There’s something really special about hosting a garden party for kids — fresh air, open space, and the chance to let imaginations run wild. Whether you’ve booked a community hall with an outdoor space, a church garden, or a dedicated outdoor party venue through Sharesy, you can create a day filled with colour, laughter, and sunshine.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to plan, decorate, and run a children’s garden themed party — without blowing your budget.

Why Choose a Garden Party Theme?

• Space to play: Kids can run around without the restrictions of indoor venues.
• Easy clean-up: Less stress over crumbs and spills.
• Beautiful backdrops: Nature does most of the decorating for you!
• Flexible activities: From outdoor games to picnics, there’s so much you can do.

Read our blog comparing the pros and cons of an outdoor party here.

Step 1: Choosing the Perfect Garden Party Venue

You don’t need your own big back garden to pull this off. Many community halls and church venues have outdoor areas available for hire that are perfect for themed garden parties.

When searching for the right spot:

• Check if there’s a covered area for shade or rain.
• Make sure there’s safe fencing or boundaries for younger children.
• Look for venues with access to toilets and kitchen facilities.

Top tip: On Sharesy, you can filter venues to find those with outdoor spaces — it’s quick and hassle-free. Click here to check out our venues with outdoor space.

Step 2: Picking a Fun Garden Party Theme

A theme helps you tie together games, décor, and even food. Here are some favourites that work brilliantly in outdoor spaces:

1. Enchanted Fairy Garden – Flower crowns, fairy wings, and treasure hunts.
2. Mad Hatter’s Tea Party – Quirky table settings, mismatched teacups, and fun hats.
3. Mini Summer Festival – Bunting, music, and craft “activity tents.”
4. Jungle Adventure – Animal mask making, obstacle courses, and leafy décor.
5. Picnic Party – Checkered blankets, sandwiches, and nature scavenger hunts.

Read here for more themed kids’ party ideas that work in any venue

Step 3: Decorations That Wow

When decorating for an outdoor kids’ party, use elements that enhance the natural surroundings:

• Hang bunting between trees or along fences.
• Use picnic blankets and bright, colourful cushions for relaxed seating.
• Add paper lanterns or solar fairy lights for a magical touch.
• Have a chalkboard “welcome sign” at the entrance with the party name.

Budget hack: Pound shops and online party stores often sell bulk party decorations that can transform a garden on a small budget.

Step 4: Fun and Active Garden Party Games

Outdoor spaces give you so many options:

• Nature Scavenger Hunt- Keeps kids exploring and curious. Create a checklist of natural items to find, like; leaves, flowers, or insects.
• Sack Races- Classic and fun for all ages. Old pillowcases or cheap hessian sacks are perfect for this activity.
• Bubble Station- Magical and a great photo opportunity. Check your local supermarkets for the giant bubble wands + solution. It's also worth getting a few extra for any slips or spills!
• DIY Obstacle Course- This is a great game for everyone. Use cones, hoops, and tunnels and get your guests to race each other to win.
• Painting with water- Some spaces do not allow chalks so one way to get creative outdoors without using chalk is to use paintbrushes and water.

Top tip: Keep a few quieter activities like colouring tables or book corners for kids who want a break from running around.

Step 5: Food and Drink for a Garden Party

Keep it simple, colourful, and easy to eat:

• Fruit Cups – Colourful, healthy, and fun to hold. We like to slice and cut our fruit for safety too.
• Mini sandwiches – Different fillings cut into fun shapes.
• Cupcake decorating station – Kids create their own sweet treat.
• Lemonade stand – A charming focal point for drinks.

If your venue has a kitchen, you can prep fresh food on-site. If not, pack everything into coolers and bring plenty of ice.

Step 6: Weather-Proofing Your Party

British weather can be… unpredictable. Have a Plan B:

• Choose a venue with an indoor option in case of rain.
• Invest in a few pop-up gazebos for shade or shelter.
• Provide sunscreen for sunny days and light blankets if it’s breezy.

Garden Party Safety Tips

• Always have a first aid kit on hand.
• Check for trip hazards before the event starts.
• If you’re using any outdoor equipment (bouncy castle, etc.), ensure it’s properly supervised.

Why Sharesy Makes Garden Parties Easy

With Sharesy, you can:

• Search for outdoor-friendly venues near you.
• Book instantly without endless email chains.
• Support your local community — every booking helps local spaces thrive.

Whether you’re planning a summer birthday party, an back-to-school celebration, or just a fun weekend get-together, Sharesy makes finding the perfect garden party venue simple.

Browse outdoor party venues now