How To Throw An Awesome Outdoor Movie Night

Summer vacation is a time of extra fun for the kids as they are off of school.  With the perfect weather to enjoy an evening outside, why not plan an outdoor movie night and invite some friends to join in the fun? With just a little planning and preparation you can have an evening they'll remember for a long time! Here are some tips to make your night extra special.

1. Pick a movie that fits your crowd and everyone can enjoy. Kids classics like The Goonies, The Parent Trap, The Sandlot, The Princess Bride or The Wizard of Oz might be on your list of choices.  And of course, a Disney, Pixar movie is a sure bet.

2. Pick a good spot for your screen. If you have a white wall in your possession, you are in luck as that is all that is required. If not, there's the option of using a white painters tarp and hanging it from a wall or a fence. If you use a white sheet, make sure you have it secure so it doesn't blow around and make your movie all wobbly. Stapling it to a hanging frame works well, as does stretching it between two poles secured in buckets of concrete. (That is, if you want to put all the effort in.) Make sure your screen won't have any street lamps or head lights shining around it to ruin the effect.

3. Gather your supplies and do a check to make sure there's no technical difficulties. You'll need:

• A DVD player/ Laptop/ Ipad etc. (something to play movies on)
• A projector. You can rent these or make an investment for future movie nights.
• Speakers

4. Have snacks. Depending on how elaborate you want to get, you can go true movie theater style with hot dogs, nachos, twizzlers and bags of popcorn and have the kids mix in their own sweet extras. Don't forget the drinks!

5. Make sure the seats are comfy. Ask your guests to bring their own lawn chairs or just sit on the grass with all your spare blankets and pillows. If you're feeling ambitious or like this will be a regular happening at your house, consider building some reclining seating out of ply wood. Be sure to account for a drop in temperature with extra blankets. If you're going for the drive in theme, you can make each child their own personal auto with a cardboard box and some creativity.

6. Make your set up more exciting with some personal touches. Use some twinkle lights to make your way through the dark. If you want to go all out, you can rent an old fashioned popcorn machine. Print movie posters and place them around the yard. Hang red curtains on the sides of your screen.

7. Make sure your guests know the specifics by sending them an invite in advance. And enjoy the show!