Summer is made for backyard movies. Whether you use a fancy projector or huddle around an iPad, backyard movies are a great way to bring family and friends together! One way to take your backyard movie to the next level is to incorporate a themed concession stand. That means having a menu that goes along with your theme and an actual concession stand! You can purchase items for your concession stand or make it a DIY for the family. Check out these awesome concession stand ideas!
Concession Stand Ideas: Themes
When it comes to themes, there are so many options! You could theme it so that it matches up with your movie’s story or the decade it was produce. Here are some suggestions:
- Retro: Throw it back to the good old days by serving popcorn, hot dogs, soda pop, and nachos drive-in style. Pick up some supplies like these retro holders.
- Sci-Fi: Perfect for any Star Wars marathon or space movie, this space tablecloth will help set the mood. Toss in a few of these planet cups you’ll be in business!
- Hollywood Glamour: Celebrate the golden days of Hollywood while you watch a Hollywood classic and sip from one of these reusable cups. You could even turn it into an Oscar celebration complete with a red carpet, Walk of Fame, and more.
- Western: When you’re watching a western, only these centerpieces will do. Add a little more wild west flair with a bunting strung across the front of your concession stand!
Concession Stand Ideas: Menu
When it comes to the menu, you should definitely theme your food around your movie. You could make foods from the movies (hello, blue milk from Star Wars) or simply rename family favorites to give them new life.
Western
For example, if you’re watching a western, you should try to serve items like “wagon wheel pasta salad”, “Sarsaparilla” (root beer), “Hay Bales” (rice krispie treats), “Horse Feed” (trail mix), and more!
Space/Sci-Fi
If you’re going to be watching a sci-fi/space movie, then think beyond the astronaut snacks. Instead, take family favorites and rename them. Perhaps a favorite soda becomes “rocket fuel”, popcorn becomes “asteroids”, and pizza morphs into a “UFO.”
Retro
For this theme, throw it back to whichever decade your celebrating. If it’s the 50/60’s, maybe include milk shakes and fries. If it’s the 80’s, break out the pixie sticks, push pops, nerds and more!
Concession Stand Ideas: DIY
When it comes to creating your physical concession stand, you have a couple of options. You can absolutely use a table you have on hand and decorate it with a tablecloth and banner. Or you could utilize something like a reclaimed produce stand. If you want to create something truly unique, why not repurpose a lemonade stand like this one? You could also use cardboard and a table to create something similar if you’re really in a DIY mood!
Now all you have to do is find a movie everyone can agree on. Need help? You should definitely check out this post for some movie ideas!
