Most of us have had to make at least some changes to our daily lives thanks to the coronavirus pandemic, and while it may be frustrating to have to find ways to adapt our plans for safety, that doesn’t mean we can’t still spend time with the people we love. Even though we might have to get a little bit creative with our plans, the truth is that it can also make the process quite fun!
From dressing up in cocktail attire to order takeout to hosting a theme party at home, here are nine small outdoor gathering ideas for safe socializing.
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Host a Movie Night with Close Friends.
If you’re allowed to have small gatherings at home in your area, and live in a house with a backyard, consider inviting a few close friends over for an outdoor movie night together. You don’t have to invest in outdoor furniture to make this happen. Friends can bring their own chairs or even a picnic blanket or two to make the experience extra cozy. Set up a projector, stock up on (individually-wrapped) snacks and enjoy a late night showing under the stars.
Go Hiking Together for Some Fresh Air and Exercise.
If state parks are open in your area, and all of your friends are comfortable enough to get together for a hike, why not enjoy the great outdoors and a lovely view with a small group of your besties? Lace up your sneakers, pack a bag with water and snacks and you’re ready for adventure! If you’ve been cooped up at home for a while, it could be very refreshing to experience nature in this way.
Have a ’70s Themed Disco Party.
Disco fever, baby! Bars aren’t open in all states, and even in states where you can go out dancing, there’s nothing wrong with feeling uncomfortable about partying indoors with strangers. We are living in a pandemic, after all! If you want to avoid crowds, why not (safely) recreate the experience at home with a ’70s themed disco?! You and the gals can plan outfits over Zoom by putting together cute jumpsuits, platform shoes and jazzy accessories. A fun playlist and speaker to blast some funky jams are all you need for a fun and socially distanced dance party!
Make a Campfire and Roast Some S’mores Together.
In the summer and fall, few things are as delicious and satisfying as s’mores by the campfire. If the beach is too crowded and you’d prefer to stay home instead of heading out to a state park for camping, enjoy the coziness of a warm fire with friends in the yard. If you don’t feel safe sharing food with others, you can always invite your guests to bring their own s’mores supplies.
Have a Picnic in the Park with Friends and Family.
If you have a local park that allows socializing, this is the perfect place to get together and enjoy some picnic snacks with the people you love. If you are comfortable and allowed to gather on the same picnic blanket, feel free to share the area, but you can also space out with a blanket for every household. To avoid sharing food and utensils, have every guest bring their own picnic fare. Sandwiches, trail mix, sweet tea and chips are all delicious treats that travel easily, too! Just be sure to bring your hand sanitizer with you, especially if you won’t be able to get to a sink with soap and water.
Invite Friends for a Tiny tike Party.
If you have a pool in the backyard and the weather’s still warm, you can invite close friends and family over for a little tiki party! Wear your swimsuits or dress up in your best Hawaiian outfit, and work in cute activities like a hula dancing contest or some individually-wrapped, island-inspired snacks.
Order Takeout and have a Socially Distanced Dinner Party.
Not everyone is comfortable with sharing food or eating food that others have prepared, so a fun way to still be able to enjoy a meal together could be to have all of your guests bring their own takeout over! If you want to make it feel as fancy as a night out at your favorite restaurant, you could even put ask your friends to wear cocktail attire.
Play Games Together Using Phone Apps.
If you’re not quite ready to sit closely together for board games, you can set up a socially distanced circle and have some fun with your phone. There are so many apps you can choose from that offer a fun way to play without sharing controllers or game pieces. Save your spaceship as a team with Spaceteam, create your own trivia game with the help of Kahoot! or if you have a screen to project onto, play something like Jackbox games.
Visit an Outdoor Restaurant, if they are Allowed to be Open in your Area.
Depending on where you live, local restrictions for outdoor dining are varied. If your friends are comfortable with the thought of eating at a restaurant outdoors, look up which places in your area offer the option. This will give you the chance to get dolled up in one of your favorite casual dresses and enjoy a night that feels nearly normal.
Safe Socializing
While our weekend plans with friends and family might be looking a little different lately thanks to COVID-19, thankfully, there are ways to adapt plans to socialize safely. A little creativity is all you need to set up some fun outdoor gathering ideas that will be just as enjoyable as the activities we used to get together for before the pandemic!
