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Home » 7 Easy Ideas for a Casual Backyard Barbecue 

7 Easy Ideas for a Casual Backyard Barbecue 

7 Easy Ideas for a Casual Backyard Barbecue 


Don’t overthink and incessantly plan your next backyard barbecue as an over-the-top, pricey event. Instead, make it a fun, laid-back affair with a relaxed and casual atmosphere. Keep reading to explore seven easy backyard barbecue ideas where everyone can unwind.

1. Laid-Back Vibe 

Create a fun and carefree atmosphere for your next outdoor barbecue with great music, twinkling lights, comfortable seating, and simple décor. For example, hire a budget-friendly local band or single guitarist to entertain guests. Wrap twinkle lights around trees, posts, rails, and pergolas to add a bit of magical sparkle when the sun goes down. Set up padded folding chairs alongside your existing outdoor furniture to provide additional seating. Decorate tables with pots of summer flowers and flameless candles.

2. Mouth-Watering Grilling Options 

A big part of any backyard barbecue is scrumptious grilled food. And everything seems to taste better when it’s cooked on your barbecue grill. For meat lovers, you can’t beat juicy cheeseburgers with all the toppings. Or for veggie lovers, these Balsamic Grilled Veggie Kebobs loaded are sure to please. Consider other grilling options, such as marinated chicken breasts, slabs of barbecue ribs, roasted hot dogs, and buttery corn on the cob.



3. Throwaway Tableware and Cutlery 

Forget the piles of dirty dishes and silverware when your backyard barbecue is over. Instead, buy sturdy disposable plates and cutlery that guests can use while they’re eating and easily toss in the trash when they’re finished. Pick out disposable heavy-duty plates that are resistant to leaks and cuts. You can also buy paper tablecloths, napkins, dessert plates, and drinking cups for easy cleanup.

4. Sensational Side Dishes 

Include sensational summer side dishes to complement your grilled meat and veggies. Make it easy on yourself by asking each guest to bring their favorite side dish, either homemade or store-bought. A few summer favorites include delicious sides, such as baked beans, veggies and dip, coleslaw, and sweet potato fries. Incorporate a few yummy salads, like potato salad, pasta salad, broccoli salad or cucumber salad for added variety.

5. Refreshing Dessert Ideas 

Offer your outdoor guests a few refreshing desserts after the main meal. Chilled watermelon is a crowd-pleaser at almost any summer barbecue and is also nutritious. Homemade ice cream like my No Churn Strawberry Ice Cream makes a special summer treat, especially when you’ve got assorted toppings, such as chocolate syrup, candy sprinkles, and whipped cream on hand. Strawberry cobbler, peach cobbler, fruity popsicles and milkshakes provide other refreshing dessert options.



6. Fun Backyard Games 

Set up a simple putting green, badminton or volleyball net, croquet course, horseshoe game, bean bag toss, or other fun activity in your backyard for guests to enjoy. Kids might have a good time participating in a classic game of kickball, charades, hide-and-seek, or red rover.

7. Nonalcoholic Beverage Bar 

Create a nonalcoholic beverage bar for your backyard guests so they can serve themselves a cold drink whenever they wish. For example, set up a small table with pitchers of cold lemonade (or try my Sparkling Berry Lemonade recipe), iced tea, fruit punch, and lemon-infused water. Place an ice bucket with tongs and disposable cups near the pitchers for guests to serve themselves. Fill an ice-packed party tub with bottled specialty waters, soda pop, sports drinks, and fruit juices as additional beverage choices.

Summertime backyard barbecues can be loads of relaxing fun. Plan your next outdoor grilling event using the seven simple suggestions in this article to create a fun, casual time for everyone. Give your guests a fun-filled evening with delicious food, great entertainment, and a laid-back vibe.

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Jocelyn Brown

A former school teacher, Jocelyn Brown created Hip Mama’s Place in 2007. Her motto for this blog is: get inspired, create and share! Jocelyn loves sharing about food and recipes, crafts, DIY projects and her random travels with her family. She also loves all things social media, but her latest obsession is Instagram.

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16 Comments

  1. 07/10/2022 / 9:25 am

    I’ve always wanted to have a backyard barbecue here in our new place. Those are some great tips to keep in mind and thanks for the share!

  2. 07/09/2022 / 10:05 pm

    My family and i truly enjoy summer barbeque. Fun games and good food no dull moment.

  3. 07/09/2022 / 7:53 am

    I love these ideas. I’m wishing that I had a grill. I’d love to make a brisket or something for my family.

  4. Irena
    07/08/2022 / 10:20 pm

    Nothing like a good ol backyard grilling party! I love these ideas. Particularly that ice cream <3

  5. 07/08/2022 / 6:15 pm

    I am ready to host a party in my yard. These are some great ideas.

  6. 07/08/2022 / 3:07 pm

    There is nothing better than a backyard BBQ. Being from the south makes it easy to do these almost all year long.

  7. 07/08/2022 / 11:02 am

    Nnniiicccceeeeee….I love the idea of having a Nonalcoholic Beverage Bar! A barbeque without alcohol is equally good and more healthy, I must say.

  8. 07/08/2022 / 10:43 am

    I forget about the backyard games. My friends are older and very few children come over, but I think my crowd would love the games.

  9. Rose Ann Sales
    07/08/2022 / 9:51 am

    Wow! This is so amazing I really love these awesome ideas you came up with! So perfect my kids would love this!

  10. Richelle Milar
    07/08/2022 / 9:49 am

    We’ve never done this before with my family! I think tomorrow we will definitely do this on our backyard! Thanks for sharing this with us! Love it!

  11. 07/08/2022 / 4:51 am

    I’m starving now, having looked at all that delicious food! I’m going now to check out your Sparkling Berry Lemonade.

  12. Monica Simpson
    07/08/2022 / 3:56 am

    Summer bbqs with friends are my favorite! I need to make some of those kabobs next time.

  13. Janie
    07/08/2022 / 12:01 am

    I love having random BBQs even during the week. Just gather the family around, chill, and sip on some drinks. I love the beverage bar idea but I’m sure us adults will sneak some alcohol into a few!

  14. Kathy
    07/08/2022 / 12:00 am

    I’m loving all these ideas. I love doing backyard barbecues. I think they are so much fun.

  15. 07/07/2022 / 10:10 pm

    I love the ideas for the games and the non-alcoholic bar. There are a lot of people who aren’t interested in alcohol at backyard parties.

  16. Amber Myers
    07/07/2022 / 9:23 pm

    I love your ideas. We need to get a new grill so we can do this. I love a delicious barbecue.

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