Free download · Parties
Free Backyard Party Planning Kit
A backyard party can feel effortless, but it takes a little math to get right. This kit starts with measuring your space and then walks through seating, shade, power, restrooms, neighbors, food, rentals, and cleanup.
What's inside
Everything in the kit
- Yard Measuring and Party Worksheet
- Space Per Guest
- Planning Timeline
- Tent, Shade, Power, and Lighting
- Restrooms, Neighbors, and Parking
- Food and Drink Amounts
- Rentals Checklist
- Cleanup Plan
- Budget Split
Files you get
- PDFBackyard Party Kit (PDF)Printable kit with timeline, checklists, tables and a fill-in worksheet
Read next
Guides that go with this download
- Backyard BBQ for 100 Guests: The Complete Equipment ListEverything to rent or bring for a backyard barbecue for 100 guests: grills, tables, tent, chairs, cooling, serving gear, trash and a layout.
- Is Your Backyard Big Enough for an Event? Chicago Size GuideFind out how many guests fit in a Chicago-area backyard, with square footage per guest, tent sizes, table counts and layout examples.
- Backyard Movie Night Seating: Screen Distance, Chairs and BlanketsSet up backyard movie night seating with the right screen distance, tiered chairs, a snack table and a plan for darkness in Chicago. Counts for 10 to 60.
- Backyard Party Layout Plan: Tables, Bar, Food and GamesA backyard party layout with a tent, dining tables, bar, buffet, grill, games and kids zone, plus spacing, flow and a Chicago-area weather plan.
- Backyard Party Lighting Ideas: A Chicago Planner's GuidePractical backyard party lighting ideas by zone, with a lighting plan for paths, dining, bar and dance areas plus safety and power tips for Chicago yards.
- Backyard Tent for 50 Guests: Size, Layout and ChecklistEverything you need for a 50-guest backyard tent party in the Chicago area: the right tent size, layout, seating, permits, power and a planning checklist.
- Block Party Rentals in Chicago: Tables, Tents and the Permit StepsPlan a Chicago block party: how the CDOT permit works, what tables, chairs and tents to rent for 50 to 150 neighbors, and a street layout that keeps cars out.
- Chicago Block Party Permit: How to Get One and What to RentHow to get a Chicago block party permit through your alderman and CDOT, the rules on residents and street limits, and the rentals a block party needs.
- Two-Flat and Greystone Backyard Party in Chicago: Layout GuideHow to fit tables, chairs and a bar into a narrow Chicago city lot, with layouts for 20, 40 and 60 guests and tips for gangways, decks and neighbors.
Questions
About the Backyard Party Planning Kit
How many guests fit in my backyard?
Plan about 10 to 12 square feet per guest for a seated dinner at round tables and 6 to 8 for a standing party, after you subtract beds, trees and paths. The worksheet walks you through it.
Is the backyard party kit really free?
Yes. Enter your email and the download links appear right away, with no account needed. You can unsubscribe from planning emails at any time.
Will the spreadsheets work in Google Sheets or Numbers?
Yes. The Excel files open in Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets (File, then Import) and Apple Numbers, and the formulas keep working. CSV versions are there for any tool that prefers plain columns.
Can I share it with my partner, family or committee?
Yes. Print it, forward it or upload it to a shared drive. It is free for personal and nonprofit planning use.
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