This week marks the actual beginning of summer vacation for my girls. We have already had some summertime adventures here and there. But plan on having quite a few more. So what better way to celebrate than enjoying a summer outdoor movie night with family and friends. Find out how to accomplish this successfully for yourself below now…
The average price of a movie ticket in the United States is $8. If you have a large family or just want to get some popcorn to enjoy with your movie, then going to the theater can quickly become an expensive night on the town. Save money, avoid long lines, and spend some quality time with your family. You can do this all while recreating the magic of a summer outdoor movie night–with better sight lines! The snacks, the seating, and the movie will all be a big hit. Why? Because you designed it specifically with your family in mind.
Pull up a cushion or a pool float (we’re not picky). Then, read on to discover tips for creating your ideal summer outdoor movie night with the family.
Here are 5 simple tips to the perfect family summer outdoor movie night…

1. Assemble Your Theater Components
To watch a summer outdoor movie, you’ll need a screen, a DVD player, a projector, and a sound system. There are several innovative ways to create your own movie screen. Check out this tutorial from Parents.com. This tutorial walks you through creating a secure screen using white blackout fabric and simple supplies. You can pick up all these supplies at any hardware store.
If you don’t want to build your own screen, you can also buy an inflatable screen online. CNET also has a really helpful blog with suggestions on which products are worth investing in. They also have instructions on how to put the whole system together.
2. Make Sure You Have Plenty of Comfortable Seating
A day or two before your summer outdoor movie night, make sure that your lawn is freshly mowed. Also, that pet waste is cleared. Plus, you will want to make sure that you’ve attended to ant-hills or any other potential pest problems. Once you’ve done that all you need is comfortable seating. You can place blankets on a table for your family and friends to claim. You can even set up picnic style or offer cushions from outdoor furniture. If you have an air mattress that don’t get much use, this is a fun opportunity to put them to work. You may also want to have some low-backed chairs available for anyone that might need a little extra back support. Also, you could set up a tent and could utilize a tent rental if you don’t own your own tent.
3. Serve Delicious and Healthy Movie Snacks
Part of the fun of going to the movies is definitely the snacks. For your summer outdoor movie experience, serve your own (healthier) popcorn in small brown paper bags. These individualized bags allow you to experiment with some fun, unexpected toppings like cinnamon sugar, garlic and basil, or my favorite chunky monkey!
Keep healthy, refreshing drinks like fruit-infused water on tap. These will keep your kids cool and well hydrated. Plus, these drinks are so tasty. Because of this your kids won’t even miss the 42oz movie theater soda. Also, you won’t have to worry about all the extra caffeine and sugar late in the evening.
If it’s not too hot, consider setting up the fire pit for some delicious backyard s’mores.
4. Create Soft Lighting that Keeps Bugs at Bay
You’ll want to avoid setting up your summer outdoor movie theater near bright streetlights. But you’ll still need some light to hit the pause button. This will allow your family to safely navigate the yard during bathroom breaks and trips to refill snacks. Tiki torches can create a fun, festive environment, as well as white string lights. You can also make beautiful lanterns out of mason jar. Just fill them with citronella oil to ward off pests while they light up your outdoor space. But be careful to anchor them firmly to reduce the risk of fire.
5. Make Movie Ticket Inspired Invitations
Make your summer outdoor movie night extra fun for your children. How? By allowing them to invite their friends over. Consider also inviting your neighbors. This is a nice thing to do, but it may stave off noise complaints! You can even go the extra mile. How? By creating your own old-school movie ticket inspired invitations.
If you are new to the area and looking to meet your neighbors, then consider putting a simple chalkboard sign out front. This sign can reads something like, 7:30pm Showing of “Night at the Museum.” Neighbors Welcome! Bring Blankets and Chairs! Chances are your neighbors are looking for something different to do with their kids over summer break. Therefore, they will appreciate the opportunity to join in the fun.
For more outdoor guides and resources, check out, Globo Surf
[Tweet “Celebrate #summer with an old fashioned drive-in movie right in your own backyard.”]
*This was a guest contributing article written by: Danielle Hegedus. For more ideas and inspiration, head to Modernize.com.
Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
We go to the actual drive-in because we have two really close to us, so no need for a backyard movie -but these are awesome tips π
Janine says
I wish Robin, but they turned ours into a multiplex so I am excited to do this with my girls now this summer though.
Meredith says
Such a great idea! I can’t even imagine how excited the kids would be about this!
Janine says
Meredith, we did one with my in-laws in early June (the kids were truly excited) and now we are doing another with friends on our own block and once again just can’t get enough of this fun, summertime evening outdoors past-time. So, seriously excited to share here π
Liza says
I love this idea, and we have the perfect space in our backyard. Might have to give it a whirl….
Janine says
I hope you do and if you do let me know how it goes!! π
Whitney Hsu says
Cute idea!
Confessions of A Mommyaholic says
Thanks Whitney!! π
Chris Carter says
OH how FUN is that??!!! We have been talking about doing this for YEARS, as so many of our friends do it at their house…
This just pushed me to GO for it!! Thanks for the inspiration!!
Janine says
You are so welcome and we are planning on doing our second one with friends now in the next few weeks. So definitely was so excited to share π
Seana Turner says
There is definitely something fun about a giant screen in the backyard. We used to set up in the garage (because we always seem to plan events on days when it rains) It was just as much fun, though, and my girls have great memories:)
Janine says
Totally great memories and just couldn’t agree more, Seana!! π
Jennifer Weedon Palazzo says
This looks heavenly!
Confessions of A Mommyaholic says
Definitely is so heavenly for summertime!! π
Christine Carter says
I LOVED this!! I have been wanting to do this for so long!! I shared on my page!!
Confessions of A Mommyaholic says
Aw, hope you do try soon and thank you for sharing, too!!!! <3
Allie says
Looks like fun! Thanks for the idea and the great tips.
Janine says
Aw, you are so welcome and seriously this is truly one of my favorite summertime evening fun times to share here π
Diane Roark says
Janine,
I am impressed with all your ideas. My kids have been wanting us to purchase a large blow up screen. All the mosquitoes we have in the south make me hesitate. It looks like a lot of fun and I am sure I will give in soon.
I grew up across the street from a drive in theater but have never seen one since. I hear not very many are still in existence and I am pretty sure none are in Arkansas.
Thanks for all these great tips. It looks like wonderful family fun that will help make lasting family memories.
Blessings,
Diane
Janine says
Diane, I hear you about the mosquitos though and usually am the first to get bit, but I try my best to spray myself and the kids, too before doing anything like this. Hope you try soon and thank you so much for sharing again for me!! π
Deva Nicole Dalporto says
FUN!
Confessions of A Mommyaholic says
Thanks and totally is, Deva!!! π
Kelly Frey Suellentrop says
We do this a lot! And for the screen, we actually just hang a white bedsheet from our deck. It works perfectly!
Confessions of A Mommyaholic says
Love the bed sheet idea and sounds quite ingenious and perfect to me!! π
Bill says
Nice guest post, Janine. Nice thing about it just being Bev and me…still not too expensive to go to the movie theater. Have a great week. We are going to hit 100 on Thursday. Believe me when I tell you that happens once every ten years here. Way too hot for this old man.
Janine says
Aw, hope you have a great movie date the two of you soon. And please send some of that 100 degree weather here, as I love the heat and sadly been cooler with rain (finally breaking today for some sunshine) this whole weekend. Happy Monday once again, Bill!! π
Kathy Radigan says
These are great tips!! Danielle thanks so much for sharing these, and Janine thank you for sharing Danielle!
Janine says
Aw, thank you again Kathy and absolutely my pleasure!!! π
Joy @ Yesterfood says
Wouldn’t this be fun?? It would be one of those “memories for a lifetime” things that kids would talk about for the rest of their lives. “Remember when mom and dad showed movies in the back yard that one summer?” β₯ Great guest post, Janine- thanks!
Janine says
Aw, thanks Joy and hope it does become a great memory indeed for both my girls!! π
Carrie Groneman says
Great post! We do this in the window for Halloween and for summer fun also. We had have done this for years with our teens with group activities also. It’s a terrific way to get the neighbors and friends together. Thanks for sharing. Carrie, A Mother’s Shadow
Janine says
Aw, happy to share and love that you, your family and friends do this, too Carrie!! π
karen says
this is so much fun…if we could do this AJ would love it.
Janine says
Aw, it really is and hope you can do this with AJ in the future π
Allie says
Oh I LOVE this and I also love that I have a friend who does it at her house π Drive-In movies are just so great. I’m looking forward to brining the body to their first one this summer!
Janine says
I love that your friend does this, too and so excited that you and the boys are getting to experience this, as well!! π
lisa thomson-the great escape says
What a great summer activity! I love this. I have a friend, her and her husband do it every summer. It’s great for the kids.
Janine says
I couldn’t agree more and glad you get to do this, too during the summer, Lisa π
another jennifer says
This is a great idea! Our neighborhood association used to host movies in the local park like this. So much fun!
Janine says
I love that your neighborhood association did this and totally agree – so much fun π
the Imp says
That looks so awesome.
Now all I need is a sound system, projector, and screen.
*sigh*
Janine says
Aw, thanks and I know people that use a sheet for the screen and an old VCR, too π
Jill Ginsberg says
I’ve always wanted to do this!
Confessions of A Mommyaholic says
Jill, so did I finally got to attend my first last month and doing another in August now, too!! π
Jill Ginsberg says
I think I saw something in a magazine about this years ago and I’ve never stopped thinking about it. I need to make it happen and, truly, your article makes me think I can do it, even with my tiny Seattle backyard:)
Confessions of A Mommyaholic says
I think you can too and if you do would love to hear about it!! βΊοΈ
alisa/icescreammama says
very cute idea! looking forward to one of my more motivated friends inviting me! ha! i’ll bring the ice cream! or popcorn. whatever. π
Janine says
Ice cream and/or popcorn sounds perfect to me!! π
April G says
I love this. I so want to do this outside with the kids with neighbors. There are just too many mosquitoes!
Janine says
I hate those darn mosquitoes, too April!!
Mary Widdicks says
I can’t wait until my kids are old enough for this!
Confessions of A Mommyaholic says
Aw, I know Mary and finally both my kids are and definitely was so much fun
Nellie says
love these tips!! I am a fan of the healthy snacks!
Janine says
Thanks Nellie and me too!! π
Bev says
What a fun idea! (And such a great way to save money).
Janine says
Thanks Bev and I know great, fun way to save money π
Alexa says
I really, really love this idea! I have a projector on my wish list… and this is what we’ll be doing once we get it! xo
Janine says
I love that you are going to be getting a projector and think this would be the perfect first use for it totally π
Tamara says
I’ve always wanted to do this! Our local library does free movies on the lawn, but they are showing Jaws next. Not family friendly! Not!
I’d love to create our own because we have a huge yard.
Janine says
You could totally do this as you do have a huge yard and agree though about Jaws – so not family friendly!
Eli@CoachDaddy says
My kids would want to project shark week on the big backyard screen! Great idea though. I’d smuggle in Coke Zero and M&Ms in my cargo pants pockets.
Janine says
I might have to fight you on those M&M’s at the very least!! π
Rosey says
I like the idea of having your own popcorn or healthy snacks. My kids have never seen an outdoor drive-in and I haven’t been for years. I think it would be cool.
Janine says
Rosey, up until this I hadn’t been to an outdoor drive-in in years myself, but seriously such an awesome idea and so much fun, too!! π
Jen says
We love backyard movie nights and this is a perfect roundup for tips to make it successful! Best wishes for a great start to summer for you and a wonderful 4th of July!
Janine says
Aw, thanks Jen and Happy 4th of July to you, too!! π
Carlee says
I have been telling my husband we should do this for a while now, we just have never figured out the best way to work the logistics. I need to get serious about it now!
Janine says
I totally hope you do, Carlee very soon π
Jennifer | The Deliberate Mom says
I love this and I totally want to do this for my kids. I think they would get a kick out of it!
Great tips and suggestions – two thumbs up for fabulous, healthy snacks (because that totally MAKES the movie experience)!
Thanks for sharing!
Wishing you a lovely evening.
xoxo
Janine says
Aw, absolutely my pleasure and wishing you a very, wonderful evening now, too!!! Xoxo π
Lindsay Klein says
Love drive-ins!!!! So romantic and classic;)……for now!
Janine says
I know totally agree!!! π
Sinea says
What fun! My hubby isn’t great for outdoor stuff but if I baited him with a bonfire and smores, after, I think he would come LOL
Janine says
Sinea, if you build it, he will come! Couldn’t resist, but still totally think you and your husband would have so much fun if you got to do this now π
Kelly O'Brien says
I soooo want to do this. I was just talking to me best friend about trying to figure out the best way to do this! Thanks so much!
Janine says
You are so welcome and hoping you and your best friend get to do this now very soon π
Kenya G. Johnson says
I wish drive-ins still existed. Those were so fun. My brother and I would sit outside the car in front of it and my parents would stay in the car. We brought out own pizza and it’s such a wonderful memory. But we have had that outdoor movie experience at a family bed & breakfast we went to. I can’t remember what they played because I was the only one who had to come back in. I had mosquito repellent everywhere but on my face and that’s where they started biting me.
Janine says
Next month when we go to Disney the resort we are staying at there is supposed to have an outdoor movie every night down by the beach. Thank you for reminding me though about mosquitos, because I got to admit I totally would have blanked on this and then been scrambling to get bug repellent down there with my forgetful mind! π
Sarah Honey says
Love your ideas!
Janine says
Thanks Sarah!! π
Leslie says
I’ve wanted to do host an outdoor movie party since I first saw the idea. We even used to have a projector. Too bad we gave it away. π Love the idea of fruit-infused water!
Janine says
Aw, sorry you gave the projector away, but I know the fruit infused water is so awesome and love doing, too!! π
Jack says
Makes me miss the good old days when we had drive-ins down the street from us. So much fun.
Janine says
I know Jack, you and me both!!!
Tianna says
such an awesome idea! I think someone’s bringing a projector to our house this year – we plan to set it up near our pool so we can swim + watch movies! have a wonderful 4th!
Janine says
That sounds awesome and have a wonderful 4th of July now, too!! π
Rea says
I have always wanted to do this. I’m not sure if our lawn is appropriate for it. LOL But I’d definitely wanna try. Not this season though because it’s already rainy in my country. π
Janine says
Aw, maybe next season and I hope soon for you, Rea π
Rabia @TheLiebers says
I’ve always wanted to try something like this! Our backyard is pretty buggy though. They make citronella tiki torches, right?!
Janine says
You totally reminded me that I need to get some more citronella candles for our backyard now, too!! π
Leah says
What an awesome idea!!
Happy Summer and anniversary and birthdays, and DISNEY!!! Enjoy a little break in the summer!xo
Janine says
Thanks so much Leah and Happy Summer, too!! π
The Pinterested Parent says
How fun! I would love to do this in my backyard, I would need step 4 for sure, as the bugs love me.
Janine says
The bugs love me, too!! π
Aspen Jay says
Hi Janine,
This is definitely on my list of parties to throw! Thanks for sharing your tips especially that of serving healthy treats. Homemade popcorn is so much better than the junk filled kind!
Hope you are having a great summer!
AJ
Janine says
My pleasure and hope you are having a great summer, too!! π
Rhonda Gales says
I would love to have this set-up in my backyard for my family. Off to see if we can find everything needed. Thanks for sharing on Sunday’s Best. Looking forward to seeing more of your ideas.
Janine says
Aw, so happy to hear this and have fun, Rhonda!! π
Echo says
I love this idea so much! It sounds like so much fun! Thank you, Janine, for sharing it at the #SmallVictoriesSundayLinkup!
Janine says
Aw, thank you so much too Echo π
Aunt Gloria says
What a great idea! Hope you enjoy a few of these over the summer months. xxoo
Janine says
Thanks Aunt Gloria and hope to definitely now xoxo π
Laurie says
This is such a perfect family activity for the warmer weather. Cute idea, thanks for sharing!`
Janine says
Happy to share, Laurie!!
Megan Zander says
Chunky Monkey popcorn? Count me in!
Confessions of A Mommyaholic says
You are totally counted in!! π
Christine Callister Walker says
My friend and I were just talking about this the other day! Liz Fullam Pepin π
Confessions of A Mommyaholic says
Glad to help with some tips and do hope you and your friend can do a movie night outdoors this summer, too!! π
Tova Levy says
OMG this is the best idea ever! I’m totally doing this with the kids…. Once it stops raining that is! X
Confessions of A Mommyaholic says
Yup, raining here today, but still glad we can share this great idea together!! π
Jorrie Varney says
This is SUCH an awesome idea!!!
Confessions of A Mommyaholic says
Thanks Jordie π
Kimberly Zapata says
Love doing this!
Confessions of A Mommyaholic says
Aw, us too Kimberly! π
Alison Tedford says
Fun! We took the kids to an actual drive in Friday.
Confessions of A Mommyaholic says
Awesome and we don’t have any places that do drive in movies anymore. So backyard ones though totally work for us π