How To Create a Fun and COVID-Friendly Kids Drive-In Movie Party

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Travel dorsum in time with this cornball, COVID-friendly drive-in flick party for kids. It's fun for everyone, DIY and cheap. Win, win, win!

Children in boxes watching a movie Toni DeBella for Family unit Handyman

Drive-in movie theaters were all the rage in the 1950s and '60s. Now they're making a comeback. Turn your backyard movie theater into a boom from the by past staging an unforgettable, open-air viewing political party when the sun goes down. Who knew that social distancing could exist so much fun?

Outdoor movie screen Toni DeBella for Family Handyman

Pre-Party Prep

Skilful planning is the key to any successful and memorable event. Leave zero to chance by getting a head get-go with these helpful tips.

  • Begin past scoring recycled cardboard refrigerator or other big boxes to make the cars. You tin usually find them at appliance stores or habitation improvement centers. Phone call ahead to accommodate for curbside pickup of the boxes. Catch a few more than y'all'll demand for unexpected guests.
  • Browse the Cyberspace for free templates to design personalized license plates for each child. Google Sheets and PowerPoint work well as well.
  • If you don't already own one, now's the fourth dimension to procure an outdoor projector. Ask to borrow a friend's, pick 1 upward at a local electronics retailer or guild one online. These projectors are affordable and uncomplicated to operate.
  • Borrow or purchase a projector screen, too. Or just raid your linen closet for a flat white sheet to use instead.
  • Before the big day, do a test bear witness to piece of work out whatsoever technical glitches.
  • Consider hanging string lights around the 1000 for an even more celebratory temper.
  • Ask invitees to bring pillows, blankets and sleeping numberless from home to help make their vehicles comfortable. Their adults can bring lawn chairs, too.

Child standing in a box Toni DeBella for Family Handyman

Transform Cardboard Boxes into Cars

To transform refrigerator or other large paper-thin boxes into cool coupes, follow these iii easy steps:

  1. With scissors or a utility pocketknife (adults just), carve off the top of the box. Leave about a three-to-v-inch lip around the perimeter to put beverages on, and a half-moon opening in the forepart for easy entry.
  2. Space the cut-out convertibles at a safe vi feet from one another, forming a semi-circumvolve. (If room is limited, stagger in rows.)
  3. For the roadsters' finishing touch, utilise double-sided tape or glue sticks to adhere paper-plate wheels to the sides and personalized license plates at the rear.

Child standing in a box Toni DeBella for Family unit Handyman

Let the Fun Brainstorm

  • Equally each guest arrives, hand out a goodie pocketbook filled with a personalized disposable mask, travel-size hand sanitizer and washable markers.
  • Invite kids to customize their "rides." Encourage creativity — anything goes!
  • Lay down the pillows, blankets and sleeping bags you lot asked the kids to bring from home inside the vehicles, for comfy reclined movie-viewing.
  • While the kids are mesmerized by the movie, parents can relax in the background, enjoying grown-upwards tidbits and libations at a safe social distance.

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Arts and crafts a Snack Bar for Intermission

Cover a table with a brightly colored tablecloth to create a makeshift snack bar. Invite older siblings or parents to man information technology during intermission or act as carhops. Include plenty of individual numberless of popcorn (this hot oil popcorn maker is a classic cinema replica!) and other quintessential pic treats. Limit the handling of nutrient and make sure everyone uses hand sanitizer.

Originally Published: Oct 29, 2020