10 Fun Ideas for your next Cookout

This weekend marks the "official" start of the Summer Barbeque season.  To celebrate, I've put together these 10 ways to make this year's cookouts more fun than ever!  

First, let's start with the fun foods...

Wouldn't these cookies be so much fun at a cookout?

They're really easy to make .

You just put them together 

using all store-bought ingredients

(they don't require any baking at all!)

Find out how we made them HERE.

Perfect for Memorial Day, 

Fourth of July or any time 

you're feeling patriotic,

these cute strawberries

make a tasty BBQ treat!

Simple directions HERE.

For a fun way to get the kids (and adults)

eating some more fruit,

make this awesome Watermelon Shark

The picture above shows a shark that I made,

but I used the tutorial from HERE at Sun Scholars.

When the burgers are done but the grill is still hot,
make up a few of these campfire cones.
Start with chocolate chips and marshmallows,
then add in some extras like peanut butter,
bananas, nuts, berries, etc.
Get all the details HERE.

Finally, if your cookout continues after the sun sets,
make up some of these glow-in-the-dark drinks.
You just need two cups (one clear, one regular)
and some glow sticks.
Your beverage never actually touches the glow stick
and you don't break them open,
so it's totally safe (but super cool!)
Check out the simple instructions HERE.

Now, let's move on to the activities!  The following activities are easy to make and set up, so the kids can play while the adults enjoy their cookout in peace.  Check them out...

What's just as much fun as water balloons,

but last a lot longer?

These spongeballs!

They're really easy to make and unlike a water balloon,

they can be thrown over and over again!

Directions to make them are right HERE.

Nothing keeps kids occupied like bubbles

and this refill station is the perfect

solution to spilled bubble juice.

Just pass out a bunch of bubble wands 

and you're good to go!

Check out two recipes for homemade 

bubble solution HERE.

Speaking of bubbles,

these bubble snake makers are 

a ton of fun.

You just need an empty water bottle,

old washcloth, a rubber band

and some liquid dish soap.

Get the easy tutorial HERE.

This is such a simple idea for a scavenger hunt 

but it's so much fun.

Just give each kid several paint swatch cards

and have them search for things that match.

Check out our post on it HERE.

Finally, one of our favorites, these marshmallow shooters.

Use a plastic cup (or empty yogurt container)

and a balloon to make these cool launchers.

You'll be amazed how far they can shoot.

Whether you make up some targets

or just let there be a free-for-all,

these will be a huge hit.

Simple directions are HERE.

Okay, there you have it.  Five fun foods and five fun activities to make your next cookout a hit for both kids and adults.

Sharing our fun cookout ideas at:
Here Comes the Sun 
Tatertots and Jello
The Frugal Girls 
Six Sisters' Stuff 
I heart Naptime