With Halloween right around the corner, it’s time to start making plans for how you’ll celebrate! If you’re a lover of Halloween, there’s a good chance you’ll take your kids trick-or-treating, hand out candy in the neighborhood, tuck in for a horror movie marathon, or attend a costume party. While these are all fun ways to celebrate, you’ve likely been participating in these types of celebrations your entire life. If you want to plan something a little out-of-the-box this year, consider throwing a Halloween camping party!
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Fall is the ideal time of year for camping thanks to the milder weather and beautiful fall foliage outdoors. All it takes is a little planning and some thoughtful decor to turn a normal campsite into a Halloween haven. Plus, Halloween camping parties can be thrown for attendees of all ages, whether you’re looking for plans yourself or you want to throw an unforgettable celebration for your kiddos. Read on for a step-by-step guide to hosting a memorable Halloween camping party, from setting a time and location to decorating tents and planning activities. Let’s dive in!
Pick a Location
The first logistics you’ll need to nail down is the location of your party. If you’re lucky enough to have a spacious backyard, this will be the easiest place to host, eliminating the need to travel with your party supplies and follow other people’s rules and regulations. Plus, there’s a good chance your attendees will live close by, making it convenient for everyone.
For those that don’t have a backyard big enough for hosting, or who just want a reason to escape to nature, look into booking a local campsite. To add a little more luxury to your party and minimize the amount of work you need to do as a host, glampsites are another great option. Many glamping destinations already have glamping tents pitched and furnished when you arrive so all you need to do is decorate and set up your food, drinks, and activities. Some campgrounds may even have fall activities planned that you and your guests can participate in.
If you go either of these routes, make sure to review all of the campground rules before committing to the location. Many campsites and glampsites have a capacity limit, as well as quiet hours they expect campers to abide by. It’s also important to consider the proximity of the campground to the people you plan to invite, and if you think they’d be willing to make the trip.
Secure a Time and Send Invitations
With back-to-school, fall sports, and other Halloween festivities in full swing, October can be a busy month for people. If you want to throw a party, be sure to secure a time and give people plenty of notice to ensure everyone can make it. When making your invite list, think about how many people you’re willing and able to host, as well as the capacity limits if you booked a campsite. Make sure your invites specify the time your celebration starts, what time people should leave in the morning, and other information your guests will need.
Choose a Shelter
Since this is a camping party where attendees will stay overnight, the shelter you choose can make or break the experience. While most party tents will do, there are a few factors you should consider when choosing a Halloween camping party shelter. By this point, you should have a good idea of how many people are attending your celebration. Use this information to inform the size of tent you need. If you plan to do more than just sleep inside your shelter, like hang out, play games, and eat, there should be enough room for these activities in addition to your sleeping area. Your guests will likely have overnight bags with them too – don’t forget to account for this gear.
Wall tents will be your tried and true when it comes to throwing a camping party. This tent style offers the large open spaces necessary for holding lots of guests and party supplies, and they give you plenty of room for activities. The Alpha Wall Tent from White Duck Outdoors comes in 6 spacious sizes, making it easy to choose the right fit for your party. On top of that, it’s weather-resistant, durable, and sturdy, making it the perfect shelter for an outdoor celebration.
Make Your Campsite Comfortable
You may love the outdoors, but that might not be the case for all of your guests – even if they agreed to attend. Go out of your way to make their sleep setup as comfortable as possible with sleeping mats or air mattresses, cozy blankets and pillows, and other comfort items. Decorate the interior of your tent and the outdoor campsite thoughtfully to make it a place party-goers will be comfortable hanging out at all night. Campfires always make for a cozy atmosphere and create a natural gathering area at camp. If you opt for a wall tent, tent stoves are another awesome addition, whether it’s too cold for a campfire outside or you just want to create extra ambiance inside the tent. Either way, bring along a log carrier to make collecting firewood throughout the evening easy.
Decorate for Halloween
Once your shelter is pitched and made comfortable for guests, decorating it is the next step. Choose a classic Halloween theme, whether it’s an eerie graveyard or a magical witch’s den, and gather decor to transform your campsite into a seasonal space. Even small items, like moody lighting, can make a big difference in the aesthetic of your party. If you’re traveling to a campsite, designate a canvas duffel bag just for your Halloween decor. Separating it from the rest of your camping gear will help to keep you organized and make setting up at camp a bit easier.
Plan the Food, Beverages, and Activities
Food and beverages are fundamental to a successful party, especially during a camping trip where people will be away from home and relying on you to keep them satiated throughout the evening. Bring along a large cooler full of refreshments to keep at your campsite, including water to ensure guests stay hydrated while outdoors. If you want to make eating easy, make your party a potluck where every guest contributes a different food. Or, supply meals and snacks for guests if that’s your preference. Whatever you decide, let your party-goers know what to expect so they don’t show up full, end up hungry, or arrive empty-handed at a potluck.
While camping is technically already an activity, it’s also a good idea to plan other ways to keep your guests entertained outside of eating, sleeping, and socializing. Plan a costume contest, tell ghost stories around the campfire, provide pumpkin carving supplies, or set up a projector to show horror movies throughout the night. Preparing activities for guests is the easiest way to keep them having fun and guarantee a memorable celebration.
Final Thoughts
There are countless ways to celebrate Halloween, from costume parties to trick-or-treating with kids. Hosting a Halloween camping party is a unique way to enjoy the holiday, offering you and your guests ample opportunity for fun while spending time in the beautiful weather of the fall season. Throwing this type of celebration requires thoughtful location selection, informing your attendees ahead of time with invitations, choosing a suitable shelter, making your space comfortable and festive, and planning food, drinks, and activities for guests. By following the tips above, you’ll be on your way to creating a successful night of Halloween-themed entertainment under the stars.
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