Main Pages

> Special Days > Entertaining

Sub Sections

Buzz:

Quick Recipes from Y! Food

Summer's Best Real Food Recipes

Simplify your life with these delicious,
no-sweat recipes.

Foxy FestivitiesAdd to My Yahoo!
Email This Story IM This Story Print This Story

Throw a Backyard Beach Bash

Posted Thu, Jul 26, 2007, 8:37 pm PDT
POST A COMMENT »



As the heat cranks up during those hot summer months, it's time to cool things off by throwing a casual beach bash. So the nearest beach is several hundred miles away? Don't sweat it -- bust out those bikinis and beach balls and prepare for some fun in the sun, right in your own backyard. It's a crowd pleaser that will entertain adults and kids alike -- and something that's easy to throw together quickly. Plus, no one has to deal with sand in their shoes!

  • Create your own invitations using your favorite beach accessory -- from cheap plastic sunglasses to starfish (can be purchased online) to frisbees. Enclose the goody in a padded envelope or gift bag along with a colorful card containing all the details. You can even order custom printed mini frisbees online -- they require a little lead time, but what a fun idea!
  • Purchase some giant blow-up beach balls and sand. Use the sand to fill glass vases and bowls -- then fill them with tall green grass, shells and coral, or votive candles. Small galvanized metal buckets are another great accent and can be filled with candies, decorative sea glass, or munchies.
  • Keep food casual. Whip up an array of sandwiches like PB&J, egg salad, tuna, and turkey and avocado with cucumber. Skewer cubes of watermelon, pineapple and green grapes to refresh guests. And load up on good old-fashioned potato chips with onion dip.
  • Serve up big batches of iced tea and lemonade -- experiment with different variations if you're feeling adventurous. Maybe an iced mint tea, or a raspberry lemonade.
  • Fill a cooler with ice cream treats -- everything from fudge bars to ice cream sandwiches and fruit pops.
  • Crank up some of those tried and true oldies, along with a few modern faves: Beach Boys, Will Smith ("Summertime"), Lauryn Hill, Bob Marley, The Four Seasons.
  • Put up a volleyball net for those who want a little beach-inspired fun. And for those who prefer to relax in the shade, put out a basket of paperback novels and a set of checkers. For the kiddos, all you need is a sprinkler going at full speed!
And, most importantly, don't forget the sunscreen!

Average (109 Ratings): 3.5 out of 5 stars

Email This Story IM This Story Print This Story
Back to Index | « Prev Post | Next Post »

  • 1. Posted by SJP on Wed, Jul 25, 2007, 6:52 pm PDT

    I would have to recommend against tuna and egg salad -- at the beach that's going to turn into food poisoning on a slice of bread. I would recommend our favorite beach treat, frozen grapes. Just pull them off the vines, wash and dry and then pop them in a bag. Throw them in the freezer and you're done. Cool and yummy!

    Report Abuse

  • 2. Posted by pamela c on Tue, Jul 31, 2007, 3:20 pm PDT

    This is something my family have done before and it is a great fun for all ages. We purchased a large piece of thick clear plastic from Lowes. It may have been 20 or 30 foot long. (Very Inexpensive). We gathered up the whole family for a day of Slip and Slide. This works great with Several Bottles of Cheap Baby shampoo (10 or more bottles) the more slickery it is the more fun it is.Baby shampoo won't burn anyones eyes. Have races and competitions but remember to play with caution. Excellent entertainment for summer birthday parties and Fun for all ages. Works best on level grassey areas.

    Report Abuse

  • 3. Posted by Kyung B on Sat, Aug 04, 2007, 8:58 am PDT

    Why is there an Asian woman always with white people in pictures?

    Report Abuse

  • 4. Posted by Ronnie5 on Sat, Aug 04, 2007, 9:00 am PDT

    Do you hear the ocean?

    Report Abuse

  • 5. Posted by holler55 on Sat, Aug 04, 2007, 9:02 am PDT

    who's supplying the water? Hose,pool,lake?? nothing?

    Report Abuse

  • 6. Posted by coyotemcd on Sat, Aug 04, 2007, 9:03 am PDT

    Or, go to www.a1a-live.com for your musical needs.

    Report Abuse

  • 7. Posted by fantasies207 on Sat, Aug 04, 2007, 9:03 am PDT

    when is the party ........ well be there

    Report Abuse

  • 8. Posted by ~*~Tarah~~Rachelle~*~ on Sat, Aug 04, 2007, 9:04 am PDT

    My boyfriend and I had something similiar to this last weekend...it was a blast! We put out the slip n slide, and pool in the backyard, the kids as well as us adults was slip n sliding all day it was good clean fun....

    Report Abuse

  • 9. Posted by Rich W on Sat, Aug 04, 2007, 9:06 am PDT

    I agree on skipping the tuna and egg salad. I've done the slip and slide also, it's a blast.

    Report Abuse

  • 10. Posted by Sidni Sunshine on Sat, Aug 04, 2007, 9:08 am PDT

    That's cute.

    Report Abuse

  • 11. Posted by puppiesrock on Sat, Aug 04, 2007, 9:08 am PDT

    I always have fun and buy a few cheap plastic pools at Walmart and fill one with water, one with sand, and one with something fun and squishy like jello. It is great fun for everyone! Also, I like the frozen grapes idea!

    Report Abuse

  • 12. Posted by jfmfpfjf on Sat, Aug 04, 2007, 9:09 am PDT

    why wouldn't they be a asian woman with white people we all live in one world with all kinds of different color people thats the way god made it

    Report Abuse

  • 13. Posted by jgordonfanatic on Sat, Aug 04, 2007, 9:12 am PDT

    We are doing a luau for my daughter's Sweet 16 in two weeks. It's amazing how many decorations I've been able to borrow from friends! Tiki torches, some grass skirts and leis are really going to add an authentic flair. Another cheap idea is to get some wooden spools, big enough to use as tables and put grass umbrellas in the middle of the table to really make it feel like you're on the beach.

    Report Abuse

  • 14. Posted by gswar2002 on Sat, Aug 04, 2007, 9:13 am PDT

    Hey Kyung B - If you don't like having Asian women in pictures with other non-Asians, go back to where you came from.

    Report Abuse

  • 15. Posted by mink2013 on Sat, Aug 04, 2007, 9:14 am PDT

    I think the party needs help!!!!! My b-day is on the 6th and I want something fun to do. Not read a book or play checkers!!!!! But I like the Idea.

    Report Abuse

  • 16. Posted by o0oceanwaters on Sat, Aug 04, 2007, 9:14 am PDT

    the o0ocean is clean ,inexpensive fanily fun...great for all ages..well i must swimaway..sea yall

    Report Abuse

  • 17. Posted by jesusfreak4real4life on Sat, Aug 04, 2007, 9:14 am PDT

    Those are really good ideas! I never thought about having a beach party that way. Just a pool party or something. I might have a beach party for my birthday...Thankx!

    Report Abuse

  • 18. Posted by DRE DRE on Sat, Aug 04, 2007, 9:15 am PDT

    this is sometin we can try bak here since its always hot and sunny, im like sjp i recommend against the tuna and egg salad and probably anything fattening so no one takes a dive from the heat mixing with fatty foods like the potato chips and dip, unless such things are brought out the more the sun is down but other then that, thats a great idea!!

    Report Abuse

  • 19. Posted by Rick M on Sat, Aug 04, 2007, 9:17 am PDT

    I wouldnt recommend adults to use slip & slides. There have been a number of neck and spinal cord injuries as a result of grown ups sliding on them. I almost broke my neck when my 21 year old son was only 3. We were playing in the yard, I slid and felt a sharp pain in my neck that lasted for around 4 days.

    Report Abuse

  • 20. Posted by gleemers26 on Sat, Aug 04, 2007, 9:17 am PDT

    What a boring article.

    Report Abuse

  • 21. Posted by fuzzydi on Sat, Aug 04, 2007, 9:17 am PDT

    It's not really "AT" at the beach, so you could keep the tuna/egg salad indoors - with a lot of the food (keeps bugs off it, too). We did something similar to this years ago and it was a blast! We had a baby pool, sand, beach umbrellas, and a fake palm tree. And of course, beer.

    Report Abuse

  • 22. Posted by cookingbz on Sat, Aug 04, 2007, 9:19 am PDT

    What a blast! For enticing recipes go to http://www.Cooking-For-Compliments.com BonAppetit!

    Report Abuse

  • 23. Posted by on Sat, Aug 04, 2007, 9:20 am PDT

    why is when some people comment it always entails something about God its a damn picnic

    Report Abuse

  • 24. Posted by Sarah on Sat, Aug 04, 2007, 9:20 am PDT

    well i am having a summer birthday comming up in like a week so these are good tips to do at my birthday

    Report Abuse

  • 25. Posted by lesliewilson_3 on Sat, Aug 04, 2007, 9:22 am PDT

    Redneck slip-n-slide... wet down the dirt in the tire grooves in your driveway... get a running start in the shed, and presto!

    Report Abuse

  • 26. Posted by jrichards2276 on Sat, Aug 04, 2007, 9:22 am PDT

    Beer! Lots and lots of beer!

    Report Abuse

  • 27. Posted by jakemadtown on Sat, Aug 04, 2007, 9:22 am PDT

    dont goto the beach there is crabs there or at least she had them last night

    Report Abuse

  • 28. Posted by on Sat, Aug 04, 2007, 9:22 am PDT

    Sooooo... it's like a "pretend we're at the beach" party? Sounds gay.

    Report Abuse

  • 29. Posted by funchickhaley on Sat, Aug 04, 2007, 9:22 am PDT

    Its Awesome!!!!

    Report Abuse

  • 30. Posted by mikestrom9 on Sat, Aug 04, 2007, 9:22 am PDT

    go out an enjoy life

    Report Abuse
View All 89 Comments »

LEAVE YOUR COMMENT

You must sign in to leave a comment

Yahoo! Food Videos

Most Watched Food Videos

My Food

help

Recipe of the Day

Open
Corn Pudding II

Corn Pudding II

from: Heather

Average (24 Ratings): 3 out of 5 stars

Use a food processor or blender for quick and easy preparation. Originally submitted to…

Add to My Yahoo!

Recent Activity

Open

Keep track of what you've seen recently

Articles
No recently viewed items
Recipes
No recently viewed items
Searches
No recently viewed items

Yahoo! Food

» All Yahoo! Food

Also on Yahoo!

» All Yahoo! Services

Things To Do