This is the summer of the backyard.
Okay yeah, I’m sick of kids trashing my damn house so I make them go outside, but dude. When I was growing up, I was never allowed in the house. From sun up to sun down, we were playing outside; no iPods or Xboxes or remote control anythings, we just made crap up.
It’s become increasingly important to Andy and I that our kids get outside and use their imaginations, plus what if The Lorax is a real thing? Who will remember the trees!?
A few weeks ago we had an absolute blast throwing a moonlight concert in our backyard, and it inspired us once more to transform our space into something unexpected.
Like an outdoor movie theater.
Movie theater experience without spending your kid’s college fund or smuggling wine in with your bra.
I think we just started a new weekend tradition.
Brittany – not only did I just fall more into love with you – but you just described my childhood (and my children’s childhood). Absolutely AWESOME. love!!!
Thanks!
Hello AWESOME idea!!! As if you would ever have something other than an awesome idea!
love it. don’t think we could do it in the summer because of the bugs, but we’ve done it in the winter time. in fact, the local university does it every night on their lawn showing holiday films during christmas time.
what does the 9×9 thing mean?
We Actually have a guy that fogs our street every week for mosquitoes, so so far…not an issue FINGERS CROSSED.
And sorry, the 9×9 thing is this fun project FM does, where they showcase moms doing fun things, and on rare occasion…..I up and decide to do fun things:)
we’ve had our streets fogged in the past… no sure why not this year? i always complain about the assholes filling our kids lungs with chemicals, but really… it’s kind of nice.
haha, i was totally counting people in your picture… like 9×9? are there 81 people there?! LOL
Awesome idea! :) It looks so inviting. I am sure everyone had a great time!
I have a silly question. What did you use to project the movie? I was wondering if there are any cheaper ways to do this since the projectors I just looked at online are really expensive. My son had borrowed one from his technology teacher to project part of a movie from his computer for a school project last year, but I see those are super expensive to purchase as well. Very cool though.
Thanks for sharing your pictures and post! Love your writing.
If you have a laptop it should play dvds and you can buy a projector for it (the kind people use for business presentations) for much less than the cost of a real movie projector
GOOD QUESTION.
Okay, so I live on a street full of families (about 6 of us with kids), and we’ve been wanting to do this for a while, but we weren’t sure if it would pan out, so we didn’t want to buy anything yet.
We had originally planned on renting one online, if you search LCD Projector Rental, you get lots of options!
However, my neighbor’s sister volunteered hers for us to try. Unfortunately it was a touch old and the input jack was spent, so one of the guys had to literally sit next to it jiggling the plug the whole time, BUT, it was still a total blast for everyone, especially the kids.
Also, we started the movie way to early. I tried taking pictures of the screen, but the kids were just too damn eager and it was too light when it started, in my opinion.
So knowing ALL THAT, we decided to take the plunge and buy a projector. We are splitting the cost between three families, as we’ll all use it the most, but we also found a cheaper one with great reviews on Amazon…
http://www.amazon.com/Advanced-Projector-Resolution-Playstation-satellite/dp/B003NMW1HC/ref=sr_1_2?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1340799428&sr=1-2
($70 a person with cables. The last time I took 3 kids to see Brave with popcorn? $90+)
So really, it’s not too bad. Add that to a white sheet, some candy, microwave popcorn and some old movies, BOOM. Saves you money all summer!
I think you can borrow projectors from some public libraries, or possibly nearby college universities. They may make you put a deposit on it, but that would be better than buying for only occasional users.
Also, many companies have them but hardly ever use them so you may be able to buy one used from them or just borrow it over the weekends.
Such a great idea! Yay for “free” booze at the movies!
Thank you so much for the information. Checking into it now. Your kids and Andy are lucky to have you. You are a great mom and wife!
Awesome!
This could totally make me consider moving to Ohio.
Come here, sweetie. *pats empty spot on the blanket*
There are no silly “liquor laws” at MY cinema.
So you mean I won’t need to bring this?? http://www.after5catalog.com/the-wine-rack-p-1293.html
Haha! Classic!
I loved living in Aspen where they sell beer and wine right there in the theater next to the popcorn and candy… they also sell freshly made cupcakes, cakepops and gourmet salads. Genius.
Great idea!
This is AWESOME.
And now I have reason # 3,986 why I wish (almost more than anything) that we had a yard. :(
*tear*
Great idea to bring the neighborhood together.
Cool idea! You guys must have much cooler summers up there (or we are all way wimpy down here in Kansas)!!
This is a great idea! We have done this before at my sisters house,projecting onto the side of the house! It was great fun and the kids enjoyed it much more than a stuffy movie theater.
We still have a drive-in here that we go to a lot in the summer,however, that has becime a lot more expensuve than the ten bucjs a carload when I was young!
Lastly, I am fortunate that my brother and sisterinlaw own a cinemadrafthouse! That is truly the only way I see any newly released flicks these days! Five dollar admission, a Full menu to chose from andddddd adult bevs!
Oh I love this so. And not just because you had Blue Moon chilling on ice.
This is the year of the backyard for us too and I’ve been telling Josh for years that I want to set up a backyard movie theater and do outdoor movie nights! I love this idea so much. Do you have a projector and outdoor speakers?
Do you know what the show times for Magic Mike are?
zing! I was thinking the same thing… why bring plastic seat protectors to the theatre when we can watch from the privacy of our own homes?!
What an amazingly awesome idea!!! I might just try this out myself!! Thanks for sharing!
So much awesome! I will have to try that in the fall-too hot and too many bugs here in the summer
We did this last year at my old neighborhood , there were lots more kids, but this year we r at a new neighborhood and not so many kids, but I still plan o. Soo.t it with just my kids, hopefully we do it soon
Yours looks like it turned out awesome.
Oh,BTW , I think there is a special projector screen or maybe even just the fabric that is good for.any light condition. I thinks its like silver on the back.
I love that you have beer included with the refreshments. Blue Moon – mmm! Fits with the nighttime theme too. This looks SO fun!!!