Hosting an Outdoor Halloween Party? Let’s Get Decorating!
Party tent owners never need an excuse to host an outdoor party, and Halloween is no exception. An outdoor Halloween party using tents can be a memorable one, and decorating a tent is easy peasy.
If you’ve decorated your home for Halloween before, decorating a party tent should be a breeze. But decorating a tent for your outdoor Halloween party does have a few considerations decorating a home doesn’t.
Some of the decorating is obvious, of course. We all know about using lengths of string and pulling apart cotton for cobwebs, and putting dry ice in a pot to make a witch’s cauldron. So we’re not going to list off all that.
Instead, let’s talk about the logistics of hosting an outdoor Halloween party using a party tent, and how to get the most out of your decorations. And while we’re at it, let’s throw in a few ideas to make that outdoor Halloween party more fun in ways you can’t really do indoors.
First, the Boring Stuff: Outdoor Party Logistics
Before we consider adding fun decor and inflatable games, we should first focus on the not-so-exciting logistical things, like making your tent comfortable. But don’t worry, we won’t spend too much time on this boring stuff.
A lot of the country gets cool in late October, if not cold, so chances are many of you will want to think about keeping your tent warm. We have a whole article explaining how to keep a party tent warm in fall, and it’s a good read on this subject. But here’s the short version: you want to invest in tent sidewalls, and if you really want the tent feeling cozy, you should consider getting a tent heater as well.
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Tent heaters will warm up the tent’s interior fairly quickly and keep it comfortable inside throughout your outdoor Halloween party. But let’s be honest: big tent heaters can be an eyesore. So we recommend hiding your tent heater behind your tent, in a low traffic area. Keeping your tent heater behind the tent or off on a side not only keeps it hidden away, but reduces trip hazards and helps keep it out of reach for children.
You’ll of course want electricity at your party, too, so naturally you’ll want to run some extension cords to your tent. It’s a good idea to keep these off behind the tent and along the sides, too. And as we’ll talk about in a moment, be sure to use your tent frame and some cable ties to keep extension cords off the ground inside the tent, so you’re making the most out of your interior space.
Use the Whole Tent, and the Whole Yard Too
The great thing about a party tent is that it’s incredibly versatile for any outdoor function. The tent frame gives you an excellent platform for hanging not only decorations, but accent lighting as well. So when you’re decorating your party tent for your outdoor Halloween party, be sure to use the whole tent. Your tent’s frame, tent top, and tent sidewalls can all be used creatively.
Of course, you don’t want to try and overdo it here. Party tents are tough, especially our commercial party tents, which are designed for use in the event and party rental business. But You should avoid hanging heavy objects from your tent frame. Not only can heavier decorations damage the frame, but they can make the tent unsafe.
Tent frames are designed to keep up tent tops and tent sidewalls. Lightweight decorations and some accent lighting are fine, but avoid bigger, heftier decorations. If a small child can’t lift it, you shouldn’t hang it inside your tent.
Likewise, you should avoid using adhesives with your tent top. Nobody buys a party tent for just one event in a year. Your tent can be used for most of the year, for most of your events. So be careful not to damage the tent top or sidewalls by sticking or gluing things to them.
Let’s Get This Outdoor Halloween Party Started!
Let’s close with some fun stuff, shall we? An outdoor party should always be fun, and that’s especially true with an outdoor Halloween party. So let’s find a few items that can enhance that fun for guests of all ages!
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Perhaps I’m dating myself here, but when I was a kid, Michael Jackson’s Thriller video was all the rage. It wasn’t a Halloween party in the 80’s until someone put that song on. Dancing is nearly as synonymous with Halloween parties as the Monster Mash song, so consider adding a portable dance floor to get peoples’ feet moving.
If you have a younger crowd attending your outdoor Halloween party, or if you’re putting this event together as, say, a fundraiser or a group function, consider adding some sealed air games into the mix. These inflatable games are filled with air from sealed air blowers, powered by electricity.
Players toss balls, bean bags, and other items. You can charge per toss and offer prizes to winners, or just set it up and let people enjoy them free of charge. Sealed air games are always a hit at parties, but they’re especially popular at outdoor Halloween parties.
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If you really want to go all out, consider adding a bounce house to your party. You can either rent a bounce house locally, or buy one if you intend to use it year round. What kid doesn’t love a few fun-packed hours bouncing around in a bouncy castle?
Whatever equipment you decide on, give Party Tents Direct a call at 1-716-566-5804. We’ll gladly help you find the right gear for your outdoor Halloween party. From party tents and tent accessories to dance floors, fly guys, inflatable games, and more, PTD can help you make your outdoor Halloween party not just fun, but scary-fun!