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Students and Nature

3 Fun Games for an Outdoor Summer Party

Kimberly Burger Capozzi   |   May 16, 2011 Guest post by Kimberly Burger Capozzi

One of the best things about summertime is that you can do virtually anything outdoors—including, of course, hosting a super birthday celebration.

For a unique party treat, have your guests help bake a Backyard Birthday Cake. Then send them off on a Camera Scavenger Hunt to capture fun outdoor memories. And check out our blueprint for the Just-Try-and-Stay-Dry Obstacle Course to take the sizzle out of sweltering weather. This one is especially fun on those really hot days!

Backyard Birthday Cake

This cake recipe is inspired by a classic campground treat, the dump cake, which is baked in a cast-iron Dutch oven over a hot campfire. In this super-easy version, kids help “dump” the ingredients in the bowl, and you bake it on a grill.

If you are a seasoned camp cook and want to bake your cake over a campfire, then you’ll need Dutch oven baking tips. Be sure to have a safe place for your campfire and review safety guidelines.  If you’re more comfortable over a grill in your backyard than a fire in the back woods, make sure your grill is clean (or your cake might taste like last week’s salmon) and review grilling safety tips. Station an adult near the grill at all times.



Here’s a back-up dessert plan, in case the cake burns while you are having fun playing the other games! Whip up these Banana Boat treats, baked in foil over the fire or grill. They’ll be done in a snap.

Camera Scavenger Hunt

In this activity, everyone gets to be a wildlife photographer and ends up with great photographs to remember the day. In the invitation, ask each child to bring a camera.



PARENTS: Be prepared to lend a hand if needed with these tips for young shutterbugs.

Just-Try-and-Stay-Dry Obstacle Course

Not even a heat wave will wilt the party spirit with this fun water game. It keeps kids laughing and moving, even on the hottest days. In the invitation, suggest partiers bring swimsuits and towels.



In your backyard, set up all or some of these fun watery stations as a quasi obstacle course:

At game time, have the children complete the course one at a time, making sure to wait are a couple of minutes before starting the next player. At the end of the game, have each turn in their game chip for a frozen treat.

Students and Nature | birthday, summer




Written by Kimberly Burger Capozzi