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This time of year is great for sprucing up your backyard and making it a cool place to hang out with family and friends. It’s also the perfect time to curate a well-designed backyard that is fun and inviting.
Here are 12 amazing ways to turn your backyard into the ultimate entertainment space. From casual hangouts to large gatherings, these ideas will aid you in creating the perfect backyard meant for all things entertainment.
Build a Fire Pit
A fire pit is an excellent way to entertain friends and family in the backyard. Not only does an outdoor fireplace provide warmth on chilly evenings, but it also adds a focal point to your outdoor space. Outdoor fire pits are a great place to gather around, chat, roast marshmallows, and create memories that will last a lifetime.
How to Build a Fire Pit in Your Backyard
A Relaxing Hammock
Hammocks are super cool to have in your backyard. You can easily incorporate a hammock to compliment your outdoor seating and decor. Kids love hammocks for their cool features, and adults love their relaxing capabilities. You can set it up on a tree or buy a standalone hammock with a built on steel stand.
Hammocks provide comfort on hot summer days and create a great atmosphere for relaxing afternoons or evenings outside in your backyard.
Game of Corn Hole
Cornhole is an excellent lawn game that everyone seems to love. It is not only fun but very low maintenance. This game will add a touch of charm to your outdoor space. It is an easy game for any age, and all that is needed is an open space. Invite your friends for an afternoon of friendly competition.
Backyard Bar
A backyard bar is a great way to entertain guests while keeping the party outside. You can build a simple bar with a few stools and a mini-fridge or go all out with a full kitchen with a grill, sink, and countertop space. This will allow you to curate and serve drinks and food without running back and forth to the indoor kitchen. Plus, it adds a fun and unique element to your backyard that your guests will love.
Cozy Outdoor Living Room
Transform your backyard into a comfortable and inviting outdoor cozy living room by adding outdoor furniture, outdoor rugs, pillows, and a patio umbrella. This seating area is a great way to extend your outdoor living space. It will also pair nicely with a fire pit and outdoor movie theatre to create a warm and inviting atmosphere for your guests to relax and socialize. Don’t forget to add some ambient lighting, such as string lights and tiki torches, to set the mood.
18 Cozy Living Room Ideas That Will Inspire You
Outdoor Movie Theatre
Setting up an outdoor movie theatre is also a great way to entertain guests in the backyard on those cool summer nights. This DIY project is easy to put together. You’ll need a projector, an outdoor movie screen, or a large white wall to create your outdoor movie nights. Combine this projector and outdoor screen for the perfect setup. If you want extra sound effects and musical accompaniment during your films, consider investing in surround-sound outdoor speakers for the ideal outdoor home theater.
BBQ Grill
It’s fair to say that a BBQ grill is a must-have amenity for your backyard. From hot dogs to hamburgers, the BBQ grill adds a flavor to your meal that everyone seems to love. It’s a fun, tasteful way to entertain and feed your guests. You can opt for a Weber Propane Grill or a simple-to-use Charcoal grill. Just make sure to pair the outdoor grill with grilling utensils.
Hang a Swing
Swings are always a hit with kids – even for some adults! If you have trees in your backyard, you can hang up rope swings so they can enjoy them while playing outdoors.
It is incredibly easy to set up a swing. Just tie it to a sturdy branch and let their imaginations fly as they pretend they’re on an adventure high above the ground. This swing will provide hours of enjoyment for your young guests.
Setup a Bird Feeder
A bird feeder can be an excellent way to add some entertainment to your backyard. By providing food and shelter for the birds, you can get front-row seats to observe the behavior of various types of feathered friends. It is a unique idea that is super easy to create and maintain. You can customize it to attract the type of birds you want to watch.
DIY Bird Feeder with Popsicle Sticks for Kids to Make
Bocce Ball
Everyone loves some good ol’ bocce ball. If you are unfamiliar, backyard bocce is a game where players take turns throwing balls onto a lawn, trying to get as close as possible to the pallino (a white target ball). This low-maintenance game is easy to set up and install. This one is a must-have for backyard entertainment.
Inflatable Pool
For bigger yards, installing an inground or above-ground pool in the backyard is a great way for your guests to cool off on a hot day. However, this may require a hefty upfront investment. Alternatively, you can opt for something more temporary, like an inflatable pool. A pool is loved by many, and it is a great option for families with smaller children or adults with friends who want to enjoy some aquatic activities.
Game of Horseshoe
A Horseshoe game set is not just for barnyards, but they are great for backyards, too. Creatively Southern provides precise instructions on how to build a horseshoe pit in your backyard.
It is incredibly easy to set up a swing. Just tie it to a sturdy branch and let their imaginations fly as they pretend they’re on an adventure high above the ground. This swing will provide hours of enjoyment for your young guests.
Setup a Bird Feeder
A bird feeder can be an excellent way to add some entertainment to your backyard. By providing food and shelter for the birds, you can get front-row seats to observe the behavior of various types of feathered friends. It is a unique idea that is super easy to create and maintain. You can customize it to attract the type of birds you want to watch.
DIY Bird Feeder with Popsicle Sticks for Kids to Make
Bocce Ball
Everyone loves some good ol’ bocce ball. If you are unfamiliar, backyard bocce is a game where players take turns throwing balls onto a lawn, trying to get as close as possible to the pallino (a white target ball). This low-maintenance game is easy to set up and install. This one is a must-have for backyard entertainment.
Inflatable Pool
For bigger yards, installing an inground or above-ground pool in the backyard is a great way for your guests to cool off on a hot day. However, this may require a hefty upfront investment. Alternatively, you can opt for something more temporary, like an inflatable pool. A pool is loved by many, and it is a great option for families with smaller children or adults with friends who want to enjoy some aquatic activities.
Game of Horseshoe
A Horseshoe game set is not just for barnyards, but they are great for backyards, too. Creatively Southern provides precise instructions on how to build a horseshoe pit in your backyard.
Tamara White is the creator and founder of The Thrifty Apartment, a home decor and DIY blog that focuses on affordable and budget-friendly home decorating ideas and projects. Tamara documents her home improvement journey, love of thrifting, tips for space optimization, and creating beautiful spaces.
