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May
22

Backyard Party Ideas for Memorial Day

Posted by Clint Borrill in Good Advice | Summer Fun - (0 Comments)

Memorial Day is a time to remember and pay respect to those who have laid their lives fighting for our country. It is also a great time to relax and spend time with your family and friends since it marks the start of summer. If entertaining at home is your thing, then throwing a traditional backyard party is the perfect way to kick off the vacation season. Here are a few tips to help you prepare a fun and memorable backyard bash.

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Photo from sashafatcat via flickr. CC BY 2.0

All-American Decoration

Spruce up the backyard with lots of patriotic decorations. Red, white, and blue pinwheels are great for an outdoor setting. Different lengths of crepe ribbon tied to trees also look awesome as they flap in the breeze.

Add touches of the American flag to your streamers, buntings, pennants, and paper lanterns.

If you have a swimming pool, throw in some pool toys, floats, or balloons that reflect the colors of Old Glory.

For a festive table setting, lay down a red and white checkered tablecloth and use blue plates and glasses to keep that American theme going. A vase of red poppies, white geraniums, and blue hydrangeas makes a beautiful and inspiring centerpiece.

For an evening party, add red, white, and blue tea lights in old jelly jars to the table.

ginnerobot flickr
Photo from ginnerobot via flickr. CC BY 2.0

It’s Chow Time!

Your guests will appreciate chowing down on traditional barbecue fare such as hamburgers, hotdogs, ribs, and steaks. Set down some additional items like salad, chips, and dip and you’re golden.

For healthy barbecue alternatives, grill up some chicken breasts and vegetables, or check out the mouthwatering recipes we featured previously.

Stock up on plenty of cold beverages and keep up the patriotic theme with flag-inspired straws, drink stirrers, and swizzle sticks.

Gamma Man flickr
Photo from Gamma Man via flickr. CC BY 2.0

Party Fun

If you have any children, a sack race, wheelbarrow race, and three-legged race are classic backyard games that will keep the younger group entertained. Games with Frisbees, hula-hoops, and footballs are also surefire ways to keep the kids happy and busy.

Swimming pool games such as Marco Polo, Beach Ball Race, and Sharks and Minnows are a refreshing way to beat the heat and have fun at the same time.

If your yard is big enough, sports such as badminton, bocce, and volleyball are great for building up an appetite or burning off a heavy meal.

This Memorial Day weekend, let’s honor our war heroes by joyfully and respectfully celebrating the freedom they won for us.

MiikaSPhoto from MiikaS via flickr. CC BY 2.0

 

For more ideas on games that you can play on Memorial Day, read Backyard Ocean’s Game On! It’s National Backyard Games Week.

 

 

 

 

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Jun
25

Classic Swimming Pool Games

Posted by Backyard Ocean in Summer Fun - (0 Comments)

Playing in a swimming pool with family and friends is one way of beating the summer heat. Check out these classic swimming pool games that are bound to keep everyone cooled off while having fun.

  1. Cannonball Contest – A classic pool game that gets everyone splashing around, the cannonball contest involves jumping off a pool board and creating the biggest splash. Players are first divided into two teams. The team goes to the opposite sides of the pool. The playing team will position themselves on the deeper end. Each member takes the diving board and jumps off with all his might, with knees touching the stomach. Whoever creates the biggest splash from the team will get the highest point from the judges, which is the non-playing team.
  2. Chicken Fight – This is another fun pool game that you can play under the sun. You need to form two pairs: One of the players from each team sits on his partner’s shoulders. With all their might, the players on top try to knock each other down into the water. Whoever stays on his partner’s shoulders is the winner.
  3. Whirlpool – Whirlpool is a fun game to play during a pool party. For this game, you need to ask everyone in the pool to form a compact circle. Ask everyone to walk first, then jog, and finally run to create a whirlpool in the middle. You can let the water current carry you around the pool or move against its direction for a challenge.

With these classic pool games, you can beat boredom and the hot summer sun while enjoying the refreshing waters of your swimming pool.

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Aug
1

Top Summer Destinations in South America

Posted by Backyard Ocean in Summer Fun - (0 Comments)

South America never fails to exhilarate and mystify people at the same time. The continent is home to many cultural gems, mouthwatering food and bustling nightlife. If you’re planning for a summer getaway, take a look at some of the hottest spots in Latin America.

  1. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – One of the sexiest cities in the world, Rio de Janeiro is as intoxicating as a shot of Cachaca. Be seduced by Rio de Janeiro’s white sand beaches or lose your inhibitions (but not your wallet!) at the Carnival. If you’re brave, you can challenge the toned and bronzed Cariocas to a game of beach volleyball.
  2. Havana, Cuba – Havana surpassed its dark past to become one of the most electric places in South America. Home to many all-night parties, Havana introduced the pulsating beats of the mambo and the salsa. So don’t forget your dancing shoes (and maybe a Spanish dictionary)!
  3. Oaxaca, Mexico – If you want to take a break from the usual beaches, head over to Oaxaca—a colonial city at the south of Mexico—and immerse yourself in history. Soak in beautiful colonial architecture or discover the city’spast through the various archeological sites. When your feet tire from walking, take a break at one of the local eateries in Oaxaca and order a mole (pronounced mo-lay), a local dish that’s made of chilies and chocolates.

Don’t forget to arm yourself with basic Spanish (or Portuguese) if ever you decide to go to any of the above destinations. In the meantime, you can always take a dip in your backyard swimming pool!

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Jul
27

Dumpster Dipping in NYC

Posted by Backyard Ocean in News - (0 Comments)

Just when you thought dumpsters are only made for garbage, New York City pulled out these long metal bins and turned them into swimming pools. Placed on the bank of the Gowanus Canal in Brooklyn, the dumpsters were converted into portable swimming pools for an exclusive party. Invitations to this hush-hush summer fiesta were given to a select few who were asked not to forward them.

With only three dozen people invited, the party became an exclusive getaway right in the middle of a busy neighborhood. Cabanas were set up along with grill stations and some lounge chairs. Colored lanterns hung overhead, giving the hidden space a cool vibe. Music playing from a portable system completed the party ambience.

The concept was developed by David Belt, president of Macro-Sea, to create an urban oasis out of repurposed materials and underused spaces. Since dumpsters are basically everywhere, they became the focal point of a party project for New York, where swimming pools are few and far between.

The insides of the containers were filed down to smooth over the edges. Sand was placed at the bottom and pool toys were thrown into the water for a more festive atmosphere.

It sounded like the perfect urban getaway, with cool people having a blast! …And anybody would love to get an invitation to THAT kind of party! *Ahem*

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Jul
20

Top 3 Summer Destinations in Asia

Posted by Backyard Ocean in Summer Fun - (0 Comments)

White sand beaches, cool pristine waters and never ending sunshine—ah, the essentials of a perfect summer vacation. If you’re wondering where to head for your summer getaway this year, look no further — Asia is just a plane ride away. With sunshine all year round, it’s no wonder why Asia has become one of the world’s largest tourist destinations. Add to that the amazing, exotic scenery and you’ve got yourself the vacation of a lifetime.

Check out these amazing summer destinations in Asia:

  1. Bali, Indonesia – If you’re looking for an exotic place to visit where you can relax while soaking up culture, Bali is the place to go. Known for its enchanting beaches and interesting cultural events, Bali is #1 on this list for its unparalleled beauty. Be one with nature while trekking and hiking, or lounge in style at one of Bali’s exclusive beachfront swimming pools. If you want something creative, watch one of Bali’s nightly cultural shows.
  2. Boracay, Philippines – A budget traveler’s choice destination, Boracay in the Philippines is host to thousands of tourists from all over the world. This immaculate white sand beach is only less than an hour away from Manila, the country’s capital, if traveling by plane. Upon landing, you’ll immediately be greeted with warm smiles from the locals and hospitable service all throughout your stay.
  3. Bangkok, Thailand– Thailand is popular for its spicy foods, but Bangkok adds more than just a dash of spice to your vacation. A city where the partying never seems to stop, Bangkok is also the best place to buy clothes, jewelry and other personal stuff you won’t find at home. And don’t forget to bring your haggling skills!
There you have it, the top 3 destination in Asia for summer 2011. Happy traveling!

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