Making Memories: BBQ Fun For The Whole Family

**Collaborative post**

Spring is finally here and with it comes the longer days, sunshine (well, hopefully) and more opportunities to spend time outdoors. That means we are all now scrambling to tidy up the garden after a long and wet winter, ready for our much-awaited garden picnics and family BBQs.

There is nothing I enjoy more than spending time outdoors with the children and extended family and a family BBQ is just the best way of getting everyone together on a sunny day so you can all enjoy some outdoor fun.

With ages ranging from toddlers to grandparents, finding activities that everyone enjoys can sometimes be a challenge. But fear not – I’ve got some tried-and-tested ideas to ensure your next family BBQ is a hit for all ages!

Table of Contents

Getting Everyone Involved in the Cooking

The best part of a family BBQ is getting everyone involved in the cooking process. From marinating the meat to flipping the burgers, there’s something for everyone to do. Even the little ones can help by passing ingredients or mixing sauces (under close supervision). This not only lightens the workload for the designated grill master but also creates a sense of camaraderie as we work together to create a delicious feast.

One of the things I love most about a BBQ is that it is the only time I do not have to actually cook – well, not the meat anyway. I still end up having to prepare all the side dishes and salads, so when others come to enjoy the feast, it is always nice to have a helping hand or two.

The children can help lay the table and bring out all the dishes, salads, and condiments, which is a great help. They enjoy it too, as they get to dig in first while they are still waiting for the meat to finish cooking.

Emmy likes to help to lay the table so she can access the food first, while Harry loves to help me prepare the potato salad, corn on the cob and to mix the salads with me, and one thing they will both help me with is getting the kebabs ready for cooking.

BBQ Food Ideas

Of course, no family BBQ would be complete without delicious food straight from the grill. Here are a few crowd-pleasing favourites:

Classic Hamburgers and Hot Dogs: You can’t go wrong with the classics! Set out a variety of toppings and let everyone build their perfect burger or hot dog.
Grilled Veggie Skewers: For the vegetarians in the family (or anyone looking to add more veggies to their plate), grilled veggie skewers are a tasty option. Load them up with colorful bell peppers, zucchini, cherry tomatoes, and mushrooms.

BBQ Chicken Wings: Finger-licking good and oh-so-satisfying, BBQ chicken wings are always a hit. Serve them up with plenty of napkins!
Hog Roast – If you are having a bigger affair than just inviting the Grandparents over for your BBQ, then you may want to consider something more exciting and hire a company for your Hog Roast catering – it will certainly help to create that WOW factor to your event that’s for sure!

Simple Garden Games for All Ages

While the food sizzles on the grill, keeping everyone entertained is essential. That’s where garden games come in handy!

Here are a few ideas:

Sack Race: Divide the family into teams and line up at the starting line. Each participant hops their way to the finish line inside a sack. It’s hilarious to watch and fun for all ages.
Giant Jenga: Set up a giant Jenga tower in the backyard and take turns removing blocks without toppling the tower. It’s a great way to test your strategy skills and concentration.
Water Balloon Dodgeball: Fill up several water balloons and split into two teams. The goal is to hit opposing team members with water balloons without getting hit yourself. It’s a refreshing way to cool off on a hot day!

Egg n Spoon Races: Think old school sports days and you really can’t go wrong for entertainment – it’s fun for all of the family.
Croquet: If your garden is big enough, then this is a gentler type of family fun, but don’t be fooled. It can still become super competitive.

Card games: Of course, you don’t have to all run around to have fun – card games such as rummy, pairs, snap and even UNO gets the whole family involved and needs little space so if great if there are lots of you enjoying your family fun.
Pass the planning over to the professionals – if you are hosting a bigger party and want to bypass the planning yourself then Poptop could be the solution you are looking for

Creating a DIY Sundae Bar

Now, let’s talk about dessert – because no BBQ is complete without something sweet to finish it off. Instead of the usual store-bought treats, why not set up a DIY sundae bar? It’s super easy to prepare and allows everyone to customise their dessert just the way they like it.

Simply set out a variety of ice cream flavours, along with an assortment of toppings like sprinkles, chocolate sauce, fresh fruit, and whipped cream. Not only is it delicious, but it’s also a fun activity that the whole family can enjoy together.

Keeping Cleanup Fun

Last but not least, let’s address the dreaded cleanup. With everyone pitching in to help, it doesn’t have to be a chore! Turn it into a game by setting a timer and seeing how quickly you can tidy up the outdoor space. Or, crank up the music and turn cleanup into an impromptu dance party. Before you know it, the mess will be cleared away, leaving you with nothing but happy memories of a fantastic family BBQ.

So there you have it – easy ways to entertain the whole family during a BBQ! With a little bit of planning and creativity, you can create an unforgettable experience that brings everyone together.

Now, who’s ready to fire up the grill and make some memories? I know I am!