How To Throw A Family BBQ

The key to a successful family BBQ is in the planning… Everyone is busy nowadays with all sorts of plans, family breaks and holidays. So, setting a date that works for most family members is essential!

Unless you’re planning to just have a BBQ with your household family – then you don’t need to worry!

The garden is also the prime location for a backyard barbecue – just have to hope the warm weather makes an appearance!

You can start by making a checklist of BBQ essentials: like food, drinks, seating, decorations, and games. Once you have all that, you’re ready to start bringing it all together!

Also, for seating why not use some lawn chairs or camping chairs if you have them? Otherwise, picnic blankets will be perfectly fine!

Importantly – make sure you actually have a BBQ! 

The highlight of any BBQ is, of course, the food! Plan a deliciously diverse menu to cater to all tastes.

Classic BBQ fare like hamburgers, turkey burgers, hot dogs, and juicy steaks will leave meat lovers drooling, but you can’t forget the veggies! Throw some veggie burgers on the barbie! Beyond Meat is a super popular brand right now and for good reason!

Whether you have vegetarians in the family or not, adding some colourful and crunchy vegetables will be an absolute hit with your barbecue party. From a fresh summer salad or veggie skewers to corn on the cob, grilled portobello mushrooms, or stuffed peppers! They’re all equally filling and can be flavoured in any way you want! Anyone else feeling hungry now?

But wait! Don’t forget the cheese… Make sure you have sliced cheese for the burgers, because who doesn’t love an ooey gooey cheesy burger, right? And maybe you could grill some halloumi too? A salty side dish that will be an absolute hit!

And no BBQ is complete without scrumptious side dishes such as coleslaw, potato salad and crisps!

Let the creativity flow by setting up DIY BBQ stations. The most simple way is to set everything up on a buffet table! Simple, easy and keeps you free to host.

All you need is an outdoor table, lots of paper plates, cutlery, napkins and paper cups all laid out on the front. It may be ideal to label the food, especially the meat so no one picks something up that they may not enjoy!

You could also create a burger bar with various toppings and sauces to jazz up their burgers. From fried onions, bacon bits and pickles to fresh ingredients like grilled mushrooms, sliced avocado, cucumber and tomato! Add in some jalapenos for those who love to live on the spice side of life.

Then have a hot dog station or a build-your-own-kebab area with an assortment of vegetables and meats. This way, everyone can customise their meals to their liking, making it a truly tasty experience!

For the kiddies, make sure the buns are already sliced and all their favourite toppings are within reach. You could even make some oven chips as a side dish for them!

You can’t forget about the sweet treats! Everyone loves dessert, and at a family BBQ it’s no different!

Opt for a healthy fruit salad with refreshing berries, crunchy apples, zesty pineapples and juicy mangoes. How about making lemon drizzle cake or lemon bars?! Refreshing, citrusy and it’s seriously a summer favourite!

You could also make your own fruit ice pops! Blend fruit together and pour it into ice pop trays with some ice lolly sticks. Then pop them in the freezer (try and do this the day before!). Or to cut out the hassle, you can just buy them from the supermarket!

Keep the drinks flowing with a selection of refreshing drinks!

Prepare some chilled lemonade, a jug of punch or squash or fruity mocktails for the non-alcoholic drinkers and kids!

For the adults, set up a table with a variety of beer, wine, and signature cocktails like a zesty watermelon margarita or a minty mojito. Remember to provide plenty of water and bottled drinks to stay hydrated, especially on hot summer days!

To keep the drinks cold you can fill a bucket of ice cubes, so no one has to sip a warm drink… Also, have some ice aside for your guests to add to their drinks!

When the entire family is around, it’ll be a summer party like no other. Which is why, engaging everyone with some exciting games and activities for kids too is a must!

Classic lawn games like sack races, garden dominoes, giant jenga and badminton are sure to be a hit! A little bit of family competition never hurt anyone…

If you want to go the extra mile and have the outdoor space, why not set up a scavenger hunt for the kids? Hide a range of sweeties (no chocolate because it’ll probably melt) and hide them around the garden. Write up some clues and off they go! Ball games are also a foolproof way to keep the kids occupied. Whether it’s football, basketball or even a dart ball garden game (this looks super fun!).

Don’t forget the music – create a playlist with everyone’s favourite summer tunes for a groovy time!

Elevate the BBQ atmosphere with some fun and festive decorations. Hang colourful bunting, set up string lights, and scatter cushions and blankets for comfy seating areas!

When it gets darker, the kids can head inside for a movie to unwind. While the adults can relax outside, sipping drinks and enjoying the company after a long day of hosting!

While we’re all about fun, safety is paramount. Ensure that the grill and BBQ area are well-ventilated and away from any flammable materials.

Make sure a responsible adult is always around the BBQ and is handly the grilling duties. If kids are present, establish a designated play area and set some ground rules to avoid accidents. So, the family gathering can set off without a hitch!

Finally… Try to capture the moment. Family affairs like these are ones to remember and those that you’ll treasure as the kids get older.

Who wouldn’t want to keep the fun and laughter a long-lasting memory? Whether you use your phone, cameras or you’d like to create an aesthetic with Polaroid cameras!

To make it even more fun (and if you have the time) you could also set up a DIY photo booth with props for hilarious snapshots. These pictures will serve as cherished memories for years to come!