Host a Movie Night in Your Backyard

While some recreational activities might still be restricted, you don't have to resign yourself to a boring summer! When you're ready to take a break from your seemingly endless stream of home improvement projects, consider planning a fun family movie night in your backyard. 

It's easier than you might think to set up an outdoor theater, and, with proper social distancing, you may even be able to invite a friend or two. Here are a few tips to help you get started. 

Set Up Your Theater

While the words "home improvement" might make you think of tedious projects, setting up your theater system is one that you're sure to enjoy.

First, you'll need to gather up all of your equipment. This will require a small investment, but once you see just how much fun your family has, you'll agree that it's well worth it! You'll need:

• A projector - look for one that's compatible with laptops, SD cards, Roku, and Amazon Firesticks. This way, you'll have plenty of options for how you'll stream your media. 
• A screen - depending on your setup, you might be able to project the movie against a wall of your home or your garage door. Otherwise, you'll need a portable or blow-up screen. 
• Speakers - you'll want great sound, so make sure you get some speakers to complete your setup.

If you don't already have some, you'll also need a few outdoor extension cords. You can pick these up at your local home improvement store. 

Choose Your Movie

You'll want to choose a movie that everyone will enjoy. Consider something from Disney, a part of the Star Wars series, or a classic like The Wizard of Oz, E.T., The Muppet Movie, or Goonies.

If you're having a hard time deciding, let each family member suggest one movie, then draw the winner from a hat. You can always choose from the others during your next movie night. 

Make it Comfy

To really enjoy yourselves, you'll want to make sure that everybody will be comfortable during the movie! Spread some sheets or blankets out on the ground and make sure you have plenty of cushions and pillows. If you prefer, put out lawn chairs instead. 

If there's a chance that it might get cool outside, make sure you bring out some cozy throw blankets -- and don't forget the bug spray! The last thing you want is to get eaten alive while you're trying to enjoy your evening. If bugs are a problem in your neighborhood, pick up some citronella candles while you're at the home improvement store. You'll be glad you did! 

If you're going to invite guests, you might also want to get some low-level landscape lights to create a pathway to the movie area. This way, nobody will trip and get hurt trying to find their way in the dark. You may find that you like the look so much, you decide to add permanent landscape lighting to your list of home improvement projects. 

Don't Forget the Snacks

You can't have a perfect movie night without plenty of fun snacks! You'll want to have plenty of popcorn, and maybe also some movie-style candy-like Swedish Fish, Sno Caps, and Twizzlers. Put some bottles of water and soft drinks in a cooler of ice, and don't forget the napkins! You might even want a few adult beverages, just make sure they stay out of the reach of anyone underage. 

We can't think of a home improvement project that's more fun than this! So gather up your family and friends, pick a great movie, and enjoy your time together. 

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