Recipes Good for a Crowd 18 of 24 Summer Garden Party Cameron Sadeghpour Celebrate the beauty of summer with a garden party. Set up the birthday gathering amidst your landscaping, offering a flower crown-making station, bright-colored food, and refreshing drinks. Implement citrus and floral flavors in the food and beverages to round out the theme. 7 Edible Flower Recipes That Are (Almost) Too Pretty to Eat 19 of 24 Barbecue and Brews Bash Ray Kachatorian This summer birthday party idea is all about beer and barbecue! Set up beer flights for tasting (use root beer for kids), provide the birthday honoree's favorite barbecue and sides, and finish the party with a few yard games. Fully embrace the summer spirit by offering a few s'mores desserts rather than cake and ice cream. Curious How Much Meat Per Person For a BBQ? We've Got Your Answers 20 of 24 Trail Mix Social Save the hassle of preparing food for your guests with this birthday party theme that doubles as a menu and party favor. Set up a bar with an assortment of trail mix ingredients, including granola, dried fruit, nuts, seeds, chocolates, pretzels, candies, and any other foods the birthday honoree wants in the spread. Have each guest create a personalized mix in an individual Mason jar—they can enjoy it during the celebration and take any leftovers home. Trail Mix Bar Ideas for a Totally Easy Party 21 of 24 Rosé Soiree Jason Donnelly Center your birthday around a favorite summer drink—rosé! Keep this party light and bright, just like the drink. Pair a few varieties of rosé with your favorite charcuterie staples. Sit back, sip, and enjoy the summer celebration. For kids, serve pink lemonade and decorate with citrus-themed fruits for a "pink drink party." Throw a Gorgeous Rosé Party This Summer 22 of 24 Backyard Burger Bash Annie Schlechter Many of these summer birthday party ideas revolve around delicious food, and this one is no exception. Gather friends and family for a backyard burger bash, putting your grill to good use. Making juicy, flavorful burgers isn't hard with a few of our grilling tips. Set out your favorite toppings and side dishes, decorate with DIY tissue paper pom-poms and a colorful tablecloth, and your party will be well on its way. A Burger Party Menu and Other Ideas for a Fabulous Summer Burger Bash 23 of 24 Tie-Dye Birthday Party Allison Cottrill Since this iconic trend is making a comeback, a tie-dye-themed birthday bash is the perfect retro party to throw this summer. Prepare by ordering white shirts (or any other white cotton item) and have guests decorate each piece with colorful dye. Be sure to let each attendee's shirt sun dry completely before packing up the party favor. How to Reverse Tie-Dye a Colored Shirt in Less Than 30 Minutes 24 of 24 Picnic Party Carson Downing Warm weather makes for peak picnicking conditions, so a picnic celebration is one of the best summer birthday party ideas! Picnics are all about good food, good conversation, and good times outdoors. Assemble pre-made deli sandwiches, fresh fruit, and finger food accompaniments like nuts, chips, and pretzels on blanket spreads or picnic tables. Set up yard games to give guests activity options aside from making conversation. 16 Reasons We're Obsessed with Picnicking Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit