With summer fast coming to an end, I’m trying to squeeze every last lazy summer night and day activity in. One of my favorites that we try to do often, and somehow managed to do not at all until this past weekend, is hosting a backyard movie night! My husband has stolen is resourceful and has accumulated a bunch of projection and sound equipment, so our setup is pretty legit. That being said, I don’t think you need fancy equipment to have a fantastic evening: I think this screen/projector kit from Amazon looks great, or this screen and this projector duo. As far as speakers go, they certainly run the gamut on price and sound; I like a pair of these, but definitely feel free to do your own research!

Beyond the basics of screen and projector, here’s a few other things I think are a necessity for a successful evening:

• Dinner Plan: We love to do either a taco or hotdog bar, where we grill up all the meat at the beginning of the evening, then leave the grill on low to keep things warm throughout the night. Next to the grill we setup a small folding table with plates, napkins, cutlery, and condiments galore!
• Seating: I’m a huge fan of laying out on a blanket for the movie, but I know some people like more substantial/supportive seating options, so we always have a mix of both. I love these camping chairs and this blanket!
• Movie Choice: We definitely keep things light-hearted and silly when it comes to movie choices for backyard nights, especially as it’s always a mix of our friends with a variety of tastes. Some fan favorites from the past include ‘Waterworld,’ ‘Space Jam,’ ‘E.T.,’ ‘The Princess Bride,’ and ‘The Goonies.’

Have you ever hosted a backyard movie night? What kinds of food did you serve? What movie did you watch?? Let us know in the comments!