Open-air activities are those fun things you do outside when the sun is out. You get to soak in some vitamin D and enjoy the fewer restrictions that come with being outdoors. You can invite friends over for a BBQ, have the children play with bigger toys, or simply crack away on a DIY project. However, your landscaping can make or break your open-air activities. That’s why you need an experienced landscaping team like Northwood Outdoor Services on call.
Types of Open-Air Activities
Home: These are designed for individuals who want to spend quality time with family and close friends. We’re talking BBQs, play dates, and baby showers with 10 or fewer guests. Usually, the host handles landscaping, food selection, and everything in between.
Corporate: These are company-sponsored activities that usually attract high-level guests. Businesses use these activities to connect team members, and they want nothing but the absolute best. For example, a company may decide to invite the top-level management on a 5-day boat ride. The trip is fully paid for, and the team gets to play and stay in the most luxurious suites available.
Charity: These events are hosted by an individual or charity organization to raise funds for a good cause. It can be a race that’s trying to raise money for a college fund. And they usually don’t have super high requirements like other activities listed in this article.
Benefits of Outdoor Events
Most people will agree that adults spend most of their time indoors. You travel in a car, spend the day in an office, then hop back in the car for a ride home. And when you get there, most of your time is spent in front of a screen. So, planning an outdoor activity is the perfect way to break this monotony.
Also, outdoor activities come with a little more freedom. You can get away with loud music or even throw in an inflatable game trail to the mix. Get this part right, and you’ll be surprised at how well your guests participate in these fun adventures. This is especially true if you make them competitive.
It is also easy to include crazy ideas in an outdoor activity. For example, you may decide to add a cocktail bar to your BBQ to spice things up. You can also have beachside decorations and trendy furniture, then light up the night sky with torches and electric candles.
Things to Consider When Planning an Open-Air Activity
1. Make Sure Your Activity Will Work in an Outdoor Setting
Almost any activity can be brought outside and be just fine. However, you can’t host an eGaming party in your backyard. Powering and placement of all your gaming gear can be a nightmare, and the bright sun can cause visibility problems. Factor in the cable network that you’ll need to power the outdoor gaming session, and you’ll see why outdoor gaming is a pretty bad idea.
As a general rule, stay away from any activities involving a lot of screen time.
2. Get the Venue Right
You want a place with enough parking, suitable facilities, and WiFi. For example, you can’t organize a street concert in a tiny backyard. You want a carefully designed landscaped space with lots of high-end facilities. Deliver anything less, and your angry guests will find excuses to leave before the day is over.
3. Weather
Just because it’s a beautiful summer day doesn’t mean nature won’t throw a nasty surprise your way. If this happens, your activity may take a hit and possibly backfire on you. That’s why you always want to have a plan B. Choose a location with an indoor space that your guests can take refuge in if things head south.
4. Equipment
Running equipment outside is more challenging than you might think. You need long extension cords, great wiring skills, and permissions to make noise in the neighborhood. The idea is to keep all the cords and techy stuff out of the way and possibly out of sight. That will result in a clean look that will win any day.
5. Comfort
Plastic seats are a convenient way to provide chairs for your guests, but those things are far from comfortable. You’re better off hiring cushioned seats from a local event planner, even though they are a pain to move. These seats will set you back a tidy sum, but the result is a more comfortable place for your guests to rest.