Host a barbecue - Fun at-home activities for Kids.

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Host a barbecue

Plan and host a small backyard barbecue with adult supervision: prepare simple snacks, set up games, decorate, and practice safety and teamwork.

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Step-by-step guide to host a backyard barbecue

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What you need

Adult supervision required, colouring materials, cups, decorations like balloons streamers or string lights, games like ball frisbee or a deck of cards, napkins, paper, paper plates, pencil, simple snack ingredients like bread cheese fruit and chips, trash bag

Step 1

Pick a day and time for your backyard barbecue and write it on your paper.

Step 2

Make a short guest list of 4 to 6 people and write their names beside the time.

Step 3

Plan a simple snack menu by choosing three snacks from your ingredients.

Step 4

Ask an adult to agree on safety rules and to choose where the cooking or grill area will be.

Step 5

Create two fun decorations using paper and colouring materials like signs or streamers.

Step 6

Arrange the picnic area by spreading blankets or setting up the table.

Step 7

Set out paper plates cups and napkins where guests will sit.

Step 8

With an adult prepare the snacks you planned such as assembling sandwiches or fruit skewers.

Step 9

Choose two games to play and place the game items where everyone can reach them.

Step 10

Set up a safe play boundary using cones tape or objects so everyone knows where to play.

Step 11

Tell your guests the safety rules and show them where the cooking area and play boundary are.

Step 12

Give each helper a simple job like snack server game leader or cleaner.

Step 13

Clean up the area with your helpers and put trash in the bag.

Step 14

Share your finished backyard barbecue on DIY.org to show what you planned and made.

Final steps

You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!

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Help!?

What can we use if cones, tape, paper plates, cups, napkins, or a grill are hard to find?

Use chairs, rocks, or a rope to mark the safe play boundary, replace paper plates/cups/napkins with washable dishes and cloth napkins, and if you don't have a grill ask an adult to use a stovetop or prepare cold snacks like sandwiches and fruit skewers.

What should we do if snacks run out or a game doesn't work during the barbecue?

Keep backup ingredients like extra bread, cheese, or fruit to quickly make more sandwiches or fruit skewers from your snack plan and switch to easy fallback games like tag or charades while the snack server or game leader reorganizes items.

How can we adapt the tasks for younger children or older kids?

Give younger children simple jobs such as handing out paper plates, cups, and napkins and staying inside the safe play boundary while an adult prepares snacks, and let older kids plan the guest list, assemble snacks with supervision, create paper decorations, and lead the games under agreed safety rules.

How can we extend or personalize the backyard barbecue activity before sharing it on DIY.org?

Make themed signs and name tags with your paper and colouring materials, write small recipe cards for the snacks you prepared, take photos of the picnic area and helpers during setup and cleanup, and upload the finished backyard barbecue to DIY.org to show what you planned and made.

Watch videos on how to host a backyard barbecue

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Safe and Unsafe Situations | Safety Tips for Kids!

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Facts about party planning for kids

🎉 Backyard barbecues are a beloved summer tradition in many countries and are especially popular around U.S. Independence Day.

🧯 Grease fires are a common grill hazard — use a fire extinguisher or baking soda to smother them, and never pour water on a grease fire.

🔥 Grilling is quick cooking over direct high heat, while barbecuing is low-and-slow cooking that uses smoke for flavor.

🤝 Hosting a small event like a barbecue helps kids practice planning, communication, safety awareness, and teamwork.

🍖 The word "barbecue" comes from the Taíno word "barbacoa," originally meaning a raised wooden frame for cooking meat.

How do I help my child plan and host a small backyard barbecue?

Start with a short planning meeting: pick a date, guest list, and simple snack menu (fruit skewers, veggie cups, buns). Let the child assign roles, choose decorations and games, and make a checklist and timeline. Adults should handle the grill, knives, and hot items while the child leads setup, greeting guests, and running games. Finish with a quick clean-up plan and a celebration to review what worked and what to improve.

What materials do I need to host a kid-planned backyard barbecue?

Gather simple ingredients (hot dogs, buns, fruit, chips, condiments) and serving items: plates, cups, napkins, utensils, and serving bowls. You’ll also need a grill or adult-controlled cooking source, cooler with ice, trash bags, tablecloths, seating, decoration supplies, and outdoor games (balls, bubble wands, relay props). Include safety items: first-aid kit, sunscreen, hand sanitizer or a hand-washing station, and adult supervision throughout.

What ages is a child-hosted backyard barbecue suitable for?

Children ages 4–6 can help with simple tasks like decorating, handing out plates, and basic games while an adult manages food. Ages 7–10 can plan menus, prep simple snacks with guidance, and lead games. Ages 11–15 can take more leadership—organizing invites, supervising younger kids, and coordinating activities—though adults still oversee grilling and sharp tools. Teens 16+ can run most of the event with responsible adult checks.

What are safety tips and benefits of letting a child host a backyard barbecue?

Safety tips: designate an adult grill master, create a clear play zone away from heat, keep a first-aid kit and fire extinguisher nearby, enforce hand-washing and sun protection, and supervise food handling. Benefits: planning and hosting builds teamwork, communication, basic cooking and organizational skills, confidence, and responsibility. It’s a fun way to practice leadership and problem-solving in a supportive family setting.

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