Everything you need to know to have your own backyard movie night!
We love having outdoor backyard movie nights! And once you invest in the equipment, it’s a really affordable way to entertain your family and friends!
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When my oldest son was turning 11 he wanted to have a party with his friends where they could go indoor skydiving or bowling or laser tag. Well, when you have a lot of friends, that gets pretty expensive.
So we pitched the idea of setting up a projector and an outdoor screen in our backyard where they could watch the latest Marvel movie.
Check out the YouTube video!
Even though the initial investment probably cost as much as his original idea, it was something we could use over and over again.
His birthday backyard movie night was a hit! It’s been two years and we still choose this as a form of entertainment at least a few times a month when the weather is nice.
What You Need for Your Backyard Movie Night
So here’s what you need to have your own backyard movie night!
Projector
Screen
Speaker
Chromecast for streaming or DVD/blu ray player or gaming console
Chair or table for projector to sit on
Lawn chairs, blankets, hay bales, or outdoor furniture for seating
Bug spray or citronella candle
Projector
First, you need a projector. You don’t need a super high-tech one for this. We purchased one on Amazon that was around $100 and it’s does everything we need it to do! You can check out our projector here.
Screen
At first, we purchased an inflatable screen that you stake into the ground. But we didn’t end up liking it. The screen was smaller than we wanted and it was a pain to inflate and deflate.
We returned it and purchased this screen.
Eric measured the new cloth screen and built a frame out of PVC pipe to accommodate it. Then he spray painted it black.
He drove two stakes in the ground, the same width of the frame poles, and the frame just slides on them.
He attached hooks to the PVC for the screen to attach to. It’s worked out perfectly!
Speaker
You’ll need an external speaker because the speaker on the projector doesn’t get loud enough for outdoors. We already had a bluetooth tailgate speaker I had purchased for Eric as a gift and it works great! You can check out a similar speaker here.
And here’s a cheaper option if you want to check this speaker out, too!
Streaming Device or Player
You’ll need something to play the movie on, whether you choose to use Chromecast to stream it from a device or hook up a DVD/blu ray player or gaming console. We usually use Chromecast and stream it from our iPad.
Other
You’ll need a chair or table for the projector to sit on. We just have a metal folding chair that we use right now, but really anything to elevate it will work!
And, of course, you’ll also need seating! Set out some lawn chairs (or ask your guests to bring theirs!) lay out some blankets, toss out some hay bales or maybe you already have some patio furniture that could work!
Either way, plan for enough seats for everyone to enjoy comfortably!
And don’t forget the bug spray or citronella candle! Those mosquitoes can make any event miserable!
Refreshments
Don’t forget the snacks! We love popcorn with M&Ms, s’mores with marshmallows roasted in our firepit, homemade ice cream, popsicles, root beer floats, and fresh-squeezed lemonade to name a few!
And that’s it! Get ready to have some backyard fun! These are the times I know my kids will remember forever!
Thanks so much for hanging out with me today! For more on our home, be sure to visit me on Instagram!
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Terrie says
How fun this would be. I was just thinking how fun would this be to gather some neighbors and watch a movie, do s’mores and social distance visit with them. Your outdoor movie theater works perfect. Have fun my friend.
This Full Life 5 says
Yes! That would be perfect! Thanks so much, Terrie!